#was expecting to pay like 500 bucks or so to fix whatever the most serious problem was

[keldae]

Mechanics get a bad rap -- and the ones at the dealership I go to for my oil changes definitely deserve it. Last time I got my oil done, they told me I had a power steering leak and an engine leak. And when I went to the tire place to switch my tires last month, they quoted me $460 to replace my rear brakes (that they said were imminent).

Went to my family mechanic today (friend of my dad’s, been in the business for ages, properly certified and all that) and the verdict? The power steering issue was a clamp that needed to be fixed, the “engine leak” was minor sweating, the rear brakes are fine for another year, and the only actual issue was a fuse that needed to be replaced.

I’m so grateful to have an honest and reliable mechanic who charges VERY reasonably (waaaaay cheaper than the dealership) and doesn’t try to take advantage of a single girl who doesn’t speak car every time I go in for problems!