YACT: Are the car repairs costing too much?

[civad]

Hello all!

I purchased a used 1998 Mazda Protege LX in 2002, w/ 53 k miles. Last week I paid it off, hopefully by the end of the month once I get the papers in order, my insurance should also come down also.

But heres my question: I was going through the receipts of repiars I have made since I purchased the car:
60 K mile servicing - @ $ 800 or so
tire change at abt 68 k - @ $ 350
Alternator Belt/ AC belt - @ $ 150
Trans. fluid change at 79 k / w oil change and brake inspection - @ $ 150
Brake jobs ( twice in 2 yrs) @ $ 400 or so combined
Other Misc expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: @ $ 2000 +/-

I am not including regular oil changes, etc. to this total.

Are these kind of expenses too high; or are they normal? Considering the fact that I drive abt 18 k miles a year ( car's currently at 84 k miles) am I spending too much ? ( KBB value today is abt $4500). If YES, how long should I hold on to this car?

*Considering the fact that the car is paid off, I am not making any more loan payments
*Since its a used car, taxes are low ( in Waterbury, CT; the mill rate is $ 95 per $ 1000)
*I dont have to carry insurance against bird droppings, doog p**p on my tires, etc. ( jk here.. but I guess you get the idea!) since I won the car now.
*I get mileage for travelling to project sites, so @ 30 miles/gallon, I think themileage takes care of the expenses on the car

I am assuming that I would use this car for another 2 years or so. Are the above three savings worth it?

Sorry for the long post, but I tried to put in as much info as possible....

Cheers,

Civ

 

[Eli]

All cars cost money to own.

Some are just a little better than others. Some cost more to fix, but break down less. Some cost less to fix, but break down more. It's always a tradeoff.

It usually evens out to be about the same, unless you have a particularly crappy model or a lemon.

Damn tho, 800$ for 60k service? The hell did they do?!

I'd say you're paying too much, but that may not be the cars fault!

 

[Ornery]

That's normal wear and tear repairs (except for the multiple brake jobs), but you paid too much for them. Does that answer your question?

 

[civad]

unless you have a particularly crappy model or a lemon

I dont think mine is one: but I understand what you mean. Mine ( knock wood!) hasnt given me any mechanical trouble: many of the repairs were just out of caution ( eg. tires before winter).

That's normal wear and tear repairs (except for the multiple brake jobs), but you paid too much for them. Does that answer your question?

I guess so.. time to look for a new mechanic then??

 

[StageLeft]

Those prices seem fair, and to be expected with the exception of dropping $150 on the tranny fluid. That's a bit high (not outrageous necessarily).

$800 for the 60k was RIDICULOUS. People should not be getting these done and paying the standard dealer cost for it. If you break it down and actually get the important things done at an independent mechanic it would cost a fraction of that. Basically you took a car that is working fine and dropped $800 on it.

 

[tnitsuj]

What did they do at 60k that cost $800. Was thier a timing belt/water pump at that interval. I think the dealer maintenance is always a bit high.

The rest is normal wear and tear.

 

[DurocShark]

Your costs don't seem out of place for a 5 year old car.

Maybe it's time to learn how do do that stuff yourself? After all the 30-60-90k services are a joke. With simple tools, any moderately mechanically inclined person can do them.

Alt belts, fluid changes, etc are all well within the reach of even a complete n00b.

Consider this: Your alt belt is a serpentine belt (one belt to rule them all...) It's $25 at AutoZone. IT would take me 10-15 minutes to swap. Maybe 30 min if you've never done it before and are working out of a Bentley or Haynes manual.

 

You live in Waterbury, I live beteen Bridgeport and New Haven 🙂

My shop charges $60 an hour for repairs, you must remmeber that the overhead on a repair shop is HUGE, here is a quick breakdown ;

Monthly on a two bay repair facility.

Rent on building and property = $5,500
Employee pay and benefits (three employess) = $8,150
Vacation and other benefits = $350
Oil and refuse disposal = $1,200
Utilities = $2,900
Shop supplies = $1,500
Maintenance of building = $750
Insurance = $3,900
Permits = $75
business license and fees = $50

This is only a general breakdown, there are many other costs involved, it can be very difficult to keep your head above water.

 

[civad]

What did they do at 60k that cost $800. Was thier a timing belt/water pump at that interval. I think the dealer maintenance is always a bit high.

