Dealership ripoff? WTF!!!!!!!!!

89Joe · Nov 17th, 2005, 03:05 PM

I prefer to get my car repaired at a dealership if I cannot repair it myself. I drive a stock 91 sentra XE with the 1.6L. I want the water pump and thermostat replaced. I called a local dealership as was quoted $1200!!!!!!!! That can't be right! They said $650 to replace the water pump and $575 to replace the thermostat or vice versa. I can't remember which was which because I was in the process of falling out of my chair and scooping up my chin off the floor! Apparently they aren't located together like I assumed they'd be. Does that sound right? 1200 bucks????!!!!!!!!!

Harris · Nov 17th, 2005, 03:27 PM

That's typical of dealerships. I'm not surprised by what they quoted you. This is one of the reasons why we encourage people here to find the home-mechanic in them so that they don't have to get screwed over financially or otherwise by car-service businesses.

If I were you, I'd buy a good beginner's mechanic tool set, a factory service manual for the car, and get down and dirty with the car.

xbrandonx · Nov 17th, 2005, 05:32 PM

if you still feel that you cannot do it, go to another shop (not a dealership) and get it done. It'll be a lot lower for the same work. Just because they work for nissan and only on nissans doesn't mean that they are the best, or really even mean they are worth a dime at all.

89Joe · Nov 17th, 2005, 06:54 PM

Yeah, I know dealerships are always the most expensive. I like them because they have genuine Nissan brand new unused parts not remanufactured/rebuilt used parts built in the USA. On second thought, it is a beater that I'd like to get rid of soon. Maybe I'll just forget everything and "wing it." I paid $700 for the car anyway.

specv_21 · Nov 17th, 2005, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89Joe

I prefer to get my car repaired at a dealership if I cannot repair it myself. I drive a stock 91 sentra XE with the 1.6L. I want the water pump and thermostat replaced. I called a local dealership as was quoted $1200!!!!!!!! That can't be right! They said $650 to replace the water pump and $575 to replace the thermostat or vice versa. I can't remember which was which because I was in the process of falling out of my chair and scooping up my chin off the floor! Apparently they aren't located together like I assumed they'd be. Does that sound right? 1200 bucks????!!!!!!!!!

DAMN thats alot of money there..... cause i was gonna paid $150 just to change my thermostat and i drive a 02 se-r, but $575 just for that, thats ridiculous, i say go to different shops to see who will give you a better price if not who can beat it.

b13pnoysentra · Nov 18th, 2005, 03:45 AM

Yes, it seems that dealers need to pay their mechanics a lot of money so they charge a lot more. I once called a Mitsubishi dealership and asked them how much to install an aftermarket short ram intake and I got quoted 275.00. That is not worth a 275 dollar job so I simply said okay, thanks I'll call you back on that.

Slayer2003 · Nov 18th, 2005, 08:28 AM

My computer prices that water pump out at a RETAIL cost of $98.70. And the thermostat goes for 27.80.

I think we charge like $65 an hour, and figure in 3 hours. That's $195 just in labor. And we're about 10-20 cheaper than local shops.

Dunno how they quoted you $575, but, haha, they gonna try to rip you off mang lol.

justin_b31 · Nov 19th, 2005, 07:05 PM

Holy crap!

Dude, I paid $40 for my pump at Autozone, hardest part was torquing it to spec with a 1/2" torque wrench that was way to big for the job..considering it bolts on with 10mm bolts

Thermostat is a hella lot easier..

ifoam · Nov 20th, 2005, 03:38 PM

i got mine replaced at a local mechanic for 35 bucks. water pump and therm.

i attempted to do it but had a hard time with the hose clips. those original ones are a pita.

nastynissan · Nov 20th, 2005, 03:43 PM

NEVER!!! Get work done at the Dealership!!! You'll get screwed most every time.

But I am a firm believer in using certain FACTORY parts... Being in a shop Ive found that often Dealership prices on parts and say NAPA aren't a very big difference.. Yes you can get cheaper parts than NAPA, but their the ONLY ones Id compare to dealer quality.. Even most Garages arre willing to get Factory parts if you request and are willing to spend for them..