You should get an alignment for sure. I did not do it for my car and one side of the tires was burned out! I got an alignment for 60$ so 80$ is a reasonable price. I don't think it makes a difference on the machine if its old or new, as long as they do the work good. getting an alignment will give you better handling iof the car and longer tire life.

the dude is BS ing you. just trying to get you to take your business to his shop. new or old they all do the same.

all front wheel drive cars can have the front n rear wheels alignment all shop have the computer machine and if you brought 4 new tires from them they should offer you a free alignment

tricky matter seek over google that might help

You should probably invest in an alignment. Eighty dollars for an alignment is reasonable. The machine the mechanic is probably referring to is a laser machine and is the most accurate in the market right now. Yes they do have sort of a free check. If there is no need for an alignment then you don't get charged. If you do need an alignment then I think you have to pay something if you refuse the alignment.

Sure, protect the investment you made in your new tires. Especially if you have not had an alignment performed in the last 20 or 30k miles. And yes, the quality of alignment does make a difference to a agree. $80 is certainly within the going rate of have this procedure performed.

The old tires would tell the story about whether you need an alignment or not. If the wear is worse on the inside or outside edges, alignment is a necessity to prevent the new ones from wearing like that. Your FWD Cavalier requires 4 wheel (thrust) alignment and $80 is a good price. It is *not* free with tires unless it is part of a special. Properly maintained machines built in the last 30 years are fine.

funny thing is I've taken a car and aligned it to specs. pulled car off rack drove around the block and pulled back on the rack. set up and checked alignment and got slightly different readings than the specs that I'd just set that car to a half hour before. This was a brand new Nissan maxima with only a few thousand miles on it.

alignment is not a perfect thing. all it takes is change weight distribution by a few pounds and things change ever so slightly. It's a good idea to get an alignment once in a while, especially because alignment techs occasionally find a part that has minute wear. A human can't detect the wear but a good machine can.

I got 4 new tires put on my car today.

I was asked if I wanted them to do an alignment while I was there. The tech said hed recommend that I get one but I always feel that its their job to get as much business from you as they can while youre there. Strapped for cash, and not sure if $80 is a good price, I told him that I would wait and do it later.

The shop is part of a auto repair area so while I waited for my tires to be put on I went to the other places to see their prices for an alignment.

I am not against getting one, I just want to know I need it. I didnt ask but will shops do a free diagnostic test to show you that you either do/do not need it?!

The real question I came on here is to ask about the alignment machines. One of the guys at a shop I went to said he has the "newest/best" machine in town. He said all the other shops have machine that are old.

Is there a big difference between the machine he has and the ones the other shops have?

One last thing. This other shop has a 2-wheel computer alignment. He said for my cavalier I would only need the fronts done. Guess I have a solid rear axle. Is that okay or should I have him check the backs too? The sign read $20 per additional wheel. Can the rears be adjusted/would they count as additional wheels?

Thanks