Bent over at the dealership

[JMPRO]

Starter went bad on my Passport and for several reasons I decided not to fix it myself. Went to the Honda dealer expecting to pay $300 for a starter. I read on the internet that it was a $125 part and about a half hour to fix. Well, the honda dealer didn't read the same repair manuel I did. Their price to r&r the starter
$619.00. This is the reason I generally avoid dealer repair most of the time. You know its rip offf and they know its a rip off and they know that you know and don't care that you know. They just smile and say "Bend over"
I now need to sell some extra strut bars and cup holders to pay for the starter so all of you may now bend over.

Jerry
JM PRODUCT DESIGN

[speeder]

Wow, that sucks but I would never leave anything at a dealer for repairs w/o asking them what it was going to cost in advance.

[kach22i]

At least you can rest knowing it most likely was done right.

Just don't turn over on your back for a few days.

[legion]

Yep. In a similar situation, it was amazing how fast I could get them to come down on repairs when I said: "Thanks for the estimate. Just leave it out front and I'll have the tow truck take it to the junk yard. It's not worth fixing if it costs that much."

[widebody911]

If you don't get an estimate up-front you're pretty much guaranteed to get the shaft up the back...

[Joe Bob]

Didya get the reach around, too?

[stomachmonkey]

Dealers can and do charge two ways. By actual time or by book. Book is what the max they are allowed to charge for a given service. Usually used in warranty situations where the customer could care less since they are not footing the bill.

Sounds like you paid book.

[Rusty Heap]

Before everyone gets on a dealership bashing soap-box, including the origional poster, no way is that a half hour job for the starter. I've had the dealers replace several starters in my Isuzu Rodeo's and Honda Passports...........you have to pull the entire exhaust system front y-pipe and frame cross members to get the starter in and out. One service shop couldn't get the exhaust manifold fasteners to come loose even with an impact wrench, and their Oxy/Ace Torch was out of gas and couldn't heat it up to free it.

the starters on the passport are an ugly job, and no way I'd attempt it at home without a post lift.

[JMPRO]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

Before everyone gets on a dealership bashing soap-box, including the origional poster, no way is that a half hour job for the starter. I've had the dealers replace several starters in my Isuzu Rodeo's and Honda Passports...........you have to pull the entire exhaust system front y-pipe and frame cross members to get the starter in and out. One service shop couldn't get the exhaust manifold fasteners to come loose even with an impact wrench, and their Oxy/Ace Torch was out of gas and couldn't heat it up to free it.

the starters on the passport are an ugly job, and no way I'd attempt it at home without a post lift.

The pipe removal is mentioned in several reports I read but most people found an easy way to get around it. The r&r process is reported several times to be 1/2 hour. Even if it was an hour that still does not warrent a $600.00 charge. I am sure the dealer mechanics know of the work around method and use it but still charge for the most costly method.
Jerry

[Gogar]

I stopped going to the dealership after I paid $400 to replace the T-stat on my 22-r Toyota motor. I can laugh about it now, 15 years later.

[Rusty Heap]

Grins "I read it on the internet that it only takes 1/2 hour with the magical work around method so it has to be true."

Nope, been there worked along side the guys for 2 hours trying to even loosen the motor mounts and jacking up the engine to try and get the starter out without pulling the exhaust, to no avail...........this on a 1997 honda passport 3.2 L V6 anyways.

Value is sooooooooooo subjective.....some 911 owners won't pay for the hydraulic shocks that hold open their hood, when a broom handle prop-rod will do. Some people buy cheap tough steaks at $2 a pound, but think $5-6 a pound good steak is too much.

Is this product below a "good deal" or not? To some it is, to others it's nothing more than an aluminum broom handle with fittings on either end, others charge $300+ for a aluminum broom handle, so it's just a value system, as for how much is "too" much.


