Really just a rant here, and nothing really new, but in my mind this really takes the cake. Last week my GT's "Service Engine Soon" light came on and I'm not one to just ignore things like that if I can help it. One of my coworkers has a basic code scanner and he pulled the code for me...it turned out to be a P0456, Small Leak Detected. Today I decided to have it looked into a bit further by the dealership so I knew exactly what needs to be done. I only dropped it off there because it's like a 5 minute walk from my office. +1 for convenience at least.
Dropped it off as soon as they opened at 7:30. I just asked for the diagnostic and I'd go from there. A little after 12 the service writer calls and said that the fuel filler neck grommet needs to be replaced and that job alone would be $545. He also tried to sell me on getting the fuel injectors cleaned ($145...they've ALWAYS tried to sell me on that when I've gone in there) and a power steering fluid flush (also $145...but I think that's legit since I've only done that once). I declined any work at this time because I certainly don't have $500+ for a repair, especially since I just had my clutch all replaced last month.
I picked the car up and paid the $90 diagnostic service fee. No biggie. Then I get home and call the indie shop up the road and ask what they'd charge for the grommet replacement. The guy looked it up and said it'd be about $200 labor and however much the grommet costs (which I see isn't much).
Good lord. Now I really see why "stealerships" are named as such. I thought it was bad when the dealership wanted over $1200 to replace the intake manifold, and the same indie shop did the labor for $500 (which also included changing the spark plugs) and I got the part for about $250.
Dropped it off as soon as they opened at 7:30. I just asked for the diagnostic and I'd go from there. A little after 12 the service writer calls and said that the fuel filler neck grommet needs to be replaced and that job alone would be $545. He also tried to sell me on getting the fuel injectors cleaned ($145...they've ALWAYS tried to sell me on that when I've gone in there) and a power steering fluid flush (also $145...but I think that's legit since I've only done that once). I declined any work at this time because I certainly don't have $500+ for a repair, especially since I just had my clutch all replaced last month.
I picked the car up and paid the $90 diagnostic service fee. No biggie. Then I get home and call the indie shop up the road and ask what they'd charge for the grommet replacement. The guy looked it up and said it'd be about $200 labor and however much the grommet costs (which I see isn't much).
Good lord. Now I really see why "stealerships" are named as such. I thought it was bad when the dealership wanted over $1200 to replace the intake manifold, and the same indie shop did the labor for $500 (which also included changing the spark plugs) and I got the part for about $250.
