How bad did I get screwed?

[longhornlump]

~ $2100.00 dollars in car repairs.

1. Replacement of all 4 struts
2. 60k Maintenance
3. Car alignment
4. rear rack replacement (said front originally)

Labor 1500
Part 600

Did I get ripped off? If so, by how much? I am a car noob that probably didn't help me.

Updated with additional info:

Don McGill Toyota.
Houston, TX

Here are pics of my itemized bills in case you are wondering what exactly I was billed for:

Page 1 of 3
Page 2 of 3
Page 3 of 3

 

[imported_Mike]

$1500 in labor? :Q

 

[Cattlegod]

why the hell did they have to replace your steering rack (i assume you mean this by front rack).

that was probably the majority of the cost and most likely didn't need replacement.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What kind of car? YMM?

 

[BoberFett]

As a general rule of thumb, any interaction with a stealer... errrr dealer involves you getting screwed. Hard.

 

[longhornlump]

Toyota Solara 2001. 56k miles. Most of the cost involved was in the replacement of the struts. I had a very noticeable rumbling noise coming from my right rear when I went over bumps which is why I took it in. They recommended replacement of all the struts because replacing just one is usually not a good idea.

Next time I will shop around first. Where does everyone else go to get repairs done? I usually end up going to the dealer because I thought they were more trust worthy than other place even though they charge a higher price that and they provide a warranty on their service.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

omg...

 

[Conky]

I hope they kissed you afterwards.

 

[SSSnail]

I think we can safely nominate this for self ownage of the year thread.

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: longhornlump
Toyota Solara 2001. 56k miles. Most of the cost involved was in the replacement of the struts. I had a very noticeable rumbling noise coming from my right rear when I went over bumps which is why I took it in. They recommended replacement of all the struts because replacing just one is usually not a good idea.

Next time I will shop around first. Where does everyone else go to get repairs done? I usually end up going to the dealer because I thought they were more trust worthy than other place even though they charge a higher price that and they provide a warranty on their service.

Please, please, please tell me this is a parody thread gone wrong or something....

 

[shopbruin]

no some are like this. my bf is trying to make me take my car into the dealer to replace the timing belt because he believes in their service.

 

[Mermaidman]

Struts replaced in pairs (same axle), no?

BTW, how much is a 2001 Solara with 56K miles?

 

[krunchykrome]

You were pounded.

 

[IGBT]

..if they did a good job and you car feels better, let it go and get on with life. Dealers are always more expensive.

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: freesia39
no some are like this. my bf is trying to make me take my car into the dealer to replace the timing belt because he believes in their service.

Tell your boyfriend to be a real man and fix his lady's car himself.

 

[bctbct]

More evidence I am too smart to fall for the Toyota hype.

Sometimes I am blunt, this is one of those times

YOU GOT FVCKED.

 

[bctbct]

In fact I am so pissed you got took this bad I want the dealer name so I can call and complain.

 

[Ricemarine]

Hum... my 2001 toyota corolla when its power steering pump and belt had issues, the labor costed more than the parts :laugh:... Just not as much as yours... $464 parts + $535 of labor (estimates).

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: freesia39
no some are like this. my bf is trying to make me take my car into the dealer to replace the timing belt because he believes in their service.

Depends on the car though. Something like a Miata is not a job for a weekender unless they have the right tools and know-how. Even using the web guides it's a pain. When it comes up on Miata.net it's usually just suggested to take it to the dealer. But on another can be simple...

But in this case...I've had headgaskets replaced for almost half that amount in labor...

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Hum... my 2001 toyota corolla when its power steering pump and belt had issues, the labor costed more than the parts :laugh:... Just not as much as yours... $464 parts + $535 of labor (estimates).

OKay, I am going to need the name of your dealership also.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Hum... my 2001 toyota corolla when its power steering pump and belt had issues, the labor costed more than the parts :laugh:... Just not as much as yours... $464 parts + $535 of labor (estimates).

OKay, I am going to need the name of your dealership also.

Magic Toyota.
Edmonds, WA...

Most Toyota dealerships do it anyways :laugh:...
But they were nice enough to give a 10% discount on parts... Although the total was still $999.11.

 

[d33pt]

those struts probably cost $50 each. You can pull them yourself pretty easily and bring it to a shop to replace the struts for about $10 or 20 each. You got pretty ripped off IMO. Front rack should not have gone out on a solara at 56k miles.

For comparison, my tacoma with 195k miles on it has never been into a mechanic for service. i've done everything myself besides alignments. That's why i bought a toyota.

 

[quakefiend420]

yeah got screwed, with no lube, by a black guy named bubba, with aids















and a horse cock

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Originally posted by: Mike
$1500 in labor? :Q

Did your car have a baby? That is what a mid-wife charges!

 

[longhornlump]

Don McGill Toyota.
Houston, TX

Here are pics of my itemized bills in case you are wondering what exactly I was billed for:

Page 1 of 3
Page 2 of 3
Page 3 of 3

If I am too lazy/dumb to fix my own car, how does one go about finding a reliable mechanic these days? Word of mouth, BBB, ...?