To BUY or NOT to BUY: AC Condensor

Hey you guys,
I went to the mechanic to check out my a/c. Turns out my condensor is bad. So they want to charge me $100 for the condensor, and $90 for installation and recharge. Total $190.

OR....

I could go to a junkyard, get one for $27 (It's $157 new). Install it myself and only get charged for recharging the ac unit which would be $20. For a total of $47.

I was checking out the service manual and it seems pretty time consuming to take out the condensor. So many parts to take off to do it the right way. Its either time or money. So I want to see if its worth taking the time to do replace the condensor myself or not. Have any of you replaced one before??

I'm leaving for Arizona this weekend, I need my A?C up and running cause im gonna bring my girlfriend on the way back, so I need an answer fast. Thx.

Just go the mechs, 200$ is not that bad and you will have a warranty. AC is breaks all the time, I wouldn't take chances.

well u will need to charge it and make sure u don't bend the AC lines too!
so its not hard to do but its is kina time consuming.
i would get a used unit, why buy a new part that will out last the life of r car?

Hey you guys,
Its either time or money.

but... Time IS Money right?:grinyes:

ok, well anyway, Im voting for buying the new part, theres a chance you will screw soemthing up doing it yourself and costing more money, and besides, the used ac could go at any time also :-/

go without ac... when she starts complaining that its hot.. tell her to get naked.

go without ac... when she starts complaining that its hot.. tell her to get naked.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL
:smokin:

LOL, yeah well unfortunately we have her little sister coming with us, so she cant do that. Anyways, thanks for the tips. I got the used condenser out of a parts yard on tuesday. $65 with a 6 month warranty. I couldnt believe how many people were asking if i was selling my coupe.
Went to Mexico, left my car at the mechanic, came back a few hours later and it was all done. So in total it was $155. Not bad. I also got my windows tinted for $28 bucks and replaced my rusty muffler. All i need is a detail on my car (or just a car wash and vacuum inside) and im ready to roll for friday.

shes gotta learn sometime...or... blindfold...

Hey you guys just got back on monday. Did 6 hours going from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico to San Diego, California. Car was excellent. Was able to keep up good speed, AC was all good, muffler was quiet and the car didnt even heat up. It was great. Hit a bird on the freeway, got a warning from the police on the way over there the first time, my nokia phone kept me entertained with mp3 all the way and saw 2 cops on the highway on my way back only. Not bad considered i did 2 round trips. I love my car and the rest of my girls family was impressed too. Her cousin wanted to race me with his 200sx SE-R but I wasnt in the mood and my girlfriend begged me not to do it. So i was happy not to race.

oh and it took 1.5 tank to get there. So mpg was ok too.