Asking for a friend (no, really) who has a 2006 Forester non-turbo that needs head gaskets. The dealer is quoting him $2100, which seems like a lot, but Subarus are out of my knowledge zone. Can I get a read on the reasonableness of this price, please? And, if the quoted price is out of line, does anybody know of a decent independent shop somewhere around Pittsfield that could do an honest job for less? All other advice on this subject welcome also.
Was that with the water pump and timing belt too? If not you could add another $500-$600 to that. But I would think just the head gaskets should be more like $1500-$1800. Could be less at a smaller independent shop.
AFAIK the quotation was just for head gaskets, but I'm up here in Canada and don't have all the details. I agree that the water pump and timing belt, unless recently changed, would be good add-ons "while you're in there."
Bump for the morning crowd. Also, I should have included Boston in the target area. Oops.
Dean, thank you! Some excellent information there.
If they don’t mind coming to my home town there is a local shop that has done well by me.
In reply to Stealthtercel :
Boston is a long way from western Mass. where Pittsfield is. Might be closer to Albany.
https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files I've always used that site to get shop recommendations when I move around. Never steered me wrong in nearly 10 years.
16 recommended shops in pittsfield https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files/search?keyword=&field_makes_tid=All&city=&state=MA&radius%5Bsearch_units%5D=mile&radius%5Bpostal_code%5D=01201&radius%5Bsearch_distance%5D=10&sort_order=ASC
Re-activating this thread briefly to say a big ThanksI to F. by C. for that tip. My friend's car is healthy again for a price 25% less than quoted by the dealer.
The GRM board does it again. Much appreciated.
Jim's Garage in Cannan CT has been working on Subaru's for over a decade. Jim's Garage
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