car repair rant

winneythepooh7 · #1 07-26-2004, 10:28 AM

OKAY last week it cost me $375.00 for new brakes and rotors. Yesterday the temperature light went on in my car and it looks like it could be anything from a leak in the fluid lines to something with the radiator. I can't afford a new car or even newer used car + insurance at this point but these costly repairs are starting to get out of control! ARGGGGGWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#2 07-26-2004, 10:35 AM

I know how you feel, girlfriend! Trust me.
Plus, I'm Miss Paranoia when it comes to lights so I'm immediately trying to figure out what went wrong.

Around here places like Auto Zone will check the light for free and they should be able to pin point problems. It saves time and money. Is there anything like that over there?

Also, ask around for good reputable mechanics. Sometimes the better ones work out of their home garages, because paying rent and employees goes too far. That is how my dad found the mechanic that works on my car and believe me after all thats gone wrong with my car, he knows it like the back of his hand. He is a lot cheaper and gets a discount on parts at places like Auto Zone.

I hope this helps! Stay calm and speak nicely to your car, I am very convinced they have feelings too!

winneythepooh7 · #3 07-26-2004, 10:40 AM

I hear ya! I have started using the mechanic at the end of my block. That way I can just walk home if need be. I am lucky that I have public transportation around here. I do kind of need a car for my job however since it involves extensive fieldwork and going from one end of the city to the other by public transportation can sometimes take hours and I don't have time for that in crisis situations. If I didn't need to travel for work I certainly would have given up the car by now, it is good to have one in the city for convenience purposes but that is about it. I am trying to get ahold of the mechanic right now but the line has been busy. I hope it isn't something too major as I really don't feel like dipping into my savings account and I hate hate hate using credit cards because it seems that once I pay off a huge balance on them, another one pops up and then the costs never seem to end!!!!!

reverie · #4 07-26-2004, 01:15 PM

This thread reminds me that I really need to get my oil changed.

I know it's somewhat random, but my parents were going to have it done in January when I went back to school (since I wasn't allowed to take my car), but I don't think they ever did.

/rant

Rudey · #5 07-26-2004, 01:24 PM

Take it to the bronx - like hunts point area. If you can find someone hispanic to go with you, it won't hurt. You can bargain and probably buy a rooster there too. They do decent jobs and their prices are much lower.

-Rudey

CSUSigEp · #6 07-26-2004, 02:27 PM

Cars blow. Im taking the shuttle next year.

winneythepooh7 · #7 07-26-2004, 05:14 PM

Update: I just found out it is my water pump AND timing belt. I spoke with the mechanic and it is going to be like $650 for the job. Mechanics get like $90 an hour in NYC for labor. I swear as soon as I start saving money stuff like this happens! I give up!

kddani · #8 07-26-2004, 05:17 PM

$90 an hour for labor isn't bad. Go to a dealership and they'll charge you $125/hour.

Just had to replace $30 worth of parts in my windshield wipers. Totalled $200 because of the labor involved

can't wait until i can afford to buy a new car

Tom Earp · #9 07-26-2004, 06:05 PM

Sorry, but this piece of Crap is costing you a Fourtune!

The Mechanic dudes are killing you!

Get a different Car, NOW! The sooner The Better.

They used to be called programed cars,,,, Hell, they are used cars.

Do it now or just keep paying

Have a fun time, and do not lease a car, been there and it sucks!

winneythepooh7 · #10 07-26-2004, 06:33 PM

unfortunately i cannot afford a new car or even a newer used car. i just can't take on another payment and the car insurance rates with collision in nyc would kill me, especially cuz i haven't had a car in almost 4 years i have been placed back in a "high risk pool". one of my friend's has a fairly new car and she pays like $300 a month in car payments and $400 a month in car insurance. it isn't worth it right now, especially cuz i live in ny where people will hit your car trying to park then take off. it's not worth the aggravation.

SilverTurtle · #11 07-26-2004, 09:52 PM

Last week my water pump just locked up, and threw my serpentine belt off. $889.13 to fix everything and replace some old hoses and stuff. I've purchased cars for less than that. Why are cars so freakin' expensive?

winneythepooh7 · #12 07-26-2004, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SilverTurtle
Last week my water pump just locked up, and threw my serpentine belt off. $889.13 to fix everything and replace some old hoses and stuff. I've purchased cars for less than that. Why are cars so freakin' expensive?

Great. The mechanic told me that the price to fix my car would be "around" $650 so that probably means it could be higher too!!!!!

adpialumcsuc · #13 07-27-2004, 12:37 PM

I don'ty know what kind of car you have but I had a water pump fail on my camry it is did a ton of damage. It cost me almost $1000 to get it fixed. The dealer never replaced the water pump when they replaced the timing belt a year ago. I hate dealers!!

winneythepooh7 · #14 07-27-2004, 12:54 PM

It hasn't totally gone yet so that could be the difference in price. I still haven't gone to pick it up yet though so it could turn out to be higher. I'm glad I pay attention to red lights. If I decided to wait I could so see it dying in the middle of the LIE during rush hour traffic which would have sucked!

winneythepooh7 · #15 07-28-2004, 08:10 AM

OKAY it cost me $667 for the job. I'm still bummed but it could be worse I guess. The mechanic was like "boy you sure have the worst luck with cars lately". No Sh%* sherlock. I'm paying your rent this month I was thinking..............