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.
Auto Repairs. Registration. Smog.
July 21st, 2013 at 08:21 pm
July 22nd, 2013 at 03:08 am 1374458916
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.
July 22nd, 2013 at 04:49 am 1374464969
July 22nd, 2013 at 03:20 pm 1374502836