q for Rick- struts, shocks, & rear arm bushings

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I posted this on YM and they suggested sending here for "Rick", I also welcome other comments as well please

Well I took my car in for routine maintenance to my normal shop- Tune up and coolant flush, they also checked the car out and found it needs front struts & rear shock replaced and 2 rear arm control bushings (est. $1,650 total)

I didn't really notice any problems while driving, but dude said it should be changed every 60K miles, I never changed any of this and am at 140 K miles

was wondering what the mechanically inclined YM crowd thinks (necessary? and ideas for cost control- suggested name brand shops that do this cheaper, etc...)

I plan to keep the car at least one more year, will only use it for "local" driving- with the exception I have to move from Austin Texas to Kansas City Mo this summer - so car would need to make that drive (12hrs / 700 miles) and then can stay local

car is a 2000 Honda Civic, I am thinking after my year in Kansas City the Army will move me to Europe (I hope so) so I would not want to take the car with me. Of course this is not definite and if I don't get assigned to Europe I would keep the car if assigned elsewhere in the states for at least 2 more years

I plan to get another mechanic to give it a 2nd oppinion as well

Anyways--Thoughts? Questions?

thanks

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well I took it for a second oppinion and this mechanic found nothing wrong but the wipers needed replacing (which I already knew)