# Expensive spark plugs **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [July 16, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036 "2014-07-16T03:48:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 7:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/41 "2014-08-03T07:11:58Z")
So you’re seriously trying to argue that because a race car (that runs for less than a day on a set of plugs) doesn’t benefit from long term anti-fouling performance improvement, neither does your family sedan? If you really believe that I suggest you try running race plugs in your car. If race cars are the measure of all things beneficial, they should be superior to what you’re running now. Not. It’s apples and oranges… ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 7:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/42 "2024-10-16T07:57:57Z")
Another old thread. I happened to stumble upon this thread after googling “ Why is spark plug replacement so expensive ?” I replaced my spark plugs this year for $840. I cringed when I saw the bill. And I’m still nauseated by it. Does anyone think I was ripped off? ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 12:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/43 "2024-10-16T12:40:31Z")
1. You didn’t say whether this is the Lexus or RAV4, 2. You didn’t break down the materials and labor costs. 3. Was anything else done during this service? Even if it’s rotating tires, there is a cost for that. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 12:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/44 "2024-10-16T12:57:31Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > Does anyone think I was ripped off? No you were not ripped off but there is no reason to drag up old threads . ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 1:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/45 "2024-10-16T13:05:45Z")
I bought plugs for my V8 Mustang. They cost me $90 for the set. They are easy to replace. It took me less than an hour. My V8 truck took 2 hours. I used to own a SHO Taurus V6. I never changed its plugs but it would have taken me a day. 3/4ths of that day would have been the rear 3 alone. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/46 "2024-10-16T13:46:54Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > Does anyone think I was ripped off? No. It’s all in labor. I’m assuming you have a transverse mounted engine. Those back plugs are NOT easy to get to. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/47 "2024-10-16T14:48:19Z")
not sure where you bought them but mine were like $12 and $13 for Rav and Optima. Think they were iridium. Anyway, that was the price at either Autozone or Advanced Auto. Rock Auto had them at $6 each. Shipping was minimal. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/48 "2024-10-16T16:06:19Z")
Many parts bought online are fake. Including rock auto. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/49 "2024-10-16T16:08:56Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > - You didn’t say whether this is the Lexus or RAV4, > - You didn’t break down the materials and labor costs. > - Was anything else done during this service? Even if it’s rotating tires, there is a cost for that. My apologies. It was the Lexus IS. 6 spark plugs it required. I rechecked to make sure my info is correct here and realized an oil change for $109 was included in the price. So oil and spark plug total $840. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/50 "2024-10-16T16:16:04Z")
> [@Cavell](#): > > Many parts bought online are fake. Including rock auto. That’s what I learned with the gauge cluster lens for my Lexus IS bought from a source claiming to only sell Lexus OEM parts. Upon taking the gauge cluster lens to a Lexus dealer for them to install it for me, I was told the item was not genuine and compatible despite giving my VIN to the website for accurate description of my car make and model. And they refused to refund my money, even though I sent back the item to them. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/51 "2024-10-16T16:53:43Z")
We have already discussed this back in February… > [@$700 to replace spark plug](https://community.cartalk.com/t/700-to-replace-spark-plug/194340): > > Ok guys, hope everyone is doing well ! So, my car is nearing the 60,000k mileage mark and my upcoming scheduled maintenance is around the corner. I brought the car to Toyota as usual and was hit with a massive quote for just the spark plugs. $700 for spark plug. $400 for transmission flush $160 for cabin and engine filter $120 oil change. Across the street from Toyota is an independent shop, so I asked them for a quote: $336 for spark plug ( using OEM spark plugs ) $360 transmission f… Sounds like the same price to me, so what is the problem?? Why is this such a shock to you, you’ve had the price, again since February, that was 8 months ago… ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/52 "2024-10-16T17:01:50Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > Sounds like the same price to me, so what is the problem?? Why is this such a shock to you, you’ve had the price, again since February, that was 8 months ago… The above was a quote from Toyota. I went to Lexus to have them do the oil change and spark plug ( February 16th of this year ). The problem is that I’m still baffled by the cost of the spark plug replacement. But as some of the guys here said, some spark plugs are difficult to change. That gives me a little peace of mind. I’m used to paying just $300 for spark plug replacement as a Camry ex-driver 😁 Edit. Lexus told me I never needed a transmission fluid change at 60,000 miles like Toyota has said but instead at 90,000 miles, so I opted out of that. The user manual doesn’t say anything about the transmission oil. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/53 "2024-10-16T17:35:07Z")
