Why is it just when you start doing okay, sh*t happens?

[hart]

As I posted in the auto section, my car was acting bad. As the gear heads predicted it was major. My clutch is going out in my car. It's going to be at least $1400. F*CK!!! My car has about 3 payments left! We are trying to build our house by Winter so we can get out there, collect rent from our side of the duplex we are in now. Even if the house isn't completely build, just the walls up and a bathroom, bedroom and kitchen, basics we can live in and build as money comes in I wanted it! Joe's mom isn't in the best of health and we want/need to go back to Ireland next spring in case she isn't around much longer.

We were getting around to paying off my car, Joe's truck is paid off, one credit card is nearly there, then this happens.......thumbdown

 

[Joe the meek]

What kind of car requires a $1,400 clutch job?

Did you go to a dealer to get that kind of price?

 

[hart]

It's a 5 year old Mitsubishi Eclipse and yeah, that's where Joe wanted to take it. I suggested another mechanic but I don't really know anyone.......

 

[darkcgi]

the dealers always charge a fortune

 

[darkcgi]

http://www.automd.com/repaircost/
check this

 

[porterjack]

Get it stolen
Claim on insurance

 

[hart]

Well I talked to my friend here at work. He told me he knew of a transmission shop he had a lot of luck with AND that a couple of people who are mechanics even go to. The dealer can't even work on my car until Friday morning anyway. So I called my hubby back and gave him the number of this place. Hell it's even closer to us. So I wait. I call back after 20 minutes. They tell him $800! I say Well alright! He says he doesn't feel comfortable. The dealer will replace the whole thing, guarantee it, etc, etc. So I get off the phone. I stew. I think about it and I don't like it. Dealers always charge big time. I trust my friend Steve. He's one of my best friends. He would never tell me something lightly. Mechanics go to this place. It's a transmission specialist place, not a backyard mechanic. I call Joe back. I tell him I really think we should try this other place. So he agrees, it's my car. Of course, if they do a shitty job I will never hear the end of it. But you know the car does still run, the transmission is slipping but it does go in......I think another mechanic should look at it.

If it were an operation I wouldn't just go with one guy on a major decision right?:umno

 

[porterjack]

The time it took you to type that, i could have flown out, stolen and trashed the car
And you could have filed

 

[hart]

But Porter I like my car.......'preciate the offer though.....

 

[Jackass master]

You have to remember when they squeeze all that drivetrain into these new car they don't worry about the person working on them. That is probably a very fair price(800) for todays vehicles. Sadly that is more work than splitting one of my tractors to replace a clutch. Oh for the days of an inline 6 with a simple 3 speed. 2 hour easy job on one of those.

 

[Alien Allen]

so is it a clutch or a transmission?

if it is a transmission then check on what the drivetrain warranty is

assuming you have to pay then just do your homework because transmission places were notorious for being disreputable

plus you want a warranty. my ex just went thru a 3rd transmission on a car within a month

 

[redliner]

second opinions count.

 

[Natasha]

so is it a clutch or a transmission?

if it is a transmission then check on what the drivetrain warranty is

assuming you have to pay then just do your homework because transmission places were notorious for being disreputable

plus you want a warranty. my ex just went thru a 3rd transmission on a car within a month

This is what I *love* about my Toyota. I purchased mine before they stopped the lifetime drivetrain warranty. Suhweet!!!

 

[hart]

Update! Yesterday we went to the dealer to get the car to take the the other place that was going to charge $850. Now the dealer will for sure get it done by Friday, the other place we don't know. Joe didn't want to leave it at the other place, it's smaller, I said it would be okay. Anyway, he told the manager what the other place was going to charge, the guy started crunching numbers......he said he'd do it for that price! Joe is happy as he's more comfortable having it done at the dealership. I am happy as it will be done cheaper and quicker. Win Win situation. Now as for all the driveshaft/transmission questions.......don't know. No one has really talked to me about stuff. All I know is that when I shifted it revved WAAAAAY high, especially in the lower gears and wouldn't accelerate as it should and it was progressively getting worse.....the problem was worse as time went on and I was told that with time it would soon fail to get into gear at all. I just miss my baby and hope to be back in her saddle by Friday evening if all goes as planned

 

[AUFred]

That is good the dealer worked with you. Now if he just keeps his word.

 

[hart]

Ah Fred, he don't, I know many, many fine lawyers, I work with 14 of them

 

[AUFred]

I know but I cannot tell you the garage quotes I have gotten that were followed up with "the call". When we got in we found these other parts which have to be replaced.

 

[hart]

Fred, Hush your mouth! :hey

 

[AUFred]

sowwy. Just been my experience.

 

[NoDak]

I hope you got the quote in writing. Any additional costs should result in the dealership calling, first, to let you know about it and to get your approval before they proceed. I would remind that shop that anything they do, over and above the original quote, could be considered a free gift to you at the time of settling the bill and bringing your car home.
Like other businesses, mechanic shops love to toss in a few extras to pad the bottom line. Some are very honest, others, not so much. I'm sure you've heard horror stories. Good luck.