As an avid reader of this section of Prime, I've come to recognize that there is a sub-culture of NSX owners who have both the confidence and expertise to deal with almost any problem that may develop in their cars. However, there also appears to be a significant number of owners who, when confronted with complex problems (e.g., climate control control modules), ask for help on this forum rather than have them fixed by a dealer or NSX specialist. From the wording of their posts, it appears than most such owners have neither the confidence or expertise needed to actually solve the problem. I know for some, DIY is part of the joy of ownership. But for the mechanically challenged (and believe me, when it comes to a very sophisticated car like the NSX, most of us are in that category), why not attack the problem directly by bringing it to a qualified shop? Is it just a matter of money?
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Avoidance of professional help
- Thread starter Oldguy
- Start date
I think it's human nature for most. If everyone had the attitude of "just bring it to the dealer", then where would we be as a society? It's a part of our nature to have a pioneering spirit. If we can put a man on the moon, then surely we can fix our own climate control.
I admire those with limited mechanical skills that try to fix things themselves first. Sometimes it even ends up costing more money that way, but maybe they learned something in the process. Plus it's very satisfying doing projects ourselves and for me, automotive projects are even more satisfying.
I think part of being a good "shadetree mechanic" is knowing when you are over your head. Some things on the NSX require expertise and certainly some things can be done on our own.
I admire those with limited mechanical skills that try to fix things themselves first. Sometimes it even ends up costing more money that way, but maybe they learned something in the process. Plus it's very satisfying doing projects ourselves and for me, automotive projects are even more satisfying.
I think part of being a good "shadetree mechanic" is knowing when you are over your head. Some things on the NSX require expertise and certainly some things can be done on our own.
I like working on my car also, but I'm not very mechanically inclined. I just do the regular stuff like oil changes. But I just got a new aluminum rapid pump jack....I'm so excited!!! 
Now I just need to get my car back...
- Z
Now I just need to get my car back... - Z
In the old days, i've swapped motors in my Pontiac, struggled with rusty exhaust systems and put brakes on my cars. Nowdays, I don't have much free time and don't enjoy working on cars. Also, most modern cars are so much more complicated. I do take my car to the dealer for most work, but not blindly.
I research problem on here and THEN talk to the dealer. For one, I want to me informed when I speak with him, and two, I like to know what's going on and how the car works.
My experience with blindly trusting the 'dealer' or any garage without some knowledge beforehand isn't good.
I research problem on here and THEN talk to the dealer. For one, I want to me informed when I speak with him, and two, I like to know what's going on and how the car works.
My experience with blindly trusting the 'dealer' or any garage without some knowledge beforehand isn't good.
From anther point of view, if we take the AC control unit as an example, we already know that if the unit is bad the dealer will not repair it and just make you buy a new unit. Since that is the case, I would rather try and repair it myself by buying a couple of new caps and trying whatever I learned on these forums first even if I may not fully understand how the unit works. If I can somehow get it to work I spent only a couple of dollars for the capacitors. If I screw it up it doesn't really matter because the dealer will make me buy a new one anyway. The potential savings is great while it would cost you the same if you failed the DIY repair or if you took it to the dealer in the first place.
Money v degree of
time & difficulty--if it's a simple component to R&R I would check here or ask before taking to a shop...Have a great shop here in Phoenix --Basch Acura and I find I am just too lazy to do some of the more mundane things like figure out if I need Dali Window Thingies etc---I took to shop and found out my 93 had the updated regulators but I still let them do all the simpler stuff--adjust and grease the rails, R&R my black door panels for the tan ones I had, R&R the speakers (had all 3 replacements purchased previously) and also had them drill out a screw I could not get out and have them put in missing hinge pin which apparently requires some strength and 3 hands.. Yeah and they did my oil change
BUT sometimes a great deal of money can be saved by checking here--replacement boards are expensive--and here you find out where u can send them to get repaired---now getting to them sometimes is the job I would rather avoid...I have replaced all my interior with the tan parts except the dash--I really do not want to tackle that until I need to do something else at the same time--like fix the aspirator fan or go to an aftermarket stereo sytstem etc I likely will let the shop do that too but will save money combining other things that need to be done at the same time....
