Why do some repair shops charge so much for repairs on C3 Vetts, when their is nothing special about them exect mybe the rear and vacume for the head lights and wiper door? The front end, engine and trans. are normal Chev. Very simple to work on. do they think just because we own a Vette we are rich? The newer cars have to be harder to work on. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Tony, everything in your post is accurate. only thing I could add is that our vettes are sports cars and everything gets a little crowded,making it harder to work on. And some of the guys working in shops weren't even born yet when C3's were being made, which is not intended as a slam on them, but they are just not famaliar with "old" technology.

 

Oh not just charge so much, but be stupid too. I had a tire kingdom locally refuse to do a front end alignment because "we only have one guy in the shop that can do those, and he's off today". Wow, only one guy in the whole place that can do front end alignments on chevrolets? astounding. From what I recall the front end stayed similar thru the late 80s at least...

 

Tony-
Cause it's a CORVETTE! As the saying in repair goes, if you can afford to buy it, you can afford to fix it! Vette's are the 'high-line' of chevys. When I worked in chevy dealer, and a vette came in outa warranty, the price was 'always' more! I know, it doesn't make sense to us sometimes, but for their day they were a 'tight' car to work on. Also vette owners were always more demanding about everything. So if ya gotta live with it (the repair) might as well charge 'em for it!
Nowadays, I don't think too many techs know about C1 - C3's. I think it's almost becoming a 'specialty' nitche for techs to work on these cars. Learn to work on them yourself, or shell-out as the case may be. :smash:

 

It's really more about the mechanics knowledge and patience than anything else. You really save money if you have a well known Corvette Only shop do your work. They may charge a slightly higher per hour charge, but they can always do the repair in 1/2 the time a regullar shop takes. I've had good luck with Owens auto repair in Glenside or County Corvette in West Chester. Both Really good shops and they know what they are doing.

 

I guess I'm lucky. I have a Corvette shop 2 miles from my house that charges $40 per hour. They have a mechanic with 8 ASE certifications, and they'll even let me help turn a wrench if I want to! :cool:

To be honest, I haven't run into C3 discrimination yet...but perhaps that's because this city has so many old GM cars & trucks still roaming the streets :chevy

 

My Corvette has only seen one shop. And that was a frame shop that earned a great reputation with my dad. So, ofcourse that's where my Vette got sent when the frame decided to bend on me.


[Modified by Aaron-74, 10:59 AM 3/24/2002]

 

The local Corvette shop charges $15 more to work on Vettes I ask Why The owner said Rusty Bolts and the Vette Guys are a Pain in the butt to Deal With. I still take my Vette there they know what they are doing they will replace your complete frame or just a light buld and do it well every time.

 

I had some work done at a local body shop on my 77. When I picked the car up I complained to the manager about the lousy job they did. He gets all up tight and says they are not going to work any more corvettes because the owners are to fussy about the work. I told him I paid good money and wanted a good job it had nothing to do with the brand of the car. He doesn't have to worry about working on ANY of my cars. I could hardly believe the guy would say that about any car. All he has to do is a good repair no matter what the make of car. :mad Chuck

 

The rusty bolts/corrosion is one of the main reasons. Many of mine had to come out in the rear end last summer and that is not an easy job. Strut rods and adjusters were there for 22 years and it showed. No use fooling with them: just burn them off and replace. Got the struts and adjusters from GM Canada. U-joints were corrosion welded to the halfshaft flanges. Again, GM Canada new. It goes on but the point is: Would you as a mechanic want to work on these cars? They are old....

 

Have you looked under the hood of a new car lately? :eek: :eek: :eek: They pack so much crap in such a small area these days, it makes under my my Vette's hood look like a vast open desert!!! I think it's just that it's old tech, and they actually have to think through a problem. A computer won't tell them what's wrong, so they charge you, "Well let's give this a try...nope" time. :smash: :smash: :smash:

 

>>Anyone else have this problem?

It is very common that mechanics charge you more because it's a Corvette...
I got really lucky with mechanics. For Corvette specific repairs I drive my Vette 280 miles to Largo (Tampa Bay area). My mechanic there is a Corvette specialist and does exeptional work. He even has customers that drive all the way from Atlanta to get work done there.... His rates are exeptional as is his work. The down side.... He does most of the work himself. He has only one mechanic working with him.. Sometimes you have to wait weeks until he is able to work on your car... I usually mark an appointment a couple of weeks in advance.

For regular - not too Corvette specific work I found a place near my work in Fort Lauderdale. They charge me their regular $45 per hour rate and do great work!!!! They just recently rebuilt my front end (steering and suspension) and I am very satisfied with their work!!!

Olivier

P.S. Don't go just to any place. Ask other people at Car Shows or on the Corvetteforum to find good and affordable mechanics in your area!