zentin

i was reading how most of the car is computerized....so will it be expensive to maintain/repair the car? I just got it today.

Tbones80

I have an 05, almost 4 years now, cost me a set of plugs, pads and oil changes. Only real issues I know of are stepper motors in the dashboard gauges. Theyre $20 off ebay, or use it as an excuse for a gt500 cluster. But so far its been damn reliable. Other then the odd lemon, I dont think people have that many issues with them.

zentin

thanks - yeah i'm not worried abotu the parts but i hear labour is gonna kill me since i can't really work on cars.

Lem-06

always have time to learn

Tbones80

Well the labor rate will be the same on all cars. If its not your only car, and have time theres lots of youtube videos and forums thatll be happy to help you out. Everyone here at one point knew nothing about auto repair.

zentin

oh believe me guys i tried - i went to school to be a mechanic im one of those guys who's so bad that no matter how many times i try i break more then i fix. all i can do is rotate tires, oil change, etc.

btw its not letting me upload my cars pic but heres a video i recorded of a tour - was gonna show off exhaust but was letting the car rest.

zentin

it posted twice for some reason :S

but i meant like that i heard since these new cars are so computerized they are even harder to work on and you need to go to a dealer for most repairs, is that true?

Tbones80

Nah, usually if something goes wrong, youll get a check engine light. Hook up a code reader or go to a place like autozone, and theyll read the code for you. Itll tell you exactly whats wrong. Cylinder 6 misfire, O2 sensor bank 1 out of range, etc etc.

Sometimes its not so obvious, like if a whole bunch of electrical issues pop up at once and cars acting wierd. Check the smart junction box in the passenger footwell to see if its wet. Sometimes the drain holes by the cabin air filter get plugged, fills with water and overflows over the junction box. If its dry, bad alternator.

But thats what the forums are for. Ask away because someone will have had the same issue before and can point you in the right direction. Then you can decide to tackle it yourself, or if you have to take it in, can at least point the mechanic in the right direction and save hours of labor of him troubleshooting.

wcgman

They are pretty reliable. The only problems I've had have been self induced.

zentin

thanks guys - btw how do i reset the trip odometer? theres no **** or anything that i can find. otherwise everything else in the car seems to work good.