I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
down.

The final count:

1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
$154 with delivery.

2. The shop performed the following services at my request:

- Front brakes installation
- Tire rotation
- Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
- Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
- Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
- Regular oil/filter change;
- Change fuel filter;
- General safety/obvious weak points inspection.

Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
$170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
and the rest is other parts/supplies).

All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
Any comments?

SimGar

Simon Garfunkel wrote:

> I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
> It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
> and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
> down.
>
> The final count:
>
> 1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
> ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
> $154 with delivery.
>
> 2. The shop performed the following services at my request:
>
> - Front brakes installation
> - Tire rotation
> - Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
> - Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
> pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
> - Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
> - Regular oil/filter change;
> - Change fuel filter;
> - General safety/obvious weak points inspection.
>
> Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
> $170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
> and the rest is other parts/supplies).
>
> All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
> to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
> troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
> the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
> Any comments?
>
> SimGar
>

If the shop has experience with soobs, they likely did a good job with
the coolant change. It can be tricky to burp all the air out. I guess
the PCV valve/system got changed/cleaned?
Also, can't help wondering about the timing belt condition.

otherwise, seems reasonable.

--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

Simon Garfunkel wrote:
> I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
> It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
> and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
> down.
>
> The final count:
>
> 1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
> ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
> $154 with delivery.
>
> 2. The shop performed the following services at my request:
>
> - Front brakes installation
> - Tire rotation
> - Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
> - Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
> pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
> - Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
> - Regular oil/filter change;
> - Change fuel filter;
> - General safety/obvious weak points inspection.
>
> Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
> $170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
> and the rest is other parts/supplies).
>
> All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
> to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
> troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
> the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
> Any comments?
>
> SimGar
>
Whether you got a good deal or a smokin' deal depends on where you live.
Here in northern NY it's a heck of a lot harder to get brake bleeders
loose and to change fuel filters than it is in Arizona or So. Cal.

On Thu, 07 Jun 2007 23:04:50 -0400, Steve Austin <saustin4@twcny.rr.com> wrote:

>Simon Garfunkel wrote:

>> The final count:
>>
>> 1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
>> ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
>> $154 with delivery.
>>
>> 2. The shop performed the following services at my request:
>>
>> - Front brakes installation
>> - Tire rotation
>> - Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
>> - Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
>> pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
>> - Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
>> - Regular oil/filter change;
>> - Change fuel filter;
>> - General safety/obvious weak points inspection.
>>
>> Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
>> $170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
>> and the rest is other parts/supplies).
>>
>> All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
>> to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
>> troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
>> the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
>> Any comments?
>>
>> SimGar
>>
>Whether you got a good deal or a smokin' deal depends on where you live.
>Here in northern NY it's a heck of a lot harder to get brake bleeders
>loose and to change fuel filters than it is in Arizona or So. Cal.

Why would changing fuel filter be harder in different places?
I am in Southern WI.

SimGar

On Jun 7, 11:11 pm, Simon Garfunkel <S...@nospam.com> wrote:
>
> Why would changing fuel filter be harder in different places?
> I am in Southern WI.
>
> SimGar


Road salt does some real funny stuff to things like that.

Simon Garfunkel <S.G@nospam.com> writes:
> I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
> It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
> and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
> down.
>
> The final count:
>
> 1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
> ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
> $154 with delivery.
>
> 2. The shop performed the following services at my request:
>
> - Front brakes installation
> - Tire rotation
> - Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
> - Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
> pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
> - Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
> - Regular oil/filter change;
> - Change fuel filter;
> - General safety/obvious weak points inspection.
>
> Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
> $170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
> and the rest is other parts/supplies).
>
> All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
> to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
> troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
> the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
> Any comments?

Sounds like you did fine. Much better than I did at my 100k service
at an independent at least.


--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA

On Thu, 07 Jun 2007 21:54:26 -0500, Carl 1 Lucky Texan <alckytxn@swbell.not>
wrote:

>Simon Garfunkel wrote:
>
>> I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
>> It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
>> and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
>> down.
>>
>> The final count:
>>
>> 1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
>> ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
>> $154 with delivery.
>>
>> 2. The shop performed the following services at my request:
>>
>> - Front brakes installation
>> - Tire rotation
>> - Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles);
>> - Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
>> pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
>> - Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
>> - Regular oil/filter change;
>> - Change fuel filter;
>> - General safety/obvious weak points inspection.
>>
>> Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
>> $170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
>> and the rest is other parts/supplies).
>>
>> All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
>> to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
>> troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
>> the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
>> Any comments?
>>
>> SimGar
>>
>
>If the shop has experience with soobs, they likely did a good job with
>the coolant change. It can be tricky to burp all the air out. I guess
>the PCV valve/system got changed/cleaned?

It's a "Foreign car service" and from what I've seen, they do mostly
Subarus and Volvos. As for PCV, I guess I have no idea but the sheet
states "reattached breather hose for PCV system". Whatever it means.
PCV valve is certainly not on the list of parts. I seem to remember
it's a cheap part? How important is it to check it? Is it easy to
clean or is it advisable to change?

>Also, can't help wondering about the timing belt condition.

Did not mention that explicitely. It was changed by Subaru 30K
miles ago, so I imagine it should be fine. Also, according
to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_EJ_engine , this
car has non-interference engine, so perhaps I don't have to
be anal about timing belt in the future?

>otherwise, seems reasonable.

Hope so.

Simon Garfunkel wrote:

>I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
>It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
>and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
>down.

>The final count:

>1. I bought front brake rotors (Brembo), pads (Akebono ProACT
>ceramic pads, axle set), Subaru OEM fuel filter. Combined cost
>$154 with delivery.

>2. The shop performed the following services at my request:

>- Front brakes installation
>- Tire rotation
>- Brake fluid change (hasn't been changed for 3 .years/35K miles);
>- Coolant change (hasn't been changed for 3 years/35K miles, its
> pH was close to 7.0 while normal is supposed to be >8.5);
>- Gear oil change (has never been changed before in this car);
>- Regular oil/filter change;
>- Change fuel filter;
>- General safety/obvious weak points inspection.

>Total paid to the shop was $442 which is broken into:
>$170 brake job labor, $180 other job labor, $23 taxes
>and the rest is other parts/supplies).

>All in all, it went right under $600. This sounds reasonable
>to me, particularly since the car does not seem to show any
>troubles. But then, I have no idea having always bringing
>the car to Subaru dealer before. What do you guys think?
>Any comments?

>SimGar

If's the work's all been done, if you're happy and if you'd go back there,
then it's a good price. Cheers

If you really wanted ot save money, you should have dont it yourself.
Otherwise the prices looked OK.

Simon Garfunkel <S.G@nospam.com> wrote in
news:10ch63l9femmi7p7773kteif59supvbrb0@4ax.com:

>
> I just took my Subaru Impreza 1993 FWD from independent mechanic.
> It has 98,000 miles on it. This was my first time in that shop
> and I wonder how I did with regard to trying to keep the cost
> down.
>
> The final count:
>

<snip details of servicing>


Nobody up to now has congratulated you for being in a small minority of car
owners. You are part of that minority that actually maintains their cars.
Let me be the first here to give you "two thumbs up" for your diligence.

The prices you paid look reasonable to me. But more than that, even if you
had paid more, down the line you are saving yourself untold amounts of
money, time, and grief, by simply maintaining your vehicle as the
manufacturer intended.

I am convinced that, generally speaking, most modern car problems are
simply the result of neglect and/or incompetent servicing.

My mechanic tells me 90% of people never even check their oil, much less
change it or do anything else...until something breaks.

--
Tegger