My wife took our 2000 Camry CE in for repair due to a "muffler noise" The dealer replace a front exhaust pipe assembly for $1200. Why so much?
- posted
16 years ago
My wife took our 2000 Camry CE in for repair due to a "muffler noise" The dealer replace a front exhaust pipe assembly for $1200. Why so much?
What parts did the dealer put in?
How much were each of the parts?
How much for labor?
Who authorized the repairs?
Did you hear a sucking sound coming from your waller?
Jeff
snipped-for-privacy@att.net wrote in news:1189008929.646924.253950 @w3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com:
Did the repair include the catalytic converter? Then that's your reason.
I think the cat on that car is right up against the exhaust manifold.
The front exhaust pipe is usually stainless steel. The catalytic converter is probably bolted to it. Find out exactly what was replaced. If it was associated with the emissions control system (front pipe / cat) it is probably covered under warranty on a seven year old car.
Have you looked at the repair invoice, or talked to the dealer's service manager? If not, why not?
The part replaced was "pipe Assembly, 17410-03300"
The part replaced was "pipe Assembly, 17410-03300"
Go back to the dealership's parts department with that UPC number on a piece of paper, and do not show the receipt for the work on the car. Ask what that part number is, and get a price. You should be able to figure out the rest.
Well I hope the dealer is being fair/honest here. What bothers me is that I am in the dark. It was a catalytic converter I would understand. Just a pipe?? that I do not understand.
What exactly was the breakdown of parts vs labor? If they are shown separately on your bill (which they should be), please describe them here in detail.
I'm generally a fan of OEM parts but a $1700 catalytic converter seems like highway robbery to me. Lithia, the dealer in Medford, Oregon quoted me $1700 or so to replace the cat with an OEM one.
I thought that was high -- went to a local shop and got one after parts and labor was around $320. It's yet to let me down in over a year now and the car passes SMOG like a champ.
So, I would love to know what I am not getting by not going OEM on a cat but so far, I feel like I saved an arm and a leg and still got a quality part from what I see.
Pardon me, but why on Earth is your wife handling car repairs?
The following is not a conclusive answer, but only a possible clue:
With older Toyotas, my independent mechanic has told me to go to the dealer for exhaust work because (at the time), they offered a lifetime warranty on that type of work. However, I don't recall it being 3 or 5 or 9 times the price of what my mechanic quoted. More, but not that much more.
RayO would be the man to know...
I know the cat is covered by certain state/federal regulations however I don't think the cat itself has a lifetime warranty.
I'm almost sure I have seen RayO say that mufflers for instance when done at the dealer and it's a Toyota OEM part, it has a lifetime warranty. Same with struts. I would imagine there are more parts but someone and/or RayO could go into more specifics for sure.
Even with a lifetime warranty, I don't think I would replace the cat with an OEM cat for $1700. Just my personal opinion.
My mother has a good friend who knows vehicles inside and out. She's not much into the computer aspect the mechanical aspect she knows quite well. She's done some rebuilds, some overhauls, replacements... engines, transmissions, etc. Very well rounded woman.
Also, the local Toyota dealer has a woman I went to school with. Krystal Morgan? I think that's her name. She's an outstanding technician there and knows her Toyota vehicles very well.
Not *all* women are car idiots...
Do you get the feeling that either of your examples apply to this poster's situation?
Statistics and logic should be taught at gunpoint, ya know? Failure means a bullet in your head.
I would guess Nat will 'fwap' your sorry arse....
I would guess you also have your wife take out the trash, mow the lawn, fix the sink, and clean the garage. It is not an issue of capability, but of roles. Next time you go out make sure that your wife comes around and opens your door for you, sweetie.
Huh??? Why wouldn't/couldn't she?
Maybe he wasn't free for the day to take it in, & she was, etc.
Cathy
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