Besides making a car payment, car maintenance expenses and insurance can really put a crimp on any budget. It can be difficult enough to make a $250 or $300 month loan payment, but add in car insurance and upkeep and you can find yourself paying a bundle for your car every month. I can't help you with the insurance angle, but I can make some suggestions on how you can reel in your repair and maintenance costs. Yes, my advice involves you doing the work yourself; in reality, there is no better way for you to save money.

Lots of weekend mechanics stay away from the shops and do all their maintenance themselves. Thanks to Chilton or Haynes auto manuals, motorists can do virtually any project as long as they have the tools and equipment handy. Installing clutches such as Exedy Clutch or act clutches is easy with the help of your auto manual. So, where should you shop for quality parts? Well, it can depend on the model you own.

Naturally, if you own an Acura then Acura Parts from your dealer is one option. The same can be said for Audi Parts and Ford Parts: you can buy what you need through your dealer. You will also quickly learn you'll pay a hefty mark up by buying anything from your dealer. Really, you didn't think that you could purchase Land Rover parts from your dealer at wholesale prices now, did you? Not a chance! Of course, there are some people who think nothing of going to their local salvage yard, finding the exact junked model, and then pulling whatever parts they need off of the car. While this can be a cost effective solution, it doesn't guarantee that the part on the junked car is any good. Yes, that old Centerforce Clutch may have been terrific when it was new, but as time goes by it is subject to wear, tear and the elements. Perhaps, finding a retailer specializing in the sale of centerforce clutches is a better use of your money in the long run. Alternatively, you can try your local big box retailer for the parts you need.

They can be a good source for you and with their abundant inventories; a chain retailer may have what you want. Still, prices are not uniform across the board as you may find that their sales prices are good, but their every day prices to be a bit high. Besides, if a part is not in stock do you want to wait 1 or 2 weeks for it to come in? Probably not. An ACT Clutch may or may not be available, chances are you can find it cheaper through an online wholesaler too. So, just where should you shop? Well, online wholesalers are really making a name for themselves these days. Some are definitely better than others so you must shop carefully.

Things to look for include, inventory: do they have what you want or will they have to order it? Not everyone carries superchips so you may have to split your order amongst several stores if you want jet chips, a repair manual, and floor mats, for example. In addition, some carry only limited brands, such as aem, meaning you'll have to shop around or settle for something else.

Beyond inventory, make certain that everything is priced online, part information is given, shipping policy is clear, and ordering and payment information is understandable. Finally, make sure that you are ordering from a secured site in order to protect yourself and your identity.