Repowering: An Idea That's In Tune With The Times

In these days of rising household expenses and, for some, declining income, many families are postponing major expenses except when absolutely necessary. Money wise motorists find it possible to delay a trip to the auto dealer’s show room by fixing up their present car. Even an 8 year old car with 150,000 miles can keep on rolling with the right investment in needed repairs, new tires and some sprucing up.

For owners whose engines are noisy, burn oil and spew smoke from the tail pipe, the money saving solution may be a rebuilt engine. "This is like giving one’s vehicle a new lease on life," says Don Midgley, Executive Director of the Automotive Repower Council. "The vast majority of vehicle owners are unaware of this option. For others, new car advertising diverts their thinking."

In the majority of cases a car is traded because major components are wearing out. Often the first thing to go is the engine, because it is most vulnerable to damage from driver abuse, neglected oil changes, depleted antifreeze-coolant and, more important, continuing to drive when these condition exist. "Continuing to drive after a warning light turns on can be the kiss of death for an engine," says Midgley. "Too often people use the damaged engine as an excuse to go new car shopping.

"That’s when they think they’re between the rock and the hard place. The new car costs too much and they can’t do without the car while it’s in the shop for an overhaul."

The Automotive Repower Council offers an intelligent solution in its informative brochure, "STICKER SHOCK?" Listing the various costs involved in trading vehicles, it also lists the many benefits of having a rebuilt engine installed, often within 24 hours, and for a small fraction of the cost of trading vehicles.

A rebuilt engine is as good as, even better than, the one it replaces when the vehicle was new. In most cases a rebuilt engine costs little more than the sales tax on a new car. It carries an excellent warranty and saves the owner the aggravation of sending the bank an average of $500 per month for three years or more.

"For these reasons and more," asserts Midgley, "we expect to see more and more vehicle owners selecting the intelligent option: a rebuilt engine."