We took the car to another mechanic for that second opinion and I'm so glad we did.
The second opinion guy has his own shop. He is a big, burly biker with a red beard halfway down his chest. His head is shaved, and he has tattoos. When we lived in NYS we knew lots of interesting people simply because we lived there so long. Retired in Central Florida, not so much. I was thrilled.
He checked the car out and replaced the back brake pads, telling us the front pads still seem okay and probably would last for another 10,000 miles. He joked that might take two years since our 2015 Subaru currently only has 38,000 miles on it.
He said the only other thing they found was that the struts are starting to wear out. Although that's a $1400 expense, he said it wasn't life threatening and we could wait on it. So with the inspection, break pads and an oil change it came to a little over $400.
Now we have a unique and colorful local mechanic we like and trust. He laughs at our jokes. It doesn't get much better than that.
A mechanic you can trust is worth their weight in gold.
ReplyDeleteIt's a huge relief.
DeleteThat's great, Colette!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen!
DeleteExcellent! Glad you got that second opinion!
ReplyDeleteWe are, too!
DeleteGreat news! Guys like that are worth their weight in gold.
ReplyDeleteOh, they really are.
DeleteIt always pays to get another opinion. I'm glad you saved so much.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks.
DeleteThat is such great news. Finding a good reliable and thoughtful mechanic is the best. I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin!
DeleteGlad you found a trusted mechanic. He's an independent, I guess, and his customers are as important to him and he is to you.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's exactly right.
Deleteit's always a good idea to check with small local providers and this one sounds like a real character.
ReplyDeleteso how is it living in Florida these days asks the woman who lives in Texas.
It's sometimes hard living in Florida. On the one hand, I love my house and life here. On the other hand, the politics and summer heat (and hurricanes), and overdevelopment make life difficult. How about you?
DeleteIt certainly paid to have a second opinion. And he even said you could wait on the struts wearing out, it wasn't urgent. Definitely a guy to stay with. We have a 2014 Clio which has only done about 20,000 miles!
ReplyDeleteGee, you drive even less than we do!
DeleteStruts! Whatizzit? I'd assume these are parts of the chassis yet you talk about them "starting to wear out" suggesting they are moving parts. Possibly the connecting elements of the suspension (which do move and do wear), more likely the steering set-up, although this is usually considered independently of the chassis.
ReplyDeleteYet again the UK vs. the US: two sets of people divided by a common language. I too found a local guy when I worked in the US and he allowed me to watch him do the work. Also to answer my questions without losing his temper.
One point in particular about my VW model (Called a Variant in Europe but called something else in the US, no doubt because those over-sensitive Americans might think that Variant was the same as Deviant). A recurrent problem about the setting of the twin carburettors - yes I know you call them carburators - and the rapid way they became de-tuned. I suggested a solution and my "local guy" said, gruffly "No." In effect telling me, but not in so many words, that it was VW design fault. A useful detail for a nerd like me.
Question: What do struts do on a car?
Delete"Unlike shock absorbers, struts provide structural support for the vehicle suspension, support the spring, and hold the tire in an aligned position. Additionally, they bear much of the side load placed on the vehicle's suspension." I tried to google the British equivalent but couldn't find it.
I appreciate your heroic attempts to bridge the intellectual gap between us.
DeleteThat last comment of mine looks ambiguous on a second reading and I apologise. I've done some research of my own given I've owned cars of different ages and I'm surprised the subject hasn't cropped up before. A couple of my vehicles, when I was very very poor, were hardly viable and most of the things that could go wrong did so. I think I now understand what a strut is and why it's there. What I find amazing is the suggestion that they may be replaced since this might call into question the viability of the things the struts are attached to. Not that I want to worry you. From what you say about "the other guy" it seems clear that he's used to dealing with elderly cars. The fact that he actually examined the struts suggests this. Just to let you know, Subarus in the UK are moderately expensive and tend to be driven by members of the middle class who are keen to elevate themselves to the upper middle class, a subtle, sometimes almost imperceptible, gradation in socilological terms
DeleteI laughed when I read your previous comment, I assumed it was a joke. Interesting about Subarus. Up north where we used to live they were very common, albeit expensive. They are excellent on snow and hills. Down here, we just have them because we are used to them, and know they are well made. Your analysis of struts is also interesting, and thoughtful.
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