The Craigslist Project

Recently the squealing coming from my car finally convinced me I needed brakes. So I priced brake work at many different shops and even got an estimate from one brake specialist. Since I’m on a pretty tight budget nowadays, I decided to see if I could cut the costs so I did a little investigating for my brakes and some other work I need. The results were eye opening. I will never go to an auto repair place again.

What I did was I went to Autozone and simply bought the needed parts on my various estimates myself. I then posted an ad on Craiglist for a mechanic to do some work for me. Someone emailed me and refered me to “Gus”, a very cool guy from Liberia who was skilled in Auto Pepair.

Here’s what I found.

1. Brakes

I got an inspection from BrakeMasters. They indicated I needed pads and rotors. Their estimate?

Brake Pads: $91
Rotors: $182
Labor: $140
Total: $413

Brake Pads: $18.99
Rotors: $80.00
Labor: $60
Total: $158.99

2. Tie Rod End

Firestone told me I needed a “outer front tie rod end”.

Part: $103.83
Labor: $70.20
Total: $174.03

Part: $25
Labor: $0 (included in brake work)
Total: $25

3. Transmission Service

Estimates again from Firestone.

Part: $50
Service: $70
Total: $120

Part: $25
Service: $50
Total: $75

4. Misc Service

Estimates also from Firestone:

Winshield Wipers: $21.98
Labor: $6.00
Headlight: $10.99
Labor: $23.60
Air Filter: $13.99
Labor: $20.00
Total: $96.56

Air Filter: $8.00
Windshield Wipers: $6.00
Headlight: $5.00
Labor: did myself, I’m not completed retarded.
Total: $19.00

Do all the math, and I saved $525.60 by simply buying the parts at Autozone and putting an ad on Craigslist.

I understand auto shops need to make money, but that’s just fucking ridiculous.

Oh, the car runs perfectly.