I recently gave my sister my 2003 EL which she took to Toronto with her. I have had the car since 45k and have maintained it meticulously. She is currently experiencing some electrical issues and not knowing anything about cars, she took it to a garage that her friend introduced her to. They traced the problem to the alternator with a faulty/open diode. This is all fine but they want $700 to replace it! Sounds very expensive to me. I have already replaced the alternator to this car myself back in 2008 and back then, a remanufacture unit costed $150 and 2-3 hours of my time. Can anyone recommend a good/honest mechanic around the downtown area? Or are the costs reasonable?

Thanks.

 

What's the $700 for? 3 hours labour plus part $? If they are overcharging on the part, just source the part yourself and give it to them to install.

 

https://www.hondapartsonline.net/par...ent=ALTERNATOR

If quoting a new MSRP unit, it's reasonable.

 

Thanks for the replies.

$700 is for the entire job including parts and labour. I am not sure if the new part is a new OEM part of a remanufactured unit, but I would assume it's the later.

 

Assume nothing.

 

Check out Lakeshore Garage, on Dundas just east of Keele - small shop with a very honest and fair owner.