Pricing advice.

[Laserbeast]

Here are some things that need to be fixed that I was quoted on. I'd really like some advice on how good/bad the prices are. Judging by the price the guy quoted me for TWO new tires ($244, LOL), I'm guessing some of this is a joke.

- Belt & Tensioner - $400
- Rear Wheel cylinders & rear brake - $300
- Brake flush - $150 (I know this is a ripoff, since if you're opening the system anyway to replace the cylinders and brakes, you're just going to flush it, right?)
- Two tires - $244 (..lol)

[Laserbeast]

Wow, I just called the guy telling him not to do any work on the car, just the tune-up, and he tries to tell me he wants to add an HOUR of labor onto the tune-up cost because he had to look up estimates.. Are you kidding me?

[rixGAphx]

What are you getting a 'tune-up' for??

That's four spark plugs (about $10 each for the ONLY thing to use, ACDelco 'Professional'), and an hour to install.
Mebbe 4 'boots' and springs, another $20?.
Period. End of story.

The belt/tensioner should be about $100 parts + 1.5 hours @ $80=$220.
Call one of the local brake shops like Midas for their 'standard flush', will prolly be about $100.

The high-performance tires I buy for my road cars ALL cost $120+; you get what you pay for.
Go elsewhere and find cheaper ones, but don't pay a local mechanic a high price for low-cost tires.

His estimates are FREE unless he has a sign posted noticably declaring otherwise, or if you authorized him to spend time taking things apart (like the rear brake drums, to determine if new cylinders are required).

[Laserbeast]

I had a coupon for it, it was 40 bucks for an oil change+filter, spark plugs, fluid checks and replacement, tune-up, the works.

It was a decent deal for the 40 bucks, but the guy is trying to talk me into a ton of other work.

I already got quoted over 50% less than this guy with one phone call.. and I called a place local that will sell the tires for 60/ea installed. I don't do a ton of driving in the car just yet so I refuse to buy top of the line tires. BTW I need '195/70 SR14' right?

[tenspeed]

It was a decent deal for the 40 bucks, but the guy is trying to talk me into a ton of other work.

Why do you think repair places offer deals like that? Of course they are going to look for other work that needs attention. Does your car really need a tensioner, rear cylinders and two new tires?

[RazorDX]

IMO, go to discounttire.com or another online retailer, buy 2 tires (around $100 for cheapos, more like for better tires), and go to any reputable tire shop. A mount and balance at my brother's shop runs 9.99 per wheel for full service.

The 'tune up' on your engine is very easy to do (compared to the V6 engines) in regards to the spark plugs. The belt and tensioner is also very easy. It doesn't take much technical know-how at all. It helps to have a helping hand getting the belt back on properly.

[arthurgoboom]

*expletive* that shop. The tensioner price is the most blatant one to me, but all of them are inflated. Let him go hungry and find another mechanic :)

[Laserbeast]

Oh I certainly did. I stood up for myself on the phone, and when I went in and got the car they were very nice and understanding. I explained that I was in college and really didn't have the money to replace all of that, even though I sorta... do.

So, I have an appointment tomorrow to get the rear wheel cylinder, brakes, tensioner and serpentine belt replaced for over 50% less than was originally quoted from this other place. And some of it is covered under this warranty I received with the car.. Pretty nice.

[tenspeed]

Do you really need the repairs? You can do some the basic things using the DIY instructions on this site.

[Laserbeast]

The rear wheel cylinder and brakes yeah, definitely. The other stuff, I'm not 100% sure. My moms friend has a brother that runs an auto repair shop (I know, should've gone there first) and should tell me truthfully if it NEEDS to be replaced.

I do need a new a/c compressor clutch bearing though, that noise is horrid. I'm also installing my own CD deck tomorrow, hopefully that goes smoothly and I don't trip any TheftLock thing that makes the car not start ;(

[gt00]

I'm also installing my own CD deck tomorrow, hopefully that goes smoothly and I don't trip any TheftLock thing that makes the car not start ;(Don't confuse Theftlock with Passlock ...;)

[Laserbeast]

Don't confuse Theftlock with Passlock ...;)

Ahh yes, good call.