but not this bad. Dealer called today to tell me my car needs a new fuel pump. 650 bucks. My wife told me no more American cars. I didn't bother telling her that the Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Matrix are made on the same manufacturing line.
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David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment. -
You know, I was just commenting in another thread that the cost of parts/labor for cars was out of sight. I imagine in this case that the fuel pump is in the tank, and they have to drop the tank to replace the pump?
Still, $650 is a lot of coin. -
I'll trade you repair bills.
I let my wife handle getting our Taurus into the shop. I'm pretty sure it was just an air sensor. (which the real problem was). Maybe let them do the brakes while they're at it. I figured about $400.
I got home to find out that she authorized $2800 worth of work!!!
I asked if she had an estimate of the work,
"yea $2700"
funny, come on what is it really.
"$2700"
no, seriously, what was it
"It's $2700"
My jaw dropped, and out spewed a lot of questions and comments.
Some of the work included; A Royal Flush (Yea right), new 'nitrogen filled' tires, rotors, hoses, etc. etc. ($66 for six spark plugs!!)
Some of the work was coming up or a little past due, but I really didn't need a perfect condition car. It's only worth another $1500 more than the bill.Last edited by pelligrini; 07-24-2008, 02:15 PM.ErikComment
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I just had the fuel pressure regulator replaced on my Neon and they had to drop the tank, total cost $116.00. $650.00 sounds a bit high.
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Charlie it isn't. I was quoted 350.00 for the part + labor and I'd imagine hazmat fees and whatnot for handling the gas in the tank.
I was curious so called the Toyota dealer for a quote on the pump and replacement. Toyota wants 330.00 for the pump and another 210.00 to replace. So GM dealer quote isn't all that high. Any savings I got from Toyota would have been eaten up in the tow truck to get the care there anyway.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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Is there a local independent garage that you'd trust to do the work? They're usually cheaper.Bob
Bad decisions make good stories.Comment
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Half of that should be the part, the other half labor. Fuel pumps can be a little different, from a replaceable sending unit (seperate from the float), to the all in one. Had a Isuzu Hombre down at the shop the other day (been hanging around down there again), it comes down the same assembly line as the S10, but the fuel pumps are electrically different (Isuzu is wired for international use).
If this one is a Pontiac vibe, how old is it? (warranty?)
Have you checked out the library? (some Toyota's have an access panel under the back seat, real easy to replace).She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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Car is out of warranty. Had mfgr 3 yr that expired in April. Had a 6yr/72k mile (whichever came first) that expired in May. I got the O2 sensors replaced under that one.
I don't do much to my own cars anymore beyond oil changes and brake jobs. I'd rather do other fun things like playing with my kids.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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replace a fuel pump
Our TV reporter interviewed a auto service manager last week. He reported that people are running the fuel tank down below a quarter tank. The fuel cooled pumps are burning up due to poor cooling. Before the recent rise in fuel costs, his shop used to replace a fuel pump a month on long average. Now, his business is replacing about 6 fuel pumps a month.INDECISION IS THE KEY TO FLEXIBILITYComment
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Then spend the money and don't worry about it (I know it still sucks, but it comes down to your money or your time). As long as you don't let your tank drop below about 1/4 of a tank on a regular basis, the cooling failure shouldn't be an issue. (running on empty on a regular basis IS bad).
Other things can and do happen though (water in the gas, junk in the gas or tank clogs the prefilter, electrical failure (in my case due to a burned up ground)), so that isn't the only failure cause.She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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Yeah, I feel your pain.
I need four new tires. That's $1,000. Ugh. I'm thinking I'll try TireRack again and maby save some cash...online at http://www.theFrankes.com
while ( !( succeed = try() ) ) ;
"Life is short, Art long, Occasion sudden and dangerous, Experience deceitful, and Judgment difficult." -HippocratesComment
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The nitrogen in the tires is a good idea for a number of reasons, but Cosco does it FOR FREE.Comment
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Yeow! That's a lot of money for car parts.
I've been pretty lucky with vehicles, though because we drive them until the wheels fall off, I've purchased exactly two in the last 25 years and LOML has also purchased only two. However...
her Volvo wagon has been a bit of a stinker. A/C compressor replaced for something like $2k, suspension parts replaced, ignition parts, and we thought there was a problem with the power steering pump.
Not like the '83 Subaru that's endured seven years of neglect and abuse but still runs pretty well.
On the other hand, we own a small airplane and that's where repairs and maintenance set you back some!Comment
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