Speedy - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

MAC · 07-23-2004, 04:23 PM

Wife wants to have her blazer tuned up, just because it has been 3 years since last one

She tells guy at Speedy to do it after doing oil change. I think, no big deal 60 or 70 bux for a V-6. We pick it up this afternoon; 15.95 for the oil change and $140 to replace 6 spark plugs

What a crock, these guys are criminals. How long can it take to change plugs......an hour tops I figure. I'll never go there again. I noticed a sign posting rates when we picked up the vehicle. $80 an hour/ flat rate or clock time. I'm so pissed it isn't funny

afterhours · 07-23-2004, 05:11 PM

wow! $140 for 6 plugs! what in the hell are they made of, platnium? ng, i'd complain to speedy hq, that's not right!

fishaholic18 · 07-23-2004, 05:41 PM

I guess you haven't tried to get to the rear plugs yourself. FUN.

Mike P · 07-23-2004, 07:41 PM

Some Chevy V-6 engines have to be partially pulled to get to all the plugs

Raider Ronnie · 07-23-2004, 08:26 PM

If you have a K5 Blazer you were over charged,
But,
If you have a S10 Blazer you got a steal!!!

Raider Ronnie

afterhours · 07-23-2004, 09:26 PM

if you have a '90s s-10 blazer v-6, i've got a mechanic in rehobeth ma that will change plugs for $100, and use ngks.

MAC · 07-23-2004, 11:58 PM

My main grumpage is that she wasn't quoted a price before hand. She never would have said yes without asking me first. Speedy sux

JohnR · 07-24-2004, 07:00 AM

Without sounding like a schmuck, why have a muffler shop do a "tune-up"? Most of those places suck to have tune ups done. Not trying to knock them or their employees but for the most part, their techs are lower time, lower trade schooled, revolving door techs (again, for the most part) that might be doing a tune up on your model for the first time.... And ALWAYS get a quote on the work because you have certain recourse if the deviate beyond 10% of the estimate.

The best thing to do is to find a respectable, local mechanic that specializes in your type of vehicle, (for example, domestics) and has good techs. Another alternative, but more expensive with arguably better techs is at the dealer but it will be more costly. Most dealers do not charge flate from an accepted manual (ie Motors) and sometimes their "time" will be higher than the manual at an already higher (15-30%) labor rate. BUT, an expereinced dealer tech WILL know the ins and outs of a particular engine better than just about anyone else. SO when he does a "tune-up" he will know how to properly clean out the throtle body (extra charge?), any minute adjustments (really not many on EFI), etc...

Also keep in mind, if the truck is running rough or has performance issues, don't ask for a tune up!!!!! Describe the condition accuratley to the person writing the ticket / order and have them solve that first. If you spend 150 for a tune up and the truck still runs like crap on the highway when it really needed an Oxygen sensor instead, not the dealer's or mechanics fault. Also, japanese cars are more likely to run poorly when not tuned than domestics....

Ooops, babbeling

MAC · 07-24-2004, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnR
Without sounding like a schmuck, why have a muffler shop do a "tune-up"? Most of those places suck to have tune ups done. Not trying to knock them or their employees but for the most part, their techs are lower time, lower trade schooled, revolving door techs (again, for the most part) that might be doing a tune up on your model for the first time.... And ALWAYS get a quote on the work because you have certain recourse if the deviate beyond 10% of the estimate.

The best thing to do is to find a respectable, local mechanic that specializes in your type of vehicle, (for example, domestics) and has good techs. Another alternative, but more expensive with arguably better techs is at the dealer but it will be more costly. Most dealers do not charge flate from an accepted manual (ie Motors) and sometimes their "time" will be higher than the manual at an already higher (15-30%) labor rate. BUT, an expereinced dealer tech WILL know the ins and outs of a particular engine better than just about anyone else. SO when he does a "tune-up" he will know how to properly clean out the throtle body (extra charge?), any minute adjustments (really not many on EFI), etc...

Also keep in mind, if the truck is running rough or has performance issues, don't ask for a tune up!!!!! Describe the condition accuratley to the person writing the ticket / order and have them solve that first. If you spend 150 for a tune up and the truck still runs like crap on the highway when it really needed an Oxygen sensor instead, not the dealer's or mechanics fault. Also, japanese cars are more likely to run poorly when not tuned than domestics....

Ooops, babbeling

I have a mechanic 3 doors away that does most of my vehicle work. He is very good but not the timelyest (is that a word?). We needed the car back the next day. Where the other guy may have had it for 3 or 4 days.
I could have and should have done it myself. ( I think my wife got sick of me making excuses about not doing it all those times when I saaid I would.) Oh well live and learn. But I still think they suck. The quote didn't even cross my mind. I was thinking of going fishing

CAL · 08-04-2004, 06:54 PM

Brought my car in this morning and I described to the guy how it was running. Wrote on the work order to call me at work with an estimate before doing any work. Stoppped by later in the day and he says it's all done - $294!!! For 8 plugs and wires!!!!!

WTF I said, where was my call with the estimate ? Oops, I didn't see that you wrote that on the work order, he says.

likwid · 08-04-2004, 10:02 PM

Jeeze, you guys needing plugs and wires and oil changes.

I'd do it for some jigs and a plug and Wendy's

CAL · 08-04-2004, 11:21 PM

Do things really cost that much these days? I used to do all my own tune ups and I know that the platinum plugs are expensive but $130 for wires? I used to get them for $30-40.

Hey, I guess that's the drawback to having a luxury car. My Lincoln Town Car use to cost twice as much for every part, this one is obviously the same.

JohnR · 08-05-2004, 07:49 AM

Prices are a lot more these days for all but the cheapest stuff. He is required by law to give you an estimate and to stay within 10% of that estimate... Unfortunately, sometimes you need to put stuff / like a wire set / to advance the diagnosis. =

kevin d · 08-05-2004, 08:57 AM

I don't think $140 is out of the norm. Platinum plugs can run over $5 a piece, some over $10. If its a transverse mounted V-6 it is a time consuming bitch to do the plugs. Labor is a killer when you have to pay for it. It is a shock when you realize they want you to pay that price for basic car maintenance.