FB: Liberty League

[Jonny Utah]

Alright, another question for the LLPP consumer watchdogs:

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla with 90k miles on it.  The check engine goes on it the other day and JU's father in law brings it into the dealer (JUFIL likes to take care of JUs rides).  They say the car needs a new catalytic converter and prices it at the fantastic dealer price of $1,800.  

Now I see a new cat goes for $225-$325.  I also see from online forums that people (mostly out in California) pay from $1,000-$1,600 to get these things replaced at the dealers or other garages.

Now the car is in good shape and has mostly highway milage and I am the only owner.  It looks good and I would like to keep it.  But here are the options I need to throw out to the LLPP.

-Does JU pay $1,000+ to get this thing replaced?

-Does JU buy his own Cat online and find someone else to do it?

-Does JU unhook the battery, restart the car so the check engine light goes off and hope it passes inspection?

-Does JU cut his losses now and start looking for a new car?

You can also bring it to a Toyota dealer and have then clear the alert and turn out the engine light prior to inspection.

I think they already did.  But I also heard unhooking and then hooking up the battery again before inspection helps fuzz up the computer in the car.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Alright, another question for the LLPP consumer watchdogs:

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla with 90k miles on it.  The check engine goes on it the other day and JU's father in law brings it into the dealer (JUFIL likes to take care of JUs rides).  They say the car needs a new catalytic converter and prices it at the fantastic dealer price of $1,800.  

Now I see a new cat goes for $225-$325.  I also see from online forums that people (mostly out in California) pay from $1,000-$1,600 to get these things replaced at the dealers or other garages.

Now the car is in good shape and has mostly highway milage and I am the only owner.  It looks good and I would like to keep it.  But here are the options I need to throw out to the LLPP.

-Does JU pay $1,000+ to get this thing replaced?

-Does JU buy his own Cat online and find someone else to do it?

-Does JU unhook the battery, restart the car so the check engine light goes off and hope it passes inspection?

-Does JU cut his losses now and start looking for a new car?

Don't they have higher emission standards out there in CA?  It may be why that price is inflated.  I would look at the quote and see why it is so high if the part is only a few hundred bones.  What is their labor rate and how many hours are they quoting for the job.  Seems high to me.  Shouldn't be that hard to replace that sucker could it?

[mattvsmith]

KS refridgerator compressor is about to go.  KS is buying a new fridge as this one is about 12 years old.  Do any LLPP'ers know any good online sites for appliances?  KS has looked at Lowes and Home Depot and Lowes has some good prices but KS was wondering if he could find one cheaper online.

KS,

Last year The Rev bought a really nice Samsung fridge from Lowe's.  Can't remember the exact price, but The Rev felt he got a good value.  Plus with the brushed nickel surface, it looks sharp as hell.  Rev ended up getting the whole kitchen set, plus washer and dryer because Rev liked it so much & there was a discount for buying the set.

[Jonny Utah]

Alright, another question for the LLPP consumer watchdogs:

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla with 90k miles on it.  The check engine goes on it the other day and JU's father in law brings it into the dealer (JUFIL likes to take care of JUs rides).  They say the car needs a new catalytic converter and prices it at the fantastic dealer price of $1,800.  

Now I see a new cat goes for $225-$325.  I also see from online forums that people (mostly out in California) pay from $1,000-$1,600 to get these things replaced at the dealers or other garages.

Now the car is in good shape and has mostly highway milage and I am the only owner.  It looks good and I would like to keep it.  But here are the options I need to throw out to the LLPP.

-Does JU pay $1,000+ to get this thing replaced?

-Does JU buy his own Cat online and find someone else to do it?

-Does JU unhook the battery, restart the car so the check engine light goes off and hope it passes inspection?

-Does JU cut his losses now and start looking for a new car?

Don't they have higher emission standards out there in CA?  It may be why that price is inflated.  I would look at the quote and see why it is so high if the part is only a few hundred bones.  What is their labor rate and how many hours are they quoting for the job.  Seems high to me.  Shouldn't be that hard to replace that sucker could it?

Yea thats why I mentioned the Calfornia price.  There is an emission standard in MA, but I don't know how hard it is to beat.  I mean, the thing just looks like a pipe attached to the muffler for crying out loud.  I can understand why it can be expensive to replace or open up gaskets in engines and whatnot, but this thing shouldn't be that expensive to replace if the part itself costs $300 and its right under the body.

