I have automatic chrysler neon. (2002 make, bought second hand from a dealer last year)
Today's morning it just started giving trouble while driving to work. (pressing the gas paddle wasn't moving the car instantly and then after a while it was moving with a sudden jerk).
I called insurance and the guys picked up the car and left it at close by Chrysler authorized service station.
Now service station guy called and gave me lot of technical stuff, which anyway I couldn't understand much.
Gist of it was coolant and gear box oil was mixed because something in radiator broke.
So now i have to get radiator replaced, along with some thermostat, coolant and gearbox oil.
Estimate for this work was around 13-1400 euro, Which I felt is too much (at least for me it is ).
In this amount around 400 was for service charge.
My question is, if I go to some non-authorized dealer, will it be less expensive. (I am hoping service charge will be less and perhaps he can try to fix the radiator as something in assembly is broken and not the radiator itself)
But I don't know any such place, can someone suggest a Auto Garage/service station from where I can get a second opinion.
Location - Pitajanmaki, Helsinki
Too expensive car repair
Too expensive car repair
Last edited by raj2134 on Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:34 pm, edited 2 times in total.
-
network_engineer
- Posts: 858
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 10:21 am
Re: Too expensive car repair
Hi!
In general, this question is a bit difficult to answer.
You do not mention if the car is under warranty or recently bought (e.g. second-hand/used/pre-owned). Items such as transmission etc. are usually covered by warranty, even for used-cars (vaihtoautot). Used car sellers usually give some sort of guarantee on the vehicle. If your vehicle is under warranty etc., IIRC, there was this article that I read a while ago, that according to some organisation (was it the consumer forum?) that non-dealer workshops can also undertake repairs for vehicles under warranty, without nullifying the warranty. But please DON'T take my word for it, check it out with somebody better informed.
Coming to non-dealer service places - I tend to use them for a lot of jobs, especially oil changes and the like. In my opinion, non-dealer independent workshops are cheaper and gave me a better bang for the buck! Might be worthwhile to ensure that the parts are genuine Chrysler parts. There are lots of places, people might be able to help you better if you mention what part of the world you are in.
Either ways, ensure you get an offer beforehand, i.e. "tarjous" in Finnish.
PS: How are you ever going to get your car across to another place? And out of interest, you mention insurance... does the insurance cover such damages?
Cheers.
In general, this question is a bit difficult to answer.
You do not mention if the car is under warranty or recently bought (e.g. second-hand/used/pre-owned). Items such as transmission etc. are usually covered by warranty, even for used-cars (vaihtoautot). Used car sellers usually give some sort of guarantee on the vehicle. If your vehicle is under warranty etc., IIRC, there was this article that I read a while ago, that according to some organisation (was it the consumer forum?) that non-dealer workshops can also undertake repairs for vehicles under warranty, without nullifying the warranty. But please DON'T take my word for it, check it out with somebody better informed.
Coming to non-dealer service places - I tend to use them for a lot of jobs, especially oil changes and the like. In my opinion, non-dealer independent workshops are cheaper and gave me a better bang for the buck! Might be worthwhile to ensure that the parts are genuine Chrysler parts. There are lots of places, people might be able to help you better if you mention what part of the world you are in.
Either ways, ensure you get an offer beforehand, i.e. "tarjous" in Finnish.
PS: How are you ever going to get your car across to another place? And out of interest, you mention insurance... does the insurance cover such damages?
Cheers.
-
Hank W.
- The Motorhead
- Posts: 29973
- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2002 10:00 pm
- Location: Mushroom Mountain
- Contact:
Re: Too expensive car repair
And a one mark cobbler makes a two mark damage 
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
Re: Too expensive car repair
Car is 2002 make, I bought it from dealer last year.
He didn't give me any warranty, which now I realize that I was a fool not to insist for. (But I was new in Helsinki then and knew nothing, language problem was too much too handle with dealers at that time.. I needed to buy the car fast.)
Taking the car to garage was covered in insurance but repairing was not. (Since the damage was not the result of accident, How I wish it was
)
Regarding how will I take the car to different garage now, If I get a better offer from some non-dealer garage. I would take that car pick-up service(Which IF gave me for free now), I think it costs some 70-100 euro.
If I am saving 2-300 than it will be worth taking that pain.
My work place and current car garage is in Pitajanmaki area. Any suugested garage in this area?(There are authorised stations which I already know, I need somewhat cheaper option.)
He didn't give me any warranty, which now I realize that I was a fool not to insist for. (But I was new in Helsinki then and knew nothing, language problem was too much too handle with dealers at that time.. I needed to buy the car fast.)
Taking the car to garage was covered in insurance but repairing was not. (Since the damage was not the result of accident, How I wish it was
)Regarding how will I take the car to different garage now, If I get a better offer from some non-dealer garage. I would take that car pick-up service(Which IF gave me for free now), I think it costs some 70-100 euro.
If I am saving 2-300 than it will be worth taking that pain.
My work place and current car garage is in Pitajanmaki area. Any suugested garage in this area?(There are authorised stations which I already know, I need somewhat cheaper option.)
-
network_engineer
- Posts: 858
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 10:21 am
Re: Too expensive car repair
Hi!
1. If I understand correctly, It doesn't matter if the dealer gave you a specific warranty or not. Unless the car is over a year from the date of purchase, you should speak with him. Or then try approaching the consumer forum (kuluttajavirasto). I am not an expert in this topic, maybe somebody (Hank?), can you help on this? IMVHO, a transmission should NOT break down that easily!
2. There are a number of places that do repair work in the Pitäjämäki area. Alight at the Pitäjämäki station (the next stop after Valimo (Leppävaara direction)), and you'll find a lot of smaller workshops there. I know that they do paint work etc., but I seem to recall workshops for the other tasks as well. I am not sure if all the places speak English though. And of, just FYI, all the work done should carry a level of guarantee on the work itself.
Cheers.
1. If I understand correctly, It doesn't matter if the dealer gave you a specific warranty or not. Unless the car is over a year from the date of purchase, you should speak with him. Or then try approaching the consumer forum (kuluttajavirasto). I am not an expert in this topic, maybe somebody (Hank?), can you help on this? IMVHO, a transmission should NOT break down that easily!
2. There are a number of places that do repair work in the Pitäjämäki area. Alight at the Pitäjämäki station (the next stop after Valimo (Leppävaara direction)), and you'll find a lot of smaller workshops there. I know that they do paint work etc., but I seem to recall workshops for the other tasks as well. I am not sure if all the places speak English though. And of, just FYI, all the work done should carry a level of guarantee on the work itself.
Cheers.
-
Hank W.
- The Motorhead
- Posts: 29973
- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2002 10:00 pm
- Location: Mushroom Mountain
- Contact:
Re: Too expensive car repair
I don't think radiator breaks are hidden damages.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
Re: Too expensive car repair
If it's automatic Transmission then what has happened is the cooling pipe to cool the oil in the transmission which goes through the radiator to be cooled has broken. This allows the radiator coolant and transmission oil to mix. To repair probably means replacing the radiator as the pipe for the trans oil is usually welded into the radiator, however in some situations it may be able to be repaired rather than replaced. It also means that both the cooling system and transmission need to be flushed out to get rid of the contamination, hence the high labour charge. Non dealer service is usually cheaper, and this isn't a difficult job, just an annoying frustrating one. Non dealer is also more likely to repair rather than replace the radiator. On the bright side, it won't have caused much damage as this problem just causes the vehicle to stop. If this isn't the problem, then please ignore me. I can't help with a location for repair.
Don't work me, I just ask here