** from what I remember**
at 60K: flush- tranny and coolant; timing belt replacement ; pcv valve; spark plug; replace fuel filter

You live in Waterbury, I live beteen Bridgeport and New Haven

My shop charges $60 an hour for repairs, you must remmeber that the overhead on a repair shop is HUGE, here is a quick breakdown ;

Monthly on a two bay repair facility.

Rent on building and property = $5,500
Employee pay and benefits (three employess) = $8,150
Vacation and other benefits = $350
Oil and refuse disposal = $1,200
Utilities = $2,900
Shop supplies = $1,500
Maintenance of building = $750
Insurance = $3,900
Permits = $75
business license and fees = $50

This is only a general breakdown, there are many other costs involved, it can be very difficult to keep your head above water.

Wow!
My mechanic has a 2- bay shop also, with himself and one employee. But there's no way I would go to a quick fix chain store.

Maybe it's time to learn how do do that stuff yourself? After all the 30-60-90k services are a joke. With simple tools, any moderately mechanically inclined person can do them.

Alt belts, fluid changes, etc are all well within the reach of even a complete n00b.

Consider this: Your alt belt is a serpentine belt (one belt to rule them all...) It's $25 at AutoZone. IT would take me 10-15 minutes to swap. Maybe 30 min if you've never done it before and are working out of a Bentley or Haynes manual.

I think that might be something I could try. Time to pick up the tools, I guess 🙂

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: civad

What did they do at 60k that cost $800. Was thier a timing belt/water pump at that interval. I think the dealer maintenance is always a bit high.

** from what I remember**
at 60K: flush- tranny and coolant; timing belt replacement ; pcv valve; spark plug; replace fuel filter

Yeah.

I hope they also gave you some vaseline.

Ouch. 😛

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Roger
You live in Waterbury, I live beteen Bridgeport and New Haven 🙂

My shop charges $60 an hour for repairs, you must remmeber that the overhead on a repair shop is HUGE, here is a quick breakdown ;

Monthly on a two bay repair facility.

Rent on building and property = $5,500
Employee pay and benefits (three employess) = $8,150
Vacation and other benefits = $350
Oil and refuse disposal = $1,200
Utilities = $2,900
Shop supplies = $1,500
Maintenance of building = $750
Insurance = $3,900
Permits = $75
business license and fees = $50

This is only a general breakdown, there are many other costs involved, it can be very difficult to keep your head above water.

:Q...

:Q.....

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: Roger

Rent on building and property = $5,500
Employee pay and benefits (three employess) = $8,150
Vacation and other benefits = $350
Oil and refuse disposal = $1,200
Utilities = $2,900
Shop supplies = $1,500
Maintenance of building = $750
Insurance = $3,900
Permits = $75
business license and fees = $50

Shit, that means over $800.00 per day just to break even. Owning your own business is insane. I've got nothing but respect for people willing to undertake that endeavor. You can be sure I'd never saddle them with the baggage imposed by Democrat leaders and lawmakers, if I can help it!

 

One thing is for sure, you have to be a hard nosed prick to successfully run a business, there is no room to be a nice guy, I always thought that I would be financially secure, unless you branch out with multiple shops, there is no way that this will happen, plus you have the huge responsibility to your employees and customers, whoever tells you that repair prices are jacked up because of greedy shop owners does not understand the fiscal responsibilities when running a business like this.

Granted, some months are a huge win fall when business is good, but you must take this money to the bank for in the future there will be months of total loss, if this is not done, your business will collapse within 1/2 a year due to inadequate funds..

 

[TwoBills]

That's about right for the repairs listed. Breaks down to about $400 parts - $1600 labor.
You could've saved the labor cost if you did your own work, but you've gotta go thru that expensive learning curve first. A good shop backs up their work, so that alone is worth something.
Think of it this way, that's less than what it would cost for the engine work, if the timing belt gave it up.
If you learn not to ride the brakes, you can save a couple hundred there. I've gone over 100K on a brake job, with an 800lb load on a pu truck.
Mechanics have got to eat, too.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Maybe it's time to learn how do do that stuff yourself? After all the 30-60-90k services are a joke. With simple tools, any moderately mechanically inclined person can do them.

Alt belts, fluid changes, etc are all well within the reach of even a complete n00b.

Hell, i did a head swap on my trans am. I'm not a mechanic or anything either.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I wanna learn about doing my own work, what would be the best way for someone to learn? I don't really know anyone who can teach me though.

