Okay, since this is a forum devoted to TSX owners, I know that everyone here is always looking for a good value.

I wanted to pass on something I just learned tonight regarding our local Acura dealer, since I'm sure there must be others out there (now or in the future) in our same situation.

Last weekend we purchased a new TSX (details in the owner sign-in thread) from a dealer 175 miles away because they had the exact color combination we wanted. The local dealer tried to lure us by stating we would have free car washes for life, as well as some other perks, if we bought from them instead.

Well, I called the local dealer tonight and asked how much they charge for washing an Acura from another dealer and was told if we agree to put their license frame on the car, we could get free car washes no matter which Acura dealer we bought from. Sort of a perk for advertising their dealership.

So, if you have a TSX that you bought from out of town, check with your local dealer to see if they offer free car washes.

Oh, and don't let the offer of free car washes sway your decision of which car to buy.

 

Umm...correct me if I am wrong, but aren't car washes at any Acura dealership free in the first place?

 

they always ask me if I want my car washed when it goes in for service. I always say no because they do a horrible job.

 

 

I bought my car from a dealer about 100 miles away for the same reason and despite the shitty service from local dealers, they still give me the free car wash (Great for the winter, but I'll skip it in the summer). The car still has the original dealer license frame from Virginia. I will be replacing it mostly because I can't stand the sound it makes when I close the trunk. Anyone know of a good a good license plate frame? I'm thinking of buying the ??Dynamat?? frame.

 

No Sh!t!!! My car wasn't even that dirty before it went to dealership for an oil change. I got it back last night and looks like somebody was sitting bare ass on my back window!

 

?? You never sit bare ass on your back window? Everybody does it 'round here.



I always go for the free car wash because hey... free carwash!
Even if they don't to the greatest job it's still better than a dirty car. If it's still clean then I won't ask for it.

 

I also take the free wash in the winter. When the car is covered in salt, sand, and dirt and it's 5 degrees out, the free carwash is pretty apealing to me.

Summertime is a different story. She is only washed by my hands.

 

I purchased mine from a dealer 120 miles away. When getting my oil changed at the local Acura service department they washed my TSX without asking. I forgot to ask them not to wash it, but, its all good because they did a good job and left no swirl marks. Still, next time I take it in (and its due shortly as I now have 9400mi) I'll still ask them not to wash it. No sense in pushing my luck.

I put on a generic chrome plate (My first mod). It also rattled because its only held down by the two screws at the top. I added some weatherstripping under the plate and the rattle is almost gone. It still rattles a little when I shut the trunk because the plate hits the frame. I think I need two short screws to screw the plate and the frame together using the bottom two holes.

 

He's being fooled by both dealers. They wash your car whenever you take it in for service. I can't really say if it's free. Dealers always say free car wash, but do you know if that's true? They may have already added a little bit more into your cost for the service upfront.

 

I doubt it. They wash it after warrenty work too, which is of course free. But who knows...

 

Actually, the dealer told me I could bring my car and have it washed for free every single day of the week if I wanted, no service necessary. I knew that an Acura dealer would wash my car whenever I need to have it serviced by them, but I didn't realize that every Acura dealer in the nation offered free car washes just because you happen to be driving by and your car is dirty.

What's up with people afraid to have their car washed at the dealer? I guess there have been some horror stories. Let's hear some of them.

 

are you serious? I have never heard of free car washes just cause your car is dirty and you decide to bring it in for just a wash.

 

I'm serious. I had never heard of that before either. Maybe I didn't make the "free car wash" offer clear when I posted my original message.

So, let me clarify: The Acura dealer will give you a free car wash whenever you want in exchange for you displaying their dealership name on your license plate frame. Not only when servicing the vehicle.

Now, how about some of those Acura dealership car wash horror stories? Was anything ever damaged? It seems to me that the dealership would be extremely careful when washing your car since they would be financially liable for any damages they cause.

 

In that case, if you really want your dealer to wash your car whenever you want, you better have this offer in writing, signed by a manager or something from that dealer.

In regards to horror stories about dealer washing the car, I don't have any horror stories, but I just don't like other people washing my cars because you'll never know what they use. Let's face it, who's doing the washes in the dealership? Probably someone who's getting paid at min. wage (could be higher, but not much). Most of these people don't give a shit about your car or anyone's car. They could've dropped a towel on the floor, and just picked it up, shaked it a little and used it on your car.