[bman]

It's not easy...in most cars they have to lift the engine off the mount to get it off...

years ago I "fixed" mine by poking holes in it with an ice pick, but MV got wise to that tactic  and defeated it with the pressure test...

I would get the part from the dealer, but have a local you can trust put it on...most locals will get B or C "legitimate" replacement parts, but they are ones that the manuafacturer rejected, and they dont last as long...


my 2 cents...

[Jonny Utah]

It's not easy...in most cars they have to lift the engine off the mount to get it off...

years ago I "fixed" mine by poking holes in it with an ice pick, but MV got wise to that tactic  and defeated it with the pressure test...

I would get the part from the dealer, but have a local you can trust put it on...most locals will get B or C "legitimate" replacement parts, but they are ones that the manuafacturer rejected, and they dont last as long...


my 2 cents...

Thanks Bman.  Yea I heard you really need to buy the exact model because of the emissions test.  What a dlipin scam though.  Dlip the 'clunkers for cash' program.  If the government wants to mandate people to have equipment on cars that the car doesn't dlipin need, they shouldn't make people pay thousands of dollars for it.

And hell, I'm not even in the position to cry poor mouth here.  What about all those poor bastards that can barely afford to feed their families and have to buy older cars because thats all they can afford?

Whens Obamas "cash for catalytic converters" program starting?

[PBR...]

Alright, another question for the LLPP consumer watchdogs:

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla with 90k miles on it.  The check engine goes on it the other day and JU's father in law brings it into the dealer (JUFIL likes to take care of JUs rides).  They say the car needs a new catalytic converter and prices it at the fantastic dealer price of $1,800.  

Now I see a new cat goes for $225-$325.  I also see from online forums that people (mostly out in California) pay from $1,000-$1,600 to get these things replaced at the dealers or other garages.

Now the car is in good shape and has mostly highway milage and I am the only owner.  It looks good and I would like to keep it.  But here are the options I need to throw out to the LLPP.

-Does JU pay $1,000+ to get this thing replaced?

-Does JU buy his own Cat online and find someone else to do it?

-Does JU unhook the battery, restart the car so the check engine light goes off and hope it passes inspection?

-Does JU cut his losses now and start looking for a new car?

JU pbr will warn you to be careful here...pbr's friends just had this done. They bought a cheaper Cat (napa/carquest) basically aftermarket part cant remember which. Had nothing but problems and the car wouldnt run right. So they ended up to buy another Cat from the manufacturer directly. Which was much more expensive but runs perfect. So they ended up paying twice for an expensive part to begin with...and pbr has confirmed this w/ several mechanics pbr knows and at my familys car dealership. Its 1 of the few parts that most independent mechanics will not buy an aftermarket part to keep the cost down. For whatever reason they have a very difficult time getting the cheaper aftermarket Cat to work correctly. So up to you but just pbr's .02....

[PBR...]

KS refridgerator compressor is about to go.  KS is buying a new fridge as this one is about 12 years old.  Do any LLPP'ers know any good online sites for appliances?  KS has looked at Lowes and Home Depot and Lowes has some good prices but KS was wondering if he could find one cheaper online.

KS,

Last year The Rev bought a really nice Samsung fridge from Lowe's.  Can't remember the exact price, but The Rev felt he got a good value.  Plus with the brushed nickel surface, it looks sharp as hell.  Rev ended up getting the whole kitchen set, plus washer and dryer because Rev liked it so much & there was a discount for buying the set.

ahh...nice one rev...1 caveat here KS...pbr was thinking of getting the brushed stainless until many of pbr's friends told him if you have kids DO NOT get brushed stainless or any stainless look. Young kids finger print the 'ish out of them. People do nothing but spend hours wiping down the stainless from the crumb gobblers mucking it up. Guy at the store told pbr basically they make most refrig's to last ~12 years now give or take a few. Said wait and buy a stainless for your next one as the kids will be teenagers then. Pbr thought it was good advice and made sense. Hell the guy was pushing pbr to the less expensive refrig so pbr thought it was a good idea and pulled the trigger. (if u get stainless dont get that cr@p they try and push on you at the store to help keep fingerprints off stainless, its thick as vaseline and gets off the refrig and all over your furniture)

[SaintsFAN]

KS refridgerator compressor is about to go.  KS is buying a new fridge as this one is about 12 years old.  Do any LLPP'ers know any good online sites for appliances?  KS has looked at Lowes and Home Depot and Lowes has some good prices but KS was wondering if he could find one cheaper online.

