I love my car but it's starting to nickel and dime me!
 

Last week broken driver side spring snapped, as I was getting in the car! $800 to fix. This week, the starter died. $400 to fix. I really don't want to see anything next week.

$800 to fix a broken spring? You got raped.....HARD!!

Yeah I agree and $400 to fix a starter. Even if you pay somebody to do it, shouldn't be more than $250

If you know what the problem is and cannot fix it yourself: compare mechanic prices!

Did they at least use lube?

Haha you should see the prices Jake's Automotive charges to the company I work for's fleet vehicles. Three times the actual price of the part, and a ridiculous amount of labor.

My dad called GM to replace his starter and it was quoted around $400 too. I bought one for $100 and installed it free.

$800 to fix a spring!? I did my entire suspension for under $700..holy sh*t..I cant even...idk I'm speechless..

That would have cost less at the dealership...Front struts are cake to pull compared to the back, frankly, with an $800 quote, I probably would have dropped the thing out right in my driveway.

All you really need is a spring compressor to do the job. It's just the aligment afterwards that you'll have to take it to a shop

I got charged 800 for a new spring.......and new front struts, tire alignment, new barrings in the front, and that's about it. :lol: But the car got checked out too for any other possible issues.

And old or high mileage car is going to nickel and dime you if you pay someone else to repair it.

holy.... eff stick.

If I can every decide on what springs I want, I'm doing mine on my own (probably this summer) The only thing I didn't do myself was the fuel pump (because I didn't have time and didn't want to screw with it) I've had to have wheel bearings replaced, but I lacked the testicular fortitude to muscle the damn things out (while laying in slush/snow/water in an unheated garage)

But to pay as much as you did... thats insane. How do people like that sleep at night... (besides uncomfortably on a matress made of money)

Fuel pump is easy, after you get the straps off holding the tank, deal with the weight of the tank with gas in it, and try to lift the tank back up while laying on the ground to get it back up. That's why I take it somewhere for that

The pump itself is held in by 3 bolts (i think) and after you undo the bolts, it's a twist and pull action.

I changed all 4 calipers myself. Never bled brakes before and I was worried about doing it, but it was so easy.

1. It was $800 for both front struts, springs, etc that goes with alignment, blah, blah, blah. 2. I don't have the tools or the time to fix anything on my car (the tools moved to Reno with my brother). 3. It's my daily driver, and don't have any other way to get to work.

I priced what it would cost to fix myself, buy the tools, renting a car for the couple days I would need, etc. I actually came out ahead.