Price rip-off

[Mickey]

Have been having problems with cel code 420. In past this has been
associated with gas cap. went by dealer the other day so stopped in
and check on availability of seal associated with gas cap. Not
available but new cap was $30. Didn't have to think twice about not
paying that for gas cap. Was in to local auto parts yesterday and got
talking about cel and association with refilling /gas cap. They had a
replacement cap, made in USA, cost $7 or $11 with lock.

Don't see how dealer price encourages customers to shop at dealer.

Mickey

 

[mulder]

The P0420 code is for catalyst inefficiency and has nothing to do with
the gas cap.

 

[Mickey]

The P0420 code is for catalyst inefficiency and has nothing to do with
the gas cap.

Know what the generic code says but that is the code that pops up when
cel comes on shortly after filling the tank. Manual says loose gas
cap can cause cel to come on but no mention of what code made be
posted. Up to this point, tightening and/or cleaning the cap has
caused the cel to go off.

Mickey

 

[l.lichtman]

Mickey wrote: Don't see how dealer price encourages customers to shop
at dealer.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I went to the dealer for a car key. Parts department charged my $8,
and sent me to the service department to have it cut, where they were
going to charge me an additional $5. I went down the street to a
locksmith, where I got a key for $3, including the cutting. So my
experience agrees with yours.

 

[Bonehenge]

Mickey wrote: Don't see how dealer price encourages customers to shop
at dealer.

Are you guys new here, on a mission from Mars? <G>

I've yet to see ANY brand of cars that sold genuine, branded
replacement parts cheaper than aftermarket brands.

Key cutting? Any hardware store, home center, Wal-Mart, etc... will
cut a typical key for $2-3 US. Do you call the builder when you need
a extra front door key?

Barry

 

[mulder]

You definitely won't get a P0420 from a loose gas cap. How are you
reading the code, are you doing it yourself with your own reader or
having it scanned by a shop?

 

[Hallraker]

Are you guys new here, on a mission from Mars? <G>

I've yet to see ANY brand of cars that sold genuine, branded
replacement parts cheaper than aftermarket brands.

Key cutting? Any hardware store, home center, Wal-Mart, etc... will
cut a typical key for $2-3 US. Do you call the builder when you need
a extra front door key?

I've found a few places that don't stock the Subaru keys. Or don't stock
them for a certain year range. Thus, a dealer trip might be unavoidable.

-Matt

 

[l.lichtman]

Bonehenge wrote: (clip) Do you call the builder when you need

a extra front door key?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I guess not. One reason is that my home builder does not have a
stockroom full of spare house parts. Nor a parts counter, with
employees trained to look things up in a computerized catalog, and
locate them on the shelf. And he is not trying to make a profit on
parts and service. It is reasonable to assume that someone who is
doing all these things is hoping to get my future business, and make a
profit from it. But as things are, the only business he is going to
get from me will be on items that are not available anywhere else. (He
made nothing on the key he sold me, because I returned it for a full
refund.)

I am through with my rant, now--heading back to Mars, where car dealers
act differently.

 

[john.eisenschmidt]

Bonehenge wrote: (clip) Do you call the builder when you need
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I guess not. One reason is that my home builder does not have a
stockroom full of spare house parts. Nor a parts counter, with
employees trained to look things up in a computerized catalog, and
locate them on the shelf. And he is not trying to make a profit on
parts and service. It is reasonable to assume that someone who is
doing all these things is hoping to get my future business, and make a
profit from it. But as things are, the only business he is going to
get from me will be on items that are not available anywhere else. (He
made nothing on the key he sold me, because I returned it for a full
refund.)

I am through with my rant, now--heading back to Mars, where car dealers
act differently.

Parts is a huge source of revenue for dealers, and frankly it needs to
be. Do you think they make any money selling you a car? Not like they
used to 10 or 20 years ago -- the margins are very thin. Dealerships
make money on sales and service (and used cars).

As for your $13 dollar key (from the dealer), I snapped the key to my
2002 Accord and had another one made when it was in for an oil change,
the key was more than the oil change (about $35) and I *had* to get it
at the dealer cause it had a chip in it. Go lose a key for a VW and
then be thankful your Subaru has a cheap ass key in it (which is why I
said no to the alarm in this car, what good is an alarm in a car whose
key can be cut for $3 at walmart?)

car dealerships need to make money. i'm guessing on mars they all sell
direct?

 

[hippo]

Parts is a huge source of revenue for dealers, and frankly it needs to

be. Do you think they make any money selling you a car? Not like they
used to 10 or 20 years ago -- the margins are very thin. Dealerships
make money on sales and service (and used cars).

Which is why the first Henry Ford said that he would be happy to give
people a Model T if they agreed to *only* buy parts and service from the
company. Cheers

 

[l.lichtman]

(e-mail address removed) wrote: clip) what good is an alarm in a
car whose key can be cut for $3 at walmart?)(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
John, maybe I'm dense, but I don't understand your thinking here. To
get a key cut at Walmart requires two things: 1.) $3, 2.) a key.

 

[Bonehenge]

I've found a few places that don't stock the Subaru keys. Or don't stock
them for a certain year range. Thus, a dealer trip might be unavoidable.

-Matt

Of course. But that's AFTER you'd try the cheap place on the corner,
No? <G>

Barry

 

[Bonehenge]

Go lose a key for a VW and
then be thankful your Subaru has a cheap ass key in it (which is why I
said no to the alarm in this car, what good is an alarm in a car whose
key can be cut for $3 at walmart?)

First of all, you can't make a key unless you have a key, or the
skills of a locksmith and enough time to hand cobble a key.

The Subaru alarm will still sound if the window is smashed, the car is
hit, or the door is opened WITH THE KEY, if the alarm is armed.

On my '01 OBW, if the alarm is armed and you open the door, it goes
off. The car will not start until the alarm is disarmed.

No chip, no problem. Even with the chip, don't Hondas top the most
stolen vehicle lists? Thieves that really want a car will take the
car, any car.

Barry

 

[P T]

john e. said:

I snapped the key to my 2002 Accord and
had another one made when it was in for
an oil change, the key was more than the
oil change (about $35) ... be thankful your
Subaru has a cheap ass key in it...

I don't know if it is true, but a coworker said his key (with chip)
costs way over $100! Yowza!

 

[Hallraker]

john e. said:


I don't know if it is true, but a coworker said his key (with chip)
costs way over $100! Yowza!

Yeah some of those keys are downright outrageous. The thing to remember is
that if someone wants your vehicle badly enough, they WILL take it. Or at
least another one just like it. The crazy keys are simply a deterrent, not
a prevention, and when every car of that model has one, it just forces the
thieves to be a little more crafty.

-Matt

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Just another incentive to 'jack' someone outta the vehicle they're driving.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[Hallraker]

Just another incentive to 'jack' someone outta the vehicle they're driving.

Well there's a tool out there that can prevent that. It fits in your fist,
holds several small objects called "bullets", and in some places can be
carried in a concealed manner.

-Matt