# Mechanics and used car. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 17, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464 "2010-10-17T18:26:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Westrogothia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@Westrogothia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Westrogothia)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/1 "2010-10-17T18:26:35Z")
Not the most original subject I fear but here goes. I have this 10 year old German manufactured GM brand car (rather narrows it down doesn’t it) Its basic spec without AC or electric windows with what might be the smallest engine they sell with that particular model. I went in to the mechanic to have my exhaust replaced and specified that they please make it as cheap as possible while using new and approved parts for it. I returned two days later. Imagine my chock when I discovered they’d fitted my little econobox with something dubbed “sports exhaust”. Two giant chromed tailpipes in the rear of what is possibly the cheapest model sold of that particular brand. And the best part. it now makes sporty noises befitting the extra 5 hp im supposedly getting. Did I mention it makes sporty noises? When I asked why the hell it was making that noise they said it was the splitter(?) that turned the one small regular exhaust into those 2 chromed monstrosities back there. Great news its not possible to remove them. Did I tell you bout the cost? About a quarter of what the car is worth. I just paid and left. I can probably stay out of populated areas until it finally dies on me. Which it did on the way out. Obviously no one had ANY idea what could possibly have happened to it, last i heard they’ve resorted to exchanging random parts, obviously at my expense, hoping that something might fix it. Maybe I’m just as happy. because this way no one has to see me actually drive my German “sports” car. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/2 "2010-10-18T08:17:35Z")
I’m not saying they didn’t screw you but in many cases what you think are fancy exhaust are actually the cheapest after-market parts. I have known many people who have replaced their exhaust with after-market “cherry bombs”. Cherry bombs are usually used as hot rod parts but are legal for regular cars and work as, long as you don’t care about the sound. ---
**Author:** ![Westrogothia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@Westrogothia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Westrogothia)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/3 "2010-10-18T10:39:26Z")
Oh Im sure I didnt get screwed and that it was the cheapest part. I just wish it didn’t look like something a 16 year old would do to his civic. [http://criticaldetails.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/civic-si-exhaust-after-custom-large.jpg](http://criticaldetails.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/civic-si-exhaust-after-custom-large.jpg) (not my car) Now imagine that on a cheap white estate and you might get why I’m upset. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/4 "2010-10-18T14:24:50Z")
Ricerriffic! ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/5 "2010-10-18T17:57:42Z")
Is there a reason for naming the model of this goddamned German-American rice-mobile? ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/6 "2010-10-18T18:25:17Z")
> [@Westrogothia](#): > > I went in to the mechanic to have my exhaust replaced and specified that they please make it as cheap as possible while using new and approved parts for it. Maybe you’re leaving something out, but if you gave them instructions this vague, and then had no further communication with them whatsoever until the job was completed, whom exactly are you blaming here? This is kind of like going to a restaurant and telling the chef to surprise you. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/7 "2010-10-18T18:58:44Z")
> [@Westrogothia](#): > > Oh Im sure I didnt get screwed and that it was the cheapest part. I just wish it didn’t look like something a 16 year old would do to his civic. > … > Now imagine that on a cheap white estate and you might get why I’m upset. No, you asked for the cheapest part, and you got it. You didn’t say “give me the cheapest part – unless it looks stupid, then I’m willing to pay more.” Were you? Willing to pay more? If yes then you should have told them, if no, what the hell are you whining about? That the mechanic did exactly as you asked? My god, the horror! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/8 "2010-10-18T21:51:32Z")
I suppose if this car is in fact an import that an OEM exhaust can be more than an aftermarket one, but it seems unlikely that a chromed “sports exhaust” would be cheaper than a run of the mill regular one. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/9 "2010-10-19T10:45:22Z")
More Flow = More Go! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/10 "2010-10-19T13:56:33Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I suppose if this car is in fact an import that an OEM exhaust can be more than an aftermarket one, but it seems unlikely that a chromed “sports exhaust” would be cheaper than a run of the mill regular one. You’d be surprised. My (2008) Hyundai Elantra has a bent wheel rim. Guess how much an OEM 15" _steel_ wheel is, without the cover? [$169.42](http://www.partswebsite.com/reyreece/?i=2&make=127&model=2069&year=2008&catid=30154&subcatid=31612§ion=116&type=parts), and that’s from a third party distributor. The cheapest dealer price I’ve found is $212. I could get _two_ of any number of aftermarket alloys for that much. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/11 "2010-10-19T14:00:00Z")
Those mufflers - they are called Fart cans. Now that you’ve heard it, you know where it got it’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/12 "2010-10-19T14:08:35Z")
> [@Westrogothia](#): > > I have this 10 year old German manufactured GM brand car (rather narrows it down doesn’t it) Its basic spec without AC or electric windows with what might be the smallest engine they sell with that particular model. > > I went in to the mechanic to have my exhaust replaced and specified that they please make it as cheap as possible while using new and approved parts for it. Vork? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/13 "2010-10-19T20:21:42Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You’d be surprised. My (2008) Hyundai Elantra has a bent wheel rim. Guess how much an OEM 15" _steel_ wheel is, without the cover? [$169.42](http://www.partswebsite.com/reyreece/?i=2&make=127&model=2069&year=2008&catid=30154&subcatid=31612§ion=116&type=parts), and that’s from a third party distributor. The cheapest dealer price I’ve found is $212. > > I could get _two_ of any number of aftermarket alloys for that much. I don’t know about Orlando but in Vegas there at least 5 shops that specialize in used/repaired wheels. The repaired ones are normally aluminum or painted, where it’s cosmetic damage. Steel wheels don’t take being straightened very well. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/14 "2010-10-19T20:33:39Z")
Not to hijack the thread, or anything, but: I thought about that, but I assume used/repaired wheels don’t come with a warranty. ---
**Author:** ![Westrogothia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@Westrogothia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Westrogothia)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/15 "2010-10-20T16:35:46Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Maybe you’re leaving something out, but if you gave them instructions this vague, and then had no further communication with them whatsoever until the job was completed, whom exactly are you blaming here? > > This is kind of like going to a restaurant and telling the chef to surprise you. Only if the chef brought you flambéd horsecrap. - Surprise! > [@BlankSlate](#): > > Is there a reason for naming the model of this goddamned German-American rice-mobile? I didn’t. Because I actually like it. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/16 "2010-10-20T17:03:43Z")
> [@Westrogothia](#): > > Only if the chef brought you flambéd horsecrap. - Surprise! Well, yes, if flambeed horsecrap was on the menu. ---
**Author:** ![Westrogothia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@Westrogothia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Westrogothia)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/17 "2010-10-20T17:05:19Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Well, yes, if flambeed horsecrap was on the menu. Then it’s not much of a surprise is it. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/18 "2010-10-20T17:10:48Z")
Yes, though you weren’t surprised either. You asked for a cheap exhaust, and you got one. If I go to a restaurant and tell the chef to surprise me, I’ll be surprised by whatever I get. If it’s something that isn’t on the menu, I’ll be _really_ surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Westrogothia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@Westrogothia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Westrogothia)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/19 "2010-10-20T17:23:17Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Yes, though you weren’t surprised either. You asked for a cheap exhaust, and you got one. If I go to a restaurant and tell the chef to surprise me, I’ll be surprised by whatever I get. If it’s something that isn’t on the menu, I’ll be _really_ surprised. Well if I got merde de cheval Flambé I’d be pretty darned surprised. And somehow I feel better knowing that when I came in here to rant about it someone would tell me it was was my own fault. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanics-and-used-car/557464/20 "2010-10-20T17:26:04Z")
Well, good. Because it is. 🙂