My car!!!!

[JeffieLove]

I am sad...

I took my car in for tires and breaks, and told them that it had also just hit 100,000 miles... Before I go any further, my car goes to a shop that my AT&T store sells company phones to... We mutually "hook each other up"... So I am getting a few hundred dollars off the work on my car...

So, they told me they would check the timing belt on the car to see how it was holding up... And I told them that when I go over bumps, the front passenger side "clicks"...

Well, my car didn't only need tires and breaks... It needs a timing belt and struts as well...

So, for what I thought would be a $600 trip to the shop, it is turning out to be over $2,000! We aren't doing the struts yet... Just the timing belt, breaks and tires... If we were to add the struts in, we'd be looking at over $3,000!!!

Well, I will officially be broke and pinching pennies again after this trip to the shop... And I will be saving money to get the struts done ASAP :/

 

[JeffieLove]

just got some slightly good news about the car...

It doesn't need a timing belt!

So we are going to do the struts... It is still going to cost me the same amount, but after today my car will be almost as good as new

 

[PhotoXopher]

They wanted $1000 to change the timing belt?

Err...

 

[JeffieLove]

the timing belt was going to be $750... I am getting front brakes, rear brakes, 4 tires... That right there was around $1400 because I have drum brakes on the back and pads on the front... The tires I am getting are all-season tires... The struts are about $950 for both sides on the front...

What I thought was only going to be $600 was the front brakes and front tires...

 

[JAFO28]

What kind of car is it? Some of that seems awfully high.

 

[JeffieLove]

It's a ford focus ztw... apparently it's a performance model of the car... I du no... All I know is my dad and I picked it up off a used lot after I had my 2nd child in 2007... We paid about $10k for it... it's paid off, it works... I'm ready for something new lol

 

[schumionbike]

that seem awefully high, especially for a Ford Focus. Timing belt should never cost 750, usually it's 250-400. A set of of 4 tires and installation shouldn't cost more than 300 at a Walmart or BJ tire store. I have a 180,000 miles Toyota Camry and I was quoted 220-230 for a timing belt change. I recommend that you shop around a little more.

 

[JeffieLove]

well they ended up not doing a timing belt because my car has a chain, not a belt...

So that wasn't the issue in the end... the issue in the end was struts and rear shocks :/

For the tires and brakes (and now that I am really thinking about this and it's too late and way after the fact) they had quoted me $1300... Then they added on the struts on the front shocks and then the rear shocks that brought it up to $2350...

I so got screwed, but I learned my lesson... I will call my dad next time :/

 

[ghache]

I would take the car out of that garage and go to another one.

 

[JeffieLove]

this was a week and a half ago - too late :/

 

[NateWagner]

yeah, that's too bad that they took advantage of you.

 

[molested_cow]

WAIT, they told you that you need a new timing belt when your car clearly doesn't even use one, and even quoted you on it? That's absolutely bull****.

To quote a timing belt change, they must first refer to the car manufacturer's recommended amount of hours the job will take, then add the material cost. If your car doesn't even use a timing belt, it's impossible that they can give you a legitimate quote. They are straight out liars. I am surprised that they didn't have you change your blinker fluid as well.

Now, what kind of tire and brake combo will cost $1300?
You can get very decent all season tires for $500 a full set installation and warranty included. I did my brakes (4 discs, rotors plus pads) for $500. You only have two disks, so it should cost half that. For expensive jobs like that, I always compare quotes. However, I don't always go with the cheapest(they can have your engine removed then tell you your car needs more repair). I go with the one I feel I can trust.

Please tell us which shop you went to so the rest of the world can avoid it.

 

[Big]

Ripofffffff... So glad my dad's a mechanic!

 

[Big]

Car makes "clicking" noises when going over bumps... Definitely the timing chain lol

 

[usayit]

I would take the car out of that garage and go to another one.

No kidding! Timing belt for a that caliber of vehicle at the DEALER should be around $600 and cheaper for third party garages.

To put things into perspective... a timing belt for my Audi was quoted at $1800 at a high end dealer (Bentley, Porsche, Ferrari, Land Rover, Audi). I went to a Audi/Vw specialist at a well known speed shop and had the belt done for $900.

For what you paid, I had timing belt, water pump, plugs changed, all fluids changed, Haldex (AWD system) serviced, check engine code troubleshooted/fixed, new tires, and even had the car chip'd. I'm talking about Audi parts which are way over priced.