Working Poor

I have had the belt checked and it is ok. I had all of the fluids in the car replaced, had the radiator flushed out and fluids replaced (all very recently -- just prior to replacing the battery).

I've had one problem with it. The engine light came on and I needed a part related to the smog system replaced (an oxidizer) which cost me a lot to have fixed by said dealer. The total repair, along with the fluids all being replaced was over $700.00 and that was after I bitched about the price (they knocked $100 off the price).

I've kept the car up completely and have the tires rotated every 5K; oil changed every 3K. As I said, car has less than 50K on it and has never been abused in any way.

As for the brakes, the place that rotated the tires a few weeks ago said they were at 70% still, so nothing to worry about!

The garage is so clean you can vacuum it out, that is how clean it is. I've never seen a drop of anything come out of it. I have never used additives of any sort.

Thanks for all of your other tips. Will print them out so I'll have them!