The High Price of Car Parts in Today's Cars

My head lamp went out in my 2009 Toyota Prius Hybred yesterday and so I went down to the auto parts store to get a bulb. Nothing new down it before on other cars. But when I got there I was not prepared for the surprise of my life.

The guy behind the counter looked up the part needed for my car and then looked at me and turned his monitor around so I could see the screen. There at the bottom of his screen was the price for the part....$115.55

YES, that is right. I lost it right there at the counter ranting and raving about the price. I excused myself and went outside to make some calls. First call was to Cindy to let her know what I would have to pay for a replacement bulb for a car that I will never buy again. Then I called the Dealer to check on their price, knowing full well they will be higher. The Dealer did not disappoint me, they wanted $193.98.

I reluctantly went back into the auto part store and purchased the much needed part. They gave a discount to soften the blow and so I only had to pay $101 for part but still this is high way robbery.

So my blog is about the high prices we consumers must pay for parts for new cars. Makes you want to buy older cars before all this technology which should make things cheaper, safer, longer lasting, etc etc but NOT!

What dream world are you living in?

I thought I would save money for gas by buying this car, especially since I drive to Phoenix from Prescott Valley, 108 miles one way. Which I do save money in regards to gas. BUT! The money I save is being spent in parts for this foreign made car.

You know that this part, being not made in America, costs them very little so their markup is quite large.

So what lessons can we learn from my experience??

Don't buy any car until you check the costs of parts to fix common break downs and if you can afford the costs then buy the car if not move on to a different car that is not going to try and screw you later.

Until my next blog, live life as it was your last day on earth and enjoy the person you are with.

Taz