In general is it a good idea to stock up on supplies?

[tzhu07]

Things like engine oil and oil filters for example.

Since they can last a long time, is it better to just stock up on them now since in the future the prices may increase??? Kind of like buying a good stock of 1st class forever postage stamps since they will just increase in price in the future.

[supramkivtt2jz]

I have 10 oil filters and 24 quarts of oil on hand. If you know youre going to keep the car, theres no sense not to save money when you can.

[tzhu07]

In particular, I'm eyeing Wal-Mart's low price for 5 qts of 0W-20 oil. Who knows if that price will hold steady in the future.

[strat61caster]

Only if opportunity arises, i.e. there was a 10 pack of filters that worked out to like $7/filter.

Don't bother seeking them out, there will be ample spare parts for years to come. This car shares a fair number of consumable components with other cars and OEMs know that they need to stock replacements for a couple years after they stop making the car. For instance, I bought a shift boot for my truck last summer, it was 22 years old at the time and they stopped selling it in America in 1997, I got an OEM boot from a Nissan dealer for <$15.

Edit this goes for oil too, 0W-20 will only become more common as manufacturers try to stretch out better efficiency. The combustion engine isn't going anywhere soon and with the advent of viable electric cars I don't think we'll be seeing the absurd oil prices we were predicting 5 or 10 years ago.

[robwbright]

If you're looking for inexpensive synthetic oil, NAPA (see Valvoline) has their syn oil on sale this month for $3.49/qt. Filters on sale, too.

[FlamingRectumSyndrome]

Most motor oil producers claim a shelf life of 4 to 5 years for an unopened container. Once it's opened, shelf life is drastically reduced. That being said, I've owned a lot of older motorcycles and cars; up until 2008 the newest, most modern car I'd owned was a '68 Mustang. My experience has been that the good vehicles are well-supported in terms of parts availability, while the really piss-poor ones can be almost impossible to find parts for.

[bcj]

Depends on if you have space to store it or not.
You may find yourself tripping over it in a small apartment.
Most businesses are going JIT (Just In Time) to avoid having to stock inventory.

[amilleri]

Originally Posted by Marchy

i had to make a run to subaru for some crush washers since my car didn't come with one, while i was there i picked up filters and crush washers for another 2 oil changes.

i'd say if you find a good deal on oil, theres no reason not to stock up if you can afford it.

I know at the dealership I work at we have a 3 filters for 15 deal that is always running. Of course washers are extra