Repair 2011 Expedition or buy new?

[ExpeditionG]

I would appreciate advice regarding my 2011 EL Limited 108,000 miles:

Here is the history:
June, 2015: Tires replaced. Routine check. That evening, the engine light went on. Dealer service dept said ok to drive until I could bring it back.
July, 2015: Some type of sensor replaced, close to $500. The next day the engine light went on again and stayed on.
Sept 9, 2015. AC stopped working. Quoted $2700 to fix the AC (compressor, condenser, dryer, expansion valves). They also quoted $195 to replace a different sensor (told them I would not pay that as they didn't fix it right the first time).

Also, the running board on the right side is stuck in the "up" position. It happened a year ago and I chose not to fix it ($3,000.00 to fix).

As you may have guessed, I am female and do not have a background in auto mechanics. I just want a reliable car with low risk for problems. I am frustrated with this particular ford serivce department. What if the engine light goes on again? Could there be more problems they haven't diagnosed? Should they have known the AC was going to go out? I am considering trading it in for a new Expedition. They will give me $20,000 and I qualify for the Z plan as my Dad is retired from Ford. The KBB range is $18,517-$21,341. My Expedition is still at the service dept all torn apart until I decide what to do......

 

[stamp11127]

I'll ask one question. Why is a dealer offering assumed retail value on a trade-in instead of wholesale value?
They are thieves in the repair costs.
I would shop around other shops for a second opinion.

 

[ExpeditionG]

I chose the option "Trade in to a dealer" for the KBB value. The range for "Sell to a Private Party" is $21,449-$24,330. Thank you for your reply.

 

[k9education]

Although it's too late now, in the future you should ignore KBB as no one uses it anymore. The insurance companies, lenders, dealerships etc. all use NADA. I can tell you that only 3 months ago, NADA trade-in on your vehicle with ~80K was upwards of $27K. Heck, the guy who traded mine in to the dealership even got $24K for his. If you only got $20K, they took you for several thousand bucks. I'm not really sure why you dumped it over an AC and a check engine light either. Since the vehicle was out of warranty, you should have taken it to an independent shop; you would have been looking at a bill of half what you were quoted.

 

[ExpeditionG]

K9Education: Thank you for your input. I still own the car. It's at the service dept of the dealer. They are waiting for me to make a decision. I will tell them I will pick it up. Thanks again.

 

[stamp11127]

Chose is past tense.

 

[ExpeditionG]

To clarify: When calculating the KBB value on their website you have two choices, "Trade in to a Dealer" or "Sell to Private Party". When calculating the trade in value, I chose "Trade in to a Dealer". I didn't trade it in, it was just to get an estimate. Thank you for your replies. I am calling today to pick it up and get another estimate.

 

[k9education]

Take it to independent shop that is willing to install used parts. If they will install your used parts, that's even better as you can avoid the 30% part markup that most shops charge. Just to give you an idea of the potential savings: My dad's Mazda 3 needed an AC compressor. The local Mazda dealership was asking $800 for it. I found it at a junkyard for less than $200.

btw NADA trade-in on your vehicle is approximately $23,500 and retail is ~$27K (assuming you don't have rear buckets or DVD headrests).

 

[ExpeditionG]

Thank you very much for the information.

I called today to say I wanted to pick up my car. They said there is a diagnosis fee ($98.00) and they have to put things back together and I would be charged for 3 1/2 hours of labor. So over $500 for nothing?

When I took it in last week they called me and said $1200 to repair the AC, maybe more (no quote) if they found metal fragments in the system and $195 for the sensors. I told him I wouldn't pay anything for the sensors since they already charged to $500 in July and the engine light was still on. I told him to talk to the manager, as I had already called him about the engine light problem. The service guy called back a few hours later and said they found metal fragments in the AC system and now the quote was $2700 plus tax to fix the AC and they wouldn't charge the $195 for the sensors (ha!). I told them not to repair the AC, I needed to think about it. At that point, I thought we were still in the diagnosis stage and I hadn't authorize them to fix it. Hence my post, "fix my 11 Expedition or buy new?' If he had said it will cost over $500 to figure out what the problem is and the total could be $1200-$3000 I would have driven away.

So, I still don't have my car back. I couldn't get a hold of the manager today but will find him tomorrow and say I will pay the $98.00 diagnosis fee only.

 

[k9education]

Thank you very much for the information.

I called today to say I wanted to pick up my car. They said there is a diagnosis fee ($98.00) and they have to put things back together and I would be charged for 3 1/2 hours of labor. So over $500 for nothing?

When I took it in last week they called me and said $1200 to repair the AC, maybe more (no quote) if they found metal fragments in the system and $195 for the sensors. I told him I wouldn't pay anything for the sensors since they already charged to $500 in July and the engine light was still on. I told him to talk to the manager, as I had already called him about the engine light problem. The service guy called back a few hours later and said they found metal fragments in the AC system and now the quote was $2700 plus tax to fix the AC and they wouldn't charge the $195 for the sensors (ha!). I told them not to repair the AC, I needed to think about it. At that point, I thought we were still in the diagnosis stage and I hadn't authorize them to fix it. Hence my post, "fix my 11 Expedition or buy new?' If he had said it will cost over $500 to figure out what the problem is and the total could be $1200-$3000 I would have driven away.

So, I still don't have my car back. I couldn't get a hold of the manager today but will find him tomorrow and say I will pay the $98.00 diagnosis fee only.

In most (all?) states, written authorization is required from the owner before any work can be performed. If your state has such a stipulation and you didn't sign an estimate, the diagnostic fee is all they can legally collect. In fact, depending on your state, they may not even be able to collect that without you having given written approval beforehand.

I just quickly Googled the Ohio statute and it appears as if they are entitled to $50 and no more without your approval. Furthermore, it is their responsibility to inform you that you have a right to receive an estimate.

Here is the actual Ohio code: Lawriter - OAC - 109:4-3-13 Motor vehicle repairs or services.

And here is a summary of it from the Ohio Attorney General's Office: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/...w-A-Guide-For-Busin/Repairs-and-Services.aspx


So the question is whether you gave approval (and whether the dealership can PROVE you gave approval, which they cannot do if it's not written)? If not, I'd tell him he's getting $50 as per state law and he can stuff it if he doesn't like it.

 

[ExpeditionG]

Thank you, k9education, for the information. Maybe the manager of the dealership read your reply. I called today and he said there would be no charge when I pick up my car. He also offered a discount on the repair if I elected to do it ($1000 off the quote) and asked what price for my car would make me happy.

I am picking up my car tomorrow and will explore my options with a lot more information than when I started this process. I really appreciate this forum and all those who take the time to share their knowledge with others.

 

[k9education]

Glad to hear there was no charge. Two different dealerships tried to charge me a diagnostic fee for my Certified Pre-Owned vehicle even though the CPO stipulates that diagnostics charges are covered. They don't call them stealerships for nothing.

Although I still think the wise move is to keep the truck, if you decide to trade it in I wouldn't take a dime less than $23K. And don't let the trade dictate what they charge you for the new vehicle also. My mom traded her truck in and the dealership initially offered her $16,500. She insisted upon $20K and was thrilled when she got it. When she showed me the paperwork though, I saw they hit her for a $2500 extended warranty and her $6,000 Ford rebate was now was now $2,000. So they "gave" her $3,500 and charged her $6,500 more. :/