Wow, blown away at Acura dealership service price

[John105]

I don't think 2k to do a Honda V-6 timing belt is out of reason. A shop no matter if it is a Dealer or an independent has to warranty the job for a certain amount of time. Even if the job goes good, and the tech does it perfectly, then a manufacture defect in the timing belt causes it to take a dump before you get home from the shop, who has to eat that? Working on these unnecessarily complicated transverse mounted engines can be a nightmare of tight spaces. Then if you a quoted x amount for the job, and some nasty bolt breaks and to fix it the whole engine needs to come out then what?
See there is stuff no one ever even thinks about. Doing mechanic work is sometimes not as easy as some videos may depict, there can be many unknown problems that can happen. So what do you think it takes to do a valve adjustment on these? To do it correct it takes huge time.
And almost no one does so.

Again, some folks feel more comfortable at the dealership. They actually believe dealer techs do a better job. So true, a Lexus is $1800 and that was back in 2017. 5 years later a Honda could very well be 2k. I don't want to go to the dealer because I don't want to pay the premium, and, I think they do lousy jobs sometimes. They certainly don't have any personal relationship whatsoever with the customer, unlike the indie garage.

It is understandable, again, that a dealer has lights, a building, a payroll, healthcare, and exorbitant profit margins. So it will cost a lot. They're not exactly shuttering left and right, so enough people feel comfortable getting serviced there.

 

[bullwinkle]

I thought the the Mitsubishi 2.6 used a timing chain. (Two actually - a 2nd one for the balance shafts.)

What model year was yours?

‘86 Chrysler T&C was a woody wagon w/a K-car drivetrain. The Chrysler 2.2 had a belt, the Mitsubishi 2.6 had 2 chains-which apparently required engine removal to replace, at least on a minivan (one of my best friends growing up’s parents had an ‘86 Caravan with the same engine). No belt(s) on a 2.6. I bet it was a 2.2, I had a Dodge Aries for a short while with a 2.6 & a bad carburetor. Carburetor was worth more than the car…

 

[Hall]

Again, some folks feel more comfortable at the dealership. They actually believe dealer techs do a better job.

Or they believe they have to take their vehicle there to keep their warranty valid or only dealers have the "special" oil and filter that their car requires or their vehicle is some exotic, high-end car (it's a VW or BMW or Lexus, etc).

 

[IndyIan]

I don't think 2k to do a Honda V-6 timing belt is out of reason. A shop no matter if it is a Dealer or an independent has to warranty the job for a certain amount of time. Even if the job goes good, and the tech does it perfectly, then a manufacture defect in the timing belt causes it to take a dump before you get home from the shop, who has to eat that? Working on these unnecessarily complicated transverse mounted engines can be a nightmare of tight spaces. Then if you a quoted x amount for the job, and some nasty bolt breaks and to fix it the whole engine needs to come out then what?
See there is stuff no one ever even thinks about. Doing mechanic work is sometimes not as easy as some videos may depict, there can be many unknown problems that can happen. So what do you think it takes to do a valve adjustment on these? To do it correct it takes huge time.
And almost no one does so.

Especially on my old rusty junk, I don't mind a low quote with the rusty broken bolt proviso. Stuff happens!

A dealership mechanic has everything going for them though. A service advisor usually makes sure no old junk is coming in, the techs get to do the same jobs on a small variety of vehicles and should know which bolts need a bit of care, and they are installing OEM parts.... Most good dealer techs can beat book times on lots of jobs after they learn the tricks to each job.

Its a free market and they can charge whatever they want, and people can walk away as well, as lots of independent guys can do a timing belt well enough.

 

[Wylie6G72]

I stopped by a fairly new place near my house called Integrity First Automotive to get a quote on new front struts, lower control arms, and rear shocks for my 93 Shadow. They quoted $3,100. I find that obscene. The parts total around $300 (not picking the cheapest stuff) on Rockauto. Either their markup, or their labor rate, is lacking integrity.

 

[Hall]

Either their markup, or their labor rate, is lacking integrity.

If you only have (1) quote, you can't really judge their integrity. Maybe it's a competitive rate.

 

[JimPghPA]

GON, keep in mind there is a lot to remove and put back to do that job. And many independent shops will hire anyone who's willing to turn a wrench, even if they do not have any actual training at any kind of technical Institute regarding working on vehicles. Sometimes the quality of the work you get from some of these independent shops is not really that decent.

 

[Wylie6G72]

If you only have (1) quote, you can't really judge their integrity. Maybe it's a competitive rate.

The shop down the street (Caliber Automotive) will do the labor for 1500, and will let me supply the parts.

 

[Number_35]

‘86 Chrysler T&C was a woody wagon w/a K-car drivetrain. The Chrysler 2.2 had a belt, the Mitsubishi 2.6 had 2 chains-which apparently required engine removal to replace, at least on a minivan (one of my best friends growing up’s parents had an ‘86 Caravan with the same engine). No belt(s) on a 2.6. I bet it was a 2.2, I had a Dodge Aries for a short while with a 2.6 & a bad carburetor. Carburetor was worth more than the car…

That would be getting into the feedback-carburetor era, right? Variable venturi with feedback from an O2 sensor? Gah!

We had a '90 Mazda MPV with Mazda's version of the 2.6 (the G6). Great engine - so similar to the Mitsu in concept (big torquey SOHC 4-banger with balance shafts and three valves per cylinder) but way more reliable.

Our friends had an '86 or '97 Caravan or Voyager with the 2.6. The original engine dropped the chain a couple of times before throwing a rod.

 

[CKN]

If you only have (1) quote, you can't really judge their integrity. Maybe it's a competitive rate.

EXACTLY!

