I'm starting to get overdue for a 120,000 tuneup, and it doesnt look like I'll really have any time to do much myself. Does $500 sound right for taking it to the dealer? Is there really that much to do, or should I just let it slide and wait till I know something needs work?

 

NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Don't take it to the dealer. If you really don't have time yourself, take it to some competent independent shop, it will be alot cheaper.

You should replace: Spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, pcv valve, coolant, tranny fluid, and most likely other stuff I'm forgetting.

 

I replaced the tranny fluid a few months ago when I put a new clutch in, and I did the main serpantine belt a little more recently (didnt get to the power steering one)

 

Oh yeah, belts...I knew I would forget something. Probably other stuff too.

 

I gotta go with the others....dealer bad....indy shop good

I did my own 120K service and it took about an hour of actual work time. Plugs are really easy, the fuel filter was simple as was the balance of the other items. I did take my girl to a shop for the trans and coolant but that only cost somewhere around $125 or $150 for both.

I don't really like a dealer except for warranty work; they seem to take a simple and relatively inexpensive task - say changing the plugs - and make it seem like the re-invention of the wheel and they charge a ton to do it.

if I were you I would make the time to do the basic stuff myself and let a competent shop handle the coolant and trans fluid.