OT A Bum Fucked Situation

[Dougnsalem]

Lots of good info here from everyone. I've worked in the industry for 30+ years. Mechanic/tech/forman/owner. I'm like Julius in that I will never buy a new car. If you buy a used one to replace it, who knows what you are getting. We have a Sienna with close to 300k on it, and an Avalon with 200k+. Great, dependable rigs. Just something to consider. Rockauto.com is the best place to get parts from. Cheap, good stuff. Like Yankee said, that 700 bucks is pretty steep to do a belt on one of those. If I remember correctly, the flatrate time for doing all of the parts in a "master kit" should be under 3 hours. (Do the oil seals too!) 3 hours times 100 per hour shop labor, leaves 400 towards parts. That's way high....

We've had major problems with predatory tow companies down here in the past. That's a totally screwed up deal there...

 

[Lanny]

THIS!!

@Chris Craig that shop lied to you! Either that or they are terrible mechanics. A ‘92 Corolla is a non-interference motor like Doug said. This means if the timing belt breaks the pistons will NOT slam into the valves and fuck your motor. It’s made to be replaceable.

If your timing belt is indeed broken, your car is NOT dead! It just needs a new timing belt and to be re-timed. Do not sell a Corolla with only 159k on it. My moms 93 (exact same car) had 315k on it when she wrecked it, who knows how much longer it would’ve lasted.

Get your car out and park it at home. Call that mechanic and bitch them out. I would DEMAND my money back! That is such an unacceptable mistake for any licensed mechanic to make dude!

The wrecking yard is a different issue. Nothing you can do but pay to get your car out. They are predators with the law on their side, unfortunately.

Buy a timing belt and try to find a decent mechanic to install it when you get the cash. It’s good to replace the water pump at the same time if you’ve got the extra $. And don’t forget to bitch out that shitty mechanic and get your money back!

For the home mechanic, replacing the water pump at the same time makes sense because working on the timing chain gets you easier access to the water pump. However, if you're gonna take it to a garage, they have a flat rate for each job and so easy access to the water pump won't matter one bit on the charges. Might as well replace the water pump whenever you feel like it.

 

[CupWizier]

For the home mechanic, replacing the water pump at the same time makes sense because working on the timing chain gets you easier access to the water pump. However, if you're gonna take it to a garage, they have a flat rate for each job and so easy access to the water pump won't matter one bit on the charges. Might as well replace the water pump whenever you feel like it.

That's not entirely true lanny as there are parts of the labor that are in each process that over lap and they will only charge for once. In other words if part A needs to be pulled to replace the water pump and and is also required to replace the timing chain then the shop can only charge once for having to r and r that part, thus a discount on labor. It's just like replacing the brake pads on one wheel and also replacing the wheel bearing. The wheel and tire along with some other parts need to be removed and replaced for each job, but if done at the same time only one labor charge is allowed for those parts that heed to be done for both services.

 

[CupWizier]

Lots of good info here from everyone. I've worked in the industry for 30+ years. Mechanic/tech/forman/owner. I'm like Julius in that I will never buy a new car. If you buy a used one to replace it, who knows what you are getting. We have a Sienna with close to 300k on it, and an Avalon with 200k+. Great, dependable rigs. Just something to consider. Rockauto.com is the best place to get parts from. Cheap, good stuff. Like Yankee said, that 700 bucks is pretty steep to do a belt on one of those. If I remember correctly, the flatrate time for doing all of the parts in a "master kit" should be under 3 hours. (Do the oil seals too!) 3 hours times 100 per hour shop labor, leaves 400 towards parts. That's way high....

We've had major problems with predatory tow companies down here in the past. That's a totally screwed up deal there...

lol, I have one that'll stump you. I have a Lincoln Navigator that will try and start itself while sitting in the driveway, locked up, ignition off and no key in the car, but the starter will try and engage and start the car. I don't need a mechanic, I need a Priest to perform an exorcism.

 

[Lanny]

lol, I have one that'll stump you. I have a Lincoln Navigator that will try and start itself while sitting in the driveway, locked up, ignition off and no key in the car, but the starter will try and engage and start the car. I don't need a mechanic, I need a Priest to perform an exorcism.

Ha ha ha, that's just Sly testing out his invisible man serum. Don't accidentally bump in to him or you just may bump into a body part that you'll wish you could have avoided.

 

[Chris Craig]

lol, I have one that'll stump you. I have a Lincoln Navigator that will try and start itself while sitting in the driveway, locked up, ignition off and no key in the car, but the starter will try and engage and start the car. I don't need a mechanic, I need a Priest to perform an exorcism.

Does it have a push button start remote?

 

[CupWizier]

I see. Couple more questions (thanks for being open to talking about this).

