what should be a reasonable price if i were to go to a mechanic shop and have the clutch replaced on my 99 2 door ex 4 cylinder accord?

i got quoted at 550 and i'm waiting on another quote tomorrow. i live in southern california and one of my friends lives in idaho and he said the typcal clutch job is only 300 bucks there...
any help would be great.
thanks

 

550 is WAY too much. You figure an aftermarket clutch goes for 150-200 bucks and install shouldn't be more than 100-200 bucks at the most.

Get a 2nd opinion and call your local tuner shops too .

 

any other opinions anyone?
thanks for all info provided

keep in mind the 550 includes new clutch, pressure plate, clutch disc, throwout bearing.

so it seems like they are estimating a full redo on the clutch system, still too much?

 

Parts prices aside, it's more the prevailing Labor Rate ($$ per Hour) that causes sticker shock when these estimates are quoted. Unless you're dealing with "Two Yahoo's from Chino" working out of the back of some Chicken Roast house, you're going to be looking at a labor rate ranging from between $65.00 to $80.00 an hour (depending on local).
Multiply that by the Hours required to pull the Transmission and replace all that's required and you could easily be looking at the price quoted you.
Yeah, I know you'll hear of all manner of people telling you that it's a 'tit job and anyone's grandmother could do it; but in a shop you're up against a Flat Rate Guide. The Bible used to price jobs.
I'd be surprised if the second quote wasn't slightly higher.

P

 

$550 for parts and labor?? That shop will be going broke soon.
The people that jump on this website think the shops overhead is free and mechanics should be paid nothing.
I wouldn't bid that job for less than$350 labor plus parts
I hate to see the profession losing skilled techs because of falling labor rates, the skilled techs are being replaced by monkeys, and the consumer is the loser even if the job is a few bucks cheaper.