Need Help Dealer Wants $4,200.00 For Rebuilt Engine and Labor

[allheavens]

I need some advice. I know that dealerships are going to be at the highest end of the spectrum as far as pricing goes but they want $2,500 for a rebuilt engine and $1,800 for labor for my sons 1997 V6 Mustang.

My son took the car to a high performance shop but they would not give him a warranty, also he is moving soon so if anything happened to the car he would be 500 miles away from the shop.

Is the dealership price out of line or is it about right.

Also how much should fixing a rear axle cost?

 

[Mustang5L5]

That's about right for dealer pricing. They do everything by the book. They have a set number of hours for R@Ring an engine and that's what they go by.

A dealer will also charge about $400-600 to do the rear axle.

So going by dealer pricing...you are looking at $5K to fix the car...which is more than what it's worth.


Did you price any engines yourself from a boneyard? Might be able to score one for $500 or so and pay a local mechanic to drop it in. Might cost you $1500 in the long run. If you are mechanically inclined it could be done in a weekend. I've done it myself in 6 hours.

i wouldn't pay $5000 though. I would junk the car before paying that much. You could go out and buy another Mustang for that much these days...even a 1997 GT could be had for $5k if you look around.

 

[ChingonStang]

That's about right for dealer pricing. They do everything by the book. They have a set number of hours for R@Ring an engine and that's what they go by.

A dealer will also charge about $400-600 to do the rear axle.

So going by dealer pricing...you are looking at $5K to fix the car...which is more than what it's worth.


Did you price any engines yourself from a boneyard? Might be able to score one for $500 or so and pay a local mechanic to drop it in. Might cost you $1500 in the long run. If you are mechanically inclined it could be done in a weekend. I've done it myself in 6 hours.

i wouldn't pay $5000 though. I would junk the car before paying that much. You could go out and buy another Mustang for that much these days...even a 1997 GT could be had for $5k if you look around.

+1 Spend the money you would on the repairs towards another used GT. I sold my 96 V6 5peed for $3500. Unless you are dead set on owning that car for life, junk it.

 

[2BADSTANGS]

Mustangs Unlimited (mustangsunlimited.com) Sells that V6 motor rebuilt for $2,249.96. That price includes a $350 refundable core charge. The motor comes with a 42mo/ 75,000mi parts+ labor warranty. Buy one of those, have a local shop drop it in and you'll pay way less than what a dealer wants and still have your warranty.