Dear Internets,
The last time I took Lola the Corolla in for an oil change, the mechanic offered to change the air filter for the low low price of $60. (A month before, the Toyota dealership offered to do it for $120). This seemed a wee bit pricey.
Instead, I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts, joked with the guy behind the counter about how "proud" the dealership was of its air filters, and walked out with an air filter that cost $12.99. I drove home, found some instructions online, and popped Lola's hood. Five minutes later, I had replaced the air filter myself.
I saved myself $50 and feel like a total grease monkey. It was totally worth it.
Yours truly (greasy fingers and all),
Jane
Showing posts with label car woes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car woes. Show all posts
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, February 12, 2009
It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you
Dear Internets,
I took Lola the Corolla in today for routine maintenance (oil change, inspection). I figured that since she recently passed her 40,000 mile milestone, I'd take her to the dealership and get their 28-point inspection while I was at it.
A couple of hours later, the dealership called. Lola needed about $1200 worth of work done. Would I like them to go ahead and do it?
Um, no. Please give me a written estimate. Thx.
When I picked Lola up this evening, I looked at the estimate. According to the dealership, I needed to spend $200 for a new battery*, $65 for a new air filter, and over $600 in transmission, power steering, and cooling system "flushes" among other things.**
That sounded unreasonable (to say the least), so I looked up prices for parts online when I got home. A battery and an air filter for a Corolla (parts that are not THAT difficult to replace yourself) cost about $70 and $12 respectively**. The other services weren't even recommended for a car around Lola's age and mileage. The dealership is pretty much guilty of attempted highway robbery (hardy har).
Never again, Internets. Car dealerships are the devil.
Love,
Jane
*I thought you were supposed to replace batteries when they died?
**Since one has to assume that the auto parts store would be making a profit selling the parts at those prices, the dealership's price is extra ridiculous.
P.S. I am officially DONE with anything that involves the word "maintenance" or "service" or "call center" for the next several months at least. This is just getting ridiculous.
I took Lola the Corolla in today for routine maintenance (oil change, inspection). I figured that since she recently passed her 40,000 mile milestone, I'd take her to the dealership and get their 28-point inspection while I was at it.
A couple of hours later, the dealership called. Lola needed about $1200 worth of work done. Would I like them to go ahead and do it?
Um, no. Please give me a written estimate. Thx.
When I picked Lola up this evening, I looked at the estimate. According to the dealership, I needed to spend $200 for a new battery*, $65 for a new air filter, and over $600 in transmission, power steering, and cooling system "flushes" among other things.**
That sounded unreasonable (to say the least), so I looked up prices for parts online when I got home. A battery and an air filter for a Corolla (parts that are not THAT difficult to replace yourself) cost about $70 and $12 respectively**. The other services weren't even recommended for a car around Lola's age and mileage. The dealership is pretty much guilty of attempted highway robbery (hardy har).
Never again, Internets. Car dealerships are the devil.
Love,
Jane
*I thought you were supposed to replace batteries when they died?
**Since one has to assume that the auto parts store would be making a profit selling the parts at those prices, the dealership's price is extra ridiculous.
P.S. I am officially DONE with anything that involves the word "maintenance" or "service" or "call center" for the next several months at least. This is just getting ridiculous.
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