Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting do mechanics really charge women more?

Maybe it's just me. I've had really bad luck with my car. I have a 1997 SE, V6 purchased at the end of 96. It just passed the 60K mark, and I've taken it in to have it looked for regular maintenance. They came back with a bunch of problems. I've had bad experiences with mechanics before, both independent and dealers so I thought I would check here to see if these problems seem plausible and/or are common.

1) "you must have hit something in the road. there is a hole in the muffler, which is causing a leak." He says to replace the muffler, since it is a welded unit, I would have to replace all the other things from thereon back (including the cat conv?). Price: $338 (He also said I need to get it fixed asap because when I stop, exhaust is coming into the car.. but I haven't smelled anything.)

2) Both front and rear rotors are rusted (pitted). Rear brakes also has "sticky calipers". Front brakes also needs new pads. Last new front brake pads were about 12K miles ago so they might be low, but a bit quick? Price for rear: $515. Price for front (not including pads): $245.

I'm thinking of taking it to another place for a second opinion. Maybe someplace like Midas. I don't really have $1000 in my back pocket to throw at the car right now.. Any advice or comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

tnt

welcome to the ceg

take it somewhere else for a second opinion and see what you come up with


and " do mechanics really charge women more? "

i would charge a woman less not more

Well in my opinion, places like Midas are worse for being honest. I had one argue with me about something. I guess it was because I was a woman.

The Exhaust problem your car is 4 years old. I would think that any holes would be from rust caused by age. Not quite sure how long a regular exhaust system should last but I had a 92 Grandam that I did the exhaust 6 years later on and only because it actually fell off of the car.

The brakes, well it would depend on the kind of driving you do city or highway. It is possible that they could need to be changed but that does seem to kind of high price though because here in Canada my dealer would have charged me about $800.00 (Cdn). If I converted what they told you to Canadian Dollars would be over $1,000.00.

If I were you I would go somewhere else, just not a place like Midas unless you feel that they will be honest with you. Why not try a dealer unless those prices are from a dealer, try a different dealer. Good luck

Midas are the masters of the bait and switch where you go in for a $29.99 brake job and get sold on $750 worth of work so forget them...OTOH they can just cut the stock muffler out and weld a new one in, you do NOT need the whole system replaced and the other shop should be capable of the same thing. Price for rear brakes sounds awful steep and no, your pads shouldn't be worn out in 12k miles. Definitely take it in for a second opinion but ask around and find non-dealer places that others trust. Don't necessarily tell them you're there for a second opinion because shops (much like doctors) don't want to speak poorly of one another. IOW they're not going to say "those thieves!! no you don't need that work!". If you want an honest opinion take the car to to a respectable shop with specific driveability complaints (if any) and say you'd like an inspection. Make it clear you're not looking to restore the damned car to like-new condition, you just want it roadworthy and reliable and safe.

As for problem 1, your muffler, tell the jerk that looked at it to go scratch your arse! The dork is probably looking at the weep hole.

I also doubt you have ANY break problems requiring big bucks to fix.

There is a CEG Branch in PA. Post a msg on their board and I'll just bet that someone living nearby would be more than willing to come by, look over your car for you and give you the straight scoop.

Good luck!

Seek out other Repair shops. This one may be trying to make an extra buck or two off you.
My 96 SE has about 82K with the original exhaust system, which still looks good. Brakes lasted about 50k. Minor surface rusting is natural with any cast iron rotors; they will rust in a few minutes after washing your car!
Sticking calipers sounds like a ruse also.

Thank you for all the fast replies and advice. I really wasn't sure about replacing the muffler and everything else welded to it, and the very expensive brake jobs.
I guess the popular opinion is that I should get it looked at somewhere else, which I will do. As far as I can tell, the car drives fine (except for some - and been decreasing - vibration of the steering wheel between 55-65mph, which I thought was related to getting 2 new tires). Anyway, since the car drives fine I cannot complain about performance problems.
I guess I will try to be as vague as possible. Thank you again for the responses, and I'll post again if anything interesting develops.

tnt

Remember it is not just women, but they target ANYONE with a lack of knowledge about automobiles.

So true Antonio. Its funny that my wife's car goes in for annual inspection a few years back and Pep Boys calls with a list of things that they want to charge her to do. When I call them about it, talking the talk, suddenly there is only one thing to be done (and it isn't so mandatory as before).

tnt, too bad AAA doesn't have a diagnostic center out there like they do near Philly. They will give your car the once over and suggest repairs. They don't actually fix cars there, so you can then go to a mechanic with very specific instructions.

In Texas we have a chain named Brake Check that I have found to be fair in price. Not anywhere the price you were quoted.

A good shop is like a good doctor - hard to find. At least with the doctor you usually have insurance, your car on the other hand..........