Am I getting ripped off with a starter?

Question

The dealership said it was going to cost $450 just to replace a starter....wtf??

It's a 2000 Nissan Sentra XE

Answer 1

It's very possible, depending on the year, make and model of your car it could be as expensive as $1800.00. If you take it to the dealer for these repairs add 10 to 15% more in costs.

Answer 2

I know this sounds crazy, but some of them (I don't think) I would change for $500. You need to take a good look at it, and see how easy it is to get the starter out once it is un-bolted. I have seen some that I thought they built the rest of the car around the starter, and one had to dis-assemble the whole car to remove it. The best thing to do in this case is; get more than one estimate to repair your car, and determine why it is so much. I have seen some starters that were expensive, as in 2-3 hundred dollars just for the starter, and hard as heck to change. I have seen them where the bell housing had to be removed to get the starter out of the car. Well, the transmission, cross member, exhaust pipes, and drive shaft had to be removed to get the bell housing back enough to remove the starter.
I am by no means defending someone trying to rip you off, but there sometimes is a reason for the high price. Investigate the situation, read a Haynes Repair Manual, and see what the deal is, and then make your educated determination as to whether you are being taken to the cleaners or not.
I'm glad I could help you, Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

On the internet, a quick check indicates A new Bosch replacement or a new Delco or even a new Quality built will cost you approximately $120.00. Labor is usally approximately 100.00 or more. Usally more if it is a "foreign" car. A new starter provided by Toyota will always cost more. I can put a rebilt starter in a Ford or Chevy for a whole lot less but you didn't get ripped off all things considered. I hope this answer helps you out.

Answer 4

Yes :)

I had a Jeep dealer quote me $490 for a starter, not including two hours of labor ($90.00 an hour.) If your car is almost new I would use the dealer, otherwise try Mienike or a similar chain. The work is usually just as good, but the prices are much better.

Better yet find a friend who works on cars and have them do it instead. I'm lucky enough to have an Uncle who owns a garage and he did it for $150.

Like someone else said, it all depends on the year, make and model. My VW used to cost a fortune to fix, I traded it in for a different car because I was tired of dealing with the cost!

Answer 5

THe "book price" (Alldata) lists the starter at $270.58, an 0.7 hrs to replace. Even at the dealer this shouldn't cost more than $350!

An independant shop will do it much cheaper. That starter is right on top of the motor, you can change it out without breaking a sweat, or having to cuss! Here are the instructions;

Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
Remove the upper starter mounting bolt.
Remove the harness protector from the starter engine room harness.
Disconnect the starter harness connectors.
Remove the lower starter mounting bolt.
Remove the starter.

Answer 6

It depends on the car-Seems pretty high,but their labor is generally $50 per hour,starters cost way more from a dealer than an auto parts store,but most auto parts store starters a rebuilt or made God knows where.I'd get one from a salvage yard and take the car to an independant service garage.

Answer 7

sounds high but in some models the exaust manifold must be removed to access the starter which can all take time
starter should be $150 to $300 depending on car and labour @ $65/hr can be easily 1 to 4 hrs if manifold needs to be moved

Always shop around!

Answer 8

is it a foriegn car? take to a starter rebuilder if there is one in ur area and have repaired. or try oreillys. stay out of autozone their stuff is junk

Answer 9

Grab your ankles your are getting screwed.

Answer 10

yes goto autozone or advanced