AAA: 1 in 3 can’t afford to get their vehicle fixed

According to a new AAA survey, 64 million American drivers would not be able to pay for an unexpected vehicle repair without going into debt. The findings, AAA says, indicate that many drivers underestimate the full cost of owning and operating a vehicle.

“We learned last week that rising gas prices will impact driver behavior. Now we learn that adding an unexpected repair bill will force many motorists to put it in park,” said Jana Tidwell, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “AAA is encouraging drivers to save money like their mobility depends on it – because it does.”

Because some car repairs are unavoidable, and the average repair bill is between $500 and $600, AAA urges drivers to save at least $50 a month for unforeseen expenses.

According to AAA, the average cost of owning and operating a vehicle is more than $8,500 a year.

To avoid a surprise down the road, AAA says, drivers should budget for monthly payments, insurance premiums, fuel costs and the inevitable expenses of routine maintenance and repair.

Although an average repair bill can set a driver back up to $600, the cost can soar higher when a vehicle has been poorly maintained. A previous AAA survey found that one-third of U.S. drivers skip or delay recommended service or repairs, which increases the likelihood of unexpected mechanical failures and leaves a vehicle more vulnerable to roadside breakdown. In 2016 alone, AAA responded to nearly 32 million stranded motorists.

“While it may seem that skipping maintenance and repairs can save money in the short term, staying on top of car care can

save drivers hundreds of dollars in the long run” says John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair.

First Watch to open in Newtown Square

First Watch Restaurants, a breakfast, brunch and lunch concept, announced it will open the doors to its newest restaurant on Monday, April 10, in Newtown Square.

The new restaurant will open at 7 a.m. at 3735 West Chester Pike, Suite 202, in the new Shops at Ellis Preserve. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant will offer both indoor and patio seating and will employ about 25 people.

“When the opportunity arose to open First Watch in Newtown Square, we didn’t hesitate,” said Chris Tomasso, president of First Watch. “It’s a growing community that’s now home to a wide variety of industries and dynamic neighborhoods, and we’re looking forward to bringing First Watch’s fresh breakfast, brunch and lunch to the area.”

First Watch’s curated menu uses farm fresh ingredients. The restaurant in the Shops at Ellis Preserve will offer favorites like house-made granola and pico de gallo, organic greens, houseroasted vegetables, cagefree eggs and 100 percent fresh-squeezed orange juice as well as more indulgent, traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings. It will also serve its exclusive Sunrise Select Premium Blend Coffee.

The award-winning café opened its first Philadelphia-area restaurants in 2016 and currently operates locations in Wynnewood and Villanova. The new First Watch will open with the restaurant’s latest interior design, which combines farm fresh elements with a high-energy, urban vibe.

For more information, visit firstwatch.com.