With Poor Economy, Every Car Becomes A Fixer-Upper

BRISTOL, Va. – The owners of several local auto repair shops say business is booming because people are fixing their old cars rather than buying new ones in the struggling economy.

Jerry Goodson, owner of Jerry’s Automotive on Bob Morrison Boulevard, has spent 43 years in the business. These days, Goodson said he and his mechanics are busy and he doesn’t expect that to change any time soon.

He said business has increased 20 percent in recent months.

“I’ve never seen it quite as bad as it is now. Customers are saying that they just can’t afford to buy a new car,” he said.

Goodson, who drives a 1991 Mitsubishi pickup, said there’s no reason not to keep a vehicle if the driver keeps up with regular maintenance like oil changes.

“I’m seeing cars on a regular basis with 100,000 and up miles on them,” he said.

Goodson said his business deals mostly with brake and engine work, electrical problems, and oil changes.

“Now we are covered up everyday. It’s almost to the point where we can’t get it all done that comes in to us on a day’s time,” Goodson said.

Don Beach, who owns Don’s Garage in Abingdon, Va., said his business also is experiencing an increase in major repair work.

“I’ve had a lot more major jobs like clutches, engines, valve work where you gotta pull apart the engine valve,” Beach said.

In the past, he said this type of repair would send the average consumer to the dealership for a new car.

“They know a $3,000 investment is a lot better than going to the bank and getting a loan for a $500- to $600-a-month car payment. It’s a lot cheaper in the long run to borrow $3,000 than $20,000,” said Beach.

Business at AutoZone, an aftermarket parts and accessories retailer on Paulena Drive in Bristol, Va., has “definitely been busier” in the last few months, said Manager Bobby Goodman. Although he said he doesn’t have an exact figure, the store has had a significant increase in sales and a consistent number of customers saying the same thing. “They are telling me they’ve got to keep what they’ve got and repair it instead of buying a new vehicle,” he said.

Goodman added that “more folks are replacing engines, transmissions, doing more major repairs instead of going out and buying a new car.”

When people do not buy new cars, Goodman said, “It’s definitely an upside for us parts stores.”

Debbie Grubb, store manager of Napa Auto Parts in Abingdon, agreed and said the store has had a 30 percent increase in sales over the past six months.

“People are being forced to live day to day and put their priorities in order and buying a new car just isn’t on the list for most,” Grubb said.

It’s cheaper to fix a used car, she said, adding that it may be time to get a new car when the list of repairs gets too long.

AAA reports that as more motorists put off the purchase of a newer vehicle, major components in their existing vehicles can begin to fail with age and they are faced with the decision of whether to invest in costly repairs or buy a new one.

“Repairing major vehicle components such as the transmission or engine can run upwards of $2,000 or more,” Craig Horsley, director of automotive services for AAA East Tennessee, said in a news release. “The repair is often cheaper than getting another car.”

AAA recommends repair work when the repair will cost less than half the vehicle’s worth, the vehicle is a classic that will increase in value, and the car is generally reliable.

AAA suggests considering another car when the vehicle breaks down frequently, has a history of problems, and a major repair bill is half or more of the vehicle’s worth.

A new vehicle is also recommended if there is a major lifestyle change such as a growing family or a longer commute.

Kelly Cales is a multimedia fellow who can be reached at: kcales@wjhl.com