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Dealer vs. independent shop?

294 messages,  Last post on Feb 12, 2008 at 6:09 PM

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Messages Page 27 of 30

#255 of 294 State Inspections by sellaturcica

Sep 20, 2006 (3:12 am)

Replying to: shel2 (Jul 23, 2006 6:03 am)
I never lived in a place that had private inspection stations before Connecticut started private emissions testing a few years ago. When this started, I decided to only take the car to tire stores and other places that would have no stake in me flunking inspection- the conflict of interst in a general repair place to flunk you and then offer to repair what's wrong is just extremely fishy to me. If something like the above happened to me, I would thank them very much and take it to another independant to check out.

#256 of 294 Re: State Inspections [sellaturcica] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 20, 2006 (8:12 am)

Replying to: sellaturcica (Sep 20, 2006 3:12 am)
That's a good point. Repair shops tend to solve problems in terms of their own specialties....if your car runs bad and you go to a muffler chain store, it's always an exhaust problem it seems...and if it doesn't start and you go to a big parts store, it's always the battery and yes we have lots of them.
 
I like to go to emissions stations that sell NOTHING but emissions testing.

#258 of 294 Dodge Neon 2000 problem by ecruda

Sep 20, 2006 (6:52 pm)

I need help with the problem of my dodge neon. The problem is that when I drive for a couple of miles and the engines gets hot, it dies and stop. I've already spent a considerable amount of money paying a mechanic but until now the problem is not fix yet. I almost got an accident because when I was driving in the freeway, the engine suddenly stops running.
 
I tried turning the engine on for 10-20 minutes without driving it but when the engine is already hot, it dies.
 
Please help.
 
Thanks.

#259 of 294 Re: Dodge Neon 2000 problem [ecruda] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 21, 2006 (8:05 am)

Replying to: ecruda (Sep 20, 2006 6:52 pm)
I think a good mechanic would drive the car with his diagnostic equipment with him, and when it died, he'd get to work testing fuel pump pressure, spark, etc. Sounds like he's guessing with your checkbook. Has he read any codes from the car's computer?

#260 of 294 Re: Dealer vs. independent shop? [hest88] by djm2

Sep 27, 2006 (3:33 am)

Replying to: hest88 (Nov 10, 2003 12:48 pm)
hest88:
   I always have the dealer perform all the maintenance and service on my vehicles. The reasons for this action are as follows: 1.) I always purchase an extended FACTORY warranty on all my vehicles. 2.) I do an extensive amount of traveling with my vehicles. 3.) I want all my service records in one place, should I need warranty service either at home, or "on the road". 4.) If I have a problem "on the road," the local Honda dealer at my location can access my service records, and deal with the repair under the terms of the extended FACTORY warranty. 5.) The dealer performing the repair, can contact my selling dealer if there are any questions as to maintenance. Best regards. ---- Dwayne

#261 of 294 Re: Dealer vs. independent shop? [djm2] by dboe

Sep 27, 2006 (11:31 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Sep 27, 2006 3:33 am)
In the past when cars were simpler and required fewer sophisticated instruments for service or troubleshooting I did a lot of my own work.
When I didn't, I usually trusted the work to an indpendent mechanic. I've known several over the years that are excellent in every respect. It is definitely worth the effort to find one in case the need ever arises.
And I usually picked a mechanic who specialized in my particular vehicle, unless it was just for standard oil changes.
I avoid the Jiffy Lubes, etc. like the plague. Too many horror stories, and I have a major aversion to risk.
For warranty work, of course you have to go to the same make dealership.
But for cousin models, like Acura/Honda, Lexus/Toyota, Infiniti/Nissan, etc. I have found the lower priced models often have dealerships that charge less for service and will take care of the higher priced models, except for warranty work.
It is definitely worth checking out.

#262 of 294 Re: Dealer vs. independent shop? [dboe] by wale_bate1

Sep 27, 2006 (11:40 am)

Replying to: dboe (Sep 27, 2006 11:31 am)
"For warranty work, of course you have to go to the same make dealership.
But for cousin models, like Acura/Honda, Lexus/Toyota, Infiniti/Nissan, etc. I have found the lower priced models often have dealerships that charge less for service and will take care of the higher priced models, except for warranty work.
It is definitely worth checking out..."
 
Big "ditto" on that from here.

#263 of 294 Re: Dealer vs. independent shop? [wale_bate1] by pmakki1

Sep 02, 2007 (10:34 am)

Replying to: wale_bate1 (Sep 27, 2006 11:40 am)
go to the dealer to get it done right. Cost a little more, they have the experience and the parts available. Some independent shops do not have vehicle specific training and troubleshoot problems at your expense. You are actually paying them to train on your car, change this, if this does not work, change that. They are guessing!

#264 of 294 Re: Dealer vs. independent shop? [pmakki1] by 0patience

Sep 02, 2007 (10:41 am)

Replying to: pmakki1 (Sep 02, 2007 10:34 am)
I'd have to disagree with that.
Most the dealers I have to deal with replace parts far more than the independant shops I deal with.
 
While most the dealers replace parts, most the independants troubleshoot. I'll admit that this isn't meaning that for every dealer or independant, but my experience is that most the dealers I deal with replace parts and do little diagnostics.
 
On some things, the dealer may be the correct choice, but a large percentage of these can be handled at any independant, just as well.

Messages Page 27 of 30

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