Do you have AAA? If not you should get it. 99 bucks gets you 4 free towings a year. And the car you are towing doesn't even have to be yours (I used 2 of my tows to tow a friends car to his house).

Do you have a second car that you can use in the mean time?

Do you have any friends who are mechanically inclined? Replacing the TB on that shouldn't be too hard.

If it were me (obviously your mileage may vary), I'd get the car out of the tow yard and tow it to your apartment making sure it's parked the right way...(while swearing endlessly at the stupidity of that parking rule), and fix it myself. Granted, I might have much more know-how when it comes to that, but to me, eating potentially 1200 dollars is better than eating several thousand in car payments (even if it's a nicer, newer car).

I like owning my cars outright, so no one can repo them.

Fuck AAA. Insurance actually has emergency roadside service that you can purchase for the vehicle which covers towing, flat repairs, gas delivered, lock out situations etc. Mine costs me $12 a year.

 

[tlongII]

Geez. Can you call the cops on that tow company? Seems like that should be illegal.

 

[CupWizier]

Does it have a push button start remote?

Nope. It has some crazy electrical issues that have been acting up. Supposedly there is an area that water can leak into and cause all sorts of headaches.

 

[Chris Craig]

Nope. It has some crazy electrical issues that have been acting up. Supposedly there is an area that water can leak into and cause all sorts of headaches.

I was thinking it had to be some kind of short or something..some electrical issue.

 

[CupWizier]

Geez. Can you call the cops on that tow company? Seems like that should be illegal.

The problem is, a court will likely state that the owner is knowledgeable on the rules of the parking lot and unless they specified how the car was to be parked and they didn't do it that way, what exactly did they do wrong? Tow companies are notorious for being shady, but unfortunately in this case, not sure what they did wrong.

 

[Chris Craig]

Geez. Can you call the cops on that tow company? Seems like that should be illegal.

Maybe. Not sure it will get me anywhere. There is a sign in the parking lot that says no backwards parking...the two truck that brought it from the shop couldn't park it the other way. So, technically, when they towed it for backwards parking, they are going by what the sign says. not sure if the law is on my side.

 

[Chris Craig]

The problem is, a court will likely state that the owner is knowledgeable on the rules of the parking lot and unless they specified how the car was to be parked and they didn't do it that way, what exactly did they do wrong? Tow companies are notorious for being shady, but unfortunately in this case, not sure what they did wrong.

I tell the judge my story...if he has any conscience he will tell the tow company to fuck off. Though I am knowledgeable..as is my wife who's name the car is under...she was under extreme stress when it was towed back to the apartments and was not able at the time to consider the sign.

It is a ridiculous and superfluous sign. I pay to park in the parking lot. There is a sticker on my back window. The sign is there because 1.) the two drivers for the company that works with my apartments are fucking lazy. They can't get be bothered to get out and check for the sticker, which they know is always on the left side of the rear window. 2.) So that they can screw people out of money.

Also, the amount of money they are charging me $350 plus daily fees + their threat of extra liens is not only exorbitant but unconscionable.

My wife and I are leaning heavily towards taking their asses to court. The more I think about it. The better it fucking sounds. I will probably pay their ridiculous fucking fees. Have my car fixed and sue the fuck out of the tow company...hell probably the shop too. Fuck them both where the sun don't shine.

 

[yankeesince59]

lol, I have one that'll stump you. I have a Lincoln Navigator that will try and start itself while sitting in the driveway, locked up, ignition off and no key in the car, but the starter will try and engage and start the car. I don't need a mechanic, I need a Priest to perform an exorcism.

Maybe your wife is just messing with you by intentionally pressing the "remote start" button on her keyless remote fob....j/k, well kinda.

 

[CupWizier]

I tell the judge my story...if he has any conscience he will tell the tow company to fuck off. Though I am knowledgeable..as is my wife who's name the car is under...she was under extreme stress when it was towed back to the apartments and was not able at the time to consider the sign.

It is a ridiculous and superfluous sign. I pay to park in the parking lot. There is a sticker on my back window. The sign is there because 1.) the two drivers for the company that works with my apartments are fucking lazy. They can't get be bothered to get out and check for the sticker, which they know is always on the left side of the rear window. 2.) So that they can screw people out of money.

Also, the amount of money they are charging me $350 plus daily fees + their threat of extra liens is not only exorbitant but unconscionable.

My wife and I are leaning heavily towards taking their asses to court. The more I think about it. The better it fucking sounds. I will probably pay their ridiculous fucking fees. Have my car fixed and sue the fuck out of the tow company...hell probably the shop too. Fuck them both where the sun don't shine.

