Car advice

[Cary Kollins]

So the air conditioning in my car (2002 Lexus IS 300 sport cross) stopped blowing cold air two days ago. I took it to the Lexus dealership yesterday, and they gave the me the diagnosis and quote this morning. 

 

Basically the air conditioning unit is fugged and for everything that needs to be replaced it'll be $2,300. Plus my back brakes need replacement badly and that's another $308.

The car is paid for, but at this point I wonder if I should look into trading it in for a new vehicle, which I had been thinking about for a little while now.

 

Any one been through a similar situation? I've had this car going on eight years and it still drives fantastic at almost 150k miles.

[Jase]

That's probably pretty close to half the trade in value of the car, so you're right for considering it.  Is not having a car payment worth it to you?

[Johnny Rockets]

Keep in mind that the dealer is quoting you premium pricing on the work that needs to be done. I drive a Lexus IS350 and just had my rear breaks done and replaced one of the rotors. Total was $116 and without the rotor it would have been about $75. 

Not sure about the air conditioning but I imagine a reputable mechanic in your area could cut that in half as well. If you insist on getting the work done at a dealership, check your local Toyota dealership because that is what a Lexus is after all and they may be cheaper. . 

Just something to think about.  

 

[cookinwithgas]

my officemate takes his Lexus to the Toyota dealer for all its work and says it's less expensive for the same stuff.

[CelibatePimp]

Are you in a position to take on debt? If so I'll get something newer which is under warranty. That'll give you peace of mind. 

If not get the parts online and get a trusted local mechanic to do it for you. I used to work on my BMW myself up until I sold it. 

[Cary Kollins]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm going to shop around at other dealerships to get a better quote and do the repair. With my wife in MBA school it'll be best to not take on any added debt at this time.

 

Plus, the car drives and handles like a champ and I'm pretty much spoiled at this point and don't want to downgrade on performance.

[t96]

If you decide not to trade it in, don't waste money fixing the AC. Live without it, it's not a big deal for that price. 

[h0llywood]

See if you can get the parts at a local junk yard. 

[cookinbrak]

Where do you live? Maybe someone in your vicinity can hook you up to a decent shop.

 

I got a 2003 Kia in 2006, and it started running horribly the next year. So I took it to the dealership, thinking the warranty was in effect (apparently the warranty dies with the original owner). It cost $700 to get it fixed. It did it again the next year, but I found out the part cost 50 bucks and takes about 5 minutes to change.Kias have 2 distributors for some reason.

[OneBadCat]

Could also be that the dealer is quoting you to replace the part and not "fix" them. That's how they make money. Definitely get an opinion from a reputable indy mechanic. See what the exact issue with the AC is.

[PandaPancake]

No time like the present to learn how to do a brake job. It can be done with basic hand tools. It's a good skill to have

[PhillyB]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm going to shop around at other dealerships to get a better quote and do the repair. With my wife in MBA school it'll be best to not take on any added debt at this time.

 

Plus, the car drives and handles like a champ and I'm pretty much spoiled at this point and don't want to downgrade on performance.

my only car advice is sympathy. my mini cooper blew the fug up on the way to the draft party and it ended up costing me well over $1000 for a bunch of bullshit stuff, but in the end it was worth it to me to pay the actual dealer to do it and not have to hassle with getting it towed somewhere else (and they gave me $50,000 loaner car to drive around for the weekend, which was awesome.)

you're wife's not in an MBA at wake is she? i have a buddy in that program right now

[PhillyB]

No time like the present to learn how to do a brake job. It can be done with basic hand tools. It's a good skill to have

oh yeah and this. if you have the time, a garage, and a couple of jack stands it's actually a fun weekend project and will take you a whole hell of a lot less money to do. just make sure you take pictures of each step before disassembling and for gods sake don't lose those goddamn cotter pins.

[SmokinwithWilly]

oh yeah and this. if you have the time, a garage, and a couple of jack stands it's actually a fun weekend project and will take you a whole hell of a lot less money to do. just make sure you take pictures of each step before disassembling and for gods sake don't lose those goddamn cotter pins.

I have a fishing lure box full of those things. I always lose them when I'm working on a "project"