Are there ANY reliable mechanics?

[truthbetold]

I'm in a venting mood.
More than 3 weeks ago, the head gasket on my car blew. It's a Ford, so the mechanics said they had to replace the entire engine. So, it was either sell the car the way it was (which would get hardly any money) or get a new engine for the cost of a used car (about $2,500). What sucks the most is that it obviously had been leaking for a while, even before I bought it from a used car dealership (I'm in high school, I take what I can get).
So, I've been sharing the van with my mother which is a gas guzzler, and I've already put about $50 worth of gas in so far. I only get $5.15 an hour, so it's been quite a task. Well, the mechanics have changed the date the car will be ready about 5 times since I brought it in. It's going on a month when originally they said it would take a week at the most.
I think my first mistake was buying a Ford to begin with.

[Beaverhausen]

1. my honda dealer said they'd charge me $1400...

...for the head gasket. And $200 just to make sure I needed it.

My mechanic did it for $800. I love him!!!

Ask around...people do find good mechanics that know if they treat customers right they will keep them for life.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Probably would have been cheaper a mechanic who would

pull an engine from a wrecked car, depending on the model.

[wryter2000]

3. I adore my mechanic

He's not a dealer, though.

I had a head and a head gasket replaced on a previous car. I don't understand why you have to replace the whole engine. Someone ought to be able to point you to a good mechanic. Do you have ValueStar in your area? They rate all kinds of businesses.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

4. I've had good luck with Pep Boys

Since they are a chain, they apparently have "by the book" outline that the mechanics follow, step-by-step, no hit and miss. They also keep a computer record of your visits and know what they did to your car the last time you were there.

I've used them four or five times and it has always turned out well.

Plus, they have a toll free number for you to get a tow truck to come and take your car to the nearest Pep Boys. The towing charge goes on your Pep Boys bill AND most car insurance policies will pay for the tow.

[physioex]

5. I know little bit about cars...

You didn't provide sufficient information. What year is the car? What model? How many miles? What area are you in?

For example if it was an Escort, and depending on its year it may not be worth repairing. Cars driven in the North East get old quickly, say compared to Florida.

I general I am against spending such large sums of money on an old car. After 10 years you should never spend such large sums on a car. You might have been better of purchasing a quality second hand car. There is no gurantee the job will be done correctly as it is a complicated task. They won't replace lots of other components that can go bad such as the transmission. If it is a manual you maybe ok but if an automatic and it goes bad then its another large expense. If you don't know much about cars, please consult someone who knows these in your family or friends before you make such a decision.

[Delano]

6. I have a 95 Escort Wagon

It was very reliable for quite some time, but I just recently had to replace the whole clutcch and some other things. After spending $1200 on that, I'm told I need a new master cylinder for another $500. It sucks not knowing how to fix my own car. Even if I was handy with such things, I doubt I could do transmission work...