hi sages- this is a very good thread and should be read by novices and sages alike. in short arty bs advice here is very good. I would have done that. about 1/2 the so called mechanics I have had actual experience with were good meaning they were honest and competent and charged a reasonable price. this is actually a very difficult combination to find. been wrenching and going to indies since 65. will say every time(much fewer) I have gone to a dealer, I have been gipped, shystered or got an incompetent job. much better success with indies. believe you are less likely to get clipped if you ask the right questions to the mechanic who will work on the car. can a good indie go bad? yes have seen that happen. a good place to find out these questions is to describe your malfunction on you tube which will show you a quick video on the repair. btw the same fast ones occur with applicance repair persons. (typically $100 to come to your house, list price for new part and $100/hr labor). I ought to start a thread on here about my most egregious horror stories of car repairs. guaranteed to frighten you more than Dracula meets Frankenstein with boris and bela. how about the old muffler bearing or blinker fluid tricks? phat regards oldduke (apologies if you think I have a bad attitude)