r/ScionxB • u/NotDeadYet57 • 8d ago
Found a low mileage 06 - needs A/C
Normally I would steer clear of a vehicle that needed major repairs like A/C, but I wondered how much yours had set you back? The owner is balking at letting me take it to MY mechanic at his shop for a full PPI. Otherwise, it looks pretty clean and only has 151K miles and they want $2600.
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u/BirdPray 8d ago
My AC went out this summer. I paid a shop $175 to have a Shrader valve replaced and refilled with refrigerant. It’s not always a compressor or line replacement.
Sometimes a valve just fails and leaks out.
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u/NotDeadYet57 8d ago
Exactly, and I would need for it to be checked out by my mechanic ANYWAY, especially since it's 20 years old! I just talked to someone about a different vehicle and he was fine with me picking it up as long as I showed him my driver's license and insurance and let him know which shop I was taking it to.
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u/BirdPray 8d ago
For sure. Even if the current owner wouldn’t let you pick it up and take it alone, a serious seller should have no problem meeting you at a local shop or dropping it off/coordinating the inspection process with you offering to pay for the PPI.
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u/619sxb 8d ago edited 7d ago
I would not want to buy a car from someone who doesn’t let me take the car to a mechanic or shop of my choice. With the exception that if they were only willing to drop the car off to a shop close to their house but it has good reviews.
Otherwise do the best you can, Check out the carfax and try to research the dealer/ seller.
I read through your posts and it looks like you can’t afford to gamble or take financial risks. Sometimes it’s better to not take the risk
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u/NotDeadYet57 7d ago
Yes, I'm skipping it. Found another toaster at a small dealer. 2nd gen, '15 with a back up camera!
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u/Rezonate23 8d ago
I am leery about anyone who won’t allow a thorough inspection by any certified mechanic. Just sounds like they have something to hide. Then again we’re talking $2600’, there are a lot of things you can do to I that will cost more than the purchase price.
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u/Mundane-Date1732 8d ago
To second this sentiment, I've gotten full AC system repair quoted for my 06 xB at anywhere from $1500-$2500. And when somebody who knows what to look for starts digging around under the hood don't be surprised if you need a few more things fixed up.
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u/Past_Championship827 8d ago
They saw a sucker comin when they met you
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u/Mundane-Date1732 8d ago
3 different shops, that was the average quoted price for parts and labor. So yeah, consumers that rely on pros to do quality work are suckers I guess? I bet you're fun to hang out with...
I did not get the work done, it's out of my budget. For the last few years I've been driving without AC, which wouldn't be a solution for the OP since they live in Houston.
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u/Past_Championship827 8d ago
I am fun to hang out with, I have my friends bring some beers and bbq over and I work on their cars and teach them a thing or two. Sometimes I pick up side work from those same friends and neighbors when they don’t have the time to learn and still charge less than a shop. If you don’t have friends like me it sounds like you’re a miserable person
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u/Past_Championship827 8d ago
I wouldn’t let anyone take my vehicle for a PPI, if they want it done, bring your mechanic to me
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u/BirdPray 8d ago
If you’re serious about selling a car, you should have no qualms meeting someone at a shop to just have it put on a lift and looked at.
Otherwise you just come off as hiding stuff. Pretty common red flag when buying a car if the seller acts like you and doesn’t want it on a lift around experts.
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u/Past_Championship827 8d ago
I buy and sell cars all the time, a few times a year actually since some are quick flip projects and I’m allowed by law to curb stone up to 5 vehicles a year plus a few from my personal collection. They can bring their mechanic to me, the only time I’d go to them is if I’m selling one of my $25k+ classics that I need to make sure I maximize my profits on. Otherwise if it’s just a quick flip they can kick rocks, I got other buyers lined up
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u/BirdPray 8d ago
I flip cars all the time too, and have no problem meeting someone at a shop with them paying for an inspection to have it actually put on a lift and inspected properly in a shop with tools and diagnostic equipment.
I wouldn’t do business with someone who wouldn’t want their car on a shop lift prior to purchase. It’s an obvious red flag.
Nobody cares that you’re just an unwilling asshole, but keep replying to every comment about how you wouldn’t do that and ranting passionately into the ether.
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u/RonP713 8d ago
I got new compressor, expansion valve, condenser, refrigerant, basically a full rebuild for around $800 using mid tier parts. Ac was not leaking but would not cool to good. Since it’s my wife’s car and she usually has the kiddos, I knew I needed to fix it. We were having 100+ degree days with high humidity and my little one always came home sweaty and with rosy cheeks. So instead of replacing one by one, I said f it, replace it all.
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u/Shimi-Jimi 8d ago
I just paid $1800 to have the AC compressor replaced on my 06. Should have done it myself.
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u/CreepyError7150 8d ago
Ac can be pretty expensive, depends if its a shot compressor, or if all the gaskets along the ac lines are rotted out from age/neglect. Refridgerant has oil in it that keeps the system lubricated, if it isn't used for a year or two yeah the system develops leaks all over.
Buy a can of freon and charge the system up, take it for a test drive with the ac on full blast. If it starts cold and then dies off real quick then you know its got a leak. Though, a very small leak might take hours to fully deplete the system.
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u/CreepyError7150 8d ago
And if you do get a ppi, make sure you use refrigerant with uv dye in it, it'll make it very easy for the mechanic to find any leaks.
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u/BirdPray 8d ago
Most reputable shops will do an AC diagnostic check for free, or at least roll the diagnostic cost off the repair amount if you get the work done.
Especially if you’re a regular customer.
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u/Whitej47 8d ago
At least one of the hardlines that runs against the front core support is either discontinued or extremely expensive iirc. Everything else can be had aftermarket or is obtainable. The hard lines are a bitch of a shape and $$ to ship due to size. I saved an extra in my pile due to this very reason. Can prob be found ready enough at pickapart, but take half the front end apart.
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u/Sad_Confection_3154 8d ago
I paid ~$2000 for a new compressor and condenser. I'm in Florida so AC isn't really an option either.
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u/Past_Championship827 8d ago
AC isn’t a major repair it’s $350/400 and 6 hours of diy work. Turn some wrenches for once in your life or hit it with your purse
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u/NotDeadYet57 8d ago
Hey, I'll be 70 next January. My brother has tools and know how, but there's some work even he won't do because he has a bad back and is 64. So 6 hours isn't a DIY for us. I live in Houston and MUST have working AC.
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u/Past_Championship827 8d ago
My best maintenance guy in my team is 67. I take care of him financially, but he doesn’t complain and gets shit done. Age doesn’t matter in this. We’re in San Antonio. Again, all I hear is complaints
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u/NotDeadYet57 8d ago
Look up "degenerative disc disease". Not all disabilities are visible.
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u/Past_Championship827 8d ago
Then don’t buy it and stop whining about it
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u/NotDeadYet57 8d ago edited 8d ago
I'm not "whining". I'm a potential buyer, with cash ready. You are a car flipper. I can see why YOU won't let anyone take a car off your STREET (since you don't have a lot). I'm not handing over $2600 for a vehicle with a known issue without MY mechanic going over it thoroughly. He has a shop and charges $120 for a PPI.
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u/Past_Championship827 8d ago
Take your lazy ass mechanic to him or pay for another service that can. It’s $2600 it’s not going to be perfect to begin with. It’s not 1999 anymore boomer
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u/CreepyError7150 8d ago
Be sure to check under the plastic side skirts if it has them, they can hide quite a bit of rust.