Auto Repair Cost Skyrocket

Auto Repair Cost Skyrocket
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I had to get the windshield replaced on my 2006 Tacoma. Simple job, got it at a local autoglass shop for $310 with pre-scheduled appointment. No sensors in the glass to adjust. As I was checking out another customer "went ballistic" on the cashier when she got a $1580 bill for a windshield. The manager came out of his office and had a job calming her down. Geez, my old Tacoma and its occasional repair bill is looking better and better every day.

[jaym]

I don't drive my car anymore. I just admire it on my driveway.

[EvgeniBelin]

This video is gold. Cars have gotten too complicated. You can't even replace 12v battery these days - you disconnect it, and boom, have to reprogram body control. Look at something the wrong way - ECU is gone. Add to that direct injection - need to touch an injector? Entire 2000psi high pressure fuel rail needs to be replaced with all injectors reseated. HP fuel pump -- I doubt it will live as long as 50psi port injection pump. Turbos on under built engines? Check. Windshield replacement? Welcome to $1.5k lane departure cameras and such need to be recalibrated. It is freaking insane. I just want early 2000s port injected naturally aspirated low-tech daily driver. Not a freaking spaceship

[mostwantedmotor]

As a lead, prices skyrocketed but tech pay still far behind inflation, mechanics get paid more than ever but it’s lagging far behind. Our shop flat rate starts at 28 and peaks at 40 flag hours. Some guys are at 100k a year. It’s just a 100k really isn’t that impressive anyone, after taxes, buying tools, lifestyle cost etc, 100k is like the new middle class.

[TropicTrdr]

I used to be a trucker and had a gig hauling starter and alternator cores to the border to be remanufactured for Delco and Auto Zone in Mexico. I also did a lot of Caterpillar Reman work. On the heavy equipment side, it was pretty steady but the Cash for Clunkers program took a lot of potential inventory away and the salvage people were screaming like stuck pigs. I sold my Kenworth during the pandemic and thankfully am retired. this episode reinforces the idea of getting an older car that you like and fixing it up to keep on the road.

[Idtelos]

I tell my nephews, younger reltives to highly consoder the trades. Due to the severe lack of trade workers, many junior colleges are also investing in trades programs. Many offer free tuition to kids straight out of highschool so you can come out with an associates or tech diploma, debt free and a career that will pay very well. No need to spend $100k+ on a 4 year degree that wont give good returns or paying $50k+ on for profit tech schools. With the cost of labor skyrocketting, the trades are a going to become more and more attractive as a career path.

[elcheapo]

I own a fleet of Mopar vehicles and maintain them myself. Mopar parts prices have tripled in the past five years. Over 90% of the parts I buy are USA/Canada/Mexico made. My local CJDR dealer is $190/hr for labor, $210/hr for trucks/diesels. Flat rate sucks for everyone but the shop owner. Glad I didn't choose that as a career path.

[frankj]

Im a technician with 10 years experience and I am ready to get out. This industry is gone to hell. eventually they'll have nothing but overpaid service writers

[beaveronabike]

I've never loved my '03 Tacoma more. 200k+ and still purrs like a kitten. Parts are available and reasonable, it's easy to work on, and minimal electronics. I didn't necessarily plan to keep it this long, but the future keeps being dumber than I could have predicted.

[nathantaylor]

I'm a Diesel Mechanic. I went to a T.S.T.C. for Semi Truck repair. I've been a mechanic for 24 years. There is nothing wrong with trade schools, just be prepared that they teach you the basics. I had to learn about aftertreatments and ecm diagnosing after college. You can make good money as a mechanic or technician, it takes time and alot of hands on. Good luck to future mechanics. Quick Note. If your starting out, you do not need to buy tools off a truck. They do have some specialty tools you may need one day. But it is not fun to replace a $25 dollar phillp head screwdriver, because it was borrowed and never returned. I really enjoy channel Lucky. HAVE A GOOD SIR

[Strawman]

I’ll do my own maintenance. I have a ‘23 Tacoma. I partially financed it. It came with Toyota care. First five oil changes are free, but I’d rather pay the money for the supplies and do it myself than have a dealership screw things up. I don’t trust them at all.

