Is it safe to find some local mechanics on Craiglist to repair my car?
10-09-18, 02:42 PM
#1
10th Gear
Thread Starter
Is it safe to find some local mechanics on Craiglist to repair my car?
Hello everyone, my car is approaching 12k and I want to do spark plugs change, and many other maintenences (change fluid, filter etc) and also change my drive belt. Local dealership and auto shop charge me over $1000, I just bought my car so I'm tight on budget. So I find someone on craiglist only charge me $250 for all the work, but I need to bring my own parts. Is it safe to do so? I can sit there and watch him, what the worst that could happen?
10-09-18, 03:59 PM
#2
Do you mean 112K? If so it’s time to find a local mechanic. Craigslist idk what to say but the plugs on this car a bit of a ***** to do. I’m not gonna say he’s a hack at that price but I’d find someone that comes with a recommendation from a friend, family member, neighbor, coworker, anyone. Price seems good but what if they don’t have the right tools or enough knowledge and just saw a YouTube video on how to do it and end up damaging something, at that point you’ll have to tow it to the dealer or a mechanic which will rape you to fix someone else’s issue. Check out the video below and see how much of a job it is just to change out the plugs.
Also remember you can go to a Toyota dealer for service which would probably be slightly but not significantly cheaper. I won’t take a ten year old car to the dealer. I buy parts from the dealer using my mechanics discount and take them down to good ole J&N Auto Inc.
Also remember you can go to a Toyota dealer for service which would probably be slightly but not significantly cheaper. I won’t take a ten year old car to the dealer. I buy parts from the dealer using my mechanics discount and take them down to good ole J&N Auto Inc.
Last edited by ellocovg; 10-09-18 at 04:32 PM.
10-09-18, 04:20 PM
#3
10th Gear
Thread Starter
Do you mean 112K? If so it’s time to find a local mechanic. Craigslist idk what to say but the plugs on this car a bit of a ***** to do. I’m not gonna say he’s a hack at that price but I’d find someone that comes with a recommendation from a friend, family member, neighbor, coworker, anyone. Price seems good but what if they don’t have the right tools or enough knowledge and just saw a YouTube video on how to do it and end up damaging something, at that point you’ll have to tow it to the dealer or a mechanic which will rape you to fix someone else’s issue. Check out the video below and see how much of a job it is just to change out the plugs.
Also so remember you can go to a Toyota dealer for service which will be slightly cheaper, I wouldn’t take a ten year old car to the dealer. I buy parts from the dealer and take them to my local guy.
Also so remember you can go to a Toyota dealer for service which will be slightly cheaper, I wouldn’t take a ten year old car to the dealer. I buy parts from the dealer and take them to my local guy.
10-09-18, 04:25 PM
#4
Depends on how much you want to gamble, but the potential savings are far outweighed by the potential cost if something goes wrong. The worst part about those Craiglist mechanics is lack of liability. What if they break something, say they need to run and go grab something, or will come back tomorrow, and never come back.
10-09-18, 04:35 PM
#5
If they break something it’ll be my bad! don’t worry about paying me.
My advice do the basics like oil change which you can get done cheap at any car wash even Toyota dealer. Buy the filters from an auto parts store and put them in yourself using YouTube videos, really simple to do. Save up for the bigger jobs and do them as needed.
My advice do the basics like oil change which you can get done cheap at any car wash even Toyota dealer. Buy the filters from an auto parts store and put them in yourself using YouTube videos, really simple to do. Save up for the bigger jobs and do them as needed.
Depends on how much you want to gamble, but the potential savings are far outweighed by the potential cost if something goes wrong. The worst part about those Craiglist mechanics is lack of liability. What if they break something, say they need to run and go grab something, or will come back tomorrow, and never come back.
Last edited by ellocovg; 10-09-18 at 04:40 PM.
10-09-18, 06:46 PM
#6
A lot of times when changing the plugs on these the plastic connectors are brittle and will break. Happened to me.
Ditto on the Toyota dealer. You can try to find one that will let you bring your own parts. Btw changing your own cabin air filter is super easy. What all are you getting done and have you replaced the water pump yet?
Ditto on the Toyota dealer. You can try to find one that will let you bring your own parts. Btw changing your own cabin air filter is super easy. What all are you getting done and have you replaced the water pump yet?
10-09-18, 09:01 PM
#7
A lot of times when changing the plugs on these the plastic connectors are brittle and will break. Happened to me.
Ditto on the Toyota dealer. You can try to find one that will let you bring your own parts. Btw changing your own cabin air filter is super easy. What all are you getting done and have you replaced the water pump yet?
Ditto on the Toyota dealer. You can try to find one that will let you bring your own parts. Btw changing your own cabin air filter is super easy. What all are you getting done and have you replaced the water pump yet?
The plastic broke on what the ignition coil?
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10-11-18, 08:29 AM
#9
Moderator
This is a better alternative to find a local mechanic. These are shops recommended by listeners of the Car Talk Radio Show. https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files
10-11-18, 11:11 AM
#10
My neighbor found a Mopar employed mechanic who worked at night out of his home. He had that guy keep is minivan running for many years fixing the usual problems those had.
Biggest question is..... what's the guys training?
Biggest question is..... what's the guys training?
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