Service job - was this fair pricing?

[Simon Garfunkel]

I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
down.

The final count:

1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
$154 with delivery.

2. The shop performed the following services at my request:

- Front brakes installation
- Tire rotation
- Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
- Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
- Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
- Regular oil/filter change;
- Change fuel filter;
- General safety/obvious weak points inspection.

Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
$170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
and the rest is other parts/supplies).

All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
Any comments?

SimGar

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
down.

The final count:

1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
$154 with delivery.

2. The shop performed the following services at my request:

- Front brakes installation
- Tire rotation
- Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
- Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
- Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
- Regular oil/filter change;
- Change fuel filter;
- General safety/obvious weak points inspection.

Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
$170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
and the rest is other parts/supplies).

All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
Any comments?

SimGar

If the shop has experience with soobs, they likely did a good job with
the coolant change. It can be tricky to burp all the air out. I guess
the PCV valve/system got changed/cleaned?
Also, can't help wondering about the timing belt condition.

otherwise, seems reasonable.

 

[Steve Austin]

I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
down.

The final count:

1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
$154 with delivery.

2. The shop performed the following services at my request:

- Front brakes installation
- Tire rotation
- Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
- Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
- Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
- Regular oil/filter change;
- Change fuel filter;
- General safety/obvious weak points inspection.

Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
$170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
and the rest is other parts/supplies).

All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
Any comments?

SimGar

Whether you got a good deal or a smokin' deal depends on where you live.
Here in northern NY it's a heck of a lot harder to get brake bleeders
loose and to change fuel filters than it is in Arizona or So. Cal.

 

[Simon Garfunkel]

Simon Garfunkel wrote:
Whether you got a good deal or a smokin' deal depends on where you live.
Here in northern NY it's a heck of a lot harder to get brake bleeders
loose and to change fuel filters than it is in Arizona or So. Cal.

Why would changing fuel filter be harder in different places?
I am in Southern WI.

SimGar

 

[Kruse]

Why would changing fuel filter be harder in different places?
I am in Southern WI.

SimGar

Road salt does some real funny stuff to things like that.

 

[Simon Garfunkel]

If the shop has experience with soobs, they likely did a good job with
the coolant change. It can be tricky to burp all the air out. I guess
the PCV valve/system got changed/cleaned?

It's a "Foreign car service" and from what I've seen, they do mostly
Subarus and Volvos. As for PCV, I guess I have no idea but the sheet
states "reattached breather hose for PCV system". Whatever it means.
PCV valve is certainly not on the list of parts. I seem to remember
it's a cheap part? How important is it to check it? Is it easy to
clean or is it advisable to change?

Also, can't help wondering about the timing belt condition.

Did not mention that explicitely. It was changed by Subaru 30K
miles ago, so I imagine it should be fine. Also, according
to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_EJ_engine , this
car has non-interference engine, so perhaps I don't have to
be anal about timing belt in the future?

otherwise, seems reasonable.

Hope so.

 

[Todd H.]

I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
down.

The final count:

1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
$154 with delivery.

2. The shop performed the following services at my request:

- Front brakes installation
- Tire rotation
- Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
- Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
- Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
- Regular oil/filter change;
- Change fuel filter;
- General safety/obvious weak points inspection.

Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
$170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
and the rest is other parts/supplies).

All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
Any comments?

Sounds like you did fine. Much better than I did at my 100k service
at an independent at least.

 

[hippo]

I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
down.

The final count:

1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
$154 with delivery.

2. The shop performed the following services at my request:

- Front brakes installation
- Tire rotation
- Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 .years/35K miles);
- Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
- Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
- Regular oil/filter change;
- Change fuel filter;
- General safety/obvious weak points inspection.

Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
$170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
and the rest is other parts/supplies).

All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
Any comments?

SimGar

If's the work's all been done, if you're happy and if you'd go back there,
then it's a good price. Cheers

 

[scott21230]

If you really wanted ot save money, you should have dont it yourself.
Otherwise the prices looked OK.

 

[Tegger]

I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
down.

The final count:

<snip details of servicing>


Nobody up to now has congratulated you for being in a small minority of car
owners. You are part of that minority that actually maintains their cars.
Let me be the first here to give you "two thumbs up" for your diligence.

The prices you paid look reasonable to me. But more than that, even if you
had paid more, down the line you are saving yourself untold amounts of
money, time, and grief, by simply maintaining your vehicle as the
manufacturer intended.

I am convinced that, generally speaking, most modern car problems are
simply the result of neglect and/or incompetent servicing.

My mechanic tells me 90% of people never even check their oil, much less
change it or do anything else...until something breaks.

 

[Simon Garfunkel]

<snip details of servicing>


Nobody up to now has congratulated you for being in a small minority of car
owners. You are part of that minority that actually maintains their cars.
Let me be the first here to give you "two thumbs up" for your diligence.

Thanks Well, considering that in the past two years maintenance
cost was ~ $600/year while new car if minimum $250/month, maintenance
of this old but thus far reliable car is a no-brainer. Also,
$600 is only 25% of all annual car-related expenses here (gas,
insurance, parking permit, etc).

SimaGa

 

[BroTher Zachary]

<snip details of servicing>

Nobody up to now has congratulated you for being in a small minority of car
owners. You are part of that minority that actually maintains their cars.
Let me be the first here to give you "two thumbs up" for your diligence.

The prices you paid look reasonable to me. But more than that, even if you
had paid more, down the line you are saving yourself untold amounts of
money, time, and grief, by simply maintaining your vehicle as the
manufacturer intended.

I am convinced that, generally speaking, most modern car problems are
simply the result of neglect and/or incompetent servicing.

My mechanic tells me 90% of people never even check their oil, much less
change it or do anything else...until something breaks.

My buddy's ex wife had a new Honda blow up on her at ~100K miles. Had
to replace the engine. She never once changed the oil (and probably
never checked it). California, unfortunately, is a no-fault divorce
state, so this was yet one more in a long, long line of stupidities
that he ended up paying for.

 

[Ken Finney]

My buddy's ex wife had a new Honda blow up on her at ~100K miles. Had
to replace the engine. She never once changed the oil (and probably
never checked it). California, unfortunately, is a no-fault divorce
state, so this was yet one more in a long, long line of stupidities
that he ended up paying for.

I've seen estimates that one-third of new car owners never change their oil.
They might top it off, but they just trade it in after a couple of years.

 

[Guest]

My buddy's ex wife had a new Honda blow up on her at ~100K miles. Had
to replace the engine. She never once changed the oil (and probably
never checked it). California, unfortunately, is a no-fault divorce
state, so this was yet one more in a long, long line of stupidities
that he ended up paying for.

No-fault just means that you dont have to concoct a grievance in order
to file for divorce, if I understand the law correctly. Has nothing to do
with who is responsible for what.

But I understand your point. Alimony states, etc, can make you wish
you had never met the bi*ch.

I believe that far too few people here in Amerika realize that you have
to maintain a car.