Seeking Advice on "Recommendations" from the Dealer

Hello All,

This is my first post, and I am not very knowledgable with cars (which is why I joined this site, to get help from those who are) so please bear with me.

I just took my 99 Civic LX 4 door with 170,000 miles into the dealer because it stalled on me on the freeway. I was overdue on the Timing belt, so I am getting that replaced. I got their "Basic Major Service" as well. After all this, of course they had some recommendations, which I am looking for advice on:

-Replace Cracked Exhaust Manifold - ~$800 bucks - is this necessary? I just recently passed my smog test (i am in CA).

-Spark plugs/wires/caps - etc: ~$391 - I will probably get this done elsewhere.

-Right Tie rod and Rear trailer arm bushing - These either need to be replaced or adjusted, and then they say I would have to get the entire thing aligned - ~$375 for the Right Tie rod and ~$599 for the Bushing. They would give me a discount if I did both.

Are any of these necessary, and if so, would going to a non-dealer/using aftermarket parts be a bad idea?

Thanks,
BT1113

Most all of that is "necessary" but it sounds like they're charging quite a bit...$800 for the exhaust manifold is absurd and it's still drivable without getting it fixed. If the tie rod is no good I WOULD get that replaced but you might want to take it someplace else to make sure that it really does need replacing. That price for the manifold really has me questioning this stealership...

*edit* just noticed the the price for the spark plugs, wires, and cap...that's just crazy! You could do that yourself in about an hour at the most even with very little mechanical knowhow.

That price for the manifold really has me questioning this stealership...

*edit* just noticed the the price for the spark plugs, wires, and cap...that's just crazy! You could do that yourself in about an hour at the most even with very little mechanical knowhow.

Thanks Andydg, I appreciate the info. I will definitely shop around a little bit now knowing that none of this is making my car "undriveable." Damn dealerships... BUt it's really my on fault for not knowing enough about my car. Thanks to forums like this and people like you, I get some help. I'll probably look for a service manual so that I can atleast try and do the sparkplugs.

plugs and wires are a great starter project if you have no automotive knowledge. get a chiltons or haynes service manual and youll never take your car to a dealer again.

i bet you could even do the header yourself if thats what is cracked?? its only about 20 somethin bolts, a case of beer, and an afternoon out of your life..got any car buddies that could help??

its only about 20 somethin bolts, a case of beer, and an afternoon out of your life..got any car buddies that could help??

There are probably a few people that I could ask to help. Do I need any special tools, like a wrench that indicates the torque being applied, etc?

nah just a ratchet wrench and extension should be fine..most tool kits come with a specific attachment for spark plugs..or just go to autozone and pick one up..should only be a few bucks

The tie rod/bushings are the only thing that slightly worries me @ this point. Everything else can be done some other time or by your self.