*oldblue,

i understand what you're saying. it's just a matter of priorities. example: bumigay na naman yung starter ng car ko (na dapat i-retiro na..) i tested the starter, removed the airbox and MAF, then walked to a neighborhood shop. turns out the brushes need replacement. since walang brushes for this car in the usual neighborhood auto supply, bumili sila ng pang-jeepney tapos they thinned it down on a bench grinder para kumasya dun sa starter motor.

long story short, after 4 hours and 800 petot all is well. ghetto talaga diba? but considering that a brand-new starter is 12000 pesos and the brush assembly (there is no mazda OEM brush, you buy the entire brush holder) is God-knows-how much, i consider it time well spent. pero nakain yung kalahati ng Saturday ko.

at some point, having the time (to work, or to share time with your loved ones) becomes more valuable than saving money by going to the neighborhood talyer. at that point, the casa makes sense already.

but for most of us *cough cough* financially challenged types, the pinoy neighborhood talyer will always be the viable choice.