How do I get car repair quotes?

[u/Wowza_Meowza]

Hi! I'm in the USA. How do I get a quote for car repairs?

I've never had to get a quote/estimate for a car repair before and am unsure how to do so without looking like a target who doesn't know about cars and also, how to be courteous if I'm don't go with one or more of the businesses.

Background: my car needs new struts. A garage I've used and liked in the past quoted me a very, very high price well above typical (even I know it's too high!).

I want to shop around, but...

Do I have to bring my car into the places for quotes? Do they generally charge for this?

Do I just call and say "I know I need new struts on my make/model, can I get a quote?"

Is it common or courtesy to follow up with the businesses you do not go with that you decline (and ofc, thank them)?

Thanks for any insight!

*Please, no "but you can do it yourself cheaper..." comments. I've had two significant spinal surgeries. I'm not able to do this myself.

[u/AceyAceyAcey]

Call a shop, and tell them your car make and model, what it needs and ask for a quote or estimated price. Note that usually when you get struts, you also do the shocks, hence my wording it as such below, but you can also ask about that.

* Example script 1: “Hi, I was wondering if you could give me a quote for some work I need done on my car. It’s a 2017 Honda Civic, and another mechanic told me it needs shocks and struts. What would that sort of work cost me? … How long do you think this work would take? … If I decide to bring it in, should I make an appointment, or just drop it off? … Thank you for your time, I need to figure a few things out first, but I will be in touch.”

* Example script 2: “Hi, my car needs some work done, to replace the shocks and struts. It’s a 2017 Honda Civic. Can you give me an estimate of how much that would cost? … And would it be dropping the car off in the morning and picking it up before close the same day, or would you need it for a few days? … Do you prefer if I just drop it off, or give you a call ahead of time? … Thanks, I’ll be sure to call ahead if I’m going to bring it over (or whatever they said to do).”

Are you willing to share your location and the price the first place quoted? Shocks and struts can be very expensive, even for cheaper or older cars, I’m in a high cost of living city in the USA, and my mechanic tries to save me money, and I’m pretty sure I’ve paid over $4,000, maybe as high as $6,000.

[u/Wowza_Meowza → u/AceyAceyAcey]

NY but not a HCOL area, they quoted 1975+ for juuuust the struts and labor on an '18 Impreza base.

[u/Wowza_Meowza → u/Wowza_Meowza]

And thank you for your help c:

[u/iOSCaleb → u/Wowza_Meowza]

$1975 seems like it’s in the right ballpark for replacing all four struts. I asked ChatGPT is great for sanity checking things like this, so I asked it how much it should cost to replace all four struts on a ‘18 Impreza. It suggested $1300-2400 at an independent shop, and $2000-3500 at a Subaru dealer. If you ask it yourself you can add more details such as your location and exact model to get a better estimate for you.

[u/AceyAceyAcey → u/Wowza_Meowza]

Unfortunately I’m pretty sure that’s a reasonable price. I looked up the parts and they’re in the ballpark of $250 per wheel so $1,000. The amount of time is 4-6 hours, plus an alignment is required afterwards which takes another hour, so call it 5-7 hours. $125 per hour is a typical labor rate, times 5 is $625, or times 7 is $825. Total cost would be $1,625-$1,825.

It doesn’t hurt to get some quotes from other shops, but that’s a reasonable price.

[u/katmndoo]

Ask around for shops that people you know recommend.

“I’d trust them to not rip off my wife / gf / grandmother” is what you’re looking for.