a website called cartalk has a database of independent shops indexed by
zipcode.i'm sure you could find one in your area that would do the 30k
service for much less than a dealer.



"P. H. Fanelli" <pfanelli (AT) advantexmail (DOT) net> wrote

My advice is to find a good independent mechanic to do the service. Yes,
the regular maintenance will run $350-400, but that's not really much in the
long run. I have always had the 30k interval maintenance done. I have 188k
on my 92 SE and have never had any major mechanical problems. I like to
think that the regular maintenance catches problems before they get to be
trouble.

Another less cordial approach would be to say "You paid how much for this
car and yet you are concerned with a few hundred dollars every year and a
half or so?"


"jim mcguire" <tusab68 (AT) starpower (DOT) net> wrote

There's a reason that dealers make as much on servicing the car, as
they do selling it. Peace of mind is a big part of the marketing
equation.

Just what major issues have you sidestepped by doing your "routine
maintenance"? There is not going to be a net savings for most people.

JM

I'm just against a lot of "checking," as opposed to doing. The car
manual's "must do" list should absolutely be followed. But the
dealer's own list is invariably premised on maximizing revenue (no pun
intended), and they end up charging top dollar to eyeball items,
instead of actually dealing with things that need fixing. And
non-dealers often have an even goofier idea of what should be done: I
do not think that the independent services they use for guidance on
this are very good, by design.

A REAL 60K service should replace transmission fluid, replace power
steering fluid, clean out the throttle body, clean battery terminals,
and similar messy stuff. Instead the tech runs his fingers over the
tires once (your alignment is fine); throws on a new PCV valve (that
idle problem is taken care of, see, we plugged your car into our fancy
diagnostic computer & here's a fancy print-out); glances at your CV
boots (they're developing slight surface cracks and should be replaced
immediately for $300, never mind the fact that they're probably fine
for 2 more years); and similar silly stuff. Well, not so silly,
because they are making their house payments off it.

Thus, 1/3 of the work is necessary like coolant changes (but did they
flush it, or only drain it? even an Infiniti tech told me they don't
even pull the engine block plug); 1/3 of it is more a mind game than
anything; and 1/3 is a search for more (frequently unnecessary)
business.

JM

BuddyWh and JM -

I suppose I'm spoiled, but I have a mechanic who, after 18 years of
completely satisfactory service, I trust implicitly. If he tells me
something's wrong, then by God I believe him, and I don't mind paying him
for his expertise. He's had ample opportunities to rip me off, but that's
never been a problem. So there.

So, to you guys who think you're so smart and know all there is about dealer
manipulation and ruthless profit-taking, please SHUT UP. And I mean that in
the nicest possible way.

Have a nice day
'92 SE, 5-speed, 188k and now a 2K SE, auto, what a sweet ride!!

Mister Mike

"JM" <jmattis (AT) attglobal (DOT) net> wrote