60K Service by Dealer or Independent Mechanic?

[tomato]

Originally Posted by rningonfumes

Tell us what is in the 60k service. And tell us how much is either charging.


.

Ok, this was an interesting experience.

1) Independent Guy around the corner, for the 60K service, as descrived above: $100 even. Told me the chances of him finding anything wrong with the car during the inspection are next to nul.


2) Dealership No. 1 (where I bought the car, under their Certified program): first quote was ........... $540 !!! (same service, but they top all the fluids and look at the battery as well). I argued that this kind of service was already done not long ago when I bought the car under their "Certified" program and I've only driven the car 2000 miles since then, if that, and they eventually dropped the price to $135.


3) Dealership No. 2 (closer to where I live but with bad reviews on Yelp): $129 because they're having a special right now.

4) Dealership No. 3 (a little further, also bad reviews): put me on hold for a long time ... then I hung up.

5) Oh, and just for the sport of it, I went to another independent mechanic, about 10 miles from where I live, pretty highly recommended on Yelp:

Their price (they were thorough and gave me a computer print-out of what Toyota requires them to do for a Yaris that age, at that mileage (which is the same as what I typed above) $200.

Hmmmmm....

By the way, I have a Manual Transmission if that makes a difference.

[rningonfumes]

Originally Posted by tomato

Here is what you're supposed to do at 60,000 miles or 72 months :

Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate Tires
Replace engine air filter


Inspect the following:

- ball joints and dust covers
- brake lines and hoses
- brake linings, drums and brake pads/discs
drive belts
- drive shaft boots
- engine coolant
- engine valve clearance
- exhaust pipes and mountings
- front differential oil
- fuel lines and connections
- fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
- fuel tank cap gasket
- radiator core and condenser
- steering gear box
- steering linkage and boots
- transmission fluid or oil

Originally Posted by tomato

Ok, this was an interesting experience.

1) Independent Guy around the corner, for the 60K service, as descrived above: $100 even. Told me the chances of him finding anything wrong with the car during the inspection are next to nul.


2) Dealership No. 1 (where I bought the car, under their Certified program): first quote was ........... $540 !!! (same service, but they top all the fluids and look at the battery as well). I argued that this kind of service was already done not long ago when I bought the car under their "Certified" program and I've only driven the car 2000 miles since then, if that, and they eventually dropped the price to $135.


3) Dealership No. 2 (closer to where I live but with bad reviews on Yelp): $129 because they're having a special right now.

4) Dealership No. 3 (a little further, also bad reviews): put me on hold for a long time ... then I hung up.

5) Oh, and just for the sport of it, I went to another independent mechanic, about 10 miles from where I live, pretty highly recommended on Yelp:

Their price (they were thorough and gave me a computer print-out of what Toyota requires them to do for a Yaris that age, at that mileage (which is the same as what I typed above) $200.

Hmmmmm....

By the way, I have a Manual Transmission if that makes a difference.

See if you take out any thoughts about tranny maintenance..ie fluid change, it's an oil change with lots of fluff.

Dealor one only lowered after you complained, the other had a special price. The Indie Mechanics average from 100-200 at the top end and those are regular prices.

The poll is still too small a sample and many did not post why in either case. If you are still unsure, take advantage of the lower dealor prices and keep this list to use for an oil change, try those two Indie mechanics for your next oil change after the 60k service.

The dealors have higher bills to pay than the local machanic but Dealor one shows that they still have room to work with.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by rningonfumes

See if you take out any thoughts about tranny maintenance..ie fluid change, it's an oil change with lots of fluff.

Dealor one only lowered after you complained, the other had a special price. The Indie Mechanics average from 100-200 at the top end and those are regular prices.

The poll is still too small a sample and many did not post why in either case. If you are still unsure, take advantage of the lower dealor prices and keep this list to use for an oil change, try those two Indie mechanics for your next oil change after the 60k service.

The dealors have higher bills to pay than the local machanic but Dealor one shows that they still have room to work with.

Dealer one lowered the price but also some of the service as well.

I know what you mean, I wish people had said "go to the dealer because" or go to the indie guy because"

I guess I'm not really worried about who's going to do the oil change but I'm already thinking ahead about who's going to take care of my car. I don't really know a good mechanic around here. I used to go to a Honda guy for years (that's why we kept buying Hondas and bringing them to him) but eventually he retired. I've tried various places but never could find that person you really trust, you know.

[watersoilair]

5) Oh, and just for the sport of it, I went to another independent mechanic, about 10 miles from where I live, pretty highly recommended on Yelp:

Their price (they were thorough and gave me a computer print-out of what Toyota requires them to do for a Yaris that age, at that mileage (which is the same as what I typed above) $200.

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I would definitely go with these guys. While like the guy before said that it's unlikely they'll find something wrong (which is probably true), what happens if he does?? How much is he going to charge you to fix that newfound problem?

Also, these people were upfront and honest...doing it by the book. (obviously they're charging more than the poorly rated Toyota dealer - but you'd be giving the small guy some money)