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DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR 1999-2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO / 1999-2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM POWER WITH MOTOR, SINGLE CABLE TYPE
SKU#: DS-3-GM1550104
Other Number: GM1550104
PRICE: $ 55.37
Even at O"Reilly's, it's $100, and virtually all chain shops buy parts from local chain parts stores. They have their discount for bulk purchases. If they do not have it on the shelf, then order is normally 2-3 hrs from local hub. One way or another, it's a stiff mark up of 200% for part itself.
Never done it on Alero, but on my Silverado, and I had it done 3 times, it's truly about 15 minute job.
You're comparing apples and oranges. Even so, the "list price" on that part you posted is $274.
$460 for a VW Jetta regulator for part and install. Total P.I.T.A. Only paid for that once and promised not to swallow that bill again. Fast forward several years later, same problem on passenger side this time (VW had notorious plastic problems in their regulators).
$120 for the part, 45 minutes of my times, a DIY forum and voila! Fixed window.
And that shop has to give you a warranty and if the part breaks in the warranty period they have to fix it free. Most good shops do nit buy cheap Chinese crap. They can't afford to do the job twice. You Joe Average buys cheap oart and then buys cheap oart two more times.
On my vehicles I either get factory parts or high quality aftermarket. Cheap Chinese crap belongs in the trash.
Gator, why didn't you telephone or stop by a Buick dealership and inquire what the service advisor/mgr guestimated that it would cost to have said repair done there?
Gator, why didn't you also stop by two or three local independent repair places and inquire what the mgr there would guestimate the cost to have said repair done there?
Gator, I'm not saying that you did anything wrong because you certainly didn't.
It is more for a heads-up for others who might have similar things that need repairing on their old POS cars too. That is the major downside of driving/owning/maintaining an OLD (8-9 + years) POS.
UNLESS you possess the needed skills to attend to the needed repairs yourself (self-labor) and the time to do said repair, and tools, area etc to do it properly......then an OLD car will end up costing you more than if you bought a brand new $15k Asian make car and owned it for 8 to 10 years (YOUR TOTAL COST will be less on the new.
If you are handy with tools and like being a frequent shopper for replacement parts and getting your hands dirty, parts swapping and doing your own repairs in your driveway/backyard to keep an old POS on the road, then perhaps the old POS route may be economical enough IF you are wise enough to pick an old car with solid reliabilty record which has been cared for by prior owner(s).
Businesses that specialize in AUTO GLASS and businesses that specialize in Automotive Upholstery/Interiors/Tops/Trim can also handle this type of repair, or they will know who the best "shop" in the area is to have that sort of work done.
It is simply a mattter of TIME & EFFORT to do the necessary PRIOR research to determine where YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR CAR for the MOST COST EFFECTIVE & PROPER REPAIR.
Your time is money too. Your time and fuel cost to drive around to obtain said parts or/and repair estimates.
Sure, you can find an online parts source or online junkyard and have the part shipped to you. Still there is your time searching online for the parts source, ordering it, etc.
You'll have to use your own free time and your driveway to install said parts. Before you do that, you'll need to research how to disassemble and remove parts and how to install and reassemble. You'll have have to research what little $4 tools that you'll need to get to remove the door panel/window handle/door handle etc without damaging things. Yes, that is typical if you're planning on owning and living with an old pos vehicle. You better familiarize yourself with YoU PULL IT type junkyards and other junkyards as you may need cost-effective alternatives to a $2400 transmission rebuild.......a $250 or $300 used transmission might be just the ticket for your old POS assuming you or you and your buddies can do it in your driveway/garage.
Old POS cars are PITA unless their owners are of the hands-on do it yourself, get shop manual, the needed tools, and needed replacement parts and do the repairs. The big thing is most POS old car owners don't know a wrench from a hammer and can't tell a water pump from an alternator.....
Always buy the newest, most quality make car that you are able to. Low cost new economy models are great. Always stick with the better brands(ASIAN nameplates) no matter what type of car that you must have, Inexpensive-economy or all the way Expensive.......................it never pays to buy old junk..............................if you are fond of certain particular Old junk and enjoy working on cars than certain Old cars can be fun...................it never will be exactly cost-effective but the fun/hobby aspect is great.
Haven't worked on an Alero in years. They get totalled in a fender bender these days but I seem to remember them being pretty easy. As I've removed regulators in hundreds if not thousands of cars you don't know how hard they are to change until you do it. Some stupid Fords have giant rivets holding them in and the glass to them. Some Audis you have to remove the glass and window frame as a unit with the mirror attached. Older BMWs have cheesy plastic wheels with cables. The plastic wheels disintegrate in Vegas heat. Changed 4 on one BMW once. Replaced one on the same car 6 months later.
A newer Chevy Tahoe or pickup my mom could probably figure out on her own.
As for the price in the OP.....without knowing the true price and quality of the part who knows? Always get your old parts back by the way.
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