KS,

Last year The Rev bought a really nice Samsung fridge from Lowe's.  Can't remember the exact price, but The Rev felt he got a good value.  Plus with the brushed nickel surface, it looks sharp as hell.  Rev ended up getting the whole kitchen set, plus washer and dryer because Rev liked it so much & there was a discount for buying the set.

ahh...nice one rev...1 caveat here KS...pbr was thinking of getting the brushed stainless until many of pbr's friends told him if you have kids DO NOT get brushed stainless or any stainless look. Young kids finger print the 'ish out of them. People do nothing but spend hours wiping down the stainless from the crumb gobblers mucking it up. Guy at the store told pbr basically they make most refrig's to last ~12 years now give or take a few. Said wait and buy a stainless for your next one as the kids will be teenagers then. Pbr thought it was good advice and made sense. Hell the guy was pushing pbr to the less expensive refrig so pbr thought it was a good idea and pulled the trigger. (if u get stainless dont get that cr@p they try and push on you at the store to help keep fingerprints off stainless, its thick as vaseline and gets off the refrig and all over your furniture)

isn't there some gadget available for purchase which can take scratches away from stainless steel surfaces?  SF thinks he saw this on TV last night.   SF will update when he finds out the name of said product.

[union89]

Alright, another question for the LLPP consumer watchdogs:

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla with 90k miles on it.  The check engine goes on it the other day and JU's father in law brings it into the dealer (JUFIL likes to take care of JUs rides).  They say the car needs a new catalytic converter and prices it at the fantastic dealer price of $1,800.  

Now I see a new cat goes for $225-$325.  I also see from online forums that people (mostly out in California) pay from $1,000-$1,600 to get these things replaced at the dealers or other garages.

Now the car is in good shape and has mostly highway milage and I am the only owner.  It looks good and I would like to keep it.  But here are the options I need to throw out to the LLPP.

-Does JU pay $1,000+ to get this thing replaced?

-Does JU buy his own Cat online and find someone else to do it?

-Does JU unhook the battery, restart the car so the check engine light goes off and hope it passes inspection?

-Does JU cut his losses now and start looking for a new car?

Utah,
I have a mechanic who is very reasonable.  I had my radiator replaced by him 10 months ago (used unit).  The radiator went again last week along with a couple belts.....he replaced everything for free and said it was under warranty. 

PM me if you want me to give him a call and give you an estimate.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

KS refridgerator compressor is about to go.  KS is buying a new fridge as this one is about 12 years old.  Do any LLPP'ers know any good online sites for appliances?  KS has looked at Lowes and Home Depot and Lowes has some good prices but KS was wondering if he could find one cheaper online.

KS,

Last year The Rev bought a really nice Samsung fridge from Lowe's.  Can't remember the exact price, but The Rev felt he got a good value.  Plus with the brushed nickel surface, it looks sharp as hell.  Rev ended up getting the whole kitchen set, plus washer and dryer because Rev liked it so much & there was a discount for buying the set.

ahh...nice one rev...1 caveat here KS...pbr was thinking of getting the brushed stainless until many of pbr's friends told him if you have kids DO NOT get brushed stainless or any stainless look. Young kids finger print the 'ish out of them. People do nothing but spend hours wiping down the stainless from the crumb gobblers mucking it up. Guy at the store told pbr basically they make most refrig's to last ~12 years now give or take a few. Said wait and buy a stainless for your next one as the kids will be teenagers then. Pbr thought it was good advice and made sense. Hell the guy was pushing pbr to the less expensive refrig so pbr thought it was a good idea and pulled the trigger. (if u get stainless dont get that cr@p they try and push on you at the store to help keep fingerprints off stainless, its thick as vaseline and gets off the refrig and all over your furniture)

Don't they have a new fridge material that looks like stainless but doesn't attract the fingerprints like stainless?

[dlippiel]

Alright, another question for the LLPP consumer watchdogs:

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla with 90k miles on it.  The check engine goes on it the other day and JU's father in law brings it into the dealer (JUFIL likes to take care of JUs rides).  They say the car needs a new catalytic converter and prices it at the fantastic dealer price of $1,800.  

Now I see a new cat goes for $225-$325.  I also see from online forums that people (mostly out in California) pay from $1,000-$1,600 to get these things replaced at the dealers or other garages.

Now the car is in good shape and has mostly highway milage and I am the only owner.  It looks good and I would like to keep it.  But here are the options I need to throw out to the LLPP.