[Epro]

Hey Lucky, I used to have no issue paying someone else to work on my car because I made enough money to pay their labour costs. Not anymore though, I started turning my own wrenches on both my cars shortly after COVID started. If I want to get my car in to get fixed, you're looking at two weeks to get in and $120 an hour. Plus inflated parts costs as the local guys don't let you bring your own parts.

My copy of AllData is capped at 2013, so I'll probably never own anything newer than that at this point.

Sidenote: Support your local u-pull junkyard!!!

[ArnCital]

I am picky about parts quality and frequently purchase NOS. I wanted the brakes done on my '85 Ford F-250. I am 76 with health issues and no garage. I cannot find a shop who wants to do the work to my satisfaction. So I buy the tools which cost less than the labor charges and when I am done then I still have the tools. I am installing all new parts. On my Isuzu Trooper I located a rebuilt steering box and shops wanted an extra $25 per hour for owner supplied parts and then did not want to schedule an appointment. I have locally heard too many horror stories so I am glad that I have the skills to do the work myself. Funny how some of these shops are now out of business.

[luckilew]

I have a 2010 Chevy Impala and and I needed my power steering system replaced. When I called around damn near everyone was saying 2.5k and up. I just YouTubed how to do it and had some friends over and got it done way cheaper.

[QualityAutoDave]

I own a shop in St. Louis and I have my used auto dealers licenses. Yes auto repair cost have gone up. Parts prices have increased and my cost for labor defiantly! Parts prices have went up slowly in the past few years. Actually my bulk engine oil supplies has lowered prices. I have 4 120 gallon tanks I store new engine oil in. I buy universal engine coolant, store in a 120 gallon tank. St. Louis is a great market for auto repair. Without a vehicle yours screwed in this town. Our public transportation system is unsafe and complete joke! My standard door rate is $175 per hour. We get that all day long. Diagnostic labor starts at $194.73 per hour, consumers just pay it. I've been working on creating a recruiting process for technicians and service advisors. Replacing either can be challenging. Skilled techs are not on every corner like it was when I got into this in late 90s. I want a stock of resumes for each position I call fall back in in the event. Especially for a technician. I have a young tech, I'm training. I told her not to buy tools. I've already spent THOUSANDS! Since some new vehicle dealers are suppling tool boxes. The next step is for them to supply hand tools. Cost of quality tools has skyrocketed! With cost of living consistently going up. Techs can't afford to raise a family and buy tools. I want to build that into my budget and cost of doing business. Which will get passed onto the consumer.

[darens]

Part of the problem can be lack of places to lease / open a mechanics shop. Nearly all the warehouse and shop type spaces in my area all say NO MECHANICS / Automotive Businesses. I'd like to do a small dealership+mechanic shop business someday but theres just no spaces. I assume the people who leased for shops in the past were total garbage tenants and caused restrictions to be in place. If you do find a place that the city and landlord will permit a shop it costs an absolute fortune per month. Hence the high $/hour charged to the customer.

[JoeFpoc]

Best way to deal with this is drive older mass produced vehicles and do your own repairs. I never have any issues getting cheap parts on my 30+ year old Chevy trucks. Been a while since I needed anything though, bought a fuel tank for $110 1.5 years ago

[TakeoHope]

Just did brakes on my car. I now order parts online through manufacturers website and pick up at dealer. Pay msrp for parts this way. Noticed the dealers were marking up parts prices above msrp.

[BigMikesVAGShop]

Started as a mechanic, went to electrical engineering. Now do mechanics on the side. No car payments, only pay for parts.

[everydaytech]

I currently work as a car estimator for general auto body repairs. If you own a Honda or Toyota those are great vehicles to work on and can be relatively cheap. In my experience stay away from any Ford, Dodge (Stellantis), and German car products. Lot of these parts tend to be on back order or more overpriced than ever.