Hi guys the local big o wants to charge me $160 for a wheel alignment. They're charging me extra because my car is lowered. Is that too much?

 

Shop around! Most alignment places really give lowered/lifted vehicles a hard time about it. I remember they quoted me $200 for my lifted titan. Went to another place that did it for around $100. $160 does sound a little high, does that include a warranty at all?
I know Big O offers alignment warranties for a premium. I end up taking my cars to a dealership, and the guy that does all the alignment there also does some of the time attack cars locally. It is a matter of finding someone local that does a good job but does not charge you ridiculous prices. Like I said shop around and ask lots of questions.

 

How low is the car? Anyway I paid 75 for mine to get aligned 2" low, with now problems!!

 

Yes, it is too much!!!!

 

Too much. I got a coilover adjustment and a custom alignment for $160.
I would also suggest staying away from franchise places to work on a modded car. Tuner shops usually know exactly what they're dealing with when they see a modded car and are much more equipped and experienced to help you.

 

+1 On too much. Unless you have crazy amounts of camber (i'm going to guess no because you're asking about alignments) or need some parts replaced that is a lot higher than i would pay. I also agree that you should take it to a more aftermarket friendly shop.

Thank you,
Irving

 

This right here.
If they can't accomodate a lowered car with their current equipment then they don't deserve your business and probably don't have much if any experience with lowered cars. Shop around and you can probably find a place who'll do it for a more reasonable price. A simple alignment should only run you $100-$130, especially if you're running pretty vanilla numbers of camber and toe and have nothing broken.

 

It's all about the tech doing the work, not the location you go to that matters. I went to all the 'chain shops' asking about getting a lance alignment done. Pretty much they all looked at me sideways and quoted ridiculous amounts for a 'custom' job with zero warranty.

Smartest move I made was to drive down to the local track where there is a huge shop that builds custom cars. Pretty much everyone I talked to in the shop, and also a number of drivers said they all took their car to a specific guy at a local chain shop.

Not only did he do the job, but guaranteed the work, and even after 2 return trips for fine tuning, he never gets upset and actually seems to enjoy the job as it's a break from the standard mommy wagon job he does all day long.

And the price... $100

 

For $160, you can get the lifetime alignment deal from Firestone and get it tweaked weekly for the next 10 years, if it suits you. The local place is always happy to align to custom specs and has never mentioned my other car being lowered as an issue.

 

Check you local tire shops. My old sc got done for 40$ and it all came out perfect on the charts.

 

$80 here. Although Im not as low as some of the other SC's here, I have never paid anymore than that.

 

The two alignments I had in 2013 and 2014 were both under $60. Lowered and wide tires.... No crazy specs and the car rides great. Almost due for a tune up alignment...

 

Should be able to get a good 4 whl alignment for about 80 to 100$. I get mine done @ a small local guy who does imports, cost me 40$. How'd your paint job come out?

 

my car is pretty low,had no problems at pepboys, they did it for $60

 

That's way too much money. Most shops charge $70-$100. My local Lexus dealership charges $150 but they're one of the few places that can align a super slammed cars.

Firestone has Lifetime Alignments for $150 in my area as well. I don't think it's available in every state though.