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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Xath" data-source="post: 2728374" data-attributes="member: 17040">You can expect to replace your timing belt about once every 80,000 miles.  That's just about how long they last.  When I get a car, I like to look at it's reliability ratings so that I can anticipate when I'll need to fix/replace something.  For example, my 1994 Civic has passed it's 10 year mark, so I can expect it to start rusting through now.  And I was right, the entire exhaust system fell out last week, but fortunately, we had the money to pay in cash right away.  The myth about Hondas isn't that they don't break as often as other cars, it's that the parts are less expensive and easier to replace.  The nice thing about Saturns is that if you get into an accident, it's less likely that you'll have to replace any external panels because dings will just pop out of them with the right pressure.  Every car has it's disadvantages and perks.  Learn what they are and expect the worst.  That way you're prepared for any situation.Another way to prepare (what my parents do) is to put the equivalent of half of their car payment into a savings account every month.  When the car payment is finished, put the car payment amount +1/2 into the account every month.  That way, when the car breaks down, you have the cash.  And when the car is too broken down to be fixable, you have a nice down payment for your next car already stashed away.</blockquote>