Everything here in Maine is more expensive. Gas is always 10 to 15 cents more per gallon. In the local towns $10.00 is the standard upper hourly wage for a lead person. But small one and 2 man shops, where the owner works with the tools, the cost of repairs is exorbitant. They pay their workers at minimum wage and they pocket the difference. The cost to repair a cylinder is $150.00 and takes less than an hour. you tell me........The people here either accept the low wages or go on welfare. Also, most natives here drive 10 plus year old cars and don't bother with auto insurance. A ticket is cheaper that the cost of insurance, and with a police station that covers several towns, the chance of getting caught is slim to none. Most don't have home insurance, if their house burns down, which there's a house fire somewhere everyday.........then their SOL. I'll try to negotiate a price on 5 cylinder repairs around here, but lacking a reasonable figure, I'll bring them to Massachusetts on my next trip to Boston.