Vehicle maintenance costs

[69camfrk]

I knew my truck was getting pretty close to needing brake pads, so I took half day and did them at home. I already had the pads, which aren't all that expensive, but it got me to thinking about how much a garage charges just to change the pads out. Most places want 300 plus dollars to do it. Maybe I'm just in the wrong business, but that's pretty dang expensive. I'm fortunate like many of you here to be able to do most regular maintenance on a vehicle. Another funny thing is, when I bought my truck, I bought a maintenance plan with it. It was oil change, fluid top off, tire rotation, and such. Two years ago, they told me I needed brake pads, which I knew was BS. Hell, they could have gone further, but I would say at this point they were due. 83k miles on them btw.

[StaticCling]

Most shops charge $100+ an hour, so basically you are going to get dinged an hour of labor right off the bat plus parts.

What are decent quality pads? 50 bucks? It's an extremely simple job, but most people are afraid of turning wrenches I suppose. And jesus, most pads these days have wear indicators built in, when they start chirping, it's time. Or just take a flashlight and visually check how much meat is on the pads. It ain't rocket science.

I am fortunate to have a very honest shop locally that I occasionally farm stuff out to, either when I am lazy or just don't want to deal. His rates are still around $100 an hour, but I have known the guy for 20+ years, he is honest and the work is always done CORRECTLY.

Most general maintenance I tackle on my own though. I'd rather spend my expendable income on things other than car repairs and turning a wrench on occasion doesn't freak me out.

Oh, and I had a TRS80 when I was a kid.

[04 commemorative]

I have a Honda CR-V for two reasons.....I liked it and still do except for the seats.....does not have long distance seats but.....my nephews brother-in-law is head of service at a Honda dealer.....I get major good prices .....That's why I am thinking of another newer CR-V....the seats are much better or an RDX or MDX

Alternate would be an Equinox or maybe new Blazer....

[Stangkiller]

Firestone quoted my wife $113 to change her front passenger high beam on her 2012 Hyundai Sonata. I did the swap in their parking lot with no tools in under 5 minutes. The bulb cost less than $20

[69camfrk]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

Firestone quoted my wife $113 to change her front passenger high beam on her 2012 Hyundai Sonata. I did the swap in their parking lot with no tools in under 5 minutes. The bulb cost less than $20

Yup, we are in the wrong business....

[Datawiz]

I'm not sure I can calculate how much I've saved doing all of the work on the last three Vettes, Wife's Lexus, daughter's Miatas. The race car alone has to be 20-30k in labor alone. Between the initial purchase price of the car, the wrecks, the rebuilds, and maintenace, but not counting racing costs, I'm pretty sure I'm close to $200k invested in that car...and I still have to rebuild again.

[Antfarmer2]

I like to do my own work. To many morons over charging and screwing things up.

[vetteman9368]

It’s funny you mention this, because it just confirms a business idea I’ve had in my mind for quite a while.

[Wathen1955]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

I have a Honda CR-V for two reasons.....I liked it and still do except for the seats.....does not have long distance seats but.....my nephews brother-in-law is head of service at a Honda dealer.....I get major good prices .....That's why I am thinking of another newer CR-V....the seats are much better or an RDX or MDX

Alternate would be an Equinox or maybe new Blazer....

We have a Honda CR-V AWD 2013. Has 65k+ miles with zero issues. Finally had to get the following replaced:
Battery
Brake pads
Tires
That's it! Also have a 2005 Honda Accord with 105k+ miles. The same as the CRV - typical replacement parts only. I did have the wiper motor replace at 40k miles, and I was surprised that it was replaced for free from the dealer even though the warranty was expired.

[markids77]

I bought Snap-On when I did this for a living because I could not afford to ruin fasteners
using inferior tools, or have to stop work because I broke a socket. Just for grins 35 plus years later I went online with my inventory and was astounded at what a decent automotive toolbox costs today! If I had to get it all new now I would spend about 25K and I don't own all that many specialty tools. Add things like ASE certification, compressors, lifts, rent, insurance, advertising, electricity, taxes etcetera and I think $100 an hour is not unreasonable. A master tech takes about a third of that rate just to show up every day. The business owner probably clears less an hour for himself.

