Greetings, Readers!
I've bitten my tongue for long enough. [Okay, those who have read my earlier posts might chuckle at that statement...] I am going to come right out and hammer on this topic that utterly and totally confuses me. I just don't understand the logic behind it, so I want us to discuss this, and ultimately come to a consensus. Either I will convince you to see things the way I (and others in the industry) do, or one of you fine readers will have to come forward and explain the logic in thinking oppositely.
Here's the deal. I certainly understand the basic fact that the American economy generally sucks for the everyday-Joe. And - to an extent - I can appreciate the fact that there are certain cars that bring their owners such joy, usually based on status symbol-based reasons. BUT, what I don't comprehend at all, is the tendency of customers to want to splurge on everything that makes a car run... while being worse than Mr. Scrooge on everything that makes the car stop or steer correctly. The biggest mind bogglers: People driving old/older luxury brands (think of late 90's and earlier Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, etc.) but who gripe when the least expensive pads available are at least ~$40. Seriously?!
REALITY CHECK #1: An auto that will not run, will not make the news for hurting or killing anyone. An auto that will not stop or turn as the driver wishes is an accident waiting to happen; this is called 'loss of control' or 'failure to control', which is generally a citation-worthy offense (even if you manage to avoid hurting/killing anyone).
REALITY CHECK #2: Part of the status those luxury cars symbolize, is that you not only can afford *to drive* it, but that you can actually afford *to own* it - including repair costs. If you honestly think you can get by driving around in your sweet ride without any concern for true ownership... Ha! The joke will be on you when your dream of a ride literally crumbles around you.
Whether the auto you own is a "$50 beater", a new luxury masterpiece, or anything in between, I highly recommend that you completely forget about any 'low-ball' $15 or $20 brake pads you hear about. I would agree that 'something is better than nothing', but if you brakes are not road-worthy, you may as well find alternative transportation (carpool, public transportation, biking/walking, borrowing a car from a friend/family member) and save up the extra money to get something decent. You might be surprised that the next level up is only $30 to $40 (or thereabouts), which isn't a very large jump. I wouldn't trust $15 pads for any longer than one week, maybe two, depending on the application.
So, let's review:
1. Cars that won't stop are dangerous to everyone. Therefor, cheap pads = potentially expensive mess!
2. Certain autos are called 'status symbols' for a reason: they symbolize that you have the financial stature not only to drive them, but also to maintain them properly.
Now that we have cleared up that matter, please keep it in mind when learning what your latest 'ownership dues' are during your next repair scenario.
Until next time,
PPM
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