exactly 7 years ago I paid $150 at the Toyota shop

[kc7jty]

I called them today and the same repair was quoted at $249.
Doesn't sound like 3 to 4% annual inflation to me.

Oh...and another thing, they said on the alphabet news tonight the "fed" pumped $160 billion into the economy to ease the current tight credit market. Where the heck did they get that $160 bil, off the printing presses?

[KA9VQF]

If there were a democrat in the Whitehouse the neocon’s would be screaming about “cooked books” but as lord Bush is still presiding there its just good economics.

Obviously you need to read this.Definition of inflation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation)

[KG4CGC]

Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 10 2007,17:00)]I called them today and the same repair was quoted at $249.
Doesn't sound like 3 to 4% annual inflation to me.

Oh...and another thing, they said on the alphabet news tonight the "fed" pumped $160 billion into the economy to ease the current tight credit market. Where the heck did they get that $160 bil, off the printing presses?
Heard that same story today on the radio.
Reminded me of Nazi Germany.

[K3XR]

We have a local dealer that sells Volvo and Toyota. #A fews years back they charged me $75.00 to the adjust the valves in a self adjusting engine, on a Volvo wagon, I owned. #I got my $75.00 back, that was the end of that dealer. #The only time I take any of my vehicles back to the dealer is for warranty work. #Found a great local guy who keeps them all in great shape.

[K3UD]

Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 11 2007,00:00)]I called them today and the same repair was quoted at $249.
Doesn't sound like 3 to 4% annual inflation to me.
In 2000 you paid $150 for the repair. In 2007 the same repair cost $250.

If the repair job had just matched the inflation rate of the time period you should have been quoted $179 for the repair. This is an overall inflation rate of 19%. Instead it looks like you are being a bit gauged because it went up 66%. Maybe the dealership just wants to make a bit more profit.

Inflation calculator (http://minneapolisfed.org/research/data/us/calc/)

The consumer price index largely depends on how the goods and services are weighted. Several administrations, in times of high inflation forced changes in what was weighted or just eliminated some items in order to mask what the real inflation was. Remember the WIN buttons? (Whip Inflation Now).

It could be worse. Many here will remember the 4 or 5 years in the late 70s/early 80s when we had double digit inflation. We are still feeling the damage from those days in so many ways.

As far as cooking the books is concerned, this is a trait shared by both parties.

73
George
K3UD

[n0jaa]

Imagine what replacing a fuel pump on a 2008 model would cost. Automakers seem to go out of their way these days to make it impossible for the average shade tree mechanic to work on their car. They do that so you'll have to take it to the dealer, where they can charge you an arm and a leg for the repair.

Also, nowadays they put so many gadgets, whatchacallits, doohickeys and widgets in the engine compartment that, when you open the hood, you can't even SEE the engine!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[kc7jty]

I bought the pump myself at NAPA this time and had it installed by a local mechanic who didn't mind me already having the part. The pump was $44.50 with tax and I paid the mechanic $72 which is his hourly rate for a total of $116.50.
Now I can only hope the job is done right.
I could have installed it myself if my can't bend over back wasn't so sore.

[W3MIV]

Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 11 2007,14:10)]I could have installed it myself if my can't bend over back wasn't so sore.
Get a lighter bindle.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[G0GQK]

This overcharging is world wide, the costs to repair cars in Britain is daylight robbery. The cost of parts from Volvo have always been expensive but now even VW are making cars which need expensive repairs after 30,000 miles. The replacement of timing belts is the biggest co. of the lot, there is one make of car where dealers charge about £500 to chane a belt because they have almost remove the engine from the chassis to get at the flimsy thing.

G0GQK

[KP3FT]

That's why I buy older cars; much easier to fix, less gadgets to go wrong, and a lot cheaper than paying someone to fix it. I look for ultra-simple cars. Now, when I see a really nice newer car, I don't feel envious in the least, only happy I don't have their outrageous repair bills, high insurance premiums, car payments, and stricter inspection guidelines.
73 Jeff KP3FT

[kc7jty]

Quote[/b] (KP3FT @ Aug. 11 2007,14:15)]That's why I buy older cars; much easier to fix, less gadgets to go wrong, and a lot cheaper than paying someone to fix it. #I look for ultra-simple cars. #Now, when I see a really nice newer car, I don't feel envious in the least, only happy I don't have their outrageous repair bills, high insurance premiums, car payments, and stricter inspection guidelines.
73 Jeff KP3FT
I live in Idaho. We don't HAVE no stinkin inspections.
BTW: How's everything in PONE-say?