[JRD77VET]

My mechanic is $85 a hour. For certain jobs, it's a good price to pay. Some stuff I do myself but depending on the weather, it's money well spent.

[69camfrk]

For certain, there are plenty of people getting a cut out of that 100 dollars. Still though, as a paying customer, it gets expensive quick.

[Black94lt1]

Like others have said I do all my own work, no major items like transmissions or internal engine work, but brakes, oil, exhaust, etc are all me. Not only is it a cost savings but I truly enjoy it as it is a real sense of accomplishment at times - some days at work seem like nothing more than pushing paper, so getting my hands dirty on the car feels great. Add in the fact that no one cares more about your car than you do and it’s a no brainer.

[simpleman68]

I miss being able to do my own work. I just don't have the time any more.
I've got all the tools except a lift and most of the know how, just not the time.

The brokerage has been insanely busy with a lot of growth and I'm managing our rental properties.

Then there's helping Mrs. Simpleman with the kids and working from home, there's a lot of that.
Got a boy in diapers, a boy that is in the willful stage, an emotional 6 yr old girl who is wicked smart, and a moody teen. The insanity combo package.

I've been doing 36 month leases so I never change tires, brakes etc.
Between the write off and no wear/tear charges, it's been a good plan for us.

The family Expedition EL will get replaced in another year before it hits 60k so not much labor there.

Shop charges are nuts though. Not even gonna mention what the GTO resto mod is costing.
Scott

[John Wiz]

I can't count how much I have saved over the years... particularly on the older cars we have...

When my daughter bought her '01 Audi, it needed a timing belt, the dealership wanted $1200. I did it for $200 or so in parts and an day or so.. also did a rear bearing on that car for $80 vs $500 from the dealer..

That's just a start.. I'm just fortunate I can, what the shops and stealerships charges is crazy...

[04 commemorative]

Originally Posted by Wathen1955

We have a Honda CR-V AWD 2013. Has 65k+ miles with zero issues. Finally had to get the following replaced:
Battery
Brake pads
Tires
That's it! Also have a 2005 Honda Accord with 105k+ miles. The same as the CRV - typical replacement parts only. I did have the wiper motor replace at 40k miles, and I was surprised that it was replaced for free from the dealer even though the warranty was expired.

Mine is 2011 4WD has 144K and I have replaced the struts,brake pads,tires and the Nav system but I bought that from a salvage yard and dealer put in for $50.00 and a case of beer

[m and t's77]

Just food for thought most jobs are based on flat-rate times. Most common times for a brake job is 2.0 for pads and rotor exchange,resurface rotors w/pads 2.5 Changing a headlight bulb 0.5 and so on ...regardless of actual time it really takes.

[BADRACR1]

I've worked for Nissan for twenty years, first in service as a tech and then parts. Because of this I have a vast amount of knowledge on their flaws and qualities and we have a lot of Nissan's and Infiniti's in the family. I do all my own work, but one of the perks is I can use the shop on my off days if I need it. Racks, tire machines, ac machines, whatever I need. The only time I need help is alignments. Never learned to do it. I get parts at a discount plus have access to a couple of parts stores at good discounts. I also hit the local LKQ every couple of weeks.
I did all my Mom's repairs before she passed. I work on my boy's car and try to teach him a little. The middle stepson does all his own work and I help him when he needs it. I also do a little side work (very little) on my brother's or a couple of friend's cars. I get paid, but charge just a modest rate, half or less flat rate depending on the task.

[mrvette]

Decades ago a friend was a mechanic at an Esso station, and so went to work for Matco with his truck/route, got to be a regional manager, then went to Snap On.......been there for many years now.....I suspect he retired by now....

[6spdC6]

Well due to health reasons and no lift I do very little vechicle work now.

There is not too much needed on newer cars/trucks. I find I'm driving less and less every year! Oil changes only once a year as I speck out Mobil 1 as my mileage, stay in the safe range. Vette only gets driven 6 months a year. We have yearly inspections and most work the rides need get done at that time.

Oh I still have plenty of tools and the knowledge of what to do but at my age and health its easier to just use the credit card. Heck I started out working on cars in the late 1950s, did plenty of street racing in the 60s and worked part time at a good friends speed shop and garage till the middle of the 1970s.