Korean Job Discussion Forums

[beison]

Hello all,

I'm looking to buy a car and trying to understand the costs before diving into it. I've checked the forum previously, and couldn't really find my answer so here it is:

On older sub-compact domestic models (Such as a Matiz or Morning), does anyone have rough cost examples for repairs?
Eg. How much would it cost to change the timing belt, alternator, tires, brakes, oil. Or what about repairs to front end failures (shocks/struts/tie-rods?) or other failures to high milage, older vehicles that might happen?

Thanks for any real world experiences you might have!

[coralreefer_1]

Here are a few estimates I have gotten in the past. Note, I dont drive a Tico anymore, so some may have changed over time.

Timing belt - I was told about 200-300 thousand for my late model Sonata. I would expect something similar for a subcompact.

Alternator - No idea

Tires - Can get a single tire for about 35-50 thousand new. (depends on brand)

Oil - Typically runs about 40 thousand for nearly all cars.

Brakes - I recently paid 60,000 for rear brakes. (again, Sonata, not previous car)

Front end stuff/high milage repairs - This one is a bit difficult because depending on the model and year, the parts may not even be made anymore. For example, with my old Tico, I had a fuel pump problem. I had driven the car for almost 3 years with no issues other than occasionally get a whiff of gasoline, but otherwise no problems. Then one day, while on the expressway on Chusok of all times, the smell of gasoline was simply overwhelming, and basically something on the fuel pump failed, was leaking gas, and eventually led to a fire that left my stranded on the expressway. Luckily I had some water and oput the engine fire out...but at the repair shop the guy told me the part I needed wasnt made anymore. He repaired it rather cheaply with a different part, but it wasnt an "exact fit" as my car was too old. (If im not mistaken, it was a gasket)

Anyway...I took the repair and drove the car for a few weeks, but then once again I caught a whiff of gasoline. The idea of driving and suddenly having another engine fire was something I wasnt comfortable with...so I got rid of the car.

This is the problem with older cars, especially if the model has been changed (Tico to Matiz for example.

Not really a big deal...but something to keep in mind.

[beison]

Thanks for the detailed reply. Perhaps upon considering my question and your response, maybe I could phrase it like this:
I'm pretty experienced with older vehicles in the US, and have a good idea of what the repairs cost over there... Is it safe to say that the costs to fix domestic vehicles in korea is roughly the same? More expensive? Less expensive? From the numbers you gave, it's seeming pretty similar, but was that your overall opinion as well?

Thanks again.

[coralreefer_1]

I personally feel repairs are cheaper here. As far as cost of parts, prices may be similar..but the labor cost seem to be FAR less than in the US.

For example...in the US one can run over to a local Jiffy Lube and get the oil changed for about 40-50 bucks. Pretty similar to Korea. The difference is though..in the US you can run over to the hardware store and by the oil and filter for 15 bucks. In Korea however, the cost of the oil and filter are much more expensive.

So the US place is charging roughly 25 bucks for 10 minutes of work...while the average Korean shop may be charging only 5 for the work.

[thrylos]

As long as you're repairing a Korean car, it's dirt cheap compared to NA. The mechanics are quite knowledgeable and reliable, especially if you're a repeat customer (and as a foreigner, you're memorable). I've lived in 3 different places in Korea and never had any issues with the 3 mechanics I've dealt with in over 10 years. (I found someone nearby my home, for convenience's sake, and never had to change them.) They are honest and will even do repairs for free(!!), if they're minor or part of a bigger service-- ie, change a belt, oil changes are free, or get a new set of tires, they'll throw in an alignment for free, etc. For minor problems, I never get charged anymore, even if it's the only thing I go in for.

In short, don't sweat it...Unlike NA, labor is cheap-- you're basically paying for the parts (plus some profit), whatever that costs, but definitely not an arm and a leg like back home.

