We did our Homework miss.....

According to the latest RACV report the Landcruiser Diesel is the most expensive vehicle to keep on the road..? Now my guess on this is that the 5000km service intervals are the deciding factor here as surely the fuel saved would make this cheaper to run weekly than the petrol model.?

So if it is the 5000 service intervals I would be doing these myself to save the bank , it can't be that hard to change oil, filters and clean an air filter..!

20l drum of engine oil- between $76 and $101 depending on sales. That does 4 services (3 if I change the gearbox and transfer oil)

Oil filter every second service- isuzu genuine about $11 (from memory, buy a few at a time and its cheaper still)

an hour of my time (Like to take my time)

workshop consumables (grease, rags, morning coffee)- a couple of dollars here and there

Mineral turps to clean the air filter- a couple of bucks every couple of services

$40 at the most compared to the $160 that Ive been charges at holden, pretty good saving to me

Nice work Laura!

I buy most stuff either 2nd hand or on special...Ebay has saved $$$ on certain car parts etc. as has garage sales.

A few things that've saved money:

1) Removed towbar from my old Patrol, and Installed and wired up to the Safari (including the 24v - 12v controller, as its an import)

2) Always wired up accessories, spotlights, installed car stereos, Amps, subs etc.

3) Custom made rear storage lockers that bolt up to the cargo barrier, and go over the wheel arches, for recovery gear and stuff.

4) sourced a door and front wheel arch panel from privately wrecked Patrols ($175 total, instead of $800+ quoted from wreckers) installed myself.

5) Installed and wired 3rd (aux) battery in Car, sourced 2nd hand 24 - 12v battery charger $$$ reduced.

6) Buy broken equipment and repair if i can as a hit and miss hobby lol (like my $2.50 GME tx3200 UHF which now works perfectly and took an hour to fix)

Bean counter by trade....bean counter by nature (with just a little petrol flowing through the veins)

Rev

There is a service station in town (Nanango) where I take the two MUs I supply oil and filter, he checks every thing and allows me to get under the vehicle to check what I wont also. Labour $65 and washes the wind screen and check tyre pressures. I cant bet that and especially when I can hang around while he does it, I like to know what people are doing to my trucks.
Cheers Bruce

Laura!! Imagine the money you could save if you had a Commodore instead!!! :)

Had drawer system professionally made by a matefrom ply wood $250 has worked for last 5 years.

Never tell the wife what i've done or got, I figure she will find out at some stage, I kinda leave it in the NEED to know basis :).

And just in case she reads this i'm not saying LOL.

Brian

it is amazing how much you can save just by ringing around and quoting other peoples prices, must be alot of mark up, never assume the salesperson knows more about the product than you , but is good to get someone who does and willing to help ,very rare thats my 2 cents worth anyhow
tony

We just buy our expensive items direct from the manufacturer in China, saves us a bucketload. Sometimes we have to buy 5 or 10 of something, but there are usually enough people around to relieve us of the extras.....

Some items are just ridiculously priced - $3 for 300watt inverters - but you have to buy a minimum of 10000 units.......

It kinda helps working for the chinese government department that runs the ships to Australia......

lol

Cheers,

Chump