Title: 
Smart Motorists Don't Trade, They Upgrade

Word Count:
318

Summary:
Although car trouble and maintenance costs may tempt you to get rid of your vehicle in favor of a new car, repowering your current set of wheels may make much more sense in the long run, according to the Engine Repower Council and the Car Care Council.


Keywords:
Smart Motorists Don't Trade, They Upgrade


Article Body:
Although car trouble and maintenance costs may tempt you to get rid of your vehicle in favor of a new car, repowering your current set of wheels may make much more sense in the long run, according to the Engine Repower Council and the Car Care Council.

"When a car or truck suffers major engine damage, often the first reaction of most consumers is to buy a new or used vehicle," said Rick Miller, ERC chairman. "In some cases that might make sense, but often it's simply not necessary. And it's a very expensive proposition compared to repowering your car or truck's worn-out engine with a rebuilt/remanufactured engine."

A rebuilt engine has been remanufactured to prescribed specifications by highly skilled machinists using state-of-the-art equipment and components. During this process, many new components are installed that meet or exceed original equipment performance standards. Frequently, rebuilt engines are better than the engines installed in a new vehicle because better parts are used, or design changes are made to correct problems with the original engine.

If you're concerned about how a recycled engine will affect your gas mileage, you should know that not only do rebuilt engines get better gas mileage than a worn-out engine, but they emit fewer pollutants. Engine repowering also saves the tremendous amount of energy used in processing discarded engines and vehicles. It also saves raw materials that would have been used in building a new engine.

The savings from engine repowering are especially evident when comparing against the prices of new vehicles, which have an average sticker price of $27,958. A rebuilt/remanufactured engine purchased and installed at an average cost of $2,500 to 3,500 can be a good investment.

A professionally rebuilt engine is typically guaranteed for at least one year or 12,000 miles, with some remanufacturers offering warranties as long as 36 months or 36,000 miles.

Check with your local service providers for information on their rebuilt engines and warranty programs.