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Car owners: Where do you get your car maintained at?

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meh, I didn't maintain my old car (99 Ford Contour) except the odd oil change every 5000 to 10000 miles. It was at 135,000 miles when I traded it in. Ran perfectly and nothing wrong with it. Original coolant, original timing chain, original waterpump, etc...

Now my new truck (04 Tacoma) is my baby. It's gonna get treated to it's first oil change at the stealership, but from then on, I'll be doing it. Regular maintainence will be done by me and the help of the Internet (customtacos.com). Major stuff when it's under 40K miles will be taken to the dealership. After that, I'll probably do it or take it to a local shop.
 
Being a retired mechanic of 20+ years I seldom take my vehicle anywhere for repairs. It?s not because I want to save time or money but because I don?t trust other mechanics to do the repair the way I would.

This is not to say that all mechanics are not to be trusted, but I do recommend finding a good mechanic and taking care of them. When I quit working in a normal garage most of my good customers threw a retirement party for me. 😀

How to Find a Good Mechanic
 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain

for early 90's hondas (probably newer ones, too), the pattern goes: oil change, minor service, oil change, intermediate service, oil change, minor service, oil change, major service (this puppy runs about $400). that gets you through one 30,000 mile cycle.
Click to expand...

Huh? $400 every 30k? What service is that?

<-- owns an early 90's Honda.
 
I do most of it by myself. My friend works for a shop with a couple of lifts that I'm allowed to use after 6pm, which makes most repairs and maintenance very easy.
 
I never take my car to the dealership for maintenance work. They're an absolute rip-off. For example, 15k mile service interval on my car is just a quick inspection, oil change, tire rotation, and alignment, and the dealer wants $300 bucks. Hell no.
For oil changes, I go to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change shop where I get fullsyn changes for $40 bucks. Yes, I can change my own oil at home easily enough, but doing it at home is only cheaper if your time is worth nothing.
For alignments, I go to a local alignment only shop where they will align to my specs.
The rest I do myself. It's not that hard if you have the tools. Just follow the service manual and keep a detailed record of anything in case you actually do have to go into the dealer for warranty work.
 
I've got a local shop that is awesome. They warranty all the work they do for obscene amounts of time (I had brake work done in spring of 03 and they have replaced the pads for the cost of labor only twice since then (which was like, $20)

Also, if you are having problems, if they can't figure out what is wrong, or can't fix it, they don't charge you anything for taking the time out of their day to check it out. No pety service fees, no labor charges, nothing. When you can get an oil change with full road test, fluids filled/topped off, tire's pressure checked and a friendly smile for ~$21... you know you've found a good place.
 
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: thomsbrain

for early 90's hondas (probably newer ones, too), the pattern goes: oil change, minor service, oil change, intermediate service, oil change, minor service, oil change, major service (this puppy runs about $400). that gets you through one 30,000 mile cycle.
Click to expand...

Huh? $400 every 30k? What service is that?

<-- owns an early 90's Honda.
Click to expand...

I second this... what exactly was the major service? and where did it cost the $400?

 
Don't take your car to the stealer unless for warranty work. Even then, the stealer will try to find way to extract money from you. Find yourself a honest local mechanic shop.
 
well i just called two honda dealerships for 30/40k service and they quoted me at $349/$359...


i called a local mechanic and said that the important stuff is just changing the oil and changing the air filter... does that sound right? he also said that honda jacks up the price by doing all these simple inspections, which he will do for much less.

he's charging me 50 bucks.

350 or 50 bucks... tough.
 
I do Much of the work myself,
such as oil changes,replacing starters/alternators,batteries;
rebuilding/removing/reinstalling the engine,
replacing radiators,changing the rear end,installing a clutch,etc........

I only own rear wheel drive stuff.

If my vehicle needs a front end alignment,that goes to a spring/front end shop.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/...d15e&amp;.dnm=5545.jpg

scroll thru my pics,you will see the engine out of my car,and then back in.

1964 Valiant 2 dr HT with the rare V8,273 cid.


I did the work all alone,rebuilt the engine myself.
{The block went to a local machine shop,to be hot tanked,and they polished the crank,
I rebuilt the engine myself}
 
I do everything myself except major things or things I don't have the tools for.
 
Originally posted by: Vic
I never take my car to the dealership for maintenance work. They're an absolute rip-off. For example, 15k mile service interval on my car is just a quick inspection, oil change, tire rotation, and alignment, and the dealer wants $300 bucks. Hell no.
For oil changes, I go to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change shop where I get fullsyn changes for $40 bucks. Yes, I can change my own oil at home easily enough, but doing it at home is only cheaper if your time is worth nothing.
For alignments, I go to a local alignment only shop where they will align to my specs.
The rest I do myself. It's not that hard if you have the tools. Just follow the service manual and keep a detailed record of anything in case you actually do have to go into the dealer for warranty work.
Click to expand...

So I assume you're doing something important and\or profitable instead of sitting in the waiting room at Valvoline Instant Oil Change?
 
You mean, you guys like, PAY other people to fix your car? That's almost as bad as paying someone to fix your computer.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
So I assume you're doing something important and\or profitable instead of sitting in the waiting room at Valvoline Instant Oil Change?
Click to expand...
:roll: I don't think it's ever taken longer than 20 minutes.

 
Usually myself and/or with friends.

I've paid for my exhaust (I can't weld), my clutch installation (gave up) and inner tie rod ends (didn't even try..)
 
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: Nebor
So I assume you're doing something important and\or profitable instead of sitting in the waiting room at Valvoline Instant Oil Change?
Click to expand...
:roll: I don't think it's ever taken longer than 20 minutes.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's ever taken me longer than 20 minutes to change the oil on a car, past the first time, of course.

I mean, I don't change the oil on any of my cars, I take it to the dealership. But I'll man up and admit it's because I'm lazy, not because "my time is sooooo valuable."
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Vic
I never take my car to the dealership for maintenance work. They're an absolute rip-off. For example, 15k mile service interval on my car is just a quick inspection, oil change, tire rotation, and alignment, and the dealer wants $300 bucks. Hell no.
For oil changes, I go to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change shop where I get fullsyn changes for $40 bucks. Yes, I can change my own oil at home easily enough, but doing it at home is only cheaper if your time is worth nothing.
For alignments, I go to a local alignment only shop where they will align to my specs.
The rest I do myself. It's not that hard if you have the tools. Just follow the service manual and keep a detailed record of anything in case you actually do have to go into the dealer for warranty work.
Click to expand...

So I assume you're doing something important and\or profitable instead of sitting in the waiting room at Valvoline Instant Oil Change?
Click to expand...

the two aren't mutually exclusive... my dealership has wifi so i could work on stuff if i wanted. i chose to catch up on some reading.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: Nebor
So I assume you're doing something important and\or profitable instead of sitting in the waiting room at Valvoline Instant Oil Change?
Click to expand...
:roll: I don't think it's ever taken longer than 20 minutes.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's ever taken me longer than 20 minutes to change the oil on a car, past the first time, of course.

I mean, I don't change the oil on any of my cars, I take it to the dealership. But I'll man up and admit it's because I'm lazy, not because "my time is sooooo valuable."
Click to expand...

No oil change place is going to give me a "good deal" if I bring them the oil and filter I want them to use. Hell, that stuff costs nearly $30 alone.
 
only take my 86 accord to the dealership. A brake job cost me $35 with parts and labor. Oh yeah, did i mention I get free labor?


🙂


200,496 miles and still running strong.
 
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