A Keeper Is Cheaper

In choosing a mechanic, you can go to the dealership—which may not be interested in your effort to prolong your car's life—or pick a garage. For recommendations on independent garages, start at the AAA website or the Car Talk radio-show Web site. Look for a mechanic certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. The bottom line? A mechanic who becomes a friend will look for signs of trouble before it happens.

For those who turn to a pro, Gordon offers this tip: if your car's sparkling clean, you get better service. "Mechanics don't want to spend any more time than they have to in a car that's filled with trash and sticky with food," he points out. "But take a clean car in for some work and they pay attention."

Gordon should know. His dedication to his own multimillion-mile car led him to a part-time job—in the service department at a Volvo dealership.

William Jeanes is a former editor in chief and publisher of Car and Driver and a former publisher of Road & Track.