Hourly rate
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 940
Likes: 242
From: Fruita CO
Its probably not as out of line as it seems. Most shops that work on "normal" cars are charging well north of $100 per hour. Finding a shop willing to work on a 30 +/- year old C4 is difficult if not impossible. Posting your location helps, because if you are in LA the rate will be a lot higher than a small town in the middle of the country where rents and the cost of living are much lower. That's why most of us DIY many repairs.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
The adage you get what you pay for comes to mind....is the shops reputation such that people pay that much and are satisfied with the results... hit or miss... or having to take the car someplace else to fix the first shops incompetence ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1,148
From: Vermilion OH
The local auto group, which includes five dealerships, each charge $200 per hour of labor. They include a Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, and 2 Chevrolet dealers. They are on par with other dealerships in the area. So, in comparison, $165 per hour is pretty good. Comparatively, 2 or 3 years ago, the labor rates were right about $150 per hour at those dealerships.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
I remember in 1980 I was in a Daytona Chev dealer because of bad plug wires. Charge was $100 per hr for corvettes, less for other Chevys
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 812
From: Saskatoon Sask.
IMO, "fair" is not a relevant part of the question. They are providing a service in a free market system. Supply, demand and competition will dictate what is going to be their rate. They have X number of service bays, X number of techs working and X number of hours in a day. The customer base will decide their skill level and track record for quality work. Shoddy or incomplete work will result in no repeat business. Whether or not one thinks their rate is "fair", is a moot point. Their rate is their rate and the decision is yours if you are willing to pay it. If not willing, step out of line and move to a different shop. As an example, I have a real world experience from yesterday. I had a one hour consultation with a top law firm in my city. As I left, they tucked a 500.00 invoice in my back pocket. I had known their rate going in. My other option would have been to go down the street to the one man office that charges 300.00 an hour, takes walk-in clients and hasn't won a case in eons. My appointment was made two weeks ago..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 1,404
From: Mid-Atlantic
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The difference is whether or not you're paying an hourly rate for someone to learn on your car or to actually know what they're doing and fix it right.
With these cars, you're more often paying someone to learn on your car. Which, in reality, equates to just practicing on it. And therefore getting it right is hit or miss. I've had to come behind enough of em to know since I've had this thing.
For that reason alone, I won't use a shop for anything any more unless it's something beyond my scope of experience or knowledge like transmission work, for instance. I had my rack rebuilt by a shop, too. And, of course, a good tire shop. In those cases, I'm gonna make sure it's someone who knows what they're doing and not just practicing or learning on my car. And they're always gonna get that work, should the need arise. In that regard, I've no issue with a higher hourly rate.
Most stuff you can do yourself, though, if you're fit for it.
With these cars, you're more often paying someone to learn on your car. Which, in reality, equates to just practicing on it. And therefore getting it right is hit or miss. I've had to come behind enough of em to know since I've had this thing.
For that reason alone, I won't use a shop for anything any more unless it's something beyond my scope of experience or knowledge like transmission work, for instance. I had my rack rebuilt by a shop, too. And, of course, a good tire shop. In those cases, I'm gonna make sure it's someone who knows what they're doing and not just practicing or learning on my car. And they're always gonna get that work, should the need arise. In that regard, I've no issue with a higher hourly rate.
Most stuff you can do yourself, though, if you're fit for it.
Last edited by Natty C; Mar 16, 2024 at 12:43 PM. Reason: Typos...
