Here’s what happened: Kristen was on her way to pick me up from the train station on Monday, when out of nowhere, the car broke down on Crowchild Trail. I got the call a couple of minutes before getting off the train: “The car just broke down and I’m stuck on the side of the road”. I really had no idea what to do.

Thankfully, though, I had my handy iPhone with me. I was able to get the number for my insurance, call a tow truck, figure out how to get to Kristen via City Buses, and contact a friend to help us out. All without the battery dying too!

Once we (Chad and I) got to the car, we tried starting it again – surprisingly, it actually started! I was a little relieved but worried at the same time – why did this happen and when/will it happen again? So we drove it to Chad’s parents’ house and left it running for a little bit. Sure enough, a few minutes later, it stalled again – and this time, it wouldn’t start.

So I called the tow truck that I had just cancelled and asked them to tow the car to the VW dealership. After being laughed at and told “do you know how many times people cancel the towing then call us right back?”, the ball was rolling and my car was on its way to recovery.

VW called me the next day once they assessed the problem and told me that it was going to be $600 to get it fixed – and that I need to do this and that to the car as well (typical dealer guilt-trip).

Here’s what they told me:

1. Assessment fee (reading codes from car): $140 – needed
2. Replace crankshaft sensor: $550 – needed
3. Replace spark-plugs: $300 – recommended
4. Replace timing belt: $1200 – nice to have but long overdue
5. Replace fuel line vacuum hose: $100 – needed for another issue

Grand total: $2,290

At this point I said Eff that! The only thing I NEEDED to fix was #2. So I reluctantly gave them the “ok” to go ahead with the work.

Shortly after talking to VW and getting shit from Vic about taking my car there, I remembered George telling me a while ago about a shop called TuneDub that he took his VW to. So I asked him for the phone number and gave them a call.

Here is what they had to say:

1. Replace crankshaft sensor: $240
2. Replace spark-plugs: $120
3. Replace timing belt: $650
4. Replace fuel line vacuum hose: $30

Grand total: $1,040

Once I was told these prices, I promptly called VW and told them to stop working on my car. I then called the towing company that TuneDub recommended (Magnum Towing) and had them tow my car to TuneDub and have them work on it instead.

Despite the extra towing charge, it was still less than half the price to have the same work done at TuneDub than it was at VW. And I am now happy to say that my “Check Engine” light is no longer lit, and that my car is running just fine!

From now on, I will never, ever, EVER, take my car to VW for anything unless it was completely and absolutly necessary.

Moral of the story: Do your research.

Special thanks goes out to: Vic, George, and Chizzzzad.