I just hit 100,000k miles in my '98 Ford Escort. I always thought you were supposed to get the timing belt changed at 100,000 miles, but I'm reading http://www.familycar.com/CarCare/GatesFrame.htm and it states 120,000 miles.

In the past I heard this would cost around $600, is this still the case?

 

what does it say in the car manual?

buy the belt from the dealer and have it installed at an indie shop should be cheaper

 

Find a good local mechanic. I got timing belt, water pump, drive belts and coolant parts+labor for $450 (I have a CL). I'm sure the cost varies a little from make/model to make/model but you're likely going to get hosed if you take it to a dealer.

 

Yeah I'm shopping around now


My wife went to a couple of places one charges $517 +tax and an independent shop that just opened in front of our subdivision says $325 for everything

I also called an independent shop my friend goes to, and a Ford dealer for comparision. the independent shop said $450 for everything and Ford wants over $700 for everything.

"everything" refers to timing belt/water pump and parts/labor.

The $325 looks good, but this shop just opened and don't really know much about it, and that is VERY low compared to the others, kind of makes me think about the saying "You get what you pay for".