I've been getting my car serviced at the dealership from where I've bought since 2007. Seems to me everytime I get my car serviced it seems to be more than a simple oil change. For example today's service was at 30k miles and it was for changing all the filters, air filters ect., rotate and balance alignment, transmission servicing, spark plugs, coming out to a grand total of $550 that's with a 15% off that the servicing agent gave me. Anyone else think this is a bit too much for these duties? Is there any where else I would be able to get my acura serviced for cheaper, also I feel like the warranty has never covered anything. So I'm wondering if you guys also get your car serviced at the dealership or theres somewhere else to get it cheaper. THANKS!

 

I have yet to take my Acura to the dealership.. But when i had my G35 and took it to infiniti i was having the same problem... I think its a "stealer"ship thing. They have to make money somehow too and most of it is on service. When i went for a simple window squeak (just needed to be lubed and was under warranty) they somehow racked up my bill to 300$ and to help matters even more, my window was still squeaking! So i went and complained and they lubed my window and gave me a refund.. Long story short.. I started taking my car to Mr. Lube and they would do just the oil change for me and check everything else and if their was a problem with anything else they'd let me know and change it. Much quicker and better service IMO.

 

In my driveway.

Dealer for warranty/recall work only.

If I can't do it (don't have time or tools) I take it to one of the shops where I used to work

 

If it's something I can't fix, then I take it to the shop. Otherwise I do all the maintenance myself.

 

I'm i the only one lucky enough to have a father with a autorepair shop? (in new york) maybe i can help any guys around if the live close by. Any repair can be done in my fathers shop, you can buy the parts and also see while they are installing it so you can witness if your car is been taking.

i buy my parts, my oil, everything and i only go to my father shop for the service to be done. i help around while they are doing the service since everything is been done for free. Those guys really take good care of my car while doing the my services.

Even the DMV inspection is free on my end. i'm one lucky bastard.

 

The answer to this is very simple. If you take it in, only authorize the items you want. If they come back and say you need _________, tell them no.

Spark plugs at 30k miles? Yeah, you got screwed. Factory says they don't have to be changed until the 105k mile service. If there was a major issue with the plugs, and you needed a replacement, the car would have been running like shit and probably would have thrown a CEL.

 

Primarily in my garage. Sometimes in mmade22's garage.

Alignment at the local tire discounter (3-yar deal); warranty work at the dealership.

 

My driveway (Or Carrielynn's).

If I absolutely NEED to take it to a dealer (eg: PCM reflash) I take it to the one where my mom has worked for 13 years. 50% off service FTW.

 

Yes, they do push services on you like crazy. It's not really a secret that at a dealership, selling new is a losing proposition; the money is in the used cars and the service dept. Some places take the recommended service items and add "suggested" items as well like fuel and oil additives, new blades, alignments, etc. It's a pretty simple case of buyer beware - they can't do any work that you don't authorize in advance. If they do something without your OK, guess what - you make them comp it and perhaps they learn a lesson.

Just keep in mind you don't HAVE to do anything they suggest. If one dealership is too pushy, go to another (they take each other's coupons). Look around for an indy shop before you need it.

 

Not true. I probably should have replaced my plugs earlier than I did. Car wasn't throwing a code but there were obvious issues with the plugs (and the exhaust valves.)

 

In addition to what the other aziners said... You should also be mindful of what services are needed based on the Maint. Minder code. Many dealers still try to push their "recommended services" on you. If your MMC calls for an A1 service then make sure you get that and nothing else. At a dealership I go to, I often have to check them. If you ask for a A1 service, they'll say it's an oil change, tire rotation and tire balance, but in the owner's manual the A1 service is an oil change and tire rotation. They'll try to talk you into spending away your life savings if you let them.

 

Unbelievable, I'm sure many of you have heard about the reputation of Paragon Acura in Queens, NY. That's where I'm getting my car serviced as we speak. Not only is the bill 550$ for many services I probably don't need, but I called to ask in advance if my car is ready at the time they promised (3-4pm) Apparently, the service advisor said it's being serviced right now. So I figured it would be done in an hour or so, therefore I headed down there. When I got down there, I asked the service advisor for my car and he said my car is locked in the garage and the garage door is broken, they are unable to work on it and it will be until tomorrow until they can get the garage opened. I was furious and demanded a car, they had no cars to loan out as usual, but 10 mins later he comes back telling me they got the garage opened and that its being serviced and will be done at 7 or 8. I just have one thing to say UNBELIEVABLE.

 

By the way, I'm in the Queens, NY area. If anyone knows a good place to service my car please recommend, I'm through paying high prices at stealerships and getting horrible service.

 

I do most of the heavy duty stuff at the dealership. I've had too many incidents where trying to do stuff the "cheap" way has landed me in the gutter. Oil changes, transmission fluid changes, filters, etc. I've just learned to do via the DIY's on HERE! Had my transmission replaced via the dealer...

