"It's been neglected."

[g r y m e s]

Those are the words coming from the shop manage today. It was a real bummer to hear that today, but I do believe it is right. I brought it in to have a wheel bearing replaced and walk would with a quote totaling ~$1600. Besides the wheel bearing that needs replacing, they need to replace:
rear sway bar kit
two strut bearing
two front struts
two strut plates
set of coil springs (one spring is broken)
rear sway bar kit

and to complete the job, an alignment.

Its a big bill on a 98 with ~112k miles on it. Other than the suspension there isnt too much wrong with her. Small quirks more than anything. A/C not working doing really count as a quirk I guess. Anyhow the car is doing the job. Is a $1600 investment in the car a good idea as well? My guts says yes but my fun side says it could be time for a new car. I also worry that when new struts and springs are put on, my car is going to look like a truck. My first thought on avoiding this is to have the suspension upgraded to the Koni Sport Kit or something like that. But your traditional mechanic isnt going to want to touch that, and I am not either. (Living downtown doesnt give you much in the way of a place to tear your car apart.) Are there performance shows or other mechanics that would be willing to do the work and not worry about liability and whatnot as long as I dont worry about it? I have lots of questions and not too many answers. You opinions and advice are welcome and thanks for taking a look.

 

[Tony2005]

...a quote totaling ~$1600. Besides the wheel bearing that needs replacing:
rear sway bar kit
two strut bearing
two front struts
two strut plates
set of coil springs
rear sway bar kit

and to complete the job, an alignment.

Its a big bill on a 98 with ~112k miles on it. Other than the suspension there isnt too much wrong with her. Small quirks more than anything. A/C not working doing really count as a quirk I guess. Anyhow the car is doing the job. Is a $1600 investment in the car a good idea as well? My guts says yes but my fun side says it could be time for a new car. .....

Not sure if it is worth it to you but $1,600 for a shop to do all those things is about average. I have spent $2,100 this year to date, some my own repairs (and maintenance) and some a shop ($870 for front coil springs and struts, I think they are gold plated). But it is worth it to me as it is my daily driver and I don't know when I will be getting rid of it.

The time to get rid of the car is when you don't feel like paying for car repairs. Note that an annual new car payment will probably be more than what you will be paying.

 

[TGO]

mechanic should have no problem installing a koni sport kit for you. it's not like it's any different than installing stock struts/springs.

i just listed my car for sale. i have a beater to hold me over until i can afford to buy a new car. no more car payments for me...if the initial investment will allow you to sock away $$$$ for a new car, then fix the car.

You knwo you don't really wanna sell it anyway!

 

[CRZYDRVR]

mechanic should have no problem installing a koni sport kit for you. it's not like it's any different than installing stock struts/springs.

I agree. buy the parts a little at a time if $$ is an issue, then shop around to find a good price for install.

 

[todras]

Besides the wheel bearing that needs replacing, they need to replace:
rear sway bar kit
two strut bearing
two front struts
two strut plates
set of coil springs (one spring is broken)
rear sway bar kit

2 rear sway bar "kits?" Damn you know you are getting soaked. LOL! Advice? Bring it up to MI some weekend after purchasing a BAT or Koni kit and have a CEGer do it for cheap. $900 for kit and installation. Order the rear sway Energy Suspension kit which consists of 2 new bushings and 2 end link bushings. About $20. Save yourself $700 and have a car tha handles on rails and will bring a new smile to your face.

 

[g r y m e s]

I have talked to two different mechanics, both parts of franchises and they said they wouldnt install Koni. Am I supposed to be asking the lesser known mechanics or performance shops to be getting this kind of work done?

 

[SHOgoFast]

I wouldnt think so. Anyone should be able to install street legal parts like that.

 

[hetfield]

Most shops I've worked with would install customer-supplied parts, but you would waive their warranties, so if something breaks you're on your own to claim with the manufacturer. However, I typically never work with "franchised" shops.