That mechanic saw you coming, a new MAF is around $165 and ten minutes to replace it as well as a used air filter lid and filter.
Are you still having starting issues, is it from a bad charging system or engine tune related?

 

Once you get the "new" MAF hold it upto yours, you will see how it goes in, pretty easy, a couple of clamps and maybe a screw or 2 and the old one will come out and then you put the new on in the same way as the old one.
As for the air filter, $15 at the autoparts store, open the air box, remove old filter, put new one in, pleats facing down, 5 min.
Clamps hold on the airbox cover, they work kinda like a belt buckle, easy.
And if all you need is the top of the airbox, that is also easy, buy a used air box, take off the old one and install the new one.
Total cost for all of this should be around $100, even if you have to buy the whole air box used you only need the top.
e-bay and Craigslist are your friends, just Google what you want and then start shopping, sure beats working all day.

 

yea seriously stay away from that mechanic. some will charge a base 1 hour fee which is usually $75-120/hr even if it only takes them 10 minutes or 40 minutes.

but replacing the airbox, filter and maf take less then 10 minutes combined with nothing but a screw driver and a wrench i think holding the airbox in place.

buy the parts online, and ill take pictures with instructions that price is outrageous