25,000 mile service

I should have listened to my dad and become a mechanic. That $50 must have taken 5 minutes.

 

That means he has a 46 year head start on me

 

Most places do it in 10-20 minutes. But you have at least $20 worth of supplies. And you also have to own a few tools and ramps and/or jack stands to do it. I don't think doing routine maintenance yourself is quite the no brainer it used to be.

 

Hi Mark,
What supplies ? I read "rotate tires, inspect brakes, check fluids."

I agree about the tools, but spaced over a decade of ownership they cost less than the fuel spent driving to the shop, even before I consider time.

 

I guess I was assuming an oil/filter change. But I could be wrong.

 

If you were the mechanic on this job, you would've made your usual $15 an hour

 

Yep. The other $35/5 minutes would go to the business owner -- Me again.

 

and we all know shops are all 1 man operations with no overhead costs.

 

We have discussed that already. Remember, we are talking about simple maintenance tasks, not transmission replacements.

1. Hydraulic Jack
2. Stands
3. A couple of tools

You of course are welcome to subsidize million dollar garages with your filter replacement needs, but smarter consumers will go elsewhere.

 

At the mileage discussed in this thread, I would've saved my $50 and skip all that was done. Use my $50 at Hooters and watch football.

 

There is a curious symmetry between you and OP:
He spends $50 to have somebody look at the fluid level of his car, and you spend $50 to look at a breast.

 

The $50....technically for wings.

 

I would be surprised if he didn't have oil/filter change for that price. I know that isn't how it reads, though. I would agree with you that $50 to have fluids simply checked is not very wise.

 

^^ Next time save your money; your warranty will still be in effect.

 

Go to a different dealership. I got an oil change, tire rotation, and fluids checked for $60 at my dealership.

 

I could imagine paying that amount to keep my backside warm in the winter. For nicer weather though, I've got DIY down to $5.44

 

Dang. Where do you buy your oil at? And do you buy synthetic?

 

Only the best, Mark!

I outlined the costs earlier in the thread: Walmart Pennzoil Ultra, discounted by rebate and Shell promotion.
This is the ever so superfluous spreadsheet

 

Well if you really wanted to save money, there's a way you can eat out everyday for lunch and dinner for $165 a year (in socal). (choice of 11 different restaurants/establishments) Think of the savings if you were up for it.