:eek: Actually, went to the ASE site (Automotive Service Excellence) to see if there was another local place that I could go to for a second estimate. I learned that (1) the place I took my car to, is not listed on ASE even though it's on their business card and (2) found a long established place that is and is also a "best of the bay area" kind of places. So, tomorrow we'll see what their estimate is.

I know it is necessary and I try to do all the regular maintenance for the car and it has given me precious little trouble. But I really do hate car stuff, I don't know jack @%*!# about cars beyond where to put the gas pump and the key and I'm always fearful that some greedy mechanic is rubbing his hands together in glee seeing sucker all over my face. I know it's not the case this time, but sheesh......more money than I want to spend.

Is this the sign from the universe that my car is almost paid off (July) and will die right before?

If you do all the regular maintenance, it should last a long time. I'm currently driving a '90 Miata with 180k miles. One thing I would suggest is to check your oil when you fill up the tank. Normally it won't need it, but many times problems (like leaks) are obvious long before they become a problem.

no warranty left on it?
that sort of thing should surely be covered if so

Nope, I bought the car used, had an extended warranty which has since expired. 172k on the car (and it got loads of miles in commute in VA) it's a 1998 Buick. I really should not complain, I've had almost no trouble with it from day 1 in the 5+ years I've had it.

Well, I have to say, that is encouraging. Mine (in the post above) 172k and a 1998 Buick.

I will check the oil when I fill up. Go figure, the dumb computer sensor will hit the check engine light (and not tell you what might the problem be and it turns out the gas cap is not on tight enough) but won't tell you if there is a engine oil leak!

house special chicken + cream cheese wantons = food coma.

Snowflake I feel for you. I took mine in last week for regular maintenance. Needed timing belt and two new tires. Then while they've taken the whole engine apart they might as well put in a new water pump and some other belts. It ended up $1,100ish.

They also noticed that the struts were leaking. So now I need to get that done for an additonal $650ish. Bleh.

And to top it all off this weekend I was at the gas station and left the lights on. Pumped the gas, get in the car, totally dead battery. So after the AAA guy jumped me I had to go get a new battery. Lucikly it was just the battery and all the other systems checked out.

So I've had quite an expensive car repair run lately. Hopefully that's it.

I just saw a guest ask John Stamos if he worked here...

Hahaha, that's hilarious. Like anyone would hire John Stamos.

Hired our Coastermatt, didn't they? :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:


:p