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Where do you service your car? - Beyond.ca - Car Forums

View Poll Results: Where do you service your vehicle

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  • Dealership

    24 40.00%
  • Independent Specialist Shop (i.e Honda,VW Audi Specific)

    9 15.00%
  • Independent Shop

    12 20.00%
  • Do it yourself

    15 25.00%
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Thread: Where do you service your car?

  1. #1
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    Default Where do you service your car?

    This is more of a three part question.
    Where do you go to service your vehicle..? Dealership, independent specialist, independent all make shop. Do it yourself?

    Also when purchasing a car, how much is the manufacturer a factor? And do you factor in services costs over the lifetime?

    My reason for asking is, I have a good Honda (non dealer) mechanic I go to. I am starting to research what might be my next vehicle. But I have to factor in where the hell will I take my vehicle if I buy a different vehicle that requires a major service? i.e Ford, Jeep, Subaru.
    As a example for discussion I am swayed more into buying a Honda again as I don't want the headache of finding a good mechanic again.

    Also if one buy a brand that is not as reliable (but has a bit more luxury and fun factor). How many of you factor in frequent or higher servicing costs..?

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    I've owned 2 Integras, 2 Civics, 3 Jeeps, 4 Chevys, 1 Chevy Sprint, 1 GMC S15 and a Subaru.

    Off all of those vehicles the most reliable and solid vehicle driven were the Hondas and Acuras. When we needed to get something reliable for the girlfriend we went to a Honda as well.

    Hondas have a reputation for a reason and their ease of being worked on makes it that much more attractive.

    I'd say 90% of the work that needs to be done is by me unless it becomes something major like axle work or transmission work.

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    DIY on the Honda & BMW

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    I own a lot of new cars, most of them have had included maintenance.

    That and I have no time to drive into an industrial park to drop off my car and then figure out getting to work beyond that. Haven’t owned a car where an independent shop would have benefited me enough to bother.

    Plus it’s fun to shop the showroom when it’s quiet while waiting for the shuttle in the morning.

    I’m sure I’ve wasted a few dollars along the way but it works for me.
    Originally posted by Thales of Miletus

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    fact.
    Quote Originally Posted by Yolobimmer View Post
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    guessing who I might be, psychologizing me with your non existent degree.

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    @tonytiger55 , I think you are talking about an out-of-warranty used vehicle, and if so, I'd split between doing it myself and and independent shop. Honda is great, but any high-volume model should be fine, since parts will be easier to find, and youtube will have a video for nearly anything. Don't get anything unique if you want simple and cheap maintenance.
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
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    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

  6. #6
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    Warranty - dealer

    Off warranty - try to find a reputable third party shop such as TuneDub

    Off warranty oil changes/minor maintenance - do them myself

    As for the luxury/fun factor question, I owned two off warranty Audis for many years, and both were as reliable as my Civics as year-round daily drivers with zero problems. I wouldn't hesitate to go down that road again, but I don't see myself doing anything other than leasing for the foreseeable future, the advantages are just too hard to ignore (for me).

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mitsu3000gt View Post
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    Warranty - dealer

    Off warranty - try to find a reputable third party shop such as TuneDub

    Off warranty oil changes/minor maintenance - do them myself

    As for the luxury/fun factor question, I owned two off warranty Audis for many years, and both were as reliable as my Civics as year-round daily drivers with zero problems. I wouldn't hesitate to go down that road again, but I don't see myself doing anything other than leasing for the foreseeable future, the advantages are just too hard to ignore (for me).
    This.
    Doing It For the 'Gram

    I ain't worried 'bout it right now..

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    I do most of the typical maintenance and smaller repairs myself. Maintenance I get done at the dealer but I do the oil/filters/rotat da tires myself.
    Wont do brake fluid again though, that is my least favorite.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ExtraSlow View Post
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    @tonytiger55 , I think you are talking about an out-of-warranty used vehicle, and if so, I'd split between doing it myself and and independent shop. Honda is great, but any high-volume model should be fine, since parts will be easier to find, and youtube will have a video for nearly anything. Don't get anything unique if you want simple and cheap maintenance.
    I hear ya.
    I'm just more curious about how people go about the decision making. Is it a factor...? I mean buying car is one part. But maintaining and costs are another. I wondering if people factor that in when buying a make.

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    Quote Originally Posted by tonytiger55 View Post
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    I hear ya.
    I'm just more curious about how people go about the decision making. Is it a factor...? I mean buying car is one part. But maintaining and costs are another. I wondering if people factor that in when buying a make.
    Beyond is #YOLO all day bro.
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
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    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

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    When purchasing I research reliability of the vehicle I'm interested in, and decide if it's worth it. My BMW I figured was worth it as I can do a lot of it myself (former mechanic). Oil changes I take to a BMW specialist, but independent shop (Sheni's). For my Murano, I usually get the oil changes done at a quick lube place, and regular maintenance that I can't handle, I take to an independent shop that I have frequented over the years (actually used to work there). For tires for both I take to the same independent shop.