 

[CKN]

I stopped by a fairly new place near my house called Integrity First Automotive to get a quote on new front struts, lower control arms, and rear shocks for my 93 Shadow. They quoted $3,100. I find that obscene. The parts total around $300 (not picking the cheapest stuff) on Rockauto. Either their markup, or their labor rate, is lacking integrity.

So how much profit should a shop have to pay for rent, employees, phones, Insurance, utilities,etc? Name the percentage because you just said they "lack integrity".

Supposedly "over charging" has been beaten to death on this forum...absolutely beaten to death.

 

[i6pwr]

Ouch....gotta pay to play unfortunately.

At what point does paying more for a brand, then paying crazy more for service, bring the owner ahead of the game?

I've owned 3 GM vehicles in the last 32 years, 217K, 335K and now 113K miles.

Never have I been to the dealer or any service center for a large repair or routine service that cost near $1000. Only our Toyotas and former VW have been in the shop.

Oil, brakes, coolant, all fluids actually, tires, alignment, steering components, shocks, struts...never a huge deal.

Why a timing belt still? Chains work fine and don't stretch enough to matter.

I keep hearing how Toyota, Honda, Acura are so reliable, but cost of vehicle new, then after 200K miles......that's a ton of cash.

I remember watching a Motorweek program on TV one weekend, the Motorweek spokesman said " There's no vehicle on the road more reliable than an American car"

This was 20 years ago.

Flame away, but American cars keep going with routine maintenance, they will likely have quirks but they get you from A to B.

 

[jeepman3071]

So how much profit should a shop have to pay for rent, employees, phones, Insurance, utilities,etc? Name the percentage because you just said they "lack integrity".

Supposedly "over charging" has been beaten to death on this forum...absolutely beaten to death.

I think it just shows the disconnect some have with the times we live in.

I find the same people who claim younger generations should just "pull up their boot straps and work harder" also think a timing belt job should be $100. A dollar doesn't go as far as it used to for multiple reasons.

 

[tyman]

At what point does paying more for a brand, then paying crazy more for service, bring the owner ahead of the game?

I've owned 3 GM vehicles in the last 32 years, 217K, 335K and now 113K miles.

Never have I been to the dealer or any service center for a large repair or routine service that cost near $1000. Only our Toyotas and former VW have been in the shop.

Oil, brakes, coolant, all fluids actually, tires, alignment, steering components, shocks, struts...never a huge deal.

Why a timing belt still? Chains work fine and don't stretch enough to matter.

I keep hearing how Toyota, Honda, Acura are so reliable, but cost of vehicle new, then after 200K miles......that's a ton of cash.

I remember watching a Motorweek program on TV one weekend, the Motorweek spokesman said " There's no vehicle on the road more reliable than an American car"

This was 20 years ago.

Flame away, but American cars keep going with routine maintenance, they will likely have quirks but they get you from A to B.

Maybe with something exotic like a Ferrari or Lamborghini. Your run of the mill “pseudo luxury sedan” no.

 

[GON]

At what point does paying more for a brand, then paying crazy more for service, bring the owner ahead of the game?

I've owned 3 GM vehicles in the last 32 years, 217K, 335K and now 113K miles.

Never have I been to the dealer or any service center for a large repair or routine service that cost near $1000. Only our Toyotas and former VW have been in the shop.

Oil, brakes, coolant, all fluids actually, tires, alignment, steering components, shocks, struts...never a huge deal.

Why a timing belt still? Chains work fine and don't stretch enough to matter.

I keep hearing how Toyota, Honda, Acura are so reliable, but cost of vehicle new, then after 200K miles......that's a ton of cash.

I remember watching a Motorweek program on TV one weekend, the Motorweek spokesman said " There's no vehicle on the road more reliable than an American car"

This was 20 years ago.

Flame away, but American cars keep going with routine maintenance, they will likely have quirks but they get you from A to B.

I have a very tiny fleet of vehicles. Nothing compares to the passion of a German car. Nothing compares to the reliability/ confidence of a Japanese car (Honda/ Toyota). And nothing compares to the list of labor one needs to keep an American vehicle running over 100k I have four American vehicles in my garage/ driveway right now.

I definitely will take replacing a timing belt every 100k miles in exchange for the issues I always have with American designed vehicles. I love my American vehicles, but they are not even close to the quality, workmanship, or reliability in design to their Japanese competition. Which is a real shame, as my very strong preference is to buy American, but not to reward a company with a poorly engineered product because it can say designed in America.

 

[rekit]

I remember when I had a Lexus SC400 that needed A arms. Lexus part 800 each. Forums mentioned Supra part was the same part #....200 each. That was my last Lexus. They fit perfect.

 

[i6pwr]

And nothing compares to the list of labor one needs to keep an American vehicle running over 100k

I agree with alot of what you said, but it really depends on what sour grape you or anyone purchases.

For instance...Honda makes some very reliable vehicles, but what about all the hush hush with their transmissions about 10-15 years ago? Can't make them look bad right? Imagine a recall...that could doom sales for many years.

I honestly don't know what American vehicles you are referring to, but 100-200K isn't much of an effort with regular maintenance.

 

[IndyIan]

I think it just shows the disconnect some have with the times we live in.

I find the same people who claim younger generations should just "pull up their boot straps and work harder" also think a timing belt job should be $100. A dollar doesn't go as far as it used to for multiple reasons.

I think its kind of a small town or generational thing, to charge a "fair" price, and not charge the absolute highest price they can get for maximum profits. Everyone has to make a living, but a fair price is also good for business loyalty. I guess in smaller towns where you are going to run into your customers often, its nice to have them think of you and your business as an asset to the town, and not a greedy parasite.

 

[CKN]

It's the thread that keeps on giving...........

 

[Drew7a]

Not looking forward to the day when I can no longer work on my car.