starter for 2003 Pontiac Vibe

[clarkfan1979]

I'm not very car saving but I managed to replace my car starter on my 2003 Pontiac Vibe today. I only attempted it because there was a youtube video. I don't think I would have tried it with just written instructions. I watched a 15 minute youtube video twice and then did the repair in about 2 hours for a total of 2.5 hours. I also repaired it in one day in comparison to 3-4 days at the dealership. I called and they said they would have to order the part, but only after I dropped off the car. They gave me an estimate for $527 and my cost was $127 for a savings of $400. I talked to a friend who is a self-taught mechanic and he said the first step is just overcoming the initial fear.

[kaizen soze]

That's awesome.  I'm also a car repair noob, and I find that you just have to dive in.

[TreeTired]

Great job!   Did you already have tools?  You would have needed some wrenches to change a starter, and probably ramps to get the car off the ground.  Where did you buy the starter?   Now I only use the local autoparts stores for oil, other fluids and filters.  Almost any/all parts I buy online.  One of the best places for generic parts I have found online is Rock Auto.

[RWD]

I talked to a friend who is a self-taught mechanic and he said the first step is just overcoming the initial fear.

This is quite true and applies to many other fields as well. Just one success can be enough to snowball into challenging yourself to try taking on increasingly more complex tasks. Congrats!

[lemanfan]

Great job!  :) 

Doing your own repairs is rewarding on many levels.

[Greg]

I talked to a friend who is a self-taught mechanic and he said the first step is just overcoming the initial fear.

This.  A car is just another machine designed and built by people (and our robot overlords) so anyone human should be able to repair them.

[clarkfan1979]

Great job!   Did you already have tools?  You would have needed some wrenches to change a starter, and probably ramps to get the car off the ground.  Where did you buy the starter?   Now I only use the local autoparts stores for oil, other fluids and filters.  Almost any/all parts I buy online.  One of the best places for generic parts I have found online is Rock Auto.

The tools required for this job was a small metric rachet set (20 piece?). I think this is around $15-$20 at Harbor Freight. I think my father-in-law bought it for me when it was on sale for $13.99. I also used a flat head screwdriver.

[HawkeyeNFO]

Great work OP!  I have found that you can almost fix anything on a car with the two things you mentioned: youtube, and getting past fear.  I also love Rock Auto for parts, and Amazon has been quite good for that as well.  Saved thousands over the years by doing simple things myself, like changing brake pads.  My total cost (parts):$40-$70 and about 60 minutes.  Dealer estimate $350 and leave the car all day.

[thurston howell iv]

Congrats on a job well done~! Feels good doesn't it?
I bet you're looking for other things to fix now. :)

[paddedhat]

Great job. I recently installed a set of larger towing mirrors on a Chevy truck. The mirrors were well over half a grand EACH at the dealer, I'm sure they would of wanted another $2-250 for installation. I bought the PAIR for less than $300 at 1aauto.com and then watched a great tutorial they had posted on You tube. First one took about 45 minutes, then next was done in half that time. There was no way that I would of upgraded them at the dealer for $1300-$1400, but it was nice to know that I got what I needed for $1000 less than that.