My wife has a '96 Maxima that needs a few things done & looked at. Since I only moved to the States last year, when it comes to stuff like this, there is this lingering thought in the back of my mind that if I just go to an automotive repair place and start asking questions, I'll be screwed for every penny they can get.
So I was wondering if someone could offer at least some sort of estimate what this (very basic) stuff might cost. Of course there are a lot of variables involved once you actually take a car to a mechanic, but still, any advice would be grand.
Basically, what it needs is
- the annual inspection
- radiator flush
- front brakes fixed (they're not broken, but the parts that I know of as "brake shoes" - I don't know what they're called in America - are wearing thin and need to be replaced
- the starter needs to be looked at; the car's been having a problem to an increasing degree, where you turn the key and it won't start; afaik it could be the starter or just the solenoid, or it could even be that "thing" - that you put the keys into and turn - shorting
Obviously I don't know what anything is called, which is why any tips and advice would be welcome. How much does each of these generally cost? My uncle runs a car repair shop back in Finland, and he once showed me a starter for a Volvo that cost about $900, therefore I'd rather ask questions from you guys than go in fresh and be taken for a total idiot.
Quote:
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GEORGE: Well, of course they're trying to screw you. What do you think? That's what they do. They can make up anything. Nobody knows. "By the way, you need a new Johnson rod in there." "Oh, a Johnson rod. Yeah, well, you better put one of those on."
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