Wednesday I dropped off my vehicle. The car has an onboard code reader built in and I also have one of my own. Prior to taking it in I checked the codes on both readers and they turned up the same codes (cylinder misfire 2). Okie dokie, not being terribly savvy with main components of the engine block and my only mechanical experience is thanks to YouTube (bless them). At any rate, left my car overnight, told them no rush take your time I know your busy. Received an email and text message the following day stating that my car needed a tune up as well as the front rotors and pads replaced. I can hear my brakes, I know what a squeaker pin sounds like so that wasn't news to me. However their estimate on repairs was definitely a shock. To "tune up" my car and replace the rotors and pads (+labor) would be, get this, $2750!!!!! Holy buckets what did I get myself into? I've changed brakes before, and granted these are a little more expensive, but certainly not $900 they quoted me. So there's that. Next we have the tune up. For those of you not familiar with a standard tune up this is basically referring to spark plugs, coils, things of that nature. Again, my vehicle is nicer than the ones I've worked on previously but jeez it seems like my car is laced with gold or something. Now, if this wasn't shocking enough, when I went to pick up my car, the bill, simply looking at it was $276. Let me elaborate. Two hours of labor and plugging in a code reader into a vehicle with a code reader built in was going to cost me $276. Truthfully I was a little blown away. Upon further review of what these repairs would actually cost, I replaced my spark plugs for $130, which did need replaced, but my coils were actually fine. But they would have done it anyways! The rotors, passenger side has plenty of life left but I will admit the drivers side is a ready to go so I will replace both. However, not for $900. I found the appropriate rotors and pads but at a fraction of the cost.....$150 for both sides. At this point I feel like I'm just preaching about most people's experiences at auto shops. Don't know what's going on, trust the mechanics to do them right, give them some extreme estimate of repairs, parts, and labor and then just blindly agree.
Let me say some good things about great falls auto repair. Firstly, Annie was incredibly professional and nice. She is the manager of the shop. The gentleman who inspected my vehicle, also a kind honest man. Once I requested a specific diagnostic of what my $276 was for, the mechanic was very understanding of my concerns and ended up taking off one hour of labor. I'm not saying don't come to this shop for help. They are knowledgeable, kind people just trying to put food on their tables like the rest of us. What I will say! Is that before you comply with your shops suggestions and clear out your savings again, please just take an hour and research the issues yourself. I guarantee you there is a much more reasonable route if you are willing to get your hands dirty. read more