Cars are expensive

I took my car in for an oil/filter change today. I went to the dealer because that's where I'd always gone while the warranty was still in effect since they would often find and repair things for free. This was my first visit since then, and it didn't occur to me to seek out a less expensive option. After hearing that this particular oil change was going to be 4 times as expensive as the others because they were rotating my tires, I left with the gas-guzzling mystery make loaner car they gave me and returned to work. They called me a few hours later to tell me about 'a few other things' that were wrong with the car. After rattling off a lot of terms I'd never heard of before (serpentine pulley anyone? how about a breather hose kit?) they informed me that the total charge would be $1200. When I brought the car in everything was fine, except the knob that controls the temperature had snapped off - I'd called before and they quoted me $10 to fix it. $10 somehow turned into $375 and they managed to find 3 other things that needed to be done. Last time I was there I got out for under $50!

My coworker suggested I look for Saab mechanics in the area so I found one online that looked reputable and requested a quote. He came back with prices that ranged from 10-70% of what the dealer was charging, including a $35 fee for fixing the knob. Had I gone to him for everything I could have spent one third of what I would otherwise have forked out and saved around $800. Fortunately I only allowed the dealer to perform the absolutely essential (still questionable) tasks and I can still go to this guy for some of the more expensive items. Allegedly if one plans to eventually resell a luxury car there is supposed to be some value in having the dealer perform maintenance, but I can't imagine that it would make that big of a difference. I don't like knowing so little about this thing in my life that costs me so much money, so I think my boyfriend and I are going to take an auto-mechanic 101 class at some point to feel less in the dark. For now I am just going to try to not think too hard about how much cash this oil change has wound up costing!