35 replies to this topic

[Anileve]

A question for those of you who understand mechanics. Would you say that repairing a light socket which has melted is worth $190 or is that unreasonable. I just want to make sure that my mechanic is not ripping me off. And how would I even know if I am getting ripped off? Is it by going from one to another?

[Yervant1]

A question for those of you who understand mechanics. Would you say that repairing a light socket which has melted is worth $190 or is that unreasonable. I just want to make sure that my mechanic is not ripping me off. And how would I even know if I am getting ripped off? Is it by going from one to another?

You say melted that doesn't sound good. How about the wiring any damage there, also in some cars the light and fixture comes together. May be the socket is ruined and they need to ghange the whole fixture. Need more info about the damage. Why don't you call the dealership and ask for the price of the parts that needs to be changed and than you add the labour. I'm not a mechanic but I play one in forums.

[vava]

For the bulb replacement only it sounds a bit steep - buit it depends on the car and the lamp assembly. Could be they're simply replacing the whole lamp unit in which case the part is expensive and the labour's quite limited. Have they given you a quote? Do you have a breakdown in terms of parts/labour?

Nice seeing you around eve

[Azat]

seems steep to me. You can go to ebay or even to the dealer and get the assembly. they have 2 wires. Just cut and put the new one and you are done. I bet sub 30 dollars.

[Sip]

Depends on what kind of vehicle. European or foreign it could easily be that much if they were to get the replacement part and change it. But American stuff is rarely ever that expensive. You can get the entire light for my blazer for example for less than $50 I think but I haven't checked.

So:

1. Which light socket is it and how hard is it to get to?
2. Why did it melt?
3. Is it being replaced entirely with factory replacement part?
4. How much of the $190 is labor/diagnostics?
5. What kind of car?

[Anileve]

Ok, I have an antique but very sturdy American model, the love of my life, one of the rarest models on the road, my darling little Shadow from Dodge, 1994.

Now that I got my dear fried back I feel as if I ripped myself off. Not only was the cost $190, but in the sudden wave of emotion I ended up tipping the mechanic $40 dollars!!!!!! What a dodo head!!!!

Here is the breakdown of Labor:

1. Removed and replaced head-light switch.
2. Rewired switch socket
3. Replaced fusible linkon main harness
4. Replaced left blinker.
5. This line is reserved for Sip to match his breakdown.


Does that justify the astronomical figure? Jeez, I will never get out of debt. ~ But I still looooove my car, it's like a piece of antique jewelry for me, hold such intense sentimental value that in all honesty I would never trade it in even for a Jaguar! After all it is MY SHADOW!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen you have had the pleaser of reading "The Ode to my car." You may take your handkerchiefs out.

Now if only anyone can come up with a justification of the astronomical tip, to sooth my aching wallet…please any existential philosophers out there?

PS -----> Nice to see you too vava jan. Thanks to all of you who took interest.

Edited by Anileve, 24 February 2006 - 10:37 AM.

[Yervant1]

Ok, I have an antique but very sturdy American model, the love of my life, one of the rarest models on the road, my darling little Shadow from Dodge, 1994.

Now that I got my dear fried back I feel as if I ripped myself off. Not only was the cost $190, but in the sudden wave of emotion I ended up tipping the mechanic $40 dollars!!!!!! What a dodo head!!!!

Here is the breakdown of Labor:

1. Removed and replaced head-light switch.
2. Rewired switch socket
3. Replaced fusible linkon main harness
4. Replaced left blinker.
5. This line is reserved for Sip to match his breakdown.
Does that justify the astronomical figure? Jeez, I will never get out of debt. ~ But I still looooove my car, it's like a piece of antique jewelry for me, hold such intense sentimental value that in all honesty I would never trade it in even for a Jaguar! After all it is MY SHADOW!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen you have had the pleaser of reading "The Ode to my car." You may take your handkerchiefs out.

Now if only anyone can come up with a justification of the astronomical tip, to sooth my aching wallet…please any existential philosophers out there?

PS -----> Nice to see you too vava jan. Thanks to all of you who took interest.

The mechanic was good looking like your car.

[Sasun]

Today I authorized an engine repair for $1800 I think I will regret it, but I have no other choice. All mechanics that I have known are robbers! This mechanic was very friendly and had me believe that it won't cost a lot. Here is the trick, first they tell you it's not gonna cost a lot, when you ask them how much it may cost they innocently say that they can't tell the price without opening the engine. Then they charge you 2-3 hours of labor only to open the engine and diagnose. By that time you are already into $250-$300 just for that. Then they say the real price that scares you, but since you have already lost about $300 they won't lower the price, and it does not make sense to pay that amount and take the car to another robber.

I believe mechanics and car dealers make up a large percentage of hell.

[vava]

Today I authorized an engine repair for $1800 I think I will regret it, but I have no other choice. All mechanics that I have known are robbers! This mechanic was very friendly and had me believe that it won't cost a lot. Here is the trick, first they tell you it's not gonna cost a lot, when you ask them how much it may cost they innocently say that they can't tell the price without opening the engine. Then they charge you 2-3 hours of labor only to open the engine and diagnose. By that time you are already into $250-$300 just for that. Then they say the real price that scares you, but since you have already lost about $300 they won't lower the price, and it does not make sense to pay that amount and take the car to another robber.

You need a good mechanic in the family (I wish I had one!) As it is, I have found a guy that I feel I can trust - his repairs are quick, and don't require me to go back over & over again.... however, now i have a newish car and everything is covered under warranty so I'm porbably going to the dealer for the next couple of years.

I believe mechanics and car dealers make up a large percentage of hell.