-Does JU pay $1,000+ to get this thing replaced?

-Does JU buy his own Cat online and find someone else to do it?

-Does JU unhook the battery, restart the car so the check engine light goes off and hope it passes inspection?

-Does JU cut his losses now and start looking for a new car?

Utah,
I have a mechanic who is very reasonable.  I had my radiator replaced by him 10 months ago (used unit).  The radiator went again last week along with a couple belts.....he replaced everything for free and said it was under warranty. 

PM me if you want me to give him a call and give you an estimate.

One thing dlip does not play with is vehicles and ****ing mechanic's. Dealers tend to do a decent job Utah but they also rubber glove you in the ass with their labor charges and parts charges. dlip might go with U89's advice and contact his mechanic. IMHO the key to dealing with vehicles is: -either knowing how to replace almost anythign yourself (which dlip definitely can't do although he occasionally tries), -know someone who you trust who deos **** under the table (which dlips father in law does), or -find a mechanic that you trust and always shop around and compare prices of labor and parts. Recently Mrs. dlip's transmission went. We took it to the honda dealer, they told us 4,000$. We than took it to our mechanic and he told us that that year, make, and model Honda's transmission had been recalled years ago and that Corperate Honda will usually replace it for basically nothing. needless to say we went back to the dealer and they called corperate. dlip was then quick to tell them that for the BS not telling us stunt (because if dlip was stupid he would have initially said yes and paid the 4,000$ and they would have been glad to take it )he wanted his mechanic to do the work and Honda would have to pay him. Needless to say we paid nothing and Corperate Honda paid my mechanic half to do it. With cars you have to find someone you trust and sometimes it takes a few years to find it. If you have the time call around, ask around and if a friend like U89 steps up with a good mechanic jump on it.

[Knightstalker]

KS refridgerator compressor is about to go.  KS is buying a new fridge as this one is about 12 years old.  Do any LLPP'ers know any good online sites for appliances?  KS has looked at Lowes and Home Depot and Lowes has some good prices but KS was wondering if he could find one cheaper online.

KS,

Last year The Rev bought a really nice Samsung fridge from Lowe's.  Can't remember the exact price, but The Rev felt he got a good value.  Plus with the brushed nickel surface, it looks sharp as hell.  Rev ended up getting the whole kitchen set, plus washer and dryer because Rev liked it so much & there was a discount for buying the set.

ahh...nice one rev...1 caveat here KS...pbr was thinking of getting the brushed stainless until many of pbr's friends told him if you have kids DO NOT get brushed stainless or any stainless look. Young kids finger print the 'ish out of them. People do nothing but spend hours wiping down the stainless from the crumb gobblers mucking it up. Guy at the store told pbr basically they make most refrig's to last ~12 years now give or take a few. Said wait and buy a stainless for your next one as the kids will be teenagers then. Pbr thought it was good advice and made sense. Hell the guy was pushing pbr to the less expensive refrig so pbr thought it was a good idea and pulled the trigger. (if u get stainless dont get that cr@p they try and push on you at the store to help keep fingerprints off stainless, its thick as vaseline and gets off the refrig and all over your furniture)

Don't they have a new fridge material that looks like stainless but doesn't attract the fingerprints like stainless?

KS is going with white, goes with the kitchen trim and costs anywhere from 100-200 less than the stainless.

[PBR...]

dvc making another run at the national championship on the wrasslin' mats...competition underway and first dvc wrestler pins opponent in 26 seconds....off to a good start....

[Garnet]

dang talk about getting your A game on at the olympics! always heard it was basically a brothel and judging the numbers pbr says they are spot on...

The initial number was 100,000 condoms for the 7,000 athletes and officials (roughly 14 per person). Additional 8,500 were sent in when the initial shipment ran out. Several athletes stated basically they were all just having fun...so much for the theory of having sex before your race would make your legs weak...

Note to self: learn Luge, move to Jamaica...

Interestingly enough, they have curling at Union. The guy who donated the Hockey rink was a curler, so there are 4 sheets below the rink (with obligatory bar and reception room). Never have curled sober, though, so I'm not sure what it's actually like...

Curling, man. That's the way to go.

Doid,

The curling ice no longer exists at Union and the rink is no longer known as Achilles.  A  donor gave $$$ years ago to renovate the facility now called the Messa Rink at Achilles Center.  The curling sheets have been replaced with locker rooms and office space.