Ive been contemplating selling my car and getting something new. Below is a list of issues that need to be repaired. Car has 94k miles 2nd owner.

Needs AC replaced $1500
NEed to replace lower control arm w/balljoint $704

Next to it are the estimates I received. I am not mechanically savvy and I know I can get these done a lot less expensive. What do you all think?

The car runs great besides these 2 issues. cosmetically looks in good condition.

 

Thread moved to Maintenance & Repair

 

How about some pics of the busted lower control arm w/balljoint? Also, what kind of test was performed to diagnose the A/C?

 

Agreed- it's rare that the entire a/c system would need to be replaced. Also, are you certain it's only one LCA and balljoint that needs to be replaced? What caused the problem in the first place?

 

Anything over $400 to repair A/C is unusual. Most A/C repairs are < $250.

Replacing only a single lower control arm w/ball joint is unusual.

--Spike

 

Was the car in a wreck? Does it have a clean title?

 

those are ridiculous prices for repair.... 2003 wasn't the best year

 

The 2003 model had a few "bugs", but once those things are fixed there's no reason why the car won't last.
Your A/C probably needs an O-ring along with a charge, and the control arm isn't that big of a deal either. I think you should look around at other shops.

 

Hey thanks for all the replies. I'm going to look around to see what other quotes I can get. To clarify, the car was not in a wreck recently. It was rear ended in 2008 and the rear bumper was replaced. Everything else on the car is clean.

I took it to a tires plus and they recommended a brand new AC system. Both control arms need to be replaced because they said it had something to do with the type of rubber used that it wears out or something like that.

I'll post up some pictures of the car in a few days since I will be out of town.

 

tires plus is going to rape you and tell you things need to be replaced when they are probably okay. if you not mechanically inclined take it to a shop. one that i like, not sure if they are there, is called Christian Brothers. to get a franchise you have to be a deacon in a church, it is a faith based business. i went there with my trans am for some rear end work. gm quoted me $1400, and christian brothers did the work for just under $900

 

Does you A/C currently work? Also your bushings are probably fine. I'm at 145k on my 03 350z and I doubt they were ever changed

 

There's only one way to be a knowledgeable consumer and that's to learn more about the details of your Z33. What the shop was trying to tell you is the suspension bushings are wearing out, not that you need to replace the entire components themselves. That's not unexpected with a car that has 94K on the clock.

Take your Z to the dealer or a/c specialist in your area and get a few estimates to compare. Consider holding onto your Z, rather than just trading it in. Consider it your chance to get an automotive education, as well as a sure fire way to save some money.

 

OP, check around for pricing on those control arms you can get them cheaper aftermarket. Nissan told me the same thing about my upper/lower control arms and quoted me a price of over $3k for the parts/labor. Wound up buying my own parts and they only charged for the install.

 

Ac currently just blows air, nothing cold. One thing I did notice the other day though was a funky smell like rubber burning smell coming from the vents when I set the air to circulate from outside. When I switched the dial to circulate air from inside no weird rubbery burning smell. Any thoughts on what this could be?

 

I foud them on ebay for about $70, not bad. Now I just need to find someone to do the work. Thanks!