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Besides the standard oil change and very minor repairs that typically I can do myself, I find that every-time I get "major" work done at the dealership, my car ends up worst than before I brought it in for service.
I always assumed that since these mechanics look at the same brand of vehicles day in and day out and are supposedly "certified" to inspect and maintain a certain brand of cars with the correct specified parts that my car would be in good hands. However, I'm finding that my long-time trusted and reliable mechanic at the beat up garage provides much more reliable service with a price tag that is 10-15% cheaper than the dealership.
Don't even get me started with the name brand, Jiffy-Lube/Firestone type of places.
I'm sure others can relate.
Last edited by santafe400; 12-14-2017 at 10:55 AM..
I used to think the dealership was the gold standard for getting it done right the first time. But have sense grown weary of that thought process. I have a car that has full warranty coverage from the tires to the tip of the antenna. Yet, have decided that I'd rather pay the couple hundred to my trusted indi instead, because in my situation, I really don't have time to waste for redo's (nor the patients anymore).
Only thing I'll use the dealership for at this point is the transmission fluid change. At least that way if they screw it up, I have some level of recourse to the brand (and their OEM replacement parts).
I used to think the dealership was the gold standard
I suppose a lot of folks still do. It seems as if the nice, shiny and well staffed service department is more smoke and mirrors than anything else. Granted there are 1 or 2 technicians who know what they are doing.
I spent a few years "in the industry" (motorcycles, though many of my friends were autos), Generally speaking, Dealerships have the worst mechanics. They are the lowest paid, least educated, essentially forced into gaming the "book rate" (taking shortcuts) to try and earn enough to survive on, etc... The stories I heard were of Frequent broken parts while trying to beat book time and skipping steps, then just doing the least time-consuming band-aid to cover it up (if they bothered at all), extremely high stress/frustration from the pace required and sloppy work due to that stress.
As I started looking around the industry with this new viewpoint I saw that the truly Good mechanics tended to be ex-Dealership guys who didn't completely burn out (there is a TON of attrition, huge turn-over) who either struck out on their own or went to work for an existing independent shop. These are people who have the drive to stay in the game as a mechanic, the baseline knowledge one gains while working at a dealership for a specific marquis, and will Usually work for a flat hourly rate (which tends to be cheaper, while paying them to do the job Right and not cut corners).
I don't often take my vehicles to others, but when I do it's 100% enthusiasts mechanics. Most are working out of either their garage or a very small rented space, and none have ever complained when I asked if I could watch and learn (most are excited someone Wants to watch/learn and a small number will let me help, even if they get paid less as the job is done faster).
I hope to never need a Dealer for anything beyond the sale.
Both of my vehicles are under factory warranty so I have to take to dealer because im not paying out of my pocket to get fixed. And the dealers I go to In Michigan have great mechanics.
They are especially useful for recalls and service bulletins. We use them until warranty expires. Sometimes maybe further if appropriate. I never have had 'bad' experiences doing this. Sure, this will vary by dealer and car.
Yes, it is more expensive...
I also use my local Indy shop for a lot of stuff...especially easy/small stuff when car is new, more as it ages out of warranty and 'newness'. Once beyond warranty, as car is kept many miles, Indy becomes the only place it goes.
This is cheaper and usually at least as good as the dealer since they will use more common sense and seek out low cost solutions.
When I bought my wife's Rav4 I negotiated in lifetime maintenance, oil changes and tire rotations, for free so I go to the dealer for the Rav4 and my corolla. They do a good job and generally do not try to upsell.
I never use the dealer unless it's warranty work. There are independent shops that specialize in a certain brand for pretty much every brand. For certain types of servicing, such as front end alignment or air conditioning, I go to shop that specializes in that area. For the basics, like an oil change, I do it myself, even if the vehicle came with "free" oil changes.
I get both of my vehicles serviced at their respective dealers. Both are late model and under extended warranties. I didn't have a trusted or recommended mechanic to use when we moved here so I started with the Honda dealer. They've been excellent. I later bought a Toyota and that dealer has been excellent as well.
I'm going to stick with both dealers until there's a reason not to, which I don't forsee happening. There's usually specials for oil changes and other typical maintenance things. I can't change the oil myself with the specified 0W20 synthetic for what they charge at both dealers.
Location: San Ramon, Seattle, Anchorage, Reykjavik
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I always take my cars to the dealer, no matter what the age. Maybe I have always been lucky, but I have always had a good experience (even with my Ford C-Max. Ford dealers all seem to be from the 1960s).
I may need to find a specialist at some point. The guy who knows how to fix my 1987 Land Cruiser is set to retire soon and the young guys don't know what a manual choke is (or a carb for that matter).
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