[k0ews]

What I think sucks is how costly food is getting. Food has gone up quite a bit in the last year, and we can thank ethanol for it. Anything that contains corn, corn sweetener or is connected in any way with corn has gotten more expensive. Ethanol isn't any better for greenhouse emissions than gas, either. I will say, at least with the ethanol boom, the people making out are the ones near me as they are finally making money on their corn. Still, it sucks to go grocery shopping.

[wv6z]

Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 09 2007,23:00)]Where the heck did they get that $160 bil?
I loaned it to them, they said you would pay it back next Tuesday.

[kc7jty]

Quote[/b] (ku4my @ Aug. 11 2007,21:37)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 09 2007,23:00)]Where the heck did they get that $160 bil?
I loaned it to them, they said you would pay it back next Tuesday.
Get ready for a default. I only have half of it.

[W1GUH]

Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 09 2007,23:00)]I called them today and the same repair was quoted at $249.
Doesn't sound like 3 to 4% annual inflation to me.

Oh...and another thing, they said on the alphabet news tonight the "fed" pumped $160 billion into the economy to ease the current tight credit market. Where the heck did they get that $160 bil, off the printing presses?
Well, your car is seven years older. That's significant. The older the car gets, the more expensive it's gonna be to get it repaired by Toyota.

But...the good news is...you still CAN get it repaired by Toyota. I don't know how old the vehicle is...but there are a lot of other of manufacturers who wouldn't even take your business. After enough years, they just don't care. Toyota does, and will maintain your vehicle for years...for a price, of course.

I own a '92 Celica that I bought in '94. That car is still being maintained and repaired by Toyota. to factory standards. Yes, that's expensive, and, yes, I could save money doing what you've done. But the reason I keep paying Toyota to maintain that vehicle is that if I do that, the dependability of the vehicle, something that's very important to me, is still at the level it was when the car was new. Every time that car is in their shop they go over it carefully and let me know what needs attention. This inspection if free (well, included in the shop rates). They've done many, many, major jobs for me, most of which involved rubber parts, seals, belts, gaskets, etc. that deterioate over time and need replacement. I know when I let Toyota do these jobs for me, they're gonna do the job right, and I get the car back with the problem fixed. To me, that's worth the premium I pay over getting the part from a third party and doing the job myself, or haveing an independant garage do the job.

And, the dealer I deal with, Westchester Toyota in Yonkers, NY, does deal, and has a 10% discount on repairs of older cars, and the service advisor I deal with is a really good guy that makes getting service a pleasure (except, of course, what it costs.).

So...yep, fixing a car that's seven years older is gonna be more money than the last time. Has less to do with inflation than it has to do with the reality of vehicle maintenance. But know that what you're paying Toyota for is that the factory is going to support, and fix, your vehicle to Toyota standards, and, to me, that's worth the premium you'll pay for their parts and technicians.

Needless to say, after owning this car for 13 years, and having Toyota do all the maintenance and repairs, I'm very happy with the car, and the company. That's not overcharging, it's reality.

But, there was another aspect, about what the government just injected into the economy. Pity that post is fallen off the end of a "quote" screen.

I'll reply separately to that.

[W1GUH]

Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 09 2007,23:00)]I called them today and the same repair was quoted at $249.
Doesn't sound like 3 to 4% annual inflation to me.

Oh...and another thing, they said on the alphabet news tonight the "fed" pumped $160 billion into the economy to ease the current tight credit market. Where the heck did they get that $160 bil, off the printing presses?
Quote[/b] ]Oh...and another thing, they said on the alphabet news tonight the "fed" pumped $160 billion into the economy to ease the current tight credit market. Where the heck did they get that $160 bil, off the printing presses?

I had the exact same reaction. The way I put it is, If the economy is in such great shape as some say it is, why is this necessary? And I completely know what you say when you say, "Where the heck did they get that $160 bil, off the printing presses?"

I think that's accurate. Ever since ronnie, the economy has been artifically propped up by this kind of Bravo Sierra. To the point that we owe our soul to China. Heaven help us. There's gonna be h@#$ to pay.

