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Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair

5868 messages,  Last post on May 07, 2013 at 7:55 PM

You are in the Honda Accord Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Electrical, Engine, Coupe, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 571 of 588

#5696 of 5868 Re: replacing a starter on 2003 Accord LX [sockpuppet1969] by michael2595

Aug 04, 2011 (9:03 am)

Replying to: sockpuppet1969 (Aug 03, 2011 2:35 pm)
you hit the nail on the head... I yanked out my whole brake system within warrant ty at an independent who did a magnificent job for at least 60% of the dealer cost.. On the brakes I didnt want OEM becuase they were worthless.. I was told my brakes and rotors were shot becuase I didnt know how to drive.. After getting up off the floor I asked the Honda Service Manager If I should take driving lessons after driving for 40 years.. The icing on the cake was when they wanted 100 dollars to change my cabin filter.. Lets see, I bought the filter for 15 dollars and it took me 5 minutes to install... I have a wonderful mechanic who knows Hondas real well.. With the money I save taking my cars tohim instead of the dealers I can put my kid through college.. THe service dept is the only real profit center at a dealer.. I will take my Honda that apparently dont know how ro drive to my mechanic.

#5697 of 5868 Plenty of Honda-Certified Independent Mechanics by igozoomzoom

Aug 05, 2011 (4:41 am)

In most suburban areas, you will find more than a few independent shops that specialize in Honda and Acura vehicles. I know of at least five here in the North Metro Atlanta area. They are all owned and operated by former Honda dealership technicians and/or service managers! After seeing how much the dealers were making, they realized that they could offer lower prices and triple or quadruple their earnings at the same time!
 
I want someone who knows my car inside and out, but I don't have to pay dealer prices to get it!

#5698 of 5868 Re: replacing a starter on 2003 Accord LX [michael2595] by ezshift5

Aug 05, 2011 (7:33 am)

Replying to: michael2595 (Aug 04, 2011 9:03 am)
............the Gen7 cabin air filter change price of a C-note at the dealer is really criminal..................
 
"Let the buyer beware" would truly seem approprite in this case.
 
ez

#5699 of 5868 Re: replacing a starter on 2003 Accord LX [mr_gone] by lilengineerboy

Aug 05, 2011 (11:09 am)

Replying to: mr_gone (Aug 03, 2011 9:29 am)
I have done my own maintenance on my Accord since the dealer wanted $500 for the 30k service. It was dramatically different than the one listed in the owner's manual. They wouldn't quote a price for the suggested factory service.
I buy the Honda blessed parts (Majestic Honda or HandA parts online) and fluids (local dealer) and install them myself. The car now has just north of 60k, the coolant has been changed twice, the brake fluid changed twice, the belts and hoses show no cracking the rubber still feels newish, and is about to get its first set of new tires next week.
Every 18 months or so, I have to spend a Saturday afternoon removing and installing maintenance parts and fluids and taking the old ones to our recycling center. So far, this has been much much cheaper than the dealer and the time investment has been relatively minor.
I keep all my service records and receipts and mileage for each service. When I am ready to move on from that vehicle, it will either be 1. worthless, or 2. traded so I am less worried about the impact of records that say Honda on them. There isn't any box on the KBB or Edmunds price guides that says "not serviced at dealer" to deduct value from the vehicle.

#5700 of 5868 Timing Belt--Time or miles by tom017

Aug 09, 2011 (5:27 pm)

My uncle has a 2004 Accord EX-L V6, a beautifully maintained car. It now has 47,000 miles on it. He's been taking it to the dealer religiously for regular maintenance ever since he bought the car. This last oil change, the dealer is saying to replace the timing belt. He only has 47,000 miles on the car and didn't abuse it, why change the timing belt already? The prescribed maintenance is to change the belt at 100,000 miles. The dealer is saying he has 7 years on the belt, it needs changed or it will break before 100,000 miles. Then the dealer gave my uncle an estimate of close to $1,000 to change the belt, water pump and serpentine belt, coolant, etc... Should the belt be changed at 7 years even though the mileage isn't high? And is $1,000 a reasonable charge to change it? Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?

#5701 of 5868 Re: Timing Belt--Time or miles [tom017] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 09, 2011 (7:09 pm)

Replying to: tom017 (Aug 09, 2011 5:27 pm)
If it's not too much trouble I would remove the belt cover and have the belt inspected for cracks, glazing, etc.

#5702 of 5868 Re: Timing Belt--Time or miles [tom017] by chucko3

Aug 09, 2011 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: tom017 (Aug 09, 2011 5:27 pm)
My Accord 03EXV6 timing belt was replaced last year after 95K miles & 8 years.
The belt was still in very good shape. No crack, no sign of oil leaked onto the belt.
I think you can go at least another year. $1K sounds right for the timing belt job at Honda dealership.

#5703 of 5868 Re: Timing Belt--Time or miles [tom017] by dek97993

Aug 10, 2011 (10:45 am)

Replying to: tom017 (Aug 09, 2011 5:27 pm)
that sounds ridiculous. i would have them put that recommendation in writing and forward a copy to Honda. what does the service manual recommend?

#5704 of 5868 Re: Timing Belt--Time or miles [dek97993] by stickguy

Aug 10, 2011 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: dek97993 (Aug 10, 2011 10:45 am)
I don't have the manual handy for my 2005, but yes, the timing belt is a miles OR time item.
 
Tires are actually a replace after certain # of years item too, not that anyone ever pays attention to that!

#5705 of 5868 Re: replacing a starter on 2003 Accord LX [ezshift5] by altair9

Aug 12, 2011 (5:45 am)

Replying to: ezshift5 (Aug 05, 2011 7:33 am)
In NYC, I paid 130 dollars to replace the cabin filter, until I realized how easy it is (2005)Accord. Now there is no Honda dealer in Manhattan itself, I think because the land value for building is so high, I think the owner of the dealership sold out for that reason. I can understand how dealers need to charge, but some prices are meant to rip off the consumer and pocket a lot of $ with little work. A shame. Trying to find a reliable independent here. I wish Honda national would push to get a dealership back in Manhattan. I would continue with the dealer if they prove to be reliable and HONEST.

Messages Page 571 of 588

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