I am a senior on a fixed income and had a PT Cruiser noise, steam, overheating experience yesterday. Chrysler dealership quoted $1550 out the door, including taxes, for the following:
$110.00 preliminary estimate
$110.00 per hour/labor (seems like ever separate thing is #110.
Water pump, timing belt, timing belt tensioner, top/bottom motormounts and thermostat. Parts are circa $200. Total is $1550.00.
Shouldn’t I get a better deal or what? Remember when the preliminary estimate was $39.95? Actually, not too long ago.
Thanks, all.
You appear to have two questions.
First I would guess is "Are all these things necessary?
Second should I have the dealer do the work or let someone else do it.
They are really the same question. Dealers are no better (or worse) than independent mechanics for almost anything you might need done on your car. They will almost always charge more per hour and often more for parts and supplies. They also tend to look at repairs a little different than the independent.
A dealer may well recommend work that strictly may not be needed, but could be connected to the problem or maybe replace a part when a little repair would fix it ALMOST as good a new.
There is no need to bring your car to the dealer for any service other than service that is going to be paid for by a recall or original warrantee. During the warranty period be sure to have all required (as listed in the owner's manual) maintenance done and to document all maintenance work.
I suggest that most people would be better off finding a good independent (Not working for a chain) mechanic.
Note: Never ever use a quick oil change place. They are fast cheap and very very bad.
$1300+ is way too much for labor. The water pump, T-belt, and tensioner are all part of the same job. And while most shops today have a minimum 1-hour diagnostic charge, of you authorize the work that cost gets factored into the overall labor.
The problem you may have now is that they have the car. You’d have ot pay the minimum $110 and then get the car towed elsewhere. It still might save you money in the end, but it’ll be a pain.
Definitely find another mechanic - I’ve had good luck with this:
Given the figures you mentioned, assuming that’s everything, and I seriously question if they even know what’s wrong with your car, they’re saying they can fix it in a little over 11 hours.
RUN AWAY from these people as fast as you can. They are scamming you.
Better to do that than to give the money to these weasels. They’re already lying to m’Lady. Where does it end?
Looks like book time is around 8 Hrs,depending on model.
@ $110.00=$880.00 + $200.00 parts + $110.00 EST + 107.0 Tax =$1297.00 where is the other $253.00 coming from?
I had the timing belt and water pump replaced on my wife’s 2003 Honda Odyssey last year for $550 out the door. It was an independent shop. You’d do well to shop around a little for this job since money is an issue. Good luck.