Most people would do all the above themselves and they would save a lot of money in doing so and if I had the energy maybe I would also--meanwhile I just detail my NSX myself and I'm almost too lazy for that....but if I let someone else do it they will screw up my exterior seals when they buff
time & difficulty--if it's a simple component to R&R I would check here or ask before taking to a shop...Have a great shop here in Phoenix --Basch Acura and I find I am just too lazy to do some of the more mundane things like figure out if I need Dali Window Thingies etc---I took to shop and found out my 93 had the updated regulators but I still let them do all the simpler stuff--adjust and grease the rails, R&R my black door panels for the tan ones I had, R&R the speakers (had all 3 replacements purchased previously) and also had them drill out a screw I could not get out and have them put in missing hinge pin which apparently requires some strength and 3 hands.. Yeah and they did my oil change
BUT sometimes a great deal of money can be saved by checking here--replacement boards are expensive--and here you find out where u can send them to get repaired---now getting to them sometimes is the job I would rather avoid...I have replaced all my interior with the tan parts except the dash--I really do not want to tackle that until I need to do something else at the same time--like fix the aspirator fan or go to an aftermarket stereo sytstem etc I likely will let the shop do that too but will save money combining other things that need to be done at the same time....
Most people would do all the above themselves and they would save a lot of money in doing so and if I had the energy maybe I would also--meanwhile I just detail my NSX myself and I'm almost too lazy for that....but if I let someone else do it they will screw up my exterior seals when they buff
Having bought a house from one of those folks - with jury-rigged plumbing and electrical systems everywherehlweyl said:
- I don't admire them, I condemn them.Indeed. But he never did. And he always was.hlweyl said:
Not necessarily. Sounds to me like you're way too quick to make assumptions - and that you're another one of those folks who can't recognize when you're over your head. Remind me not to buy a car from you.
For me, it's a matter of not having competent shop that specialize or know NSX well.
I don't pay for things that I could do myself.
I'll pay someone to do it if I don't have time to figure out how.
I'll pay someone to do it if I don't have time to figure out how.
nsxtasy said:
Not necessarily. Sounds to me like you're way too quick to make assumptions - and that you're another one of those folks who can't recognize when you're over your head. Remind me not to buy a car from you.
Hehehe. You're too funny. I'm actually more electrical than mechanical in this case.
But like someone mentioned, it depends on the dealer. We only have one dealer in the state so I'm quite familiar with them and what to expect from them in general. My wording was a bit broad but it was just to make a minor point. I'm sure you woudn't be looking to buy my car anyway Ken. Mine has a body kit on it. Just messing with you.nsxtasy said:Having bought a house from one of those folks - with jury-rigged plumbing and electrical systems everywhere
I can see your frustration there. I seen some HGTV show the other night where a girl's father was selling a house to her. The girls husband insisted on a home inspection against the father's wishes. Apparently he thought of himself of an expert carpenter as he has done many improvements over the years.
It was shocking was the home inspector found. Overloaded electrical panel was probably the worst and that was a serious fire hazard. The father also hacked into a major structural beam in the garage so he could put a garage door opener in... nasty stuff.
In your situation a good home inpector would have been valuable. It all goes back to knowing when you are in over your head. I know I can do almost any home improvement project but it's no substitute for someone with years of experience in the field.
I am certainly sympathetic for those who live in an area served by a single dealer which is less than knowledgeable/competent/experienced when it comes to the NSX (and the grand poobah of NSXprime is one of those folks). In such a case, your options are (obviously) very limited. If you don't trust the dealer's work, you can try to find a competent independent mechanic and give him advice from the FAQ and from here and other (e.g. DanO) websites (and expect a long and perhaps costly learning curve), or you can try to do everything yourself, or you can drive/ship your car hundreds of miles to an NSX-experienced shop. None of which are great options, but that's what you're stuck with (and hopefully there are other virtues that make it worth living in such an area - like great weather/scenery/beaches/mountains/driving roads/cost of living/etc).
(Incidentally, I did have a home inspection done before buying my house, so I knew what I was in for.)
(Incidentally, I did have a home inspection done before buying my house, so I knew what I was in for.)
Oldguy said:
I enjoy doing things myself because I am very particular and I also enjoy it. I disagree that many parts of the NSX are too sophistocated or unique for a good shadetree mechanic to learn. A few are certainly challenging, I am still deciding if I want to tackle timing belt, but it is only hard because it is so cramped. Just be patient and ask for help from those who have gone before. I have learned a lot be reading here and saved many hours and even more curse words.
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