 

Start by reading about automotive theory, then disassemble/reassemble a lawn mower engine, then move on from there.

Experience is the best teacher.

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: LuNoTiCK
I wanna learn about doing my own work, what would be the best way for someone to learn? I don't really know anyone who can teach me though.

get a helms manual. i have one set for every car i owned.

$800 for a service call is just plain nuts.

 

[bolido2000]

That's insane. My 96 Maxima:

90K service: $150
Change 2 rear brake pads plus resurface rotors: $70
Change both front axles: $240
Change 4 tires: $160 (tirerack. Kumho HP4 best bang for the buck)
yesturday....Changed alternator, battery and tow truck: 440 🙁

All this done at the same mechanic. In summary...you paid WAY too much.

 

[TwoBills]

Originally posted by: LuNoTiCK
I wanna learn about doing my own work, what would be the best way for someone to learn? I don't really know anyone who can teach me though.

I'd get a dealer's service manual, not a Hayne's or a Chilton's, but a dsm for your car only (about $100) and buy one of those $100 tool sets from Sears. You know the ones: 100pc set w/ 30 or 40 allen wrenches. I'd go from there.
On second thought, I'd also get a $12 Haynes manual. These are a lot more basic. Where the Haynes stops, the dsm will pick up the slack.
I'd also get a cheap digital volt ohm meter. One with an analog scale would cover it all. About $30.
Start with the basic stuff and go from there. Buy your parts from a Napa dealer and make sure he knows you're buying you're stuff there even thou you can get oil and filters cheaper at AZ or PB. After a while you'll start to get discounts that will match the other places. Just ask for them. They have 6 or 8 different discounts.
A lot of the time the dealer parts department can sell you parts that are just as cheap as anywhere else. Get to know your parts guy. This is also a good source of info. on machine shops, radiator shops, body shops, etc. Take 'em a few pizzas once in a while, then they'll remember you.
It's mostly "stick" time. Read, and understand, the manuals before starting a job, not just when you run into a problem. Keeps the manuals cleaner and the problems fewer.
Used to be we'd learn by hanging out at the local gas station. There'd always be a mentor there. But those days are pretty much gone. Unless you live in Jersey.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Roger
Start by reading about automotive theory, then disassemble/reassemble a lawn mower engine, then move on from there.

Experience is the best teacher.

Necessity is another good teacher 🙂 Anything I've learned, which isn't much - but more than the average person - is simply because I'm too cheap to pay for it, so anything I can do myself I will!

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Roger
Start by reading about automotive theory, then disassemble/reassemble a lawn mower engine, then move on from there.

Experience is the best teacher.

Necessity is another good teacher 🙂 Anything I've learned, which isn't much - but more than the average person - is simply because I'm too cheap to pay for it, so anything I can do myself I will!

That is my primary motivator...that and I get the satisfaction of doing it myself.

I do my own fluid changes, brake jobs, replaced oxygen sensor, oil pan on my older car, and various other things that would have cost me hundreds at a shop.

 

[Thegonagle]

Sounds normal except for the brake jobs (where did you go?), and maybe that 60,000 mile service was a little high (but what was done?).

I'd say keep the car for as long as it lasts. Keep saving the money you would have otherwise used to make the payments. You'll have thousands left over after two years to prove that it was a good idea.

 

[civad]

Thanks all for your replies.

Looks like I should try my hand at oil change, etc:

Sounds normal except for the brake jobs (where did you go?), and maybe that 60,000 mile service was a little high (but what was done?).

For the brake job AND the 60 k mile servicing; I went to the dealership. My mistake 😉 But then I was nw in town and didnt know too many places. For the past year I've been going to just one shop: a small shop ( 2-bay) but that guy knows what he is doing.

Edit: In restorpsec, I think that had I gone elsewhere for the brake job and the 60k servicing, I might have saved abt $ 500 or so overall.

@ 60 K: heres the list ( I had a partial list posted earlier)
* Air filter
* Motor oil // oil filter
* Fuel systerm ser. kit (?)
PCV Valve
Fuel filter
*Spark Plug
* Trans. fluid
*Coolant
Timing Belt
*oil seal
*Check brakes ( first time of the two)

And Actually I was going through the receipts for 60 K : labour component is abt. 3 times the cost of parts! Based on what Roger posted earlier ( cost of owning/ operating a shop) I think that was to be expected.