JM Product Design Strut Tower Brace
This Strut Tower Brace looks as good as it works. Made from aircraft grade polished aluminum. The airfoil shape is stiffer than other aluminum bars and its easy to install and light weight. The laser-cut, powder-coated and hardened steel brackets bolt in with very little effort, plus the bar is fully adjustable. Tie those strut towers together for more precise steering and handling. Older Targas and Cabs are more prone to flexing and twisting, tighten up your car now for safer, quieter and more accurate steering and braking.


PEL-JM-SB0012 Strut Tower Brace, 911/912 (1968-89), Each $115.00

[JMPRO]

This car has cost me very little money over the years and with only 65m miles the only things have been regular maintance and one set of tires. I should be happy to have only spent $600 over the last 15 years for repairs but somehow I still feel like I'm being jerked around .
Jerry

[McLovin]

The dealership was required by law to give you a written estimate and get your authorization.

That didn't happen?

[s_morrison57]

Reach around is extra , depending on the size of the job

[JMPRO]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

Grins "I read it on the internet that it only takes 1/2 hour with the magical work around method so it has to be true."

Nope, been there worked along side the guys for 2 hours trying to even loosen the motor mounts and jacking up the engine to try and get the starter out without pulling the exhaust, to no avail...........this on a 1997 honda passport 3.2 L V6 anyways.

Value is sooooooooooo subjective.....some 911 owners won't pay for the hydraulic shocks that hold open their hood, when a broom handle prop-rod will do. Some people buy cheap tough steaks at $2 a pound, but think $5-6 a pound good steak is too much.

Is this product below a "good deal" or not? To some it is, to others it's nothing more than an aluminum broom handle with fittings on either end, others charge $300+ for a aluminum broom handle, so it's just a value system, as for how much is "too" much.


JM Product Design Strut Tower Brace
This Strut Tower Brace looks as good as it works. Made from aircraft grade polished aluminum. The airfoil shape is stiffer than other aluminum bars and its easy to install and light weight. The laser-cut, powder-coated and hardened steel brackets bolt in with very little effort, plus the bar is fully adjustable. Tie those strut towers together for more precise steering and handling. Older Targas and Cabs are more prone to flexing and twisting, tighten up your car now for safer, quieter and more accurate steering and braking.


PEL-JM-SB0012 Strut Tower Brace, 911/912 (1968-89), Each $115.00

To be honest you sound like a shill working for the Honda dealers association. I'm sorry I fail to see how the fact that I sell a strut bar for $115 that should sell for $300 defends your position. I sell a good part for a fair price even though many people would pay more for it.

Jerry

[JMPRO]

Strange things happen. I put in a call to the Honda zone manager complaining about the price and basicialy reading him the riot act about good customer relations. Not a few minuets later I get a call from the dealer telling me they have revised the estimate to a little over $300. Gee, maybe they found out about that magic work around method of replacing the starter, or by magic the parts were suddenly discounted by 400%, or the service manager is reading the pelican parts web site in his spare time.
Jerry

[cmccuist]

Squeaky wheel!!

That 5 minute phone call saved you about $300!

Good one Jerry.

[tcar]

Too bad there aren't any Isuzu dealers left... would have been cheaper there.

Unless it's one of the later ones actually built by Honda.

[Tobra]

Should have tried the Izuzu dealer, same car with Honda badges if it is the one I am thinking of

[HarryD]

Hard to tell what is going on.

Several years ago, the water pump in my Ford Taurus started leaking. I have replaced dozens of water pumps in cars and figured that this was not rocket science.

I went to NAPA and bought a new pump ($40) and started to remove the onld one. After the third bolt, I discovered I needed to remove the alternaor to get access, no biggie.

Then I needed to remove a bracket for the next one, again, no biggie. I then saw that the lower three bolts were not accessible with out major surgery. At this point, I did not have the time or will to continue and I called my wrench.

Told him my predicament. He laughed and told me I was doing the right things but I was only about half way through. At that point, I decided my time was not worth the effort and I just had him do it for me.

I ended up paying for several hours of labor to R&R a water pump that, in older cars, should have taken less than an hour.

Moral of the story: Don't discount the effort if you have not been there.