All of that is in your other thread… Kida like gas, you either just pay the price and move on, or you don’t drive anywhere… No use in bringing it back up 8 months later like it is a new thing, you have already had a 140+ reply thread about it 8 months ago… lol Why didn’t you just reopen that thread?? ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/54 "2024-10-16T17:36:10Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > The above was a quote from Toyota To be fair, it was a quote from a dealership that sells Toyotas. The same is true of the Lexus dealership. In MA, there is a huge company called Ira. They run numerous dealerships selling Toyota, Lexus, Subaru, Buick etc and also a generic collision center. It wouldn’t really matter if you went to Ira Toyota or Ira Lexus to get your car serviced, they have the same corporate pricing schedule. There aren’t huge differences in the engines used between those two makes since they are essentially the same manufacturer and use the same basic configurations. So probably no real advantage to using mechanics at the Lexus dealership versus Toyota. You could have saved \>50% going with the independent service shop. That is a huge amount in my book so obviously there is a big factor in overhead for those dealer shops. Did you not feel comfortable with the independent doing the job? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/55 "2024-10-16T18:12:22Z")
> [@TwinTurbo](#): > > You could have saved \>50% going with the independent service shop. That is a huge amount in my book so obviously there is a big factor in overhead for those dealer shops. Did you not feel comfortable with the independent doing the job? My close friend recommended me to his mechanic shop where he worked for 19 years, and I went there to see what their prices were like. The shop was in poor condition ( as expected ) and the waiting chairs were awful for my back problem. And on top of that, they quoted me $600 + tax for the spark plug alone ( not very far from what the dealer was charging. And that shop wasn’t the only Indy shop I went to and was quoted very similar price. Thats why I went to the dealer. Nice chairs, snacks and great tv viewing. However, I’m still looking around for a reputable Indy shop. I’m told by Indy shops around here that I have to use their aftermarket parts because their business only insure the parts they offer. And I’m not a fan of aftermarket parts. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/56 "2024-10-16T18:58:37Z")
Personally, I think in your case, you just need to stick with the dealer, you will have a greater peace of mind, and if you have a question about price, just call a different dealer further away just to make sure they are somewhat close in price, the parts should be very close in price, labor will be different depending on rate… And you don’t have all that much maintenance with this vehicle anyway other then the basics, so just not worth the headache going elsewhere… My brother has been using the dealer for well over 200K miles now and will keep using them as they treat him good, He let them even do the tires last time since I had retired… He still got the tires I recommended though… lol I am thinking about even using the dealer for my new(ish) one, just to keep it simple and make sure no warranty issues, and I can do it all mostly from home or use the same place that I retired from as I know who would be working on it and get a heck of a discount… ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/57 "2024-10-16T19:37:44Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > My close friend recommended me to his mechanic shop where he worked for 19 years, and I went there to see what their prices were like. The hourly rate is half of what dealers charge. The small shop charges 4.0 hours labor @ $125/hour. The dealer charges 2.0 hours labor @ $250/hour. With the money saved, you can go for a swim in the ocean. > [@Clueless33](#): > > Thats why I went to the dealer. Nice chairs, snacks and great tv viewing. And a shuttle bus so you are not sitting in the customer lounge all day asking “how much longer?” > [@Clueless33](#): > > I’m told by Indy shops around here that I have to use their aftermarket parts because their business only insure the parts they offer. Their auto parts distributer only stocks and delivers aftermarket parts. The repair shop might not have a billing account with the Lexus dealer and if they did it would still take all day to receive a delivery from the dealer. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/58 "2024-10-16T19:50:49Z")
Next trip I’m having the Acura dealer change plugs. I think she said it would be about $365. Good coffee too. It was nice to see some of the folks from before that are not here anymore like docnik. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/59 "2024-10-16T20:05:51Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > It was the Lexus IS. 6 spark plugs it required. I’d guess about 2 hours labor. Oem spark plugs parts cost probably about $15 each. So figuring $300/hour for the labor, Total = 2 X $300 + $15 X 4 == $660. Seems pretty close to what you paid for turnkey service. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036/60 "2024-10-16T20:08:59Z")
> [@bing](#): > > It was nice to see some of the folks from before that are not here anymore like docnik. He is one of the guys I miss too. Still, we aren’t see in them, just their names. At least long time posters like you are still here @bing. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036.md?page=2) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-spark-plugs/86036.md?page=4)