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Home > Auto Repairs. Registration. Smog.

Auto Repairs. Registration. Smog.

July 21st, 2013 at 08:21 pm

The last two weeks we've spent a chunk on my vehicle. This is our 1999 Nissan Pathfinder that currently has just under 220k miles. It's yearly registration was due and it needed to pass the bi-annual smog (emissions) test. The "check engine" light has been on and it was well overdue for a tune-up.

We had our neighbor, a mechanic, do the work for us. Which was super convenient because I didn't have to drop the car off anywhere. He just walked over and picked it up when he had time to work on it. Plus, he charges $30 - $45 less per hour than a usual shop.

The money spent:
$763 - complete tune-up (plugs, wires, filters etc..), replaced a fuel injector, O2 sensor, a couple fuses, new brakes..
$ 95 - yearly registration
$ 53 - Smog test & DMV certificate

It runs so great now and passed it's Smog test easily. Should've had the work done sooner, oh well, I am very happy with the results now. Smile

3 Responses to “Auto Repairs. Registration. Smog.”

  1. Wino Says:
    1374458916

    I use a neighborhood mechanic for my cars, too. He gets extra money, I save money, and my car runs better. So far, he's replaced my radiator, my AC compressor, and redone my brakes. There are more, but those three come to immediate mind.

    And I trust him more than the dealer. I took my car to the dealer about 4 times for the SAME problem. The first three times, I paid them $75 for the intermittent problem going away on its own. The last time, it was $400 to actually fix the problem.

    Never again. I used to use the dealer for their supposed competence. Now I know better.

  2. snafu Says:
    1374464969

    I too use a neighbourhood mechanic. She has a terrific set-up in her garage. What I like best is that she explains what's needed, without intimidating me or suggesting extras that are un-needed. The dealership charges 3 times more and the actual work seems to be done by a teenager on a special program from the nearby high school. When I asked about it they said the teens are supervised by a journeyman mechanic. Since I have to wait for my car, I often watch through the giant glass door. The journeyman is rarely working with the teens

  3. CB in the City Says:
    1374502836

    How great to have a neighbor like that!

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