ROTFL

[Azat]

Today I authorized an engine repair for $1800 I think I will regret it, but I have no other choice. All mechanics that I have known are robbers! This mechanic was very friendly and had me believe that it won't cost a lot. Here is the trick, first they tell you it's not gonna cost a lot, when you ask them how much it may cost they innocently say that they can't tell the price without opening the engine. Then they charge you 2-3 hours of labor only to open the engine and diagnose. By that time you are already into $250-$300 just for that. Then they say the real price that scares you, but since you have already lost about $300 they won't lower the price, and it does not make sense to pay that amount and take the car to another robber.

I believe mechanics and car dealers make up a large percentage of hell.

Holly cow. What happened to your engine Sasun? Were you racing Anileve?

ya in hell its mechanics, car dealers, me and porn stars(well at least I can dream )

[Yervant1]

You need a good mechanic in the family (I wish I had one!) As it is, I have found a guy that I feel I can trust - his repairs are quick, and don't require me to go back over & over again.... however, now i have a newish car and everything is covered under warranty so I'm porbably going to the dealer for the next couple of years.

Vava you can go anywhere for warranty repairs. The dealer is not a must.

[vava]

Vava you can go anywhere for warranty repairs. The dealer is not a must.

Is that true? Maybe not here in Canada - my warranty specifically states that I must go to a 'shop' that is certified by the manufacturer to execute warranty based repairs. Only dealers (in this specific case) have the appropriate 'certification'...

I'll have to look closer into that btw...

[Yervant1]

Is that true? Maybe not here in Canada - my warranty specifically states that I must go to a 'shop' that is certified by the manufacturer to execute warranty based repairs. Only dealers (in this specific case) have the appropriate 'certification'...

I'll have to look closer into that btw...

I'm talking about Canada. As long you have certified mechanic working on your car that's good enough. They might suggest it so that they give business to their dealers.
The same goes for insurance companies, they can't force you to go to their autobody shops. You go where you want, I know because I did it.

[Sasun]

Holly cow. What happened to your engine Sasun? Were you racing Anileve?

Well, about 8 months ago my engine started making clicking and tapping noise. I was not driving it much, taking it easy. Then the noise was growing, I figured before it stops running I need to fix it. The funny thing is Toyota engines are supposed to be superb, so I am really unlucky to have a Toyota with a bad engine. Everyone is surprised to hear I have an engine problem with <100K miles on it.

[vava]

Well, about 8 months ago my engine started making clicking and tapping noise. I was not driving it much, taking it easy. Then the noise was growing, I figured before it stops running I need to fix it. The funny thing is Toyota engines are supposed to be superb, so I am really unlucky to have a Toyota with a bad engine. Everyone is surprised to hear I have an engine problem with <100K miles on it.

Sasun jan - there are lemons in every make - and Toyota's no exception. I'm not surprised - a few years ago my friend's Rav4 needed an engine replacement after only 70K km. She was not very happy...

Before this turns into a heated discussion about which brand is better, I do recognize that Toyata's quality ratings and customer satisfaction survey results regularly outperform other manufacturers' results. My point is merely that all manufacturers have certain problems - and Toyota, selling as many vehicles as they do, will have some lemons among them.

[vava]

I'm talking about Canada. As long you have certified mechanic working on your car that's good enough. They might suggest it so that they give business to their dealers.
The same goes for insurance companies, they can't force you to go to their autobody shops. You go where you want, I know because I did it.

I know that the laws for warrantees are slighlty different in some provinces, and I'm almost certain that some have restrcitions. I was under the impression that I must go to the dealer to get the warranty. I will definitely double check - thanks for the tip.

[gamavor]

All mechanics that I have known are robbers!

Yes! Yes! Yes!!! They are worse than the lawyers!

[ED]

Yes! Yes! Yes!!! They are worse than the lawyers!

top 3 demons from hell

1. car salsman
2. mechanics
3 lawers

I had similar experiance Sasun resently, my wifes car was making noises, and its a 4runner, took to a gas station mechanic and he called me up $ 580 for break job, front only! why I said? well, we have to change the disks, pads etc....

I took to a dealer and only cost me 140 with disks only beeing turned (remachined)

anyhow ended up paying this a$$hole 50$ for an inspection.

[DominO]

A question for those of you who understand mechanics. Would you say that repairing a light socket which has melted is worth $190 or is that unreasonable. I just want to make sure that my mechanic is not ripping me off. And how would I even know if I am getting ripped off? Is it by going from one to another?

Take the bus, screw the car...

[Sip]

I am really unlucky to have a Toyota with a bad engine. Everyone is surprised to hear I have an engine problem with <100K miles on it.

Well it depends ... what kind of vehicle is it ... how long have you had it ... what is the maintenence record on it, and what was the problem as diagnosed?

But sorry to hear about the $1800 ... an engine rebuild is always very costly. Sometimes it's cheaper just to find a second hand or replacement engine and swap it or even get a whole new engine than to rebuild an old one. But all that takes time and effort so sometimes you just have to pay and get it fixed.



Ed, about the brakes, $140 sounds like a reasonable deal. I recently did all 4 brakes (disk) on my Jeep myself. I paid about $60 for the rears and maybe $65 for the front pads ... all high quality semi metalic raybestos stuff. I pulled the rotors and had a local Checker turn them for me ... I think it was about $30 total to do that. But I didn't pay myself labor

What I like about doing it myself is that I know I did it correctly. I usually spray everything clean with compressed air and then brake cleaner. I grease all the moving parts completely with caliper grease and use anti-chatter compound behind the disks etc. All those little things that are not hard, but take time and care and people at shops won't usually bother with them. It's also a good time to get in there and inspect all the different wheel bearing, ball joint, axle seals, springs, shocks etc for potential problems.... essentially, it's a good time to bond with the vehicle