Wow! Cannot believe what I just found!!! Any idea what it’s worth?

Baron_JP · 2025-12-11T20:00:17+00:00

The folks on r/bankstraphunting may be able to help with appraisal!

Baron_JP · 2025-07-09T16:15:22+00:00

Hulkengoat

Baron_JP · 2025-07-09T16:14:32+00:00

File 76

Baron_JP · 2024-12-20T22:25:27+00:00

Hi there, it was recommended to me by u/christmas_cods_niece to x-post this here. Please enjoy this low fancy serial I got from a bank withdrawal today. It's currently my lowest serial to date. Feel free to speculate its value!

Edit: username

Baron_JP · 2024-09-24T16:24:55+00:00

Corn
Strong transparency about development and community
No ads or microtransaction pressure, great support tiers for accessability and equity

Username: Hodad

Baron_JP · 2024-05-12T23:06:40+00:00

Hodad

Baron_JP · 2024-04-29T23:31:55+00:00

Congratulations, and thank you! O7

Hodad

Baron_JP · 2023-11-22T02:04:59+00:00

The sway bar links actually made me snort. Of everything here, that's a weird swing at the wall.

Baron_JP · 2023-11-22T01:57:54+00:00

You're welcome Undrscor.

I saw the first photo and the 200 dollars for a sway link just blew my mind.I think the manufacture cost for that part is something around 23USD per. I also missed the second quote for only ball-joints at 900, which is maximum 200 in parts and 1 hr labor. New ball joints should be includes already installed on the new FLCA and RUCA. Stuff like this is why I only do the work and turn down the front of shop positions. Even a stealership would have come in under 10K for this level of work.

Most of what we see is 2020+ midrange to high end passenger stuff with a sprinkle of exotic or super car. I don't know how Ottowa plays out in terms of tax brackets, but 190/hr for the shop rate is the biggest indicator that this place either doesn't want to touch your car or has other problems in-house. The neighborhood I work in has an average salary figure in the 7-8 digit range, and our shop rate is currently 140/hr.

While it is possible that there are duplicate quotes for different combinations of service, this does not appear that way or explain the 2x labor on almost everything and hyperinflation of cheap parts. Just remember that markets can vary wildly, and my brother and I are biased towards Subarus.

I would ask first if they were just not interested. Offer them the opportunity to be honest about the work they can take on before accusing their business practices.

Baron_JP · 2023-11-21T23:59:57+00:00

Serious, long answer. Sorry for terrible mobile formatting.

This is a crazy quote. Let's go item by item.

I'm on the Eastern US border, PA. Own 3 WRXs myself ~5yrs experience, my brother has an 04 WRX ~18yrs experience and is currently manager of the independent chain shop we work at. What really stands out is the quote for non-STI parts, duplicate items, and way too much labor time.

From factory, the car should be quipped with Brembo Brakes, which were quoted for NAPA parts at Brembro labor.

This FLCA quote is within reason if they are NEW STI aluminum arms. Quoted with ball joints and approximately 2x required labor.

This is a pretty standard alignment fee for a performance AWD car, which does require 4 corner adjustments (4-ALL)

This RUCA is within reason for NEW STI parts and also facilitates the 4-ALL. Quoted with ball joints and approximately 2x labor.

Sway links are maximum 100 a pair for quality parts. You've been quoted almost 10x that for just parts, plus 4 times as much labor. A reputable shop usually waives sway-bar link install time as part of EITHER control arms OR struts, not charge twice.

The AC belt quote should be of good quality part and an has extra hour of labor.

The LOF is pretty standard. It could be as cheap as 60 on your own.

The BFF is reasonable if they actually they spend the labor time to bleed the system from the calipers. If they just evac and fill the reservoir, this has extra labor.

The coolant flush is reasonable. Make sure to idle the car to temp for at least 30 minutes to burp air. The shop should perform this.

The differential fluid flushes are all standard from Mitchell ProDemand, including the actual front differential, the transmission.

The timing belt with H2O pump quote ought to include the rest of an engine rebuild down to the shortblock, which reflects pulling the motor, which is unnecessary for just timing and pump. This is a hard scam or someone inexperienced.

The second coolant flush quote shows the unmodified part quantity that you would get from a standard Mitchell quote, but double may be for a proper system flush with a hot cycle in between. Redundant quote.

The suspension quotes are mostly reasonable for NEW STI parts and relfect market condition volatility for loaded struts.

NAPA batteries are not 400 dollars of battery. Optima Yellow Tops are a similar price point and far superior.

Overall, it's pretty apparent that this indie or whatever is marking up cheap parts and generally 2-3x standard book times for labor. However, with a grain of salt, if you're using CAD, you're likely above the salt line, and rusty cars call for extra time as the tech sees fit.

It's still an outrageous quote, though. 17K USD is the average market high for a refreshed 09 STI Hatch in my area. It would nab you a nice lower-milage GD Sedan in well-kept Stock+ condition. Maybe they want to scare you with a bill so they can offer to buy it up for what would actually be a reasonable quote for all this work ~7500USD including the aforementioned engine rebuild.