    That being said, my Honda Fit that I used to own has been dead reliable and even recommended my son buy one as his first car. The Fit was "sold" to my in-laws and is still going strong. We're looking at replacing our Murano and seriously looking at the Honda HR-V.

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    Almost everything myself, however my truck doesn’t fit in any garage I have access to so I recently had a red seal tech buddy of mine put a shift kit in the trans, change both trans filters, remove and reseal the front diff case halves, and replace the pitman and idler arm. He’s considerably cheaper than any shop but it does take him some time to get stuff done.

    November 2018 I dropped the entire drivetrain out of my Corvette and replaced the diff, clutch, flywheel, slave, remote clutch bleeder, resealed the motor, put a cam in, pushrods, valve springs, valve seals, timing chain and gears, installed an oil cooler, changed all the fluids a second time and put it all back together with almost no issues afterwards.
    Last edited by Twin_Cam_Turbo; 01-27-2020 at 11:43 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by gmc72 View Post
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    When purchasing I research reliability of the vehicle I'm interested in, and decide if it's worth it. My BMW I figured was worth it as I can do a lot of it myself (former mechanic). Oil changes I take to a BMW specialist, but independent shop (Sheni's). For my Murano, I usually get the oil changes done at a quick lube place, and regular maintenance that I can't handle, I take to an independent shop that I have frequented over the years (actually used to work there). For tires for both I take to the same independent shop.

    That being said, my Honda Fit that I used to own has been dead reliable and even recommended my son buy one as his first car. The Fit was "sold" to my in-laws and is still going strong. We're looking at replacing our Murano and seriously looking at the Honda HR-V.
    How come you go to a BMW specialist for oil change?

    My X5 just went off warranty and I was just going to bring it to the Independent shop that our family been using for the past 2 decades for standard maintenance like oil changes. They are just your mom-and-pop shop though.. should we be looking at a specialist?

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    03 gmc 2500 and an 07 range rover sport. Do my own maintenance if its doable in my own garage. Ie oil changes, replace door actuator, thermostat etc. If it requires a lift my best friend is a mechanic that owns a shop and lets me use the lift and helps me out on a weekend. If its too involved then I leave it with him and he charges me shop rate. Pretty good setup.
    Tap, Rack, BANG!

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    Quote Originally Posted by tonytiger55 View Post
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    I hear ya.
    I'm just more curious about how people go about the decision making. Is it a factor...? I mean buying car is one part. But maintaining and costs are another. I wondering if people factor that in when buying a make.
    If you want to maintain the car, decide what tasks you're willing to do and see if that car fits your task in the easiest way possible.

    Task: I want to do my own oil changes
    Requirements: The oil filter must be easily accessible
    Solution: Look for engines where the oil filter replacement is on the engine bay and not underneath it; get an extractor to remove oil without draining via the oil plug
    Doing It For the 'Gram

    I ain't worried 'bout it right now..

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    Quote Originally Posted by RX_EVOLV View Post
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    How come you go to a BMW specialist for oil change?

    My X5 just went off warranty and I was just going to bring it to the Independent shop that our family been using for the past 2 decades for standard maintenance like oil changes. They are just your mom-and-pop shop though.. should we be looking at a specialist?
    On my 3 series (F30) there is no physical dipstick, so I decided to take to someone with BMW experience. It's not really more expensive than the independent shop, but they have the experience with them. That's the only reason.

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    Quote Originally Posted by tonytiger55 View Post
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    I hear ya.
    I'm just more curious about how people go about the decision making. Is it a factor...? I mean buying car is one part. But maintaining and costs are another. I wondering if people factor that in when buying a make.
    I think this changed since I looked last, but at one point Mazda required 3 oil changes per year on some of their cars. Something like that would be a deal breaker, not because of cost, but because it's annoying and waste of time.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Aleks View Post
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    I think this changed since I looked last, but at one point Mazda required 3 oil changes per year on some of their cars. Something like that would be a deal breaker, not because of cost, but because it's annoying and waste of time.
    Not to mention how terrible all the Mazda dealers seem to be in Calgary.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Aleks View Post
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    I think this changed since I looked last, but at one point Mazda required 3 oil changes per year on some of their cars. Something like that would be a deal breaker, not because of cost, but because it's annoying and waste of time.
    8000 km or 6 months now for my wifes CX9

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by A2VR6 View Post
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    8000 km or 6 months now for my wifes CX9
    This is what it was like a few years ago. They made the change since then. Every 4 months is a ridiculous, climate killing, oil wasting mess.


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