 

[QUOTE=manavi]I'm serious. I had never heard of that before either. Maybe I didn't make the "free car wash" offer clear when I posted my original message.

So, let me clarify: The Acura dealer will give you a free car wash whenever you want in exchange for you displaying their dealership name on your license plate frame. Not only when servicing the vehicle.



i dont think they give u one whenever u want.
i was told by my acura dealer that i get one once a week.
i dont think u can just go in anywhere?
does anybody know this for sure?
also- about the dealer plate frames. i think its funny, my dealer put both his plate frames on my car. is he really allowed to do that? i can just take them off?
oh because i definitely will take them off if i can just go in any acura and get my car washed, i dont want to have some other dealer plates on and have them turn me away or scratch the car.

 

You mean your dealer replaced the frames that were there? Or do you mean when you picked up the car brand new? Yes, when brand new. Dealers like to put their own frames on the car as a form of free advertising. Nothing is preventing you from replacing those with your own frames.

They shouldn't turn you away if you have frames from another dealer, and if they scratch the car intentionally then you could sue them. I don't think they would be stupid, or petty, enough to do that on purpose and lose your business. But the risk of scratching is why I will be asking them not to wash my car.

 

so i can bring it into any dealer and they will wash it?

 

When you bring it in for service, yes.

 

I never had any real problems when I would bring my GSR for service and have it washed. they would vaccuum the interior as well. Only problem I ever saw was water spots on the door from excess water from the side mirrors.

 

Open road of Acura in NJ does a spectacular job. They detail the wheels to give it a good shine then hand wash the whole car.

Also, the car wash is free each time you go in for any service, small or big.

 

 

Free swirl marks for everyone!!!!1!

Dealers washing cars

 

i get free car washes once a week even when i dont need it to be serviced

 

That's probably from the dealer that sold you your car. I don't think "any" dealer will do that for you. I prefer to wash it myself but if you don't then

 

At lunch I went to my local Acura dealer and they substituted the license plate frames from the dealer I purchased from with their own. They then washed the car and polished the wheels, while I helped myself to sugar cookies and Starbucks coffee and watched TV on their 42" Toshiba flat screen. When I went out to my nice clean car, they had even placed a freshly cut red carnation on the dashboard, a very nice touch.

They made me feel like a king and I haven't even given them any money. Not one red cent.

The dealership is Sterling Acura of Austin.

 

I'm sure they appreciate the free advertising (and the lack of that for their competitor).

 

Hey, in my book they deserve it.

Anyways, I think I'll let this thread die now. The whole point was to let other people know that they may be able to get free car washes from their local Acura dealer even if they don't purchase their Acura from them.

Just trying to add a little contribution to the Acura owners community.

 

that what I thought you meant....the others just didn't get it

 

dang that's sweet tho a bit :ghey:

 

That's where I bought my car! Course it's not local to me, but I've already driven through there on a trip and got the free wash (no flower though). They seem a bit disorganized to me (especially when dealing with them over telephone and email) but when you're there in person, they are extremely nice.

 

My dealership (Orange Park Acura) in Jacksonville is a nice place that opened last year. Totally new facilities. I get my car washed for free when I go in for service. They wash it, vaccum it and even shine the tires. It looks awesome when it comes out. I also watch the 42" LCD TV, enjoy the Star Bucks coffee and check out the new cars in the show room. My last oil change (with coupon) and detailing was under $30 (including tax). Jiffy Lube can't offer that!! As far as the frame is concerned, it's a heavy duty metal frame but I hate to advertise for free, so I returned it to the dealer when I went in for service. I got a weird look but hey, they can use it, not me. I'm thinking of putting a neon license plate to replace it.

 

I work for an Acura dealer here in New York, and I would not let them touch (meaning wash) my car. I and only I will wash my car.

 

The carnation I gave to my wife.

 

Good thinking!

 

LOL,

When we first bought the car the dealership sent us a boquet of roses as a thank you. My wife loved it , I wished I got the "space pen" instead.

 

wow that is freaken awesome. I wish my dealership did that

 

Hey you're from TI right? Why wouldn't you let your dealership touch your car? Do they do free car washes without service or is this just a Texas thing?

 

I got two space pens but I've since lost both of them.

 

I get my car wash whenever I have taken my car for service and the 3 times they have done it has been really good. They even put the shiny stuff on my tires. No half ass stuff like just throwing water on the car and soap and not drying it, like El Cerrito Honda did for my Accord.