In the recent article, “Working to Keep an Old Friend Up and Running,” that appeared in the January 27, 2010 issue of the LOUISBURG HERALD, shop proprietor Larry Fields reported that more of his customers are willing to spend to keep their older model vehicles running. While this is great news, the downside of this is that in order to make these repairs, many drivers are putting off other services, such as oil changes and replacing worn tires.

Below is the article as it appeared in the LOUISBURG HERALD newspaper.

Working to Keep an Old Friend Up and Running

WRITTEN BY AARON CEDEÑO   
WEDNESDAY, 27 JANUARY 2010

About 18 months ago, Larry Fields started to notice a change in his business.

As the national economy continued its downward slide, people in Louisburg were affected right along with the rest of the nation. As a result, money became a little bit tighter.

“Even Bill Gates has cut back something,” said Fields, the proprietor of FDL Tire and Auto, with a smile. “Everybody cuts back. Maybe he didn’t cut back like the rest of us did, but he’s cut back somewhere.”

One place his customers haven’t cut back, however, is on how much money they’re willing to spend to keep their current or older model vehicles up and running. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Today’s drivers are more conscious about certain elements of their car’s overall health, Fields explained. If a $5,000 car breaks down and has a $1,000 repair tag attached to it, just two years ago he would see an inclination on the part of the owner to trade it in and begin the search for a new vehicle.

Now, he said, times have changed. FDL is doing more mechanical work than ever before, but it comes at a cost.

Standing next to a tire he replaced on Monday afternoon, Fields pointed out the steel showing through the rubber — a tire worn dangerously thin. As big-ticket replacement and repair work has increased, people are frequently pushing their tires and oil, expenditures typically regarded as comparatively minor to something such as engine work, beyond the point of safety, he said.

To read the rest of this article, visit the Louisburg Herald website at http://www.herald-online.com/201001277046/news/community-news/working-to-keep-an-old-friend-up-and-running.html.