pd83

Just wondering how many of you get your car serviced at a Honda dealer(for those that don't do DIY maintenance). Considering Acura's as basically Honda's and share a lot of same parts,etc. is there any risk of taking the car to Honda dealer instead of a Acura dealer? I called one Honda dealer and the service(b1) is a bit cheaper than the Acura dealer and they are much closer to me. I understand they can't do any warranty work but for maintenance work, any risk?

julius071

I see no risk at all granted I don't go to Honda dealership for getting maintenance work done but no harm no foul.

pL2009

I'm interested in the answer to this. I'm in mid-Michigan, and I bought my TSX used near Detroit (2+ hour drive). That's also about the closest dealer. In my town, you can buy any kind of car you want new as long as it's a GM, Ford, or Chrysler. Even the nearest Honda dealer is 30 min or so away, but better than 2 hours. I do all my own maintenance so I'm not expecting to need much service, but if/when I do, I am curious. We also have an independent mechanic that specialized in imports in town that I've heard decent things about, but still I'm interested to hear others experiences with Honda dealers.

nist7

I've read of people taking their TL to Honda dealers for maintenance and with no issues at all. Aside from TSX/TL/warranty specific things (ie, interior/body/etc.) mechanically should be same as a Accord so no problem taking it to a Honda dealer I would imagine....

thoiboi

No risk at all

kurtatx

Everything outside of warranty work is probably fine. Heck, aren't all the service codes the same?

fbt

Well you get a free loaner from Acura if you want to check out a TLX.

kurtatx

When available, which at my dealership was "never".

WheelMcCoy

Agree with most everyone so far -- no problem using Honda Service for Acura vehicles. The slight downside is some dedicated parts might need to be ordered, or retrieved from a nearby Acura service center. The Acura waiting room tends to be slightly nicer too -- with cookies and Keurig coffee, a "toy" store with Acura branded mugs, keychains, clothing, (I really would prefer diecast models), the offer of loaner cars, and a car wash after service. Both Honda and Acura have wifi.

WheelMcCoy

Yup. Brought in our TSX Wagon for ATF TSB and got a first gen ILX as a loaner. Boooo! Still, a loaner is still a loaner, and the ILX made me love our TSX that much more.

nist7

Many may know this already but another trick, if you do want to do DIY, look at part numbers and many times you can find exact same parts used on the Accord platform and can be cheaper. (ie power steering, brakes, etc. etc.)

Also if you need to get OEM "Acura" fluids....go to HOnda dealer....bottle/fluid is exact same (ATF, PSF, etc.) execpt the Honda dealer fluids are like $1-$2 cheaper per bottle than the Acura branded bottles....

pL2009

My local Honda dealer does free loaners, but they are ancient. Last time I took my wife's van in, I got a 2001 Odyssey with way over 100k. Must have been a courtesy shuttle at some point or something. Haha. I was just glad I had something to drive while it was in the shop.

nist7

No surprise. Regular Joes are gonna get cars like that.

Unless you're a "VIP" or have some connections to the dealer or just dropped off your Acura NSX for a service/warranty/etc....then you may get a newer car for loaner, heh

kurtatx

Before they changed ownership, the Audi dealership I go to used to give Subaru loaners. I like Subarus, but when I turn in an A4, I want a loaner Audi.

fbt

When I had a A3 I would get A4 loaners. If I came in late I'd get an Accord. I think the loaners were processed by a contractor.

kurtatx

And an A3 to A4 loaner makes sense. That's technically an upsell, which is the whole point. But an Accord? Really?

My Acura never had loaners, but at least they were always Acuras. I have a loaner coming Friday for a window issue on my A4. Hoping for an Audi loaner.

fbt

Except those CVT A4s made me glad I had a chipped manual S-line A3.

TSX1012m6

I noticed that the Honda dealer by me has very low/closer to online prices for parts when I find a Honda part number. The Acura dealer on the other hand at least doubles (sometimes triples) the online price. There service department has terrible service too. The Honda dealer by me is not as clean as the Acura, but the price and service is better.

icu2tsx

I've taken my Tsx for oil changes to Honda dealership. Cheaper/same parts. Problem free.

kurtatx

I hated the CVT Audi but the new DCT is pretty great.

pd83

i asked them for a loaner but they said for something like a oil change they don't offer it

pd83

do you do it regularly?

pd83

how Much does your honda dealership charge? The one close to me charges $75