Also, keep in mind your neighborhood Joe mechanic will be cheaper than an 'authorized' brand-name place and just as good. (ex, Hyundai 'Blue hands' places). I'd rather give the local/independent guy my business, anyway.

[Weigookin74]

Newer car should have less problems than an older car. If you're going to sit in traffic forever waiting an older car with a bigger engine will brun lots of gas. I drive an LPG with a 2.0 Liter engine (big for Korea) and have reasonable costs even with sitting in traffic. Domestic cars with domestic parts are cheaper than the west. But, you will still have to spend from time to time. Had to replace my radiotor for about 160,000. Had some other work (oil change, belt change, other fluids flushed, some wiring and plugs changed - bit of work involved) around 140,000. Had to get head gasket changed - really big job along with something minor for 200,000. Except for these things, car does work well and have decent power.

Went to a real used car dealership. Got an ajossi to go with me and negotiate like a MOFO. I paid 3 million for it. Mid 2000,s model. Looks newer and low Km's. Koreans are status hungry for cars so a car only a few or several years old isn't so expensive. Before that drove an old beater from the late 90's. More gas, more repairs. Think it was a million won. If you're here long term, save money and get a newer car.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Buy Hyundai or Kia. Repairs are cheap, parts too. I did find new tires as expensive as back home though.

The good thing is there aren't all those "disposal fees" they take on at least in Canada (oil disposal fee, tire disposal fee).

[pop1093]

I sent you a PM.

[Underwaterbob]

The big difference I've noticed here is that they charge a pittance for labor where back in the west, often enough you end up paying the mechanic more than the price of the parts to install them.

[nicwr2002]

[Underwaterbob]

[Joe Boxer]

I used to pay very little for labor in Korea. I paid pretty-much just for parts, when dealing with car and motorcycle mechanics. Even when dealing with computer repairmen. Hell, even the plumber was cheap.

Over the years, though, I've seen a sharp increase in the charge for labor. Has anyone else found this?

[seoulsucker]

I got four new Nexen tires, all four brakes refitted, an oil change, a wash, detailing, and a cracked bumper repainted on my '07 Hyundai for under 500K. It's WAY cheaper here to get basic maintenance done.

[Died By Bear]

I drive a Landcruiser in Korea. Why?

Do you know what the ENTIRE freaking African Sahara, Congo, Kalahari and everything worth its salt on the PLANET drives when they just HAVE to get somewhere? You got that right it, Jenny, they ride the hill crushing LAND CRUISER.

The LAND CRUISER does not have time for the word "CAN'T" when it's busy chasing billy goats down the Himalayan mountains, or casually crunching over male Lion dung out in the bush, hunting some water buffalo with the driver's torso bouncing out of that man sized sun roof. MAN sized sun roof. Is there an echo? And it even has a ROOF RACK so you can tie that beast down when you're done fiddling around with your rifle and posing next to your trophy "4-Wheeler." Because real MEN don't POSE. They DO. And you will TOO, when you shift the transfer case into 'HI' with your clammy little pedicured feet on that throttle pedal.

And when your rich buddies are soaking in the rain waiting for a tow truck to haul their MALL ROVER RISK-Oh 2 for the 5th time this month, you can drive up and laugh at their expense for 23 minutes then tell them to get back in the CAVERNOUS 3rd ROW DUNCE seats because 2nd row is for your dog and anything smarter.

Don't be fooled into thinking this is some kind of "beater" or "hoopty." When GODZILLA took a dump after eating half of Tokyo, what do you think was left to fight him? Not the faded vinyl camo wrap falling off from the monster's stomach acid. Think harder, Trudy. It was the 4700 pound BRUTE FORCE ON 4 WHEELS pounding Godzilla's intestines with the thunder of 155 HORSES from that indestructible 4-liter 6 cylinder Sabre Tooth Tiger crammed inside its ladder frame. That's what. Just turning the ignition makes Godzilla belch PLASMA FLAMES uncontrollably from indigestion thinking of that day.

[FriendlyDaegu]