My shifter cable snapped, (I've never dealt with mechanics before) So I followed up on some posts here on TGO, ppl said get GM parts will work best and more reliable once installed.

So I went to a GM dealer (Briar Wood on Lakeshore and Mississauga Rd.) And for new cable installation : labour $170, and cable item purchase of $92. So that's $262... I would do it myself, but no tools whatsever and no time at all. Was that price fair? To me it seems a bit wacked for a job like that. Any shops do fair/honest job?

 

That is expensive but I think all mechanics are expensive. Likely took them about a half an hour to do it but they used the book rate which is likely about 2 hours or so.

With a car as old as a 3rd gen, you will have to do some/all wrenching yourself. Little things will come up from time to time and will nickle and dime you to death with repair costs. If you only pay for the part, it is very affordable.

Buy tools as you need them, not everything at once. Usually doing the job yourself and having to buy the tools is cheaper than someone else doing it for you. Then you have the tool wich can be used for many other things. Don't buy cheap stuff. Craftsman and Mastercraft make decent hand tools with a lifetime warrenty and are reasonably priced. Buy them when they go on sale.

 

Wish I had the precious time to use the tools that I don't even have yet. I need to have to find someone to fix it in this case. Will ya?lol

 

It isn't done yet? How are you able to drive the car?

If you want I can install the new cable but I'm way out in Ajax. I am also going away on Monday for 2 weeks so you would have to come out before then. Today/tomorrow/sunday is fine if you want to do that.

 

Your first problem is that you went to a STEALERSHIP to get a quote . Never ever ever go to a dealership for repairs unless you want to be raped financially. Also if you join this club http://www.ccfbg.com/ and become a paid member($15 bux) you will have access to a number of club sponsers(3 GM Dealers), this will allow you to get the GM parts you need at a club dicounted price, the bonus for you is that they are all in the west end. There might even be a few repair shops on the list that will do that job for alot less.

 

You already have the GM List price on the cable- so go to the local mechanic you know and trust (I assume you've had a car or three fixed before) and they can order the cable for you and still charge you the price you were quoted (all garages get a discount from GM)- then you can work with their labour rate and time quote- $170.00 sounds like 2 hours, which may not be too obscene as the console has to be removed and reinstalled as well- but I'd bet alot of guys would do it for 1 hour's labor at a lower rate (dealerships charge the highest labour rate around).

 

Hi

All dealers will burn you for their work. And that sucks but better to have it done right and safe than unsafe.

speedmachine

 

While camping just last week, the mechanic guy up north only charges $40 an hour for labour. Had a couple of mechanical glitches with the Suburban while in the bush. Lucky I always bring a spare battery. $40 to repair a leaky fuel line and then the alt. went the following week. $15 to insall a new one. Can't beat that. Never find rates anywhere close to that in the GTA. First time I had anybody fix anything for me in about 18 years. I had the tools to do the alt. but for $15 and 34C temp + humidity, I let him do it.