Indie Mechanic - Reasonable?
12-01-12, 01:28 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Indie Mechanic - Reasonable?
I cannot afford dealer repairs, and since this is fairly basic maintenance, I am not too worried about an indie mechanic (who has worked on other first gen Lexus) doing the work. He seems really reliable, etc. For $200 (labor only), here is what he said he could do. Is this a good deal? What do you think? Would appreciate feedback.
-change engine oil
-drain and fill transmission and differential & fix leaking trans pan
-change coolant
-change brake fluid
-put on new brake pads, front and back (get rotors sanded, if needed)
-and a few other minor things, like replacing a tail light bulb, etc.
-change engine oil
-drain and fill transmission and differential & fix leaking trans pan
-change coolant
-change brake fluid
-put on new brake pads, front and back (get rotors sanded, if needed)
-and a few other minor things, like replacing a tail light bulb, etc.
Last edited by PlotPoint; 12-01-12 at 01:30 PM. Reason: add info
12-01-12, 01:33 PM
#3
Welcome to Club Lexus.
$200 is a good price for all that service. If he is a good Lexus mechanic that is.
Where in CA are you?
There are past thread discussions on independent mechanics in the So. Cal section:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/cl-...alifornia-149/
Nor Cal:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/nor...exus-club-138/
For the tranny, make sure the fluid used is Toyota Type IV. There are others but for simplicity sake, I'm mentioning it.
$200 is a good price for all that service. If he is a good Lexus mechanic that is.
Where in CA are you?
There are past thread discussions on independent mechanics in the So. Cal section:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/cl-...alifornia-149/
Nor Cal:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/nor...exus-club-138/
For the tranny, make sure the fluid used is Toyota Type IV. There are others but for simplicity sake, I'm mentioning it.
12-01-12, 01:43 PM
#4
Lexus Champion
yes, $200 in labor is a great deal to just get the brakes done, much less everything else! 
but talk to people that have used him before - a dishonest or incompetent mechanic is not a bargain at any price!
but talk to people that have used him before - a dishonest or incompetent mechanic is not a bargain at any price!
12-01-12, 02:04 PM
#5
$200 for labour on a brake job is a good deal?
Man, I'm charging too little! Come to think of it, I don't even remember it being that much at the dealer.
What you are getting sounds reasonable for the price, figure 1.5hrs for the oil service, tranny pan seal and doc service, another .5hr for the coolant flush, 1.5hr for brake service including turning the rotorsplus another .5 for a brake flush... Plus the other stuff which is probably courtesy work but probably another .5-1hr... All for $200 is a good deal for sure! That's 4+hrs of labour for $200.... Unless he's loss-leading you, of course.
Man, I'm charging too little! Come to think of it, I don't even remember it being that much at the dealer.
What you are getting sounds reasonable for the price, figure 1.5hrs for the oil service, tranny pan seal and doc service, another .5hr for the coolant flush, 1.5hr for brake service including turning the rotorsplus another .5 for a brake flush... Plus the other stuff which is probably courtesy work but probably another .5-1hr... All for $200 is a good deal for sure! That's 4+hrs of labour for $200.... Unless he's loss-leading you, of course.
12-01-12, 03:31 PM
#6
That is a good deal.
From experience,
oil change, takes about 30 minutes, normally costs, $25-$50
Trans drain and fill, takes 30 minutes, cost*: $25-$50
Trans pan reseal, Takes 1 hour, cost*: $50-$100
Coolant change, takes 1-2 hours depending on how familiar with the ls400 cooling system, Cost*: 50-200
New brakes+ fluid, takes 1-2 hours more if rotors are done, Cost: 50-200+
Tail light, 0.5-1.5 hours,Cost* 25-150
So average time for all this work is, 4.5 - 7.5 hours, averaging $225-$750 depending on the shop.
Anyway you look at it $200 is a good price for all of that.
* work that I have only done myself and have never paid someone to do, so these are just estimates.
From experience,
oil change, takes about 30 minutes, normally costs, $25-$50
Trans drain and fill, takes 30 minutes, cost*: $25-$50
Trans pan reseal, Takes 1 hour, cost*: $50-$100
Coolant change, takes 1-2 hours depending on how familiar with the ls400 cooling system, Cost*: 50-200
New brakes+ fluid, takes 1-2 hours more if rotors are done, Cost: 50-200+
Tail light, 0.5-1.5 hours,Cost* 25-150
So average time for all this work is, 4.5 - 7.5 hours, averaging $225-$750 depending on the shop.
Anyway you look at it $200 is a good price for all of that.
* work that I have only done myself and have never paid someone to do, so these are just estimates.
12-01-12, 03:58 PM
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
Wow. Great responses. Thank you to everyone for this helpful info, for the links and product recommendations too. OK, I will give him the go ahead. Am in SoCal, btw. He's experienced and will know what he is doing -- not too worried about that. I will definitely use only Toyota recommended fluids and/or parts. I'm looking at my older dealer invoices (used to get car serviced at dealer) to get proper part numbers, etc. Really looking forward to seeing how much better the car will respond after getting some much needed TLC! Thanks again to all.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nm67304
NELOC
5
01-19-12 12:08 PM
