I was refering to the dealer part's cost, which has gone down some in the last year or so. But in reality, it is the dealer's hourly rate based on the "book" for doing a service that is turning people off from basic maintenance.

If a person without mechanical skills or tools can expect to spend around $2K/year at a dealership. A little less at an independent shop that also uses "book" labor rates. Getting brakes and rotors replaced front/rear can cost close to $1K, new front struts about $1K, a "normal" tune up is over $400 at the dealer.
I just get really PO'ed when the dealer charges 1 hour of labor to download software to add a new key or remote to the security system. This "cost" should be part of the outrageous cost of the key and/or remote, not in addition to.

And dropping an engine or tranny in a RWD is much more simple than the FWD cars. FWD requires the removal of both axles and at least the left suspension, along with lowering the engine subframe - just for the tranny R&R.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic.