Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 3, 2026 - Hour 1 - The Price of Admission: What Cars Really Cost

New cars are expensive—and keeping the one you already own isn’t cheap either. Ron shares real-world stories from the shop that show just how tight dollars are right now, including a Kia minivan nearly hit with a $1,500 repair that turned out to be loose battery terminals and a worn-out battery. The bigger lesson? You can’t diagnose anything until you fix the basics. Ron also breaks down when it makes sense to repair versus replace, why four- and five-year-old vehicles suddenly get costly, and why the purchase price is only the cost of admission—maintenance is the real bill. In a time when everyone’s counting nickels, smart diagnostics and honest advice matter more than ever. Good mechanics aren’t expensive… they’re priceless. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.