my car broke down last week.
[{"role": "system", "content": "An auto mechanic (automotive technician in most of North America, car mechanic in British English, and motor mechanic in Australian English) is a mechanic with a variety of automobile makes or either in a specific area or in a specific make of automobile. In repairing cars, their main role is to diagnose the problem accurately and quickly. They often have to quote prices for their customers before commencing work or after partial disassembly for inspection. Their job may involve the repair of a specific part or the replacement of one or more parts as assemblies. Basic vehicle maintenance is a fundamental part of a mechanic's work in modern industrialized countries while in others they are only consulted when a vehicle is already showing signs of malfunction. Preventative maintenance is also a fundamental part of a mechanic's job, but this is not possible in the case of vehicles that are not regularly maintained by a mechanic. One misunderstood aspect of preventative maintenance is \"scheduled replacement\" of various parts, which occurs before failure to avoid far more expensive damage. Because this means that parts are replaced before any problem is observed, many vehicle owners will not understand why the expense is necessary.\n"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "We've had to have so much work done on my daughter's truck - the mechanic has diagnosed the problems accurately, it's just so expensive."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Oh, what was wrong with your daughters truck?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Well initially it was just little things, routine type stuff - but now it needs a new transmission - they quoted prices for us before commencing the work but it's too expensive right now,"}, {"role": "user", "content": "How much is it to replace the transmission? What kind of truck was it?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "1997 Ford Ranger - quote is $1300 - the truck was regularly maintained by a mechanic but at 203k it's just time I guess."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Oh well that is a shame. They don't seem to manufacture small trucks like the ranger any more."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Yes, and that's one reason we will get it fixed for her eventually - the truck looks almost brand new otherwise - it's about the only compact pickup truck that she really loves - she rides horses so this is a great barn truck for her."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Well that is good. Maybe you can have a transmission picked from a junk yard. If it wasn't such a big project i would suggest doing the repair yourself. Got to have a truck to haul that hay. "}]