I understand all that, but the court only deals with the laws and stress doesn't have a clause in it. I know it sucks, but what did the tow company do wrong by parking tit that way? Unfortunately the judge will likely ask you if you directed the tow company to park it head first and if you didn't, he will likely side with the tow company. How long after it was towed to your apartment, did the tow company that patrols the lot tow your car out of there? I would advise you to be cautious in just throwing out lawsuits as first you have to determine what each one did wrong and what you may have done wrong. The repair shop may be shady, but what did they do wrong? they gave you an estimate and you chose not to have them fix it. Now if they fixed it and it was found to be negligent charges you might, (and that's even a tough case) have a case against them. The tow company towing the car back to your apartment parked your car in your spot. Unless you designated them to park it a certain way and they didn't, you really don;t have a case against them. As for the tow company towing the car out of your apartment, if the rules say no back in parking and the tow company has the owners permission to tow illegally parked vehicles then not much recourse there unless you can prove the charges are not within their allowance as some states have negotiated tow rates through the city or county.

I know it sucks, but sometimes there isn't much you can do.

 

[CupWizier]

Maybe your wife is just messing with you by intentionally pressing the "remote start" button on her keyless remote fob....j/k, well kinda.

lol, I wish, except there is no remote start and I have stood next to the vehicle while it tries to start by itself. I wish my dad was around and he had his shop still as it was much nicer to work on my cars in a well equipped shop and his knowledge.

 

[yankeesince59]

lol, I wish, except there is no remote start and I have stood next to the vehicle while it tries to start by itself. I wish my dad was around and he had his shop still as it was much nicer to work on my cars in a well equipped shop and his knowledge.

Hell, with all of the circuit boards and electronics on today's cars I'm not the least bit surprised that your car is "possessed".

 

[CupWizier]

Hell, with all of the circuit boards and electronics on today's cars I'm not the least bit surprised that your car is "possessed".

Yeah, modern cars are an electrical nightmare. I grew up in the day where the electrical systems were pretty basic and often helped my dad at his shop and would occasionally work on some electrical issues for him.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

lol, I wish, except there is no remote start and I have stood next to the vehicle while it tries to start by itself. I wish my dad was around and he had his shop still as it was much nicer to work on my cars in a well equipped shop and his knowledge.

Did you check recalls and shop bulletins?

 

[Shaboid]

Hell, with all of the circuit boards and electronics on today's cars I'm not the least bit surprised that your car is "possessed".

I once owned a possessed car. 1986 BMW 325i that had an aftermarket anti-theft system in it when we bought it for $250. It would occasionally do this weird whistle and the doors would lock and then unlock. There was one time when I went and started it before I headed out to school so it would warm up while I made my lunch, and when I went back out to leave I was locked out. I sat there for 45 minutes with my hand on the door handle in the freezing cold, waiting for that possessed car to unlock. That stupid son of a bitch drove me nuts. Always got me from point A to point B though.

Either way, sorry for your struggle Chris. Those tow truck companies can go eff themselves!

 

[yankeesince59]

Yeah, modern cars are an electrical nightmare. I grew up in the day where the electrical systems were pretty basic and often helped my dad at his shop and would occasionally work on some electrical issues for him.

Yeah, don't get me wrong, some of the electrical improvements components of today's vehicles is much better than tears gone by. For one, I'm SOOOO glad that we no longer have to deal with changing the points, plugs, and condenser every 8-10 thousand miles anymore. The points and condenser have been eliminated with electronic ignition and the newer plugs can easily last 100,000+ miles...not to mention the improvement of fuel injection over carbs.

 

[Chris Craig]

I understand all that, but the court only deals with the laws and stress doesn't have a clause in it. I know it sucks, but what did the tow company do wrong by parking tit that way? Unfortunately the judge will likely ask you if you directed the tow company to park it head first and if you didn't, he will likely side with the tow company. How long after it was towed to your apartment, did the tow company that patrols the lot tow your car out of there? I would advise you to be cautious in just throwing out lawsuits as first you have to determine what each one did wrong and what you may have done wrong. The repair shop may be shady, but what did they do wrong? they gave you an estimate and you chose not to have them fix it. Now if they fixed it and it was found to be negligent charges you might, (and that's even a tough case) have a case against them. The tow company towing the car back to your apartment parked your car in your spot. Unless you designated them to park it a certain way and they didn't, you really don;t have a case against them. As for the tow company towing the car out of your apartment, if the rules say no back in parking and the tow company has the owners permission to tow illegally parked vehicles then not much recourse there unless you can prove the charges are not within their allowance as some states have negotiated tow rates through the city or county.

I know it sucks, but sometimes there isn't much you can do.

