How much am I saving?

[jonathan03]

I was just wondering how much I'm saivng by doing reapirs and maintenance myself. I change the oil regularly and I just did the front brakes.

I figured that it costs me about $7 for an oil change compared to 20 or so that somone would charge. So thats a good $13, which might not seem like much, but I need all I can get since the local learning institution takes all my greenbacks.

As for the brakes, I spent about $110 to replace the front pads and rotors. This cost was raised a lot because I need a lot of new tools since I had nothing. I also had to buy a jack and an allen wrench set. The pads were 27 and the rotors were 17 each. It will be less in the future since now I have the tools. How much would it cost if for new front brakes if I took it to a mechanic?

[Classicrocjunkie]

Wow... my oil changes run me around 28 bucks even with doing it myself. Damn Mobil 1... LOL...

A shop will charge you an Hourly rate that is in a book price plus parts which is usually 110% mark up from a store. I was quoted 120 somthing to get my drums done. I laughed and walked out the door. Me personally for friends and realitive, i make them buy the parts they want and to do new front rotors/pads and drums/shoes 50 bucks. I think its really fair. Most of the time is spent jacking the car up.

[jonathan03]

Originally Posted by Classicrocjunkie

Wow... my oil changes run me around 28 bucks even with doing it myself. Damn Mobil 1... LOL...

I watch the newpaper for coupons for oil lol. I got penzoil for 1.39 a quart at pep boys and an oil filter for $2. Myh 1992 cavalier only tkaes 4 quarts (the guy at the store told me 5). I let it drain for a good 15 min and filled it up and it only took 4. I checked it again a few days later to be sure too.

Are you using synthetic oil? That sure is a lot for an oil change.

Would about $200 be a reasonable estimate from a shop to replace the front pads and rotors?

[Classicrocjunkie]

Originally Posted by jonathan03

Are you using synthetic oil? That sure is a lot for an oil change.

Originally Posted by jonathan03

Would about $200 be a reasonable estimate from a shop to replace the front pads and rotors?

yep

[DARKRAIN]

Originally Posted by jonathan03

I watch the newpaper for coupons for oil lol. I got penzoil for 1.39 a quart at pep boys and an oil filter for $2. Myh 1992 cavalier only tkaes 4 quarts (the guy at the store told me 5). I let it drain for a good 15 min and filled it up and it only took 4. I checked it again a few days later to be sure too.

Are you using synthetic oil? That sure is a lot for an oil change.

Would about $200 be a reasonable estimate from a shop to replace the front pads and rotors?

jut some help for ya.....you shouldn't use penzoil. It has a wax base to it. When your car heats up it melt and then will easily burn and brake down really fast. I've done a little reasearch on oil and I decided to go with quaker state. Whatever you do take oil changes seriously and don't ever miss one. People underestimate what oil changes do for your engine if you want your car to last.

oh and if you want to waste time doing your oil changes for $20 go right ahead. My time is worth more than that. Plus what are you going to do with old oil. You better not just be dumping man. I'd like my kids to be able to enjoy this place too.

[public]

Originally Posted by DARKRAIN

jut some help for ya.....you shouldn't use penzoil. It has a wax base to it. When your car heats up it melt and then will easily burn and brake down really fast. I've done a little reasearch on oil and I decided to go with quaker state. Whatever you do take oil changes seriously and don't ever miss one. People underestimate what oil changes do for your engine if you want your car to last.

oh and if you want to waste time doing your oil changes for $20 go right ahead. My time is worth more than that. Plus what are you going to do with old oil. You better not just be dumping man. I'd like my kids to be able to enjoy this place too.

I have never seen anyone do research then switch to Quaker State. It also has or had a lot of wax. As for myself and all my mechanic friends it is Havoline or Valvoline for dino oil or Synthetic. I do not love my car enough for synthetic. I put on a ton of highway miles and the cost is just too high. I have never had an oil related problem with Havoline or Valvoline and 7k-10k between changes. Back in the 80's I did have a car full of Quaker State die because the oil was all in the valve covers causing me to loose presure and the thing had flakes of wax all through the engine. That is when I did my research. Perhaps something has changed in the 15+ years since, I hope so.

[public]

CRJ what is up with the dancer? I cannot read his shirt. Is that the message on his shirt? Could that man be you "Back in the Day"? :

[jonathan03]

I bring the oil back to the store ofcourse. They take it for free.

As for wasting time, it doesn't seem that way to me. Why would it take me any longer to change the oil than the guy at the oil change place? In addition, there is usually a line there. The only advantage he has is the way the car is lifted. He has more room but that isn't really a factor since I'm incredibly skinny lol. I can almost change the oil without lifting the car lol - just an inch or two keeps me from doing it. I use ramps to lift the car so it takes only a few seconds and saves time from jacking the car up. I can change the oil in less than a half hour and the places do it in 15 to 20 minutes + the wait. I have waited an hour for an oil change before and they usually don't do it right. Jiffy lube scrapped off the defogger tape in the rear window and valvoline left the oil filter box, a socket wrench, a tool belt and an oil filter wrench under the hood. Thats the only two times I ever took it somewhere for an oil change and it didn't go well. Maybe I'm cursed though :-P

As for the penzoil having the wax base, is it good for at least the three months? I don't miss a change but I have about a case of it left lol. So is it just "not the best" to use penzoil or is it an awful mistake thats worth throwing away a case of oil? I decided to use it because I have always heard good things about it until now.

[jonathan03]

Originally Posted by public

CRJ what is up with the dancer? I cannot read his shirt. Is that the message on his shirt? Could that man be you "Back in the Day"? :

His shirt says vote as the first word but I can't read the rest either.

[skeavs]

Originally Posted by jonathan03

His shirt says vote as the first word but I can't read the rest either.

It says "vote for pedro" its a quote of the movie napolean dynamite

[4dr92cavi4cyl]

Hmm... nobody said anything about Castrol GTX.
Dad always said "If it's good enough for John Force, it's good enough for me" When I change, it's one quart Lucas Oil Treatment, three quarts GTX 5W-30, and a K&N oil filter. About $20.

[RedCavalierRacer]

Originally Posted by 4dr92cavi4cyl

Hmm... nobody said anything about Castrol GTX.
Dad always said "If it's good enough for John Force, it's good enough for me" When I change, it's one quart Lucas Oil Treatment, three quarts GTX 5W-30, and a K&N oil filter. About $20.

I usually used Amsoil, with an amsoil oil filter.

Does that lucas stuff actually work?

[4dr92cavi4cyl]

I've heard that AMSoil is really great, but it's probably expensive like mmost synthetics. Lucas helps reduce wear, and increases the life of the oil somewhat, it's worth it. It's pretty thick though, that's why I use 5W-30.

[RedCavalierRacer]

Originally Posted by 4dr92cavi4cyl

I've heard that AMSoil is really great, but it's probably expensive like mmost synthetics. Lucas helps reduce wear, and increases the life of the oil somewhat, it's worth it. It's pretty thick though, that's why I use 5W-30.

Yeah, Amsoil is expensive, but think about this.

You dont have to change it for 8000 miles. It stays clean for that long.

I am coming up to an oil change pretty soon here and I'll tell you guys if its dirty or not when I change it.

[Classicrocjunkie]

Everyone should know its Napolean Dynamite! and yes it says Vote for pedro!