Well, I've posted about this car for the past two years, I've driven it for one, it's now due for inspection and I need to resolve as many issues as I can before cold weather sets in here.
The Car- 2002 Hyundai Sonata V6 2.7, 105K, overall good shape, have all maintenance records since new, bought from original owner 2 years ago for $3500.00
Goal- to make the car roadworthy, legal, and reliable. I am going on the assumption that if I service the car now, I should get another 5 years out of the car with no serious problems. If I'm lucky . Beyond 5 years, it may become my "beater" or, finances permitting, I will get something newer. I walk to work and drive about 3K miles/yr, mostly on my "beater" '92 Nissan Sentra.
How- I'm planning on having the local dealer do the work, mainly because I can't get around going to a dealer for the recall work and it's not worth it to me, time-wise, to "shop around"
Cost- whatever it takes, within reason. I did the brakes (pads, rotors, calipers all around)myself, I could probably do the work myself, but I don't really have the time and it's going to be to cold to do it in the driveway soon.
What- The timing belt has never, AFAIK, been changed, seriously interfering with my enjoyment of the car wondering if each drive will be my last. So, timing belt, tensioner, idler, and water pump. Dealer quoted me $400.00 on the belt, and $200.00 on the pump. OK on the belt, high for the pump, but...whatever.
Since the pump is being done, time for new coolant. Should I replace the radiator hoses, or any other hoses, that are now 7 years old? I know hoses don't fail like they did in the old days; I suspect many cars are going to the junkyard with the factory hoses these days.
Change ATF and filter. It's been done once or twice but with a generic ATF which seems to be acceptable but I would prefer to spend the next few years knowing I had Hyundai fluid and that the tranny had been serviced by the dealer.
Recall on the engine cradle- they will drill holes in it, probably, or replace the cradle (not likely, but possible).
Recall on the inside door handles- the chrome is flaking off, leaving sharp edges.
Reprogram the ECM- The CEL is on and my scanner says P1134 Manufacturer Control Fuel Air Metering, which may mean 02 sensor, but it may be a bug in the ECM which can be fixed with an update.
Tune up- I'm still up in the air about this. Seems to mean "replace the spark plugs and wires". I would like to have this done as at 100K it would seem to be time and my MPG could be a little higher. OTOH, I've seen prices of $300+ here on this group. I know it involves some labor, but this seems excessive. For $300, I would do it myself, I think
Belt(s)- probably get whatever belts there are replaced while it's there. I will pay whatever the dealer wants for the belt, but I might try for a pass on the labor, since it has to come off anyhow and I think I'm throwing them a $100 bone on the water pump.
So, I want to go to the dealer with a "laundry list", get a quote, and make an appointment to leave the car a day or two. I'm guessing about $800-1200 depending on the "tune up" and the 02 sensor. I would welcome any input about what to do, how to ask for it, anything else that should be done while it's in, etc.