Repair Cost Question

I have a 1996 Firebird and have been told that it needs a major tune up, new plugs and new wires. The mechanic quoted me $325, ~$145 for parts and $180 for labor. It seems about twice what it should. Does anyone have any thoughts? The mechanic told me it is very time comsuming to replace the wires and that is why the labor cost was high.

I have a 1996 Firebird and have been told that it needs a major tune up, new plugs and new wires. The mechanic quoted me $325, ~$145 for parts and $180 for labor. It seems about twice what it should. Does anyone have any thoughts? The mechanic told me it is very time comsuming to replace the wires and that is why the labor cost was high.

heh.. replacing wires takes 1 min... Plugs takes about 5-10 min... I'd just buy the plugs and wires you want and put them in yourself. Depending on what the mechanic was going to do for the "tune up" then the price might be appropriate... but if its just plugs and wires, then you'd be paying WAYYY too much...

that was my thought and I am tempted to try it myself although I have never done it before. Thanks for the reply.

Anyone have a recommendation on the best spark plugs and/or wires for the money?

Is this a V6 firebird? $325 is cheap. My '94 LT1 was quoted around $1200 or $1500 at the dealer and $700 by a private mechanic. Just take a look and make sure you can get to everything before trying to do it yourself. Some of these tune-ups take a lift and more labor than you might expect.

yes, it's a V6. And that's a good suggestion. I will be sure to check out the access iissue first. As far as what the mechanic has said he will do: all he has written on the quote ticket is...

"Tune up"
Plugs $71.76
Wires $73.29
Labor $180.00

He charges $60 an hour so he estimated it would take 3 hours. If he's gonna do more, he didn't indicate it on my quote sheet.

yes, it's a V6. And that's a good suggestion. I will be sure to check out the access iissue first. As far as what the mechanic has said he will do: all he has written on the quote ticket is...

"Tune up"
Plugs $71.76
Wires $73.29
Labor $180.00

He charges $60 an hour so he estimated it would take 3 hours. If he's gonna do more, he didn't indicate it on my quote sheet.

if yours is a V6 then there is a problem with getting to some spark plugs, which if i'm not mistaken requires the lift/loosening on the engine. Which in turn will cost more money, crazy I'd say.That was also the reason the factory used platinum tip spark plugs, so one would not have to change that often. But if you ask me personally, I'd say that is a lot of money, still! I'd figure a way to do it myself. I'd get some AC Delco plugs at Discount auto or such and the wires from GM, and do spent a weekend...
...just my personal opinion...

i owned a 96 with a v6 six and it was alot but what they have to do makes it cheap. i thought i was getting ripped so i stayed and watched the guy and he had to use the lift to get to the back plugs to get around the heatshields an the wires and he also checked the coil resistances to make sure that they were in spec (they are 65.00 each) and the iridium plugs that the factory calls for are expensive. he did not have to loosen the motor or anything buyt i would say take it to the shop that is the same thing that i paid at the dealer.

getting to the plugs on those is a pain in the ass thats why they priced it high.

So it sounds like the labor cost is not too far out of whach because of the complexity of changing the plugs. What about the parts? Are those platinum plugs that expensive? And it sounds like i should go with the top of the line since it's such a pain to change them...

So it sounds like the labor cost is not too far out of whach because of the complexity of changing the plugs. What about the parts? Are those platinum plugs that expensive? And it sounds like i should go with the top of the line since it's such a pain to change them...

yes you should go with the top of the line...

I have a 1996 V6 and have changed the plugs myself twice.... It's a bitch... and just b/c I am female and did it doesn't mean any guy can do it. It took me about 6 hours, just open the hood and take a look at where those suckers are. That is waaaaaaaay cheap as long as you are getting the good plugs and wires... and make sure that you have an agreement for the price should the labor take longer than expected... cuz it will. Also, cuz I do most of my own work, minus the new fuel pump I had to get put in, I missed a lot of "computer upgrades" I don't know if thay actually exist, but i got it upgraded for free... which usually happens during shop tune-ups should there be an upgrade available. My car ran a lot better after the upgrades....

the plugs that the factory calls for are the iridium plugs not platnum you don't use iridium and you will be replacing them in 3000 miles there is a big difference in the twos heat ranges

thanks for the input everyone. I went and bought 6 A/C Delco iridium plugs and a set of wires for $75. I am going to try to install them myself. Even if I can't, I still saved money on the parts.

yes, it's a V6. And that's a good suggestion. I will be sure to check out the access iissue first. As far as what the mechanic has said he will do: all he has written on the quote ticket is...

"Tune up"
Plugs $71.76
Wires $73.29
Labor $180.00

He charges $60 an hour so he estimated it would take 3 hours. If he's gonna do more, he didn't indicate it on my quote sheet.


Way too much on the tuneup..

Had my plugs changed at Pep Boys the other day....$6.00 for the plugs, $60 for the labor. Needed the wires changed also but they wanted $144.00 labor for that. Tried to do it myself and now I see why.

Bought wires, $26.99 at O'Reilly's for Borg Warner Premiums