Reasonable quote for this work?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: carmel , palm springs ca
Thanks for this, sometimes I think that most of the people on this board don't realize that not everyone is a do it yourself type when it comes to working on cars. I'm primarily a computer engineer, and I don't expect others to feel comfortable doing things in my area of expertise. 
That being said, I think I am going to try this out myself, and I really appreciate all of the helpful comments, this board really is a special resource for corvette lovers.
That being said, I think I am going to try this out myself, and I really appreciate all of the helpful comments, this board really is a special resource for corvette lovers.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 2
From: High Bridge New Jersey
You
Thanks for this, sometimes I think that most of the people on this board don't realize that not everyone is a do it yourself type when it comes to working on cars. I'm primarily a computer engineer, and I don't expect others to feel comfortable doing things in my area of expertise. That being said, I think I am going to try this out myself, and I really appreciate all of the helpful comments, this board really is a special resource for corvette lovers.
That being said, I think I am going to try this out myself, and I really appreciate all of the helpful comments, this board really is a special resource for corvette lovers.If you want to try it by all means go ahead, but if not that is perfectly OK and it is perfectly OK to ask if a price estimate is reasonable or not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Yeah, some of the larger items could be "paid for" but if you cannot do all of the little things yourself, you'll need to do a LOT of computer work to pay your mechanic.
If you are techie.....you enjoy most of the repairs you'll need to perform on the car.
Some are grimy, some build your ego when you fix something for $9 when others are paying $200...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Woodland CA
Just a side note here. While I wholeheartedly agree that it is more economical, fun, and rewarding, to learn and to do most if not all of the repair work on our cars, for some this is not the case.
Some may ask us about a price quoted from a shop so as to avoid that dreaded "Corvette" tax. I respect the person that for whatever reason does not care to climb on, over, under, and around these things. Go through the teadious labor of removing the the fifty things in order to get to the one thing that's broken. All the while praying to God that your replacment is the right part. The contortionist art of hand manuvering, the Hellen Keller style of learning to work on things you cannot see. And of course the putting the fifty perfectly good parts back on after hours of cussing, making promises to your car you'll never keep, and that moment in the middle of it all where you seriously ask yourself,"I wonder what I can sell it for just as it sits?"
So, I can see where some who just enjoy driving, the commaraderie at shows, and the general beauty of these cars may not care to delve into the dark underbelly of its mystique, and would rather sit in the waiting room with a nice hot cup of Starbucks and let the young technitian have the chance to tell all his buddies, "I got to work on a Corvette today"
So we should also add a little parts + labor+ band aids "yes it's fair" or "no they're pulling your chain" advice.
With todays labor rates, the cost of parts, labor, shop supplies, and fees for waste product handling. $400 is not too far off base IMHO.
Some may ask us about a price quoted from a shop so as to avoid that dreaded "Corvette" tax. I respect the person that for whatever reason does not care to climb on, over, under, and around these things. Go through the teadious labor of removing the the fifty things in order to get to the one thing that's broken. All the while praying to God that your replacment is the right part. The contortionist art of hand manuvering, the Hellen Keller style of learning to work on things you cannot see. And of course the putting the fifty perfectly good parts back on after hours of cussing, making promises to your car you'll never keep, and that moment in the middle of it all where you seriously ask yourself,"I wonder what I can sell it for just as it sits?"
So, I can see where some who just enjoy driving, the commaraderie at shows, and the general beauty of these cars may not care to delve into the dark underbelly of its mystique, and would rather sit in the waiting room with a nice hot cup of Starbucks and let the young technitian have the chance to tell all his buddies, "I got to work on a Corvette today"
So we should also add a little parts + labor+ band aids "yes it's fair" or "no they're pulling your chain" advice.
With todays labor rates, the cost of parts, labor, shop supplies, and fees for waste product handling. $400 is not too far off base IMHO.
On my 96, a LT1 coupe, I spent over $1000 when I got it at the local mechanic shop. I had a new radiator installed, new hoses, new stat, auto transmission flush, oil change, new filter, etc. In fact, I haven't changed oil in any of my cars since the early 80's. Its not that I can't do it myself, but I rather pay someone else to do the dirty work. I rather not hassle with storing the old oil and taking it to a recycling place.
The only item that I fixed myself has been the antenna mast. Mine was broken inside the mast itself, and with the excellent help with the experts here on this board, I was finally able to fix it myself for $35 with a new mast that I ordered off of ebay.
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