Are Website/Internet Auto Repair Questions and Answers a Rip-off? How Can I Get My Car Fixed or Repaired?"

I recently submitted a "legitimate and personal" question to an online website auto repair expert company to see what their findings where? This particular internet company and thousand's of others, claim they have the answer to my auto repair problems, providing that I pay them for their expert advice via credit card or paypal payment? This leading internet company (which I will not mention) works on donations, which is NOT that bad? Considering a lot of these companies require a certain fee before they can give you an email answer.

Here is my legitimate and honest question asked? and I personally "Quote:"

Transmission problem
1996 Ford Probe 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 156000 miles.

"Hi! I have some questions to ask about my car? The other day I was driving down the road and suddenly my clutch" completely went out?" Before then, it had been working great! With NO noise and NO slipping, absolutely NO past problems, whatsoever.

At first, it was stuck in gear, and then the clutch suddenly started going to the floor and NOT coming back up, making a "whirring sound?". By the time I got it to the repair shop, aprrox. 10 miles away, (running mostly in first gear at 3,000 rpms, because I had NO clutch). The clutch pedal was all the way to the floor and finally the engine was making a "Rattling sound?", but was NOT running hot.

My mechanic said something about the pressure plate rattling, I believe, I'm just not for sure? He also said it looked like the hydraulics were working okay, he could see the peddle arm rocking back and forth. ("Whatever this means?").

He states the COMPLETE clutch assembly and possibly other surrounding parts will have to be replaced?

My Questions?

1. My mechanic tells me that sometimes a clutch will "go out with NO warning or any symptoms at all?" Is this true? Please elaborate on your answer? (I've been driving manual transmissions for over 40 years? I've NEVER seen this happen?).

2. How can I honestly know if he is telling the truth? What do I look for in the in these "so-called worn out parts once he has finished the repair job?"

3. He also tells me this is about (12) twelve hours of labor to replace by his computer rates? Is this true?

4. His minimum price so far has risen to $680.00 including parts and labor? and this depends on what else he will have to replace, making the price that much higher?

5. In your opinion, what other parts would need to be replaced for a clutch that's NEVER had any symptoms, problems or noise in the past? "I honestly, think this is just weird after 40 years of driving manual transmission vehicles for a clutch to completely go out this fast within 45 minutes of driving with symptoms of a BAD vehicle clutch?".

6. How can I tell if this master cylinder clutch is low on fluid? Where is this particular part?

I've been driving this 1996 Ford Probe for about (3) three years and so far has been a "Great sports car to drive!" with very few problems. Your ELABORATE answers will be greatly appreciated. "Unquote:"

At the present time, I am still awaiting a response from this particular internet company to find out if they are really "legitimate" or NOT? The question remains? "Are these online auto repair companies really legitimate?" Or is just another way to take advantage of internet people that have a credit card? "What do you do if you don't like their answer?" It could possibly be someone at the computer reading a repair manual typing off all the answers you would like to hear and read?

"Unfortunately, automotive repairs are one of the world's leading rip-off's!" "The problem is?" How do you honestly prove it?" These leading internet auto repair question/answer companies seem to have a long list of symptoms that could be possibly be wrong with your car? Depending on how much money you pay these people. In other words? It could be just about anything? Most of them will answer with a long list of diagnostic problems, similar to a doctor trying to figure what is wrong with his patient over the phone?

Ironically, these internet people have rehearsed and recorded their findings of each and every answer regarding your vehicle problem. If you pay them more money, they will however do more research to diagnosis your problem. Meaning that the more information you require, the more money they want in return although, they have never seen your vehicle for personal inspection. BEWARE: These automotive repair internet companies could possibly lead you down the "wrong road" and eventually cost you more money for your vehicle repairs!

Thanks for reading,

Phillip Chambley.