The next day. I pay for parking. I have the sticker. I had a right to park there. Thry violated that right. Fuck that tow company

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The next day. I pay for parking. I have the sticker. I had a right to park there. Thry violated that right. Fuck that tow company

Tow truck drivers now take pictures of all sides of the car to document there was no damage to the car during towing and to show the reason they are towing the car. I would go to the tow company with your wife. Ask to see the car and then immediately claim they did damage to it. They will pull up the pictures to show you they didn't. When they reach the picture that shows the parking sticker have your wife immediately take a picture of it with her phone. That would prove you had that proper permit and the tow was invalid because it shows the tow driver saw the sticker.

While this is going on have your phone in your pocket recording the conversation. Once the tow company sees your wife taking the picture they will most likely kick you out but that would also help any small claims case.

 

[jonnyboy]

For the home mechanic, replacing the water pump at the same time makes sense because working on the timing chain gets you easier access to the water pump. However, if you're gonna take it to a garage, they have a flat rate for each job and so easy access to the water pump won't matter one bit on the charges. Might as well replace the water pump whenever you feel like it.

Many shops charge charge an hourly labor rate.

 

[jonnyboy]

Nope. It has some crazy electrical issues that have been acting up. Supposedly there is an area that water can leak into and cause all sorts of headaches.

My cousin had a piece of shit Suzuki SUV with a similar problem. The starter had a mind of its own. Turned out the entire wire harness leading to the starter actually just sat loosely on the top of the frame, which led the protective sleeve over the harness to eventually rub away exposing bare wires. The wires were touching each other and/or the frame and causing the starter to either kick on randomly, or arc out and kill the car while it was running.

 

[yankeesince59]

Tow truck drivers now take pictures of all sides of the car to document there was no damage to the car during towing and to show the reason they are towing the car. I would go to the tow company with your wife. Ask to see the car and then immediately claim they did damage to it. They will pull up the pictures to show you they didn't. When they reach the picture that shows the parking sticker have your wife immediately take a picture of it with her phone. That would prove you had that proper permit and the tow was invalid because it shows the tow driver saw the sticker.

While this is going on have your phone in your pocket recording the conversation. Once the tow company sees your wife taking the picture they will most likely kick you out but that would also help any small claims case.

Hmmm, you're very a "sly dog".

 

[julius]

Fuck AAA. Insurance actually has emergency roadside service that you can purchase for the vehicle which covers towing, flat repairs, gas delivered, lock out situations etc. Mine costs me $12 a year.

Depends on the insurance and your location. For me, USAA is my car insurance, but their towing services have always left something of a bitter taste in my mouth. Not only in the time it takes for them to arrive, but the areas that their services are contracted.

 

[CupWizier]

Depends on the insurance and your location. For me, USAA is my car insurance, but their towing services have always left something of a bitter taste in my mouth. Not only in the time it takes for them to arrive, but the areas that their services are contracted.

With State Farm you have a choice of calling their 1-800 number and they dispatch the service and paid directly by State Farm, or you can call anyone you want, pay for the service and then send the bill to your agent for reimbursement.

 

[CupWizier]

Tow truck drivers now take pictures of all sides of the car to document there was no damage to the car during towing and to show the reason they are towing the car. I would go to the tow company with your wife. Ask to see the car and then immediately claim they did damage to it. They will pull up the pictures to show you they didn't. When they reach the picture that shows the parking sticker have your wife immediately take a picture of it with her phone. That would prove you had that proper permit and the tow was invalid because it shows the tow driver saw the sticker.

While this is going on have your phone in your pocket recording the conversation. Once the tow company sees your wife taking the picture they will most likely kick you out but that would also help any small claims case.

The first step should be to determine the reason the tow was done from the apartment. If it was because it was parked backwards and the parking rules state that such cars can and may be towed then not much to fight. If it was towed because no tag was on it, then the apartment has the records to show that the parking permit was purchased and a picture of the car's tag will prove it was on. A case might be able to be made in that case but it can still be tricky. I would ask the apartment complex for the parking rules and regulations and see what is outlined in it. Also, wonder how long the car had been parked illegally (backwards) before it was towed?

 

[CupWizier]

The next day. I pay for parking. I have the sticker. I had a right to park there. Thry violated that right. Fuck that tow company

Okay and trust me, I'm not taking sides as I am just trying to look at if from the law side of things. If you (or the tow company) parked it illegally and the parking rules and regulations say that cars can or may be towed for parking illegally (no tag, parked backwards, wrong space etc.). You have a tag, so if that's the reason for the tow, then you might have a case. If for being parked backwards, not sure what your recourse could be. Find out why the vehicle was towed first. It sucks to go through this but a parking tag is just one of the rules required to park in the complex. I hope it works out for you Chris.