In February I brought my car to my mechanic because there was no pick up and he told me it needed a new engine. If I hadn't just put in a new transmission, I probably would have gotten rid of the car, but since I had already done that, I figured I might as well since I would then have an almost new car. Everything was good until I had my car inspected. The next day there was a horrendous grinding noise and my mechanic told me I needed new brakes and I said there was also a very slight ticking noise and to check it out. He told me it needed a new catalytic converter and would cost approx $500. He had also replaced one when he did the engine. Now I realize I really should have gotten a new car, but there is too much invested at this point. When I picked up the car, the bill was $1100 to replace the right rear catalytic converter. My questions are - wouldn't that have shown up when they did the emisson check during the inspection, there were no check engine lights on and why the difference in price. Am I being taken for a "ride"?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 2003 Nissan Maxima. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
The catalytic converter on your 2003 Nissan Masima could have passed the inspection and functioned emissions wise well enough to keep the check engine light off but still exhibit a rattle or ticking noise. Or it could have been one of the pipes attached to the converter causing the noise. New Catalytic converters must meet stringent new standards, more so than even a couple of years ago. That could have accounted for the higher price that quoted. That being said, the repair shop should have let you know the price was going to be higher that quoted, out here is California they are required to do so.
