Pricy Parts, Does this make sence? Options

[MandyGirl94]

I took my car up to the Toyota dealer to get some work done because she was sounding/running awful and before I let them take any more of my money I just want to get some opinions of these prices to see if they are insane or not for parts/labor:

What I got done already:
Cylinder Gasket $24
Grommet $4 ea (x4)
Fipg Oil Pan (not sure what this means) $16
Spark Plugs $10 ea (x4)
Resist Cord Set $72
With labor & tax cost me $426


What I still need to get done:
Replace drive belts $159
Replace oil pan $250
Replace Distributer O-ring $81
Transmission flush/fluid $70
I dunno how much labor will be yet...

[bonzaisushi]

ya sounds right, toyota is not cheap u pay for quality i just found that out i just had to cover 2k in repairs that was fun toyota is like that there pricey but atleast ur gettin quality and the chance of those things goin bad again is slim

[MandyGirl94]

That's what I thought but I just wanted to make sure.

[3TST]

If your car is still under warranty then your kinda stuck with going to the recognised Toyota dealer and paying these prices.

I agree with bonzai 'there pricey but atleast ur gettin quality and the chance of those things goin bad again is slim'.

Alternatively, you can get good quality parts off eBay cheaper (diyautoparts) and do it yourself (using the "How-to-section" posts) or go to your local garage and have them do the work.
(That is, if you have confidence in the ability of your local garage).

[MandyGirl94]

No my car is way past warantee (94' with 180,000mi). I thought about taking it to a local shop but they cost about the same as the dealer. I trust the dealer a lot more too. Good news though - my engine is still strong as ever. They said it could easily reach 300,000 if I keep taking care of it. YEAH CELICA's!!

[FallenHero]

Toyotas and BMWs just amaze me as far as quality goes. I have almos 100k miles on my car and the only thing I have Ever had done is a belt replacement. I know a guy with well over 300k miles on a bmw, and it's still running strong.

[Guest_Matthew_*]

In my experience, dealers are ALWAYS more expensive. They charge so much more because people think that they are getting better mechanics working on their cars, but in reality are certified S.A.E. mechanics take the same classes and take the same tests. So as long as they are S.A.E. certified, they all know about the same. I know what you are thinking, "dealer mechanics know more about toyotas". But who says that local guys haven't ever worked on their fare share toyotas. It's your money though, that's just my $.02


Matt

[FallenHero]

I agree. I have a local guy do all of my work. He said he has seen many a new MR-2 come in. (according to him, they really suck and nobody should buy one.)

[remjay]

QUOTE (FallenHero @ Jan 25, 2003 - 9:50 PM)

I agree. I have a local guy do all of my work. He said he has seen many a new MR-2 come in. (according to him, they really suck and nobody should buy one.)

Well, perhaps suck-ass drivers shouldnt buy them. Look at all the replacements with the celica misshifts...then people blamed toyota for placing the fuel cutoff so "low" and changing the gear box.

[Drunken_Style]

QUOTE (remjay @ Jan 29, 2003 - 3:49 PM)

QUOTE (FallenHero @ Jan 25, 2003 - 9:50 PM) I agree.  I have a local guy do all of my work.  He said he has seen many a new MR-2 come in.  (according to him, they really suck and nobody should buy one.) Well, perhaps suck-ass drivers shouldnt buy them. Look at all the replacements with the celica misshifts...then people blamed toyota for placing the fuel cutoff so "low" and changing the gear box.

I agree with remjay, so many people had miss shifts with the celica then tried to blame Toyota for their mistake. The MR-S is a nice car not as fast as a 91 - 96 MR2 Turbo but it's still fun to drive. I thought about getting one before I got my IS, but since I already have a convertible I didn't see the need for another one. Go test drive one and see for yourself.

[remjay]

QUOTE (Drunken_Style @ Jan 29, 2003 - 6:32 PM)

QUOTE (remjay @ Jan 29, 2003 - 3:49 PM) QUOTE (FallenHero @ Jan 25, 2003 - 9:50 PM) I agree.  I have a local guy do all of my work.  He said he has seen many a new MR-2 come in.  (according to him, they really suck and nobody should buy one.) Well, perhaps suck-ass drivers shouldnt buy them. Look at all the replacements with the celica misshifts...then people blamed toyota for placing the fuel cutoff so "low" and changing the gear box. I agree with remjay, so many people had miss shifts with the celica then tried to blame Toyota for their mistake. The MR-S is a nice car not as fast as a 91 - 96 MR2 Turbo but it's still fun to drive. I thought about getting one before I got my IS, but since I already have a convertible I didn't see the need for another one. Go test drive one and see for yourself.

Yea, they wont be as "fun" as a turbo [or supercharged] car...what is? Whats interesting is that, IIRC, the new mr2s handle better than the older ones.


hmm