Maintenance Fees, enough for a new car down... VENT!

[TheTamago]

So.. its that time where my solara needs its next biggest tuneup maintenance since its hitting 120K either end of this yr or early next yr. Decided to do the timing belt/waterpump. Stealership as I should say NOW, quoted me for around $2100. Injector/fuel cleaning+Spark plug/wire changing even though i brought my own NGK iridium plugs. Tranny/power steering flushing.

The biggest dent is the Rank and Pinion that's leaking for the power steering. Its nothing major from what the service rep said so I can hold that off. Is $703 a good estimate for the replacement/repair? I'll be needing alignment once the fix so its another $90 added ontop of that. I'll be holding off this fix until maybe Feb 2010 so this drops the estimate to around $1400.

I feel like ditching my mortgage and getting a Lexus IS350 right now since $2100~ is a handsome down payment for a car. Sadly I'll be waiting it out since a house is a dream come true.

[Ilovemylara]

I would keep your solara, 120k isnt that bad, and after all the maintenance is finished, you be glad you did.

[ASG14]

Go to an indepectent shop and save money. Thats all.

[D-money]

for me the dealership overcharges way to often check in your area for a local mechanic you should be able to get it done for close to half that amount

[1gSE]

^^ agreed. save yourself some change and go to a mechanic

[LatinDragonXJC]

Gen 1 to a stealership?......Hell no, unless it's under warranty, f*** them!

You'll be surprised how much cheaper it is at a local trusted mechanic.

[aleki2424]

All my tuneups have been done by me and where complex ive opted for my local service shop at reasonable prices. $90 for alignment is too much. usually $59-$65 max the two times ive done it this year.

[TheTamago]

Well.. wish I had a gf. I do have some coworkers that i'm cool with as I got helped with carpooling to work as my car sat in the shop until it was later in the day. The thing I can't do is waiting in the lounge for nearly half the day. Especially if I have to work. My work schedule isn't the norm either so its probably the negative side as I work afternoon to the late evening. I know I can trust a shop nearby, but I need transportation. I hate to wake someone up early in the morning by 6am just to get the car into the shop asap for tuneups so they can take me back home and wait or to work.

[ASG14]

^ Um, you know what a Rental Car is?

[LatinDragonXJC]

Well.. wish I had a gf. I do have some coworkers that i'm cool with as I got helped with carpooling to work as my car sat in the shop until it was later in the day. The thing I can't do is waiting in the lounge for nearly half the day. Especially if I have to work. My work schedule isn't the norm either so its probably the negative side as I work afternoon to the late evening. I know I can trust a shop nearby, but I need transportation. I hate to wake someone up early in the morning by 6am just to get the car into the shop asap for tuneups so they can take me back home and wait or to work.

I'm guessing there is no public transportation system in your town?

[mazen222]

buying that lexus will give you the same problem man... you will have to pay for all the crap that comes with buying a car and then, some time later, it will need maintenance.

I am tempted to buy a car too and selling the lara, but it will end up costing me more than just keeping up the maintenance

and take the car somewhere else... ask for their opinion on changing the timing belt... i was going to change mine at toyota (same as you), but luckely i took it to a garagist next to my house and he told me the belt is still almost new. i have a similar power steering issue... leaks a drop every 2 weeks... i've had that for 2 years, only filled up once. no need to even look at it.

your call man, but if you're realy looking to save money, make sure you do the math

[ampreston85]

Ya, i know a shop that i take my cars too.. Timing/Water pump will cost me 500$ including labor. And 150$ for Trans/Power Steering fluid flush. Alignment is only 50$, and spark plugs/plug wires if you already have the parts shouldn't be more then an hours worth labor... which usually runs @ about 80$ on average. You should have to pay more then 800$ - 850$ for all of that!