[17th Miss Regt]

Expenses on car repairs alone have soared 33% since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

Although the cash for clunkers program was a while back, it significantly distorted the car market by taking older vehicles off the market. The average cost of repairs probably went down somewhat. But as more vehicles get older, the cost of repairs tends to go up. I think that as the cars that remain age, the cost of repairs could easily go up by 33%, having nothing to do with what Armstrong said.

[Myrddin]

Both of my F150 trucks are owned free and clear. I had to have the brakes done on the 2015 F150 SuperCrew at 138,000 miles. Rotors and pads. $1500. Last weekend, the emergency brake cable snapped. Parts ordered. Repair will be $450. Aside from the master cylinder failure, the vehicle has been very reliable. Ford covered the master cylinder failure as a class recall. My 1999 F150 SuperCab has 68,000 miles on the odometer. I purchased it used in 2003 with 22,500 on the odometer. The only major failure has been the fuel pump failure when temperatures dropped to -21F in the driveway. The ethanol tainted fuel attracted water. Ice destroyed the pump. I use only ethanol free fuel now. No more problems. I'm still on the first tank of gas for 2025 and the 4th battery recharge.