[W1GUH]

One more thing....

Notwithstanding what I said about Toyota and dealer maintenance, it's true that there's a vast network of aftermarket parts suppliers and mechanics. And this is the kind of job where it's appropriate to take advantage of the cost savings. So, I didn't mean to imply that this is a bad way to go...it's a good way to go if you trust the mechanic and know he's good.

[kc7jty]

Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Aug. 11 2007,22:20)]it's a good way to go if you trust the mechanic and know he's good.
I'm in uncharted territory but I've known the guy's wife for 30 years...and I'll be keeping a close eye on that fuel pump.

[kc7jty]

Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ Aug. 11 2007,11:13)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 11 2007,14:10)]I could have installed it myself if my can't bend over back wasn't so sore.
Get a lighter bindle.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
My bindle's been hangin on the hook for over two years now. Things are winding down here uncle A. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[w2amr]

Quote[/b] (K3XR @ Aug. 11 2007,05:11)]We have a local dealer that sells Volvo and Toyota. #A fews years back they charged me $75.00 to the adjust the valves in a self adjusting engine, on a Volvo wagon, I owned. #I got my $75.00 back, that was the end of that dealer. #The only time I take any of my vehicles back to the dealer is for warranty work. #Found a great local guy who keeps them all in great shape.
I always tell people to stay away from dealerships unless it's warrantee work. If you can find an honest competent ,independent mechanic , treat them like they are your best friend. They are hard to find.

[ka5piu]

Hello.

I just rebuilt the engine on a Toyota corolla a month ago.
The engine was removed, everything tagged, very careful to make sure everything was exactly at factory spec.
The car was wonderful after that.
The woman who had the car was very happy, so happy that she let her son drive it.
Within 5 miles of home, he totalled it.
He went to a rock concert, and later a bar, so he was fizzled.
He decided that the pad mounted utility transformer was an excellent place to park a Toyota.
The poor woman only had liability, so between the 2, they have to pay the electric company a few grand.
But the car ran like a top!
Some say that the Lexus is "Just a Toyota".
A Cadillac is "Just a Chevy".
I, for one, really like the Toyota.

[KI6DCB]

Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 11 2007,11:10)]I bought the pump myself at NAPA this time and had it installed by a local mechanic who didn't mind me already having the part. The pump was $44.50 with tax and I paid the mechanic $72 which is his hourly rate for a total of $116.50.
Now I can only hope the job is done right.
I could have installed it myself if my can't bend over back wasn't so sore.
Wow! I do the same thing, and my rate is only $60 per hour -- in SoCal, no less! I'm robbing me.

[kc7rs]

Quote[/b] (ka5piu @ Aug. 12 2007,10:09)]Hello.

I just rebuilt the engine on a Toyota corolla a month ago.
A month ago? Two weeks ago you claimed you had just gotten back from Saudi Arabia.
Back, but not happy (http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=17;t=163627)
You wouldn't be telling stories would you?

[K8ERV]

Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 10 2007,22:00)]did they get that $160 bil, off the printing presses?
Nah, it was donated by the Nigerians---

Tom K8ERV Montrose Co.

[kc7jty]

Quote[/b] (K8ERV @ Aug. 14 2007,18:29)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Aug. 10 2007,22:00)]did they get that $160 bil, off the printing presses?
Nah, it was donated by the Nigerians---

Tom K8ERV Montrose Co.
pocket change for them considering all the loot they rip with their internet scams.

[kc7jty]

DEFECTIVE INSTALL I'm leaking oil from where the fuel pump bolts to the head. Now I have to take it back to the shop. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[KD6NIG]

Ouch.

As for the reasons for the increase, I'd count the following besides "greed":

I bet the hourly labor rate has increased $5/$10 easily.
I bet the part itself has gone up a few bucks too. Mostly due to "fuel surcharges" most shippers are charging now due to the higher cost of fuel (you can judge this however you wish).

I mean, I change my own oil, and the filter and oil itself have gone up a few bucks. Not enough to where taking it to Jiffy Lube or whatever would help (I'm sure they have gone up also) but it has gone up.

And its probably gone up faster than the rate of inflation http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Course, if you're going up $25 or so because of part and labor costs, might as well toss in another $25 for yourself, especially if the dealer nearby charges more than you still.....