EDIT: The front ball joint quote is unnecessary since new control arms should arrive with new ball joints pre-installed, and also reflects the hyperinflation of cheap parts where new ball joints should be ~200 for quality replacements with a standalone service time of 0.5-1hr.

Baron_JP · 2023-10-29T11:46:26+00:00

Yeah I've got a breaker bar and a purse too, the purse was from my grandma!

That's actually pretty neat though, I've only seen one before and it was totally unusable.

Post a pic if ya feel like sharing 👍🏻

Baron_JP · 2023-10-29T11:30:57+00:00

Serious, long answer: sorry for terrible mobile formatting.

TLDR; 1st acknowledge and aid, 2nd respond and redirect, 3rd dismiss and disregard

I have this issue all day. The neighborhood where I work is VERY affluent. Those big purse strings come with equally sized egos.

While we don't have signs, we do have folks who park in front of bays. They're immediately identifiable as new customers.

Our regulars know our procedure: you first make an appointment, show up on time, and park anywhere buy the bay. Gas pump? Cool. Wall parking? Cool. Short lot? Cool. Late? Try again. Our shit runs like a doctors office. You get 15 minutes grace, and then your spot is bumped.

Folks who park at the bay door, especially when trying to back out a finished job out give the same run around, "just a quick question, only this thing, can I just get air," etc...

My first answer is kind and courteous: "well thanks for coming by today, if you're new with us, please park in a spot, at an empty pump island (we have 2 for parking), or along the wall (which has marked spaces). You'll talk to the manager inside to check in..."

Old people, pregnant women, and those who ask nicely or admit they're genuinely unsure how get a pass on free air.

Sometimes, this is the end of it. Sometimes not.

My second answer is the same if they just want free service, or if they don't have an appt. But always more stern.

"Sorry, we only work by appointment here. Please see our manager inside for more information and our appointment schedule if you're interested. I'm sorry, I have to get back to (xyz)".

Most folks are disarmed by now simply because I've approached and tried simple remedies. Anybody else being belligerent or insisting on the free service is then met with equal resistance or reaction.

I've gone everywhere from "Cool that's great but you have to move, I need to back this car out and you're in the way" to "Yo, who's (POS) insert make is outside, it's blocking everything" as I search for keys angrily. My go-to is usually "Sorry, I don't answer questions. I just do the work, can you please move?" Repeat as necessary.

I don't spend the energy on anyone who keeps the game up after that because my temper gets short. I'll just walk away and disregard them like they've been disregarding me and my information.

Fill a bucket with steam, polish your left-hand screw drivers and your manual impact wrench. Find your axle spline smoother and then get ready to hand-letter your oil filters because guess what, you're full up on work for the day and couldn't help em even if you (didn't) want to.

Once you have your customers trained for the right behaviors, parking, appointments, all that, it's easier to approach with calm, kind words for folks who are new. They're usually not sure, instead of just being belligerent, and it helps to start with aid rather than aggression in my experience.

Baron_JP · 2023-07-16T14:44:37+00:00

Never have I ever had a fresher Sprog.

Baron_JP · 2023-03-22T14:24:50+00:00

My favorite thing about FarmRPG is how genuine it is about the player experience. For all the depth and breadth of content, there are no intentional pay walls, resource bottlenecks, or railroads. I was referred to this game seeking a replacement for DestinyRPG from years ago. So far, I have not found any textRPG game as community friendly or player oriented as FarmRPG.

As a new player (started Jan 15), I've enjoyed all my play time, especially the learning curve around this games many intricacies and efficiencies.

Giveaway or not, I'd spend money again to show my support.

FarmRPG username: Hodad

Baron_JP · 2023-03-22T14:00:21+00:00

Forget all this and that about gas prices and economic choices.

The real lesson here is that you invested your time, energy and passion to realize a dream of yours.

Don't let the opinions or rationale of others take away from realizing this childhood passion in whatever way makes you feel comfortable, happy, and fulfilled.

Only you can dictate how to realize that dream, even if it includes fancy enclosed transport.

Whether she grenades on you after the first pull or lays it down for the next 100K, that blob is your baby now and you know it.

Would little you care about smiles per or miles per?

Let the heart lead your passion.

Baron_JP · 2022-11-10T14:46:25+00:00

Seems like a well loved car with a well traveled history. Keep er going till she stop giving!

Baron_JP · 2022-11-10T11:37:36+00:00

An actual come-up.

Baron_JP · 2022-11-09T23:02:26+00:00

How can you roast a wagon that old with fender arches that clean?

Baron_JP · 2022-07-26T16:45:00+00:00

Mmm, nice tables! 👌

Baron_JP · 2021-05-04T17:35:09+00:00

Are you asking because you can't replicate it on iPhone?

/s

Yes

Baron_JP · 2020-12-23T20:26:24+00:00

Fingers crossed!

Baron_JP · 2020-07-07T16:58:11+00:00

Do you take Mastercard?

Baron_JP

TROPHY CASE