they tried to stick me
I took my car to the shop yesterday and then I went to work. They called me in the afternoon to let me know the status of my car. Now I’d already had a free diagnostic test at an auto parts store, and their computer said that I had some kind of short in my electrical system. My dealership advised me that they couldn’t rely on someone else’s diagnostic, and that they would have to do their own test before working on the car for $99.00. But I have a state car inspection and an emissions test due by the end of next month, and I don’t have the time or money for foolishness, so I just took it to the dealer anyway.
They advised me that the engine light is on because of my car’s oxygen sensor. A replacement would cost $548.00! In addition, they said my car was due for scheduled maintenance, in which my rear differential fluid should be replaced. The total cost for that would be $59.99 for the rear differential fluid and $178.49 for labor. Oh - and one more thing, they tested my battery and it’s weak. So, in addition to the oxygen sensor and the diagnostic, I’d be looking at $359.00. Grand total: $1,006.00. That’s funny - Single Ma just asked her readers if they could get hit with $1,000 of sudden expenses and deal with it!
I can deal with it, alright! First, I have a Honda Care Warranty, which I opted for when I bought my car. That covers the oxygen sensor, both parts and labor, in full. It also negated the fee for the diagnostic. I opted not to get the battery at the dealer - I could take care of that on my own (or buy it at the auto parts store and get my dad or even an auto service chain to put it in for me LOL). I asked what the scheduled maintenance included, and besides replacing my rear differential fluid, I just had all of that stuff done, like, last month at the auto service place, which was way cheaper. I can’t believe they’d want $359.00 to balance my tires and check my fluids! So I chose not to get that either, with the exception of replacing the rear differential fluid, which I know I didn’t have done last month. The total came to $65.47. When I saw how low the total was, I called the auto service place for a quote on the battery. It was $35 less than the dealer’s, but I figured the premium was worth paying in exchange for my time and gas, so I had the dealer install a new battery, too. Total payment: $182.46. This is a $823.54 difference from what it could have been.
In retrospect, knowing that the first, free diagnostic didn’t exactly pinpoint the problem makes me feel less like a sucker for agreeing to pay for the dealer’s diagnostic - which I didn’t even wind up having to pay for, anyway because of my warranty. And even though they tried to stick me for my papers, I’m happy with my dealer - I got a snazzy loaner car for the day and I dropped my car off and got it back on the same day. I’m a happy camper.
