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Car Buying for Women

300 messages,  Last post on Aug 25, 2011 at 12:27 PM

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Messages Page 26 of 30

#251 of 300 Re: On another subject... [andeet] by mcdawgg

Oct 16, 2007 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: andeet (Oct 16, 2007 6:10 pm)
How many miles? You have a 5yr/60,000 mile powertrain warranty, 3/36 on everything else.

#252 of 300 Re: On another subject... [andeet] by humblecoder

Oct 17, 2007 (5:52 pm)

Replying to: andeet (Oct 16, 2007 1:03 am)
Obviously, I wasn't in the room with you when the CarMax service tech and you met, so I can't say whether he was "rude" or not. However, I don't think he was being TOTALLY dishonest to you.
 
If your tires really were bald, then he was right to point it out to you. Let's say for instance that he didn't point it out just to be polite, and you got into an accident because of the bald tires. I would bet that most people would be back at the dealer with a lawyer or two in tow. That is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Besides, if you doubted his honesty, you could easily check out the tires to see if they were really bald or not. I am guessing that he was being straight with you, since he knows that bald tires are an easy thing for the consumer to verify.
 
Regarding voiding the warranty, he was probably right about that, too. All new cars that I have owned have require that you follow the scheduled maintenance in order to keep the warranty valid. That includes oil changes, scheduled maint, etc. Again, there was no dishonesty there.
 
On the flip side, it sounds like some of the prices they quoted are quite outrageous. $1600 for four tires? Unless they are bulletproof or something, I can't see paying that much for tires. Since tires are an easy thing for consumers to price shop, I have rarely seen dealers try to rip you off on a tire purchase to that extent. In my areas, for instance, most places have around the same price for tires. Maybe the $1600 was for the tires, scheduled maint, oil change, and whatever else they were suggesting.
 
I can't really comment on $480 for $30K maint, but dealers often add on "extras" that aren't strictly required by the owner's manual. You are better off going to your owner's manual and specifically asking for the services that are required. Also, if the other place is offering $180, I would check to make sure that they are going to do all of the services required at 30K. They might be "low balling" you by excluding some required services too. That's another reason why I don't ask for the "30K maint".
 
I also can't comment on the cost of the new engine. However, I will say that if you continue to change oil every 15k miles, you might end up with a big repair bill down the road. Whether it is $10K or $14K, that is still a lot of money - money that you could avoid paying with a $25 dollar oil change every now and then. Everybody has trouble making ends meet nowadays, but sometimes it is better to spend a little money now to avoid spending a lot of money later!

#253 of 300 Re: On another subject... [humblecoder] by jipster

Oct 17, 2007 (6:28 pm)

Replying to: humblecoder (Oct 17, 2007 5:52 pm)
I can't comment on $480 for 30k maint.
 
I can. I'm looking at a Mazda Service Schedule for Oxmoor Mazda in Louisville. The recommended services at 30k miles comes to $529.99 WAAAAYY overpriced.

#254 of 300 I know to change my oil every 3,000 miles-I've been doing it every since by andeet

Oct 17, 2007 (6:42 pm)

I just don't get it. My brother has Mitsubishi Lancer and he goes to the dealer for his oil changes. And he personally deals with the service writer. My brother told me some things that happened to him like service writer asks him "Since you're at 50k; you want to do the 50k maintenance?" Then my brother tells him back "No man; I'll come back for that. You know money is the issue." And the service writer doesn't put a gun to his head and tries to make him do it just like me and Carmax.
 
I know it's important to do it; its just they put me in that "Gun at my head and pull the trigger if you don't do it" position and I heard from different other Scion owners are stating their dealers are doing the same high pressure + crappy service; I heard so many stories like "My dealer put huge dent on the driver's side" and "Detailers scrubbed my car with rough brush and put circle scratches." Heck, some guy stated he paid $1,700 for cheap tires at his dealer and didn't say no like what I did.
 
This other dealer I'm talking about is a Milwaukee city limit Toyota dealer and one of their Scion Specialty sales consultants goes on a Scion forum site that I go on. She has read this situation (since I posted it on there) and she private messaged me stating I should go up there. Then explain what happened and tell service writer I want to be on track. They will charge me $180 for this 35k checkup and this dealer is ranked high for high quality service. She told me alot of their techs are very knowledgeable and trustworthy with costumers' cars.

#255 of 300 Re: I know to change my oil every 3,000 miles-I've been doing it every since [andeet] by joel0622

Oct 18, 2007 (6:57 am)

Replying to: andeet (Oct 17, 2007 6:42 pm)
andeet, what ever you please make sure you do at least the basic maintanence. It sounds like you live on a fixed budget and could not stand a huge service bill. In todays automotive world lack of scheduled maintanence can void a factory warranty. If you go outside the dealer to do your maintanence or from one dealer to another make sure you keep good records

#256 of 300 Re: I know to change my oil every 3,000 miles-I've been doing it every since [joel0622] by andeet

Oct 19, 2007 (1:53 am)

Replying to: joel0622 (Oct 18, 2007 6:57 am)
I REALLY would LOVE to get back on track! I like this car very much but these dumb bills are just stacking up and it seems like they won't get back down. This would never happened if I didn't sign an apartment lease last June. I shouldn't known to not sign that lease since I didn't have the money to do the car checkup in May. I currently work two jobs trying to make something happen but rent seems to always get in the way. Good news is; this morning I did pay my November's car payment so I'm head. Maybe I'll use November's amount to pay Carmax to do the dumb check up and request to deal with one of my two favorite service consultants (since this happened; when I had unexperienced service consultant and one had the day off & other went on break.) Let's hope Carmax of Keno hasn't read my complaining (Off with my head!!! LOL)
 
Man!! Can't wait to get this year over with!! Worst year of my 23 year old life!

#258 of 300 Re: I know to change my oil every 3,000 miles-I've been doing it every since [andeet] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Oct 19, 2007 (10:34 am)

Replying to: andeet (Oct 19, 2007 1:53 am)
The good news is that you are young, and you are learning these lessons young. The hard way, yes... but there are plenty of people who never learn them at all, or learn them when they've got bigger responsibilities, like children.
 
Congrats on getting ahead on the car payment!

#259 of 300 Re: I know to change my oil every 3,000 miles-I've been doing it every sinc by fezo

Oct 19, 2007 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: Kirstie@Edmunds (Oct 19, 2007 10:34 am)
Getting ahead on the payment is a very good start.
 
On the tire bit, try an independent tire shop or two. You could try checking out tirerack for what might be the best bet for your car and budget. They have a great tire selection program that's useful even if you don't buy from them.
 
Do make sure you get the right answer on the condition of your tires. They are the only connection between you and the road. Nearly everyone underestimates the importance of good tires.

#260 of 300 For Tires Remark... by andeet

Oct 19, 2007 (6:40 pm)

My brother in law knows people who work at a private owned tire shop in Illinois. So he got me estimate on tires (All seasons.) Three Hankooks for 260-280 including labor; so I may take that offer. Then go to Carmax for my next oil change and get the 30k check up; bring my records with me just in case. I love dealing with their service consultants; they are very helpful & understand women except for that one.
 
Do you guys think there will be problem requesting one of my personal favorite consultants? I know their names and my tC's sales consultant gave me their ext. numbers.

Messages Page 26 of 30

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