just want to scream

[VisionaryMom]

I had to take my car to the mechanic yesterday. The repairs are going to cost $1100! We've used this shop before, and I really trust the guys that this is the work that truly needs to be done. I don't have $1100. We've been hit with several major expenses in the past 6 months, and we're tapped out. Completely. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I just want to cry.

[HeatherAtHome]

Been there and done that.

What has to be fixed exactly and how old is your car?

[racheepoo]

I'm so sorry

[Gentle~Mommy :)]

maybe you could just do a couple of repairs not and the rest at another time?

[ArtsyMomma]

You could try calling around, I know it can be a hassle. I have a garage I trust 100% - but it turns out they can be really expensive! DP takes care of the car stuff now, and he shops around and gets estimates. He has saved us thousands of dollars in car repairs in the last few years.

[Gray's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Gentle~Mommy :)

maybe you could just do a couple of repairs not and the rest at another time?

we've had to do that before. We just spent over $600 getting our vehicles repaired & had to buy a refrigerator today. We are so tapped out right now. I'll cry with you sweetie!!

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by Gentle~Mommy :)

maybe you could just do a couple of repairs not and the rest at another time?

Unfortunately it's only 2 repairs! The mass airflow regulator went bad, which is causing the fuel pump to die. It's still working but is pretty much dead. The fuel pump is $700, and the regulator is $400. About half of the cost is for parts, so there's not a ton of variation in cost.

The car's a 2002, and this is the first repair we've had done. (Obviously we've had brakes & batteries, but I don't count those in 'repairs.') Overall it's a great car, but we just spent $200 on DH's car last month (and his needs work every few months). Then we had some expenses for DD crop up that we hadn't expected, a $400 medical bill for me, and several other things. It's just a lot to be hit with all at once.

[umarider]

Can you get used parts from a junk yard? There's surely an '02 car out there that was totaled after a rear-end collision that would have all the engine parts available. If your car is a popular model, try calling around to local junk yards. As I understand it, repair shops just can't invest the time in calling a bunch of places to look for cheaper parts, so they just call the couple of places they commonly use. If you're willing to make some phone calls and perhaps go and pick up the parts you might be able to shave some $ off the repair bill. I'd even search as far as 50 miles away if it'd save me enough to be worth the drive! It sucks to have big car repairs...

[HollyBearsMom]

If you have been going to these guys a while and you really trust them you should try being honest. The economy sucks for everyone and most places are sympathetic. I would tell them what is going on and see of you can pay in installments. All they can say is no, right? and you are no worse off.

You could also offer to barter. Do you do/have anything these guys need? Heck, even offering free babysitting if they have kids!

We have been using the same oil company for 10 years-nice local family. My husband has gotten to know the son (who is in the business too). Our last bill was close to $700 and we only had 1/2. I called and explained and they were fine and completely understood. I think we weren’t the only ones calling. They gave us month extension at no interest. If we needed to go past a month it would 1% finance.

[VisionaryMom]

They said we could pay some now and the rest next month, which is probably what we'll end up doing.

We have gone the junk yard route in the past, and it just hasn't always produced decent parts. I don't know enough about car parts to tell by looking unfortunately.

[ParisApril]

I'm in a similar boat here. DH is slow at work and the truck we have for sale needs exhaust repairs in order to sell it. Like I have or want to put any money onto a truck we don't even drive.

[Kontessa]

Can you look into doing this yourself at all?

I ask because the sensor in our Vans fuel pump died a few months ago and we took it to the most reputable shop in town who said it would be about $1000 just to get it fixed plus about 1k for other things they thought needed to get done. We had no way to do it. DH who has no experience with cars had a friend who plays with them and offered to help us. He found the full fuel pump for only $80 new and shipped on ebay and they dropped the gas tank and replaces it all in a morning saving us soooo much money. I thought it was crazy risky as we have no other way to get around but here months later all is great and we are getting braver about doing things with the van ourselves or at least looking things up and pricing things.