About two months ago I bought a used 2005 Elantra from a reputable dealership. I had my mechanic friend check it out before I bought it and everything seemed fine. This week the check engine light came on. I took it to a shop (good reviews according to Yelp, but I’m new in town so my first experience with them) that charged me $145 to diagnose the issue and said I needed a new catalytic converter - his quote for the job was $1,300. As someone who knows nothing about cars, I’m wondering:
- Is it likely that the dealer knew about this issue prior to selling it to me?
- Is $145 a fair price to diagnose the issue?
- Is $1,300 a fair price for the job?
- How urgent is it that I fix the converter?
- What questions should I ask to get a better understanding of the problem and cheapest/best way to fix it?
Thanks folks!