$2300 for a tail light for a Ford F150? That can't be right..

[jeffrefrig]

My wife's last car was a lease, a little Chevy SUV. She hit something and it cracked the door mirror and put a hole it the plastic section facing the front. I took it to a body shop across the river from me and told them I wanted to pay cash. "No! We only go through the insurance company." It took about 3 weeks for the new mirror to come in & they painted it and installed it for about $1500, including the $250 deductible. Now, she has a brand new Ford Maverick and broke the same side mirror on that. The Ford's mirror had more electronic parts than the Chevy had. I took it to Ford dealer's body shop and they replaced it for half what that body shop charged my insurance company for the Chevy. I paid cash instead of going through insurance company. I believe they ripped off my insurance co. but anyways, those new parts are ridiculous. Definitely not a J. C. Whitney-supplied $25 mirror 45 years ago!
By the way, my sister's husband has a near mint 1970 Chevy truck that came from the South-West somewhere and he uses it to haul stuff all the time. (Near mint except the bed I suppose, but the color is mint green & white, so maybe that makes it near mint.)

 

[SMSgt]

So I guess my carbide headlamps aren't adequate anymore?

 

[65-2x2]

I needed a new catalytic converter for my 2018....Took it to the dealership.....they handed me a quote of $2214.30. Took it to an independent garage, showed them the quote....they did the job for $864.12. Brand new converter......after bumper to bumper is gone...never, ever, go back to the dealership for service...... do you hear me.....never, ever.......................

I have bought my last four new cars from the same dealership. When we were closing the last one, the slick fellow doing the closing, looking at the computer, commented that I had never done any maintenance on my previous cars. I told him, "No sir, you are wrong, I just don't do it here." In fact, I don't even drive to the dealership for the "free" oil changes. My daddy was right, "Nothing is for free."

 

[venomballistics]

My Subaru headlights are about half that and they are as teched out as Darth Vaders bathroom.
Makes me miss the 80's when a honey bun was the size of a life raft and the girls weren't.
Imports were expensive to maintain and and groceries didn't require a second mortgage.

 

[Bekeart]

the cracked light was a fail.

If all parts in alignment - Solvent weld the crack - Super Glue has worked for me.

Bekeart

 

[Bugkiller99]

Friend has a Ford Bronco, newer model. He cracked his taillight, and had a similar tale of woe.

Just nuts…

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Recently the ignition switch died on Granddaughter’s 10 year old Mercedes SUV.
$1800.

 

[johngalt]

There are a laundry list of reasons why it's usually a bad idea to put xenons or LED "bulbs" in an incandescent headlight unit.

Yep. I missed the boat with my Corvette. There used to be aftermarket projectors for the C5, they are gone and are all LED now. Not interested in LED, would rather keep it stock.

 

[30-30remchester]

Just Googled tail light lenz for 2024 Ford F150. Many listing between $39 and $69.

 

[WR Moore]

Could be worse. My ride's back from the body shop for a new front bumper cover. Got into a discussion about headlight (and parts in general) prices with the paperwork guy-who doesn't understand it either-and that's now longer outrageous. He mentioned BMW as an example. Told him BMW actually stood for break my wallet. He laughed.

Put Hella sealed beam replacements in a couple of vehicles. Worth the $$$ but re-aiming the lights was a pain.

 

[CalifEd]

I’ve said for years, “One day, we will have outsmarted ourselves”.

Well, we have.

$2300 tail lights that often get stolen is a prime example why I won’t buy anything new.

Sometimes it pays to have friends, or know a guy who knows a guy, in low places that can get cheap(er) parts.

 

[Fishinfool]

Cracked plastic lens? There is this little roll of semi transparent red tape available at most auto parts stores that sells for a couple bucks. It's been getting guys thru vehicle Inspection for generations. I used it in the mid 1970's to get my 1965 Goat thru, and I still see it for sale.

Larry