Last week, I took my 2012 Acura to my longtime auto repair shop, Rising Sun Automotive, for an oil change. Since we were going on a road trip, I asked the shop manager to check the car out and ensure everything was up to snuff.

A few hours later, they told me the car was due for a brake system flush and needed some suspension work. Thus, what I thought would be a $100 oil change turned into a $1,000 repair bill. But I was glad to pay it. Why? Even though the Acura has about 115,000 miles on the odometer, I like the car. It’s reliable, paid for, runs great, the tires are relatively new, and I am diligent about maintenance.

Furthermore, I have no desire to buy something else. I frequently rent new cars while traveling for speaking engagements, and I have yet to drive a vehicle (of any make) that made me want to buy one. Automakers are spending way too much money on buttons and complicated gadgets and far too little on basic functionality. Plus, new cars cost too much, and as my friends at Rising Sun keep telling me, replacement parts on newer cars are insanely expensive.