Window motor? That's a fun one. My other favorites are the ignition switch ($1k easy, possibly upwards of $2.5k depending on the make) and the head gasket (a popular failure item on Subarus especially, and about $2k to have replaced). What's really fun is replacing an automatic transmission. $2,000 at a minimum, and that's if it's a commonly available, old transmission. When I had a transmission replaced in a 1996 Subaru, it was $3,800 using a used Japanese import transmission.
The particularly fun stuff is in the newer cars. Your dual-clutch transmission went out and it's more than just a clutchplate replacement? $12k minimum (so if you're not in a BMW or Mercedes, time to buy a new car).
This is why I vastly prefer manual transmissions, besides the visceral fun factor of shifting gears (and not having to worry about the car being stolen, given how few people can drive them these days
). A clutchplate replacement in an MT is about $700. The clutchplate replacement on a DCT -- which will happen, as it's a wear item -- is about $5k. Unfortunately, the poor MT is on its way out; AMG hasn't used them for years, Porsche just dropped them, BMW is talking about dropping them, and even at the low end, it's a special order option if it's available at all. A co-worker had to special order a Civic with an MT for his kid, since no dealer carried it in anything but an automatic. Sure, you've still got the Golf R and the WRX STi (which only come in the MT), but the MT in the States is a dying breed.
All that said, I wouldn't want to give up being able to do 0 to 60 mph in the mid-4s with the roof down while playing some Final Fantasy battle music...
The particularly fun stuff is in the newer cars. Your dual-clutch transmission went out and it's more than just a clutchplate replacement? $12k minimum (so if you're not in a BMW or Mercedes, time to buy a new car).
This is why I vastly prefer manual transmissions, besides the visceral fun factor of shifting gears (and not having to worry about the car being stolen, given how few people can drive them these days
). A clutchplate replacement in an MT is about $700. The clutchplate replacement on a DCT -- which will happen, as it's a wear item -- is about $5k. Unfortunately, the poor MT is on its way out; AMG hasn't used them for years, Porsche just dropped them, BMW is talking about dropping them, and even at the low end, it's a special order option if it's available at all. A co-worker had to special order a Civic with an MT for his kid, since no dealer carried it in anything but an automatic. Sure, you've still got the Golf R and the WRX STi (which only come in the MT), but the MT in the States is a dying breed.All that said, I wouldn't want to give up being able to do 0 to 60 mph in the mid-4s with the roof down while playing some Final Fantasy battle music...
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
