Re: pipes

"Patt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I have a 1993 mazda truck b2200.  The muffler was making a noise, and I
took
> it to my local muffler shop.  The muffler was under warranty, however they
> replaced an extension pipe that cost $56.00 and a prebent pipe that cost
> $35.00.  I just couldn`t believe that pipes could cost that much, and then
> there was 1/2 hour labor on top of that. Has anyone had these pipes
> replaced, and what did you pay? Thanks.
> Patt.
>
I also own a B2200 and just replaced the pipe between the exhaust manifold
catalytic converter and the rear cat.  The new formed pipe, an adaptor pipe
so that the $300 original Mazda pipe ahead of it could be re-used, an
exhaust clamp and 2 gaskets cost me $85.  I installed it myself as I'm a
mechanic.

Most repair shops charge upwards of $75/hr with a usual minimum charge of
1/2 hour.  It costs a lot of money in overhead to operate a repair facility
and they are not in business for the purpose of doing you a favor.  If that
was their mode of operation they would not be in business for long.  If one
ever does do you a favor consider it a blessing and keep going back.

In case you ever wonder about greedy mechanics, most have to provide their
own tools even if they work for someone else.  A basic set of tools for most
mechanics cost about $15,000 and we do not even get to claim them on our
taxes as an employment expense unless we are self employed.  My personal
tool investment is approx $30,000.  To set up an entire garage costs several
hundreds of thousands of dollars with a monthly overhead in the tens of
thousands.

I hope that puts things in perspective for you.
Lugnut