an arm and a leg for simple stuff.
My wife's car, '95 Cutlass Supreme, 3.4l transverse V6, was in for a tire rotation at a Firestone dealer that I had a coupon for (free).
They did their free "inspection" and found a torn CV boot and a bad ball joint. I have an extended warranty ($0 deductible) so I said go for it. They fixed that and gave the car an alignment at no charge to me.
Then they tell me that one of the spark plug wires has a cracked boot and also I need new plugs. They probably cracked it when they checked the plug itself.

Plugs $12, with labor $110. Motor mount has to be removed and engine tilted forward and down to get at rear plugs, so understandable for labor.
Fine,"Do it."

Plug wires $150, with labor $330. Intake plenum (also new gasket $30) has to be removed to get at plug wire routing for rear plug wires.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Forget it."

So a few weeks of checking around and I find OEM quality wires with a limited life warranty for $45! New gasket from GM dealer $9!
I replaced the wires in a couple hours not having anything to go by, and I had to remove alot of shit, but I saved almost $280!
While I had the intake off, I could have replaced the "hard to reach plugs" for an additional $12 and saved that $100.

I now have a manual for her car so I can do the easy stuff and not get ripped off everytime for not knowing.
Knowledge is key!!!!!!!!!!

posted by 63.27.8...

• $82.50 for a shop to change spark plugs, what the @#$%!, Bill G., Thu, 28 Mar 2002 16:54:21
  • Keep in mind they charge labor 'by the book"..>>, Steve C, Sat, 30 Mar 2002 11:10:21
  • Funny thing is that Doctors have no problem getting, Anders, Fri, 29 Mar 2002 11:20:08
    • everyone is not fine with that (long), saabaru, Fri, 29 Mar 2002 15:18:21
      • Good statement, and a sad one too., Anders, Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:47:49
  • Crap! Read this,,,,I know how shops want to charge>>, Shahn, Fri, 29 Mar 2002 04:35:47 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Sorry, but there's no "and yet" for this, Quasimotor, Thu, 28 Mar 2002 23:56:33
    • Nothing makes me more nuts than a crooked mechanic, A. Snaab, Fri, 29 Mar 2002 23:42:18
    • My dealer's labor rate is $80 an hour /nm, Tom, Fri, 29 Mar 2002 04:06:35
  • I feel your pain and yet...., A. Snaab, Thu, 28 Mar 2002 21:42:53
    • i disagree with A. Snaab, darcyt, Thu, 28 Mar 2002 23:55:24
  • Feels like letting a crack house baby sit your kid, aekberg, Thu, 28 Mar 2002 20:25:47
    • I'm with you, KL, Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:06:27
  • Highway robbery..., Joe98, Thu, 28 Mar 2002 17:18:04

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