How do YOU minimize your car repair/maintenance costs?

[BeeCityRoller]

I need to make sure my car is ready for these summer trips, so a few days ago I looked at the recommended repairs/maintenance for my car on my old receipts. The estimates they were giving me for these parts are ridiculous. One shop quoted me 180 for a Duralast Motor Mount (not including labor), when AutoZone is selling the same exact part for $62

I'm a big online shopper, so I bought all of these parts online from places like AutoZone and 1AAuto; only paid a fraction of the cost these Auto Shops were charging. Another shop where I got my last oil change quoted me $80 for a Serpentine Belt. It was a 20-dollar part and a ten-minute job I did myself.

I haven't made calls to auto shops yet, but it seems the norm is most of them won't work on a car unless I buy the part directly from them, which they then mark up 200 to 300 percent and pass the cost onto me I wasn't aware of this part of the game. Now my next task is finding a shop who will install the parts I bought myself without jacking up the labor cost too much.

Do you folks have a good mechanic who gives you the hookup or do you just accept whatever estimate the shop gives you? The latter ain't working for me, the cost just adds up too quickly.

 

[Brooklynzson]

I do everything myself. Couple months ago the starter on my car went, so I call Acura to see how much it is to buy it new and the nikka says "$970 " . So I hang up on him, take the starter out, do a google maps search to find the nearest place that rebuilds starters & got it rebuilt for $60 .

 

[MsChungLee]

Dad's a mechanic so he does the big stuff... oil changes etc I can do myself. Just got a new car so I have warranty now.
Try your best not to get it done at a dealership, you don't have any mechanic friends/family at all??

 

[Brooklynzson]

Dad's a mechanic so he does the big stuff... oil changes etc I can do myself. Just got a new car so I have warranty now.
Try your best not to get it done at a dealership, you don't have any mechanic friends/family at all??

You change your own oil

 

[MsChungLee]

You change your own oil

that's bad?

 

[Polygraph steez]

i cant see myself ever getting any work done at a real shop, other than an alignment. i got my own personal mechanic that doesnt mind me giving him bud for half the payment

i gave him 6 g's of that good good and $80 to do my cv axles, brakes and brake rotors, the wheel bearings and the ball joints.

 

[Double J]

i need a brake job right now

Was thinking of trying it myself to save some money.

 

[Brooklynzson]

that's bad?

Hell no its

 

[MoneyTron]

Depends. For the Corvette I've got a hookup for the big stuff. Me and my uncle can knock out anything short of transmission and most engine shyt. In the end it's still a Chevy.

I don't know what I'm gonna do about the Bimmer. Gonna have to find a dope ass indy tech. That's so hard and I ain't got funds like that anyway.

 

[MrNoFlyZone]

Use 100% synthetic oil. You can go longer in between changes and it extends your engine life.

 

[patscorpio]

having mechanic friends and learning how to do simple shyt like checking fluids and oil..the only time i deal with the dealership is if its something that can be fixed under my warranty..in that case i have no problem spending 50 bucks for the deductible

 

[CrimsonTider]

I take my shyt to the shop. I have neither the time or desire to worn on a car.

I

 

[TLR Is Mental Poison]

I take my shyt to the shop. I have neither the time or desire to worn on a car.

I

Spoiler

Nah Im just playing but it is good to have a clue so you know theyre not ripping you off. Or at least have a friend/family you can say "hold up does this sound right"

I do most of my own work and have a buddy who can do the big shyt for me.

 

[1970s HeRon Flow]

Find you sum messicans to do it for the low
While u ate it have em install sum sounds for cheap too

 

[88m3]

light a match