My VW Repair Costs

Vehicle: 2002 Volkswagen Passat, 1.8 Turbo

Codes as a result of the diagnostic test:

16684, 16685, 16686 & 16687. This means that "all 4 cylinders are misfiring" and need new spark plugs.

17544 means "fuel trim lean"

16502 means "ECT or ELT High input" (can't make out the tech's writing)

16795 means "Secondary Air Injection"

16891 means "Idle too high"

Because of the aforementioned codes:

Spark plugs: 28.22x4 = 112.88 + 46.42 labor
Hoses & Clamps: 54.60 + 46.42 labor
Rotors 97.93 x 2= 195.86
brake pads = 105.96 + 92.84 labor
Tire 86.42
Diagnostic Test: 139.26
Shop fee: 25.00 (parts) + 25.00 (labor) [Shop fee?! I'm already paying for parts and labor!!]
Taxes: 24.55

Total Estimate: 955.21

Time: 1 day in the shop to examine, 1 day in the shop to repair. Picked up at COB on the second day.

Total Paid: 873.66 (Thanks, Rich, for finding cheaper spark plugs and for deducting 40 bucks to assuage my hate)

Day 3: Car running nicely, however the "Check Engine" light is on. Again.

Forgiveness

...is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it.

-Mark Twain

Trusted Mechanic, Anyone?

This HAS to be THE most USEFUL piece of information EVER!!!!

Took the car into the shop today. Estimate: 1200 bucks.

Online search reveals the parts are very inexpensive. We're being raked for labor. Now please don't misunderstand - I don't mind paying for labor. I _prefer_ to pay for labor. It's only fair. But for the Pete's sake, do they always have to gouge and twist the blade while it's in there?

I called my buddy and he gave me a name of a guy his father knows. Isn't this always the best way? Why can't mechanics just be mechanics and stop raking desperate ignoramuses over the coals!!!

Hello, My Negro

"I use it all the time. It's in all the history books I read." - from a black (African American) friend of mine.

"We don't say that word." - from a white (Caucasian) friend of mine.

"El gato negro!" - from Dora the Explorer.

If it's not said in hate, is it a lack of respect?

Quote of the Day

(From RSS feed in Gmail)

"Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win."

--Bobby Knight

Don't Cheat Me

You look so sleek and put together, and your face is so kind.You smile at me and watch my kids and we share our holidays together. We talk into the early hours of tomorrow and share secrets and ambitions - and I grow to love and admire you and hold you in high esteem.

That is until you cheat me out of my fantasy that you're a good person who will be loyal and honest and true. At first I couldn't believe the vindictiveness it meant you possess - the ability to lie and sneak and slither wouldn't have been how I described you. To this day I still believe that the person I grew to love is buried beneath this new, ugly monster that has overcome you.

I weep for losing you; still, I would come to you if you called.

Quote of the Day

'To say people must have a passport to travel and not give people a passport is right up there in the stupid column.'—Representative Heather Wilson of New Mexico

Story

The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006)

This documentary was pretty cool, although I don't feel it really tackled major issues in depth. It is a great up-close view of John Lennon via archived footage as he moves on from the Beatles to being an anti-war activist.

The best part is hearing from the horse's mouth about the political involvement brought upon John (and Yoko) by the US government because of their fear of his influence and power.

The U.S. vs. John Lennon

Memo: Religion Cancelled

Also affected: race, sexual orientation, money.