The dealer would have charged you $500 and told you they had to replace the Flux Capacitor.

 

Yeah. The nearby dealership here - in the SF Bay Area - uses $240/hr labor rates. And, book labor of course.

But, the parts guy said that my front license plate holder bracket would be in tomorrow. And that if I asked nicely, one of the service writers would probably install it for free in just a couple of minutes. :-) So, I can't say they're all bad.

I've done mostly my own work on all my cars since my first Mustang in 1973. And, I was in the car hobby and restored a few. And worked with other car guys on theirs and mine.

But, I'm older now. Not nearly as flexible. And hate laying on the garage floor. So, while I'll continue doing my own work on all my hobby cars. My two Lexus' will be going to the dealer for anything other than minor work. My back feeling better is almost an offset to my the pain in my wallet.

But, I'll still work on my hobby cars. I don't have to rush those and can start and stop whenever I feel like it. (69 Camaro Z/28, 76 IH Scout Terra, 76 Cad Seville - diesel, 87 Mercedes 300 SDL, 2003 Suzuki Burgman 650).