Toyota Repair: timing belt, independent repair shops, toyota camry

Question
I have a 1996 Toyota-Camry and what I need to know is the price and labor to replace it, I called the Toyota dealer and they said approximate $175.00 could you tell me how much the Auto repair centers will charge?

Answer
Toyot dealers are very competitive with the independent repair shops on most of the common maintenance items, the $175 seems more than fair and I doubt anyone can give a lower figure in your area, keep in mind that this is just a figure to replace the timing belt part and labor, whether you go to the dealer or the local garage be prepared to have them tell you that it needs the water pump and some oil seals and maybe the belt idler and tensioner pulleys which will drive the price up considerably.