The increased cost of vehicle maintenance

[GnometownHero]

I was going to have cooling system serviced on my GMC Sierra. Radiator flush, thermostat, upper & lower hoses and heater hoses.
A reputable shop that has a good track record of customer satisfaction.
Their cost quote. $1997.50
Uhhh nope. I can do the work myself
I have new shocks, struts, brake pads and alignment scheduled at my tire dealer Monday.
Any guesses on how much that might be?
I figured on at least $1000 and have more set aside.

 

[Okie4570]

Wow, doesn't cost much more than that to have axles/ring and pinion replaced or re-geared lol.

 

[Catt57]

Most good shops are charging $100+ per hour now. Also the shops I know are having to pad the quotes more to cover the added labor cost of warranty repairs with the current supply of replacement parts (all brands seem to be affected) simultaneously being more expensive and yet being poor quality and having much higher failure rates than in the past.

Also consider that the newer the vehicle the more reliant it is on computers and the more the diagnostic tools and replacement parts cost. Also, they are a lot more sensitive to any kind of change and can (and will) freak the computer out at the slightest impulse. Then time has to be spent to coax it back into happiness.

That being said. I got both complete heads (valves and all), timing chain, water pump, plugs, and wires, etc.. replaced and the throttle body rebuilt on my Chevy '94 K2500 350 and it cost me just over $3,500.

 

[swampratt]

MY 57 chevy turn key that I built a trans and engine and put ac and disc brakes on it cost me 4,500 including the 1500 purchase price for the vehicle.


DO IT YOURSELF

 

[Chaparral]

Do not blame the shop. Costs are going up. Parts costs are going up. The cost of holding good personnel is going up. Change the parties at top, fire 75% of the politicians. Continue until things improve.

 

[AKmoose]

Rockauto and your time.

 

[Chard]

MY 57 chevy turn key that I built a trans and engine and put ac and disc brakes on it cost me 4,500 including the 1500 purchase price for the vehicle.


DO IT YOURSELF

Great option if your physically able.

 

[XYZ]

Just about cheaper to just buy a new one.