lotsofmagnets, it was a balance shaft issue - the engine output felt the same as before though it had trouble starting warm.
souzafone, it actually is an interference engine. That's is the reason I was so willing to drop $$$ to change the timing belt before any signs of trouble.
The end result is that I didn't even need to haggle with them; they told me flat out it wouldn't cost me anything because it's something they screwed up during the prior visit. Tell you what, that impressed the hell out of me. I didn't even care that my car was in the shop for 3 days because my free rental was a nice Audi with a sunroof. I think I found my shop
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