People lose their minds with a little change in their pockets! This 2003 Lexus ES300 was brought in for a check engine light/won't pass emissions & a oil change, Found P0420 & P0430 catalyst efficiency DTC's.
Estimate came out to @$1600 for the 2 monitored catalyst's using OE parts (We will not warranty aftermarket catalyst's on Toyota products)
The customer quickly declined that estimate!!, And stated he was selling the car & wouldn't invest more than a couple hundred in it as he already bought a new car with his tax return.....I can't believe he told me that, It's none of my business & not relevant to the conversation.
Advised him that even the cheapest repair would top $800 & there's nothing I could do to make it less. His rebuttal was....."Do you want to buy it?.....Your're a mechanic" Told him I'll call back shortly with a offer.
Looked at the repair history on our version of "point of sale", Car has been serviced religiously at our location for the last 12 years. And I had already inspected the car pretty well before writing the catalyst replacement estimate.....It will need Tires pretty soon, Along with it's second Timing Belt & Spark Plugs in @25,000 miles according to the service history.
Not needing another car at the moment & trying to finish up the Avalon build.....I didn't really want another project on my plate! So, I called him back & offered $1500 thinking he would flip-out on that low-ball for sure!!!......"Man, I really need $1800 for my car payment & insurance next month"
I really wanted to stand firm at $1500, But this car is too clean & loaded to pass-up! Part of the deal is.....He has to accompany me downtown & "gift" me the car to redeem his $300 I didn't want to pay! I'll just title it for now & worry about registration at a later date.
Has a little rash on the fascia's, Paint/Body is in really good shape otherwise. Mark Levinson audio & Nav, Rear sunshade etc. Dirty....But it will clean up!
Estimate came out to @$1600 for the 2 monitored catalyst's using OE parts (We will not warranty aftermarket catalyst's on Toyota products)
The customer quickly declined that estimate!!, And stated he was selling the car & wouldn't invest more than a couple hundred in it as he already bought a new car with his tax return.....I can't believe he told me that, It's none of my business & not relevant to the conversation.
Advised him that even the cheapest repair would top $800 & there's nothing I could do to make it less. His rebuttal was....."Do you want to buy it?.....Your're a mechanic" Told him I'll call back shortly with a offer.
Looked at the repair history on our version of "point of sale", Car has been serviced religiously at our location for the last 12 years. And I had already inspected the car pretty well before writing the catalyst replacement estimate.....It will need Tires pretty soon, Along with it's second Timing Belt & Spark Plugs in @25,000 miles according to the service history.
Not needing another car at the moment & trying to finish up the Avalon build.....I didn't really want another project on my plate! So, I called him back & offered $1500 thinking he would flip-out on that low-ball for sure!!!......"Man, I really need $1800 for my car payment & insurance next month"
I really wanted to stand firm at $1500, But this car is too clean & loaded to pass-up! Part of the deal is.....He has to accompany me downtown & "gift" me the car to redeem his $300 I didn't want to pay! I'll just title it for now & worry about registration at a later date.
Has a little rash on the fascia's, Paint/Body is in really good shape otherwise. Mark Levinson audio & Nav, Rear sunshade etc. Dirty....But it will clean up!