Why Are Alignments So Expensive?

[Mroth]

I need to get an alignment on my 2000 Boxster S. My mechanic charges $195 to do one. Can anyone tell me what he is doing that is so much more costly than an alignment at a place like Sears or Pep Boys?

Thanks.

Michael

[Lobo1186]

mine gets done for 125. and they do a good job and give you a specsheet after. my guess... nothing. (then again I dont go to pepboys or midas or whatever)

[dallison]

my indie was 129 last year. shop around.

[mikefocke]

1. You live in an expensive to live in neighborhood for the people who work at the shop. (I used to live in Oakton.) They want to earn enough to have a family, etc.
2. The guy probably does less alignments than the Sears shop does. So the equipment and floor space have to be covered by fewer procedures.
3. He may actually know how to do a Porsche alignment and what various settings that are within the spec will do. I found a racing setup experienced mechanic to do mine and it made all the difference in the world.
4. If something he sees is wrong, he has the experience to recognize what the cause is and fix it.
5. You may be using a more experienced mechanic (and thus more expensive) while the Sears shop employs just a guy who got a recent tech certificate...if you are lucky...to do the alignment work.


While I agree to shop around, sometimes it pays to pay the man who can do it right.

[941MXVET]

$86 at Les Schawb Tires, (A regional chain) using a Hunter alignment machine, complete service with spec sheet at the completion of the task.

[gsrhoden]

At least you found a place. I have gone to 3 different NTB's and a Goodyear shop and none of them will even touch it. The only good thing is at least they are honest enough to tell me they don't have the experience to do a good job.

If someone knows of a good place in the Houston area, please let me know.

Thanks,