 

OP, see this thread for some good advice

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/choose-your-dealers-wisely-advice-rant-763250/

and see this thread for a list of dealers and shops that are trusted by Aziners. Your state may or may not be in it.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/acura-dealer-service-department-reviews-738062/

 

The OP has 30k miles on his car. There is no chance in hell those plugs need to be replaced unless the car has been damaged, ie, overheat, flooded, etc.

 

Goodyear...only. Not at all at the dealership. I'm sure I've saved a lot of money this way. Plus, I tell them what I want done.

 

Ah. Yeah.

 

Whats the address of your fathers shop. I need 100k mile service (timing belt plugs etc.) Not trying to spend $1500 that the dealer quoted. My car is a 05 tl six speed

 

Need a good repair shop in the Albany, ny area. Need 100k mile service (timing belt, plugs, water pump etc.) any suggestions?

 

Yelp is your friend:

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...6e4152e0c13758

I've used it to find independent mechanics in a few different places I've lived, and have been happy with the service.

 

I take mine to a Japanese-specialty indie shop in Hollywood, Florida. They do excellent work on my car, and because I'm a regular, they occasionally give me discounts or don't charge me for labor on some things. I can get so much more done there for $550 than at any dealer. They use OEM parts where they can, and for others they use parts that are known to work well.

 

that's your problem right there.
Going to Paragon. They are a horrible dealership. HORRIBBBBLLLEEEEE!!!!!!!!!




No one over there is on the same page. NO ONE!


My damn blood boils when I hear of that dealership. I will pray to every god out there tonight for the demise of Paragon.

 

I have more faith taking my car to Jiffy lube or Midas to get work done than going to Paragon. IF I had a choice of only those two.

 

For the routine stuff (oil changes, tranny fluid changes, alignments): Goodyear (I have a really good shop near me)

For the 105K service: Hamilton Honda (Hamilton, NJ)

For warranty service...dealership (also possibly for something more specialized that I can't get done elsewhere).

Most important...tell whoever works on your car what you need done and although they can make suggestions, you're not obligated to do what they tell you.

 

I've got a mechanic who works on strictly Hondas. Major things like valve adjustments I'll take to the dealer

 

Whatever I can't do, I've found a really good independent shop to take care of.

 

My garage.

 

nttstt444s garage. It went to the honda dealer for the timing belt service, and was in the Acura dealership a couple times when it was new for routine stuff. I try to stay far away from dealerships.

-recently I took it to the Honda dealer to get an anual state mandated inspection. It failed because the rear brake pads were low and because the front lic plate was zip tied (with heavy duty ones) to the front bumper.
-I replaced the brake pads on all 4 corners about 6 months before the inspection and they really had no noticeable wear. So i knew the service writer was full of chit. Then he tried to sell me some $90 rear brake pads from napa. (installed of course) On top of that he also tried to get me to buy a $23 oem lic plate frame. To top it all off, it took them upwards of an hour to do all this (should take no more then 20 min) and I already had made an appointment, wasent like i just walked in. Anyways it dident cost me anything but my jimmies sure were russled just because of that dealerships dishonest business practices. I was in a rush to get to work and I went to some chain tire shop after and was in and out in like 15 minutes with a new inspection sticker.
-dealership rant over-

 

I use to be a Warranty Administrator for Honda/Acura in Torrance, CA. I've heard nothing but horror stories from that dealer. I would occasionally have to send investigators to inspect customers vehicle for inspection to make sure the service advisors werent making the stories up rather than a customer complaint.... are they even still up and doing business?

 

There was a thread recently about one of them closing. It was either Paragon or Acura of Manhattan. But there has been numerous members here complaining about Paragon over the years.

 

I'm surprised PARAGON HONDA is still open....I remember when my parents bought a civic from them 20 years ago, heard nothing but complains from them.

But to stay on topic, I do my own maintenance but for big OEM/Warranty work then I go to the dealer especially when I have no choice.

 

Yep they're around and still providing the same top notch bottom of the barrel service.

 

large jobs that I have no tools for? Whitebear Acura Subaru. Smaller stuff that I can take care of myself? Garage.

 

I have a great Acura dealership about 20 miles from me located in Chapel Hill NC that I take my 90k/ 08/TL to for major maintenance & repairs. For minor maintenance like oil & Trans fluid changes I use the Honda dealership in Raleigh NC. The prices are reasonable, and I follow the manual & suggestions I find here on recommended maintenance. I also purchase my own OEM parts online, and bring them with me. Just don’t have time to do the work myself, and don’t trust the generic repair shops.

 

erick i done most of my repairs my self including adjusting the valves if something icannot handle then i take it to the D.

 

Endlessrpm

 

In my driveway for any repair or services needed on my cars...but when it comes down to re machining anything my friends machine shop....