Please help
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 115
They have been pretty cool about it so far. The loaner is free. I just went in for an oil change. They told me they would charge me the 165.00 to see what was wrong with the car because there is definitely a problem. I had no idea it would cost this much though. They havent called me back yet to tell me if they were able to get the used parts anywhere. If i have to pay them the 165.00 or whatever for all the work they have done and their diagnosis, i think its well worth it. I dont get that feeling like they are gonna get pissed if i say i cant afford it next time i talk to them. I already told them that exactly yesterday, and that i would pick up my car today. They called me back and said they would see what they could do even after i told them i could only afford 600 bucks. We'll see i guess
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
From: Jacksonville,Fl
165.00 is about twice the going rate to diagnose a drivability problem, and as simple as a leaking water pump onto the opti is to figure out I dont even charge my customers a check out fee if they go for the repair! a GOOD repair shop wont ever "and for good reasons" offer used parts such as tune parts, hoses, and water pumps!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 115
165.00 is about twice the going rate to diagnose a drivability problem, and as simple as a leaking water pump onto the opti is to figure out I dont even charge my customers a check out fee if they go for the repair! a GOOD repair shop wont ever "and for good reasons" offer used parts such as tune parts, hoses, and water pumps!
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 3,499
From: PORTLAND, OR, MULTNOMAH
I believe that 5 hours labor---apparently they charge 80/hr which is ok, IF you are talking about a professional shop that is familiar with the LT1. The 5 hours is based on changing the waterpump and installing the opti (this, of course is based on the actual need to replace those 2 things.
To me a little bell goes off when a mechanic (1) gives you an immediate diagnosis without proof. If they have already spend 2 hours (165 bucks) to make their diagnosis then I would say that they needn't do anymore diagnosis---which apparently they plan on doing. (2) offers to find used parts, which is unacceptable, when replacing water pumps and optis.
I.e., perhaps they really don't know what the problem is (not unheard of) and they may find that replacing the pump and the opti does not solve your problem. Then what?
So---if it is determined, in fact that you need to replace some parts, then again, make sure that you are not overpaying for the parts and giving them too much for labor.
So:
If they come up with the correct diagnosis and give you a reasonable cost for parts and labor AND you are convinced that they are capable of working on the LT1 with quality assurance and guarantee, and that they can do it within a reasonable amout of time, i.e, not keep your car for more than 5 days, then you might get what you pay for.
If for any of the above the answer is NO, then consider yourself fortunate if you can get your car back in one piece with paying only the $165.00.
This does not preclude you from going back to them if you decide, but it does give you some breathing room and options that you don't have as long as they have the vehicle. Whatever you choose to do, ACT NOW!
JMHO
To me a little bell goes off when a mechanic (1) gives you an immediate diagnosis without proof. If they have already spend 2 hours (165 bucks) to make their diagnosis then I would say that they needn't do anymore diagnosis---which apparently they plan on doing. (2) offers to find used parts, which is unacceptable, when replacing water pumps and optis.
I.e., perhaps they really don't know what the problem is (not unheard of) and they may find that replacing the pump and the opti does not solve your problem. Then what?
So---if it is determined, in fact that you need to replace some parts, then again, make sure that you are not overpaying for the parts and giving them too much for labor.
So:
If they come up with the correct diagnosis and give you a reasonable cost for parts and labor AND you are convinced that they are capable of working on the LT1 with quality assurance and guarantee, and that they can do it within a reasonable amout of time, i.e, not keep your car for more than 5 days, then you might get what you pay for.
If for any of the above the answer is NO, then consider yourself fortunate if you can get your car back in one piece with paying only the $165.00.
This does not preclude you from going back to them if you decide, but it does give you some breathing room and options that you don't have as long as they have the vehicle. Whatever you choose to do, ACT NOW!
JMHO
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 115
I believe that 5 hours labor---apparently they charge 80/hr which is ok, IF you are talking about a professional shop that is familiar with the LT1. The 5 hours is based on changing the waterpump and installing the opti (this, of course is based on the actual need to replace those 2 things.
To me a little bell goes off when a mechanic (1) gives you an immediate diagnosis without proof. If they have already spend 2 hours (165 bucks) to make their diagnosis then I would say that they needn't do anymore diagnosis---which apparently they plan on doing. (2) offers to find used parts, which is unacceptable, when replacing water pumps and optis.
I.e., perhaps they really don't know what the problem is (not unheard of) and they may find that replacing the pump and the opti does not solve your problem. Then what?
So---if it is determined, in fact that you need to replace some parts, then again, make sure that you are not overpaying for the parts and giving them too much for labor.
So:
If they come up with the correct diagnosis and give you a reasonable cost for parts and labor AND you are convinced that they are capable of working on the LT1 with quality assurance and guarantee, and that they can do it within a reasonable amout of time, i.e, not keep your car for more than 5 days, then you might get what you pay for.
If for any of the above the answer is NO, then consider yourself fortunate if you can get your car back in one piece with paying only the $165.00.
This does not preclude you from going back to them if you decide, but it does give you some breathing room and options that you don't have as long as they have the vehicle. Whatever you choose to do, ACT NOW!
JMHO
To me a little bell goes off when a mechanic (1) gives you an immediate diagnosis without proof. If they have already spend 2 hours (165 bucks) to make their diagnosis then I would say that they needn't do anymore diagnosis---which apparently they plan on doing. (2) offers to find used parts, which is unacceptable, when replacing water pumps and optis.
I.e., perhaps they really don't know what the problem is (not unheard of) and they may find that replacing the pump and the opti does not solve your problem. Then what?
So---if it is determined, in fact that you need to replace some parts, then again, make sure that you are not overpaying for the parts and giving them too much for labor.
So:
If they come up with the correct diagnosis and give you a reasonable cost for parts and labor AND you are convinced that they are capable of working on the LT1 with quality assurance and guarantee, and that they can do it within a reasonable amout of time, i.e, not keep your car for more than 5 days, then you might get what you pay for.
If for any of the above the answer is NO, then consider yourself fortunate if you can get your car back in one piece with paying only the $165.00.
This does not preclude you from going back to them if you decide, but it does give you some breathing room and options that you don't have as long as they have the vehicle. Whatever you choose to do, ACT NOW!
JMHO
Its been 2 days now and they havent called me. I guess they couldnt find the parts or who knows. Probably saved like 30 bucks in gas the past week anyway with their loaner. Plus i just got a new job that requires me to drive an extra 30 miles per day in rush hour traffic where i used to work 2 - 11 with a simple drive. Im gonna ask them to give me my car back and offer them 100 bucks to keep their loaner for a couple of weeks which is when i'll be moving a couple of minutes away from my new job. This is part of the reason i dont mind them having my car for an extra few days, lower gas and no wear on my car.
No chance im gonna spend 1500 bucks to repair the car. There is a 1993 z28 on craigslist for $1999.00. I'd have to be a tard to do that.
Last edited by z28rider78; Jan 4, 2008 at 05:42 PM.