Best Dealer Service?
- Thread starter Red
- Start date
It depends. What services are you having done to your car?
I would say the service is sub-par at Acura North Toronto and Erin Mills Acura (although the tech at Erin Mills knows his stuff with the NSX, and he's the only one I trust to do anything with my CTSC).
I've had relatively good experiences with Woodbine Acura and Sherway Acura, although the service manager at Woodbine recently left and I'm not sure how it is now.
For alignment, I would go to an alignment specialist like Woodbridge Alignment, which is close to Weston + Hwy 7. It looks like a real hole, but it will be cheaper and they'll do a better job than the dealership (in my opinion). You'll also be in and out faster. It's also pretty much your only option if you have a really lowered car, as they use a pit instead of a lift.
For iPod vs Trunk CD Changer, I'd visit the Stereo forum here on Prime, and post on there. People here are WAAAAAY more knowledgable about this stuff than anyone at a dealership will be. Most dealerships will be lucky if they see a few NSX's a year. Another option is to visit a dedicated Audio shop, and talk to them about it.
Install daytime running lights: If you want to save some money, I would go to an independant such as Ken @ IPC 905-791-2277. Get a quote from both and then decide. Although I suspect with your current stable, cost is not as big an issue as convenience
I'm all in favour of building a good relationship with a dealership (and I have with two of them), but at the same time I hate getting ripped off which is something that dearlships seem to excel at. eg. if you're getting new tires for your car... go to a tire place, don't go to your dealership unless you know them really well and they are giving you an awesome deal. eg. my last set of tires I was quoted $100 more per tire by the dealership.
I've had relatively good experiences with Woodbine Acura and Sherway Acura, although the service manager at Woodbine recently left and I'm not sure how it is now.
For alignment, I would go to an alignment specialist like Woodbridge Alignment, which is close to Weston + Hwy 7. It looks like a real hole, but it will be cheaper and they'll do a better job than the dealership (in my opinion). You'll also be in and out faster. It's also pretty much your only option if you have a really lowered car, as they use a pit instead of a lift.
For iPod vs Trunk CD Changer, I'd visit the Stereo forum here on Prime, and post on there. People here are WAAAAAY more knowledgable about this stuff than anyone at a dealership will be. Most dealerships will be lucky if they see a few NSX's a year. Another option is to visit a dedicated Audio shop, and talk to them about it.
Install daytime running lights: If you want to save some money, I would go to an independant such as Ken @ IPC 905-791-2277. Get a quote from both and then decide. Although I suspect with your current stable, cost is not as big an issue as convenience
I'm all in favour of building a good relationship with a dealership (and I have with two of them), but at the same time I hate getting ripped off which is something that dearlships seem to excel at. eg. if you're getting new tires for your car... go to a tire place, don't go to your dealership unless you know them really well and they are giving you an awesome deal. eg. my last set of tires I was quoted $100 more per tire by the dealership.
Arshad said:
I couldn't say it any better myself. :smile:
Arshad said:Install daytime running lights: If you want to save some money, I would go to an independant such as Ken @ IPC 905-791-2277. Get a quote from both and then decide. Although I suspect with your current stable, cost is not as big an issue as convenience
I'm all in favour of building a good relationship with a dealership (and I have with two of them), but at the same time I hate getting ripped off which is something that dearlships seem to excel at. eg. if you're getting new tires for your car... go to a tire place, don't go to your dealership unless you know them really well and they are giving you an awesome deal. eg. my last set of tires I was quoted $100 more per tire by the dealership.
I called Ken and left messages - no call back (and once his mailbox was full) as much as I'd like to use your guy it seems he isn't interested.
Tires - I have "wholesale" connections for tires (in the tire world this means that they give me a lowest price without bargaining) If anyone in Toronto needs tires tell me and I'll help you out (if I can). (e.g. 4 P-Zero Neros for Porsche Turbo for $1300 all in)
Yeah I've had the same experience with Ken -- he's not good at returning calls. I've always been satisfied with the work he's done (eg. header/exhaust install, eibach spring install, etc), and at a reasonable price too but he's a hard guy to get a hold of.
Those tire prices sound good!
Those tire prices sound good!
Well, in the past I've eventually managed to get a hold of him, although one time I did just show up at his door. Unfortunately I don't have his exact address, but it's in the 407+dixie neighbourhood. Johnny (NSX2NV) or Daria may have his exact address.
BTW, did you inquire at an Acura dealership to see how much they want for it? Who knows, maybe they'll give you a reasonable cost.
BTW, did you inquire at an Acura dealership to see how much they want for it? Who knows, maybe they'll give you a reasonable cost.
Red said:
He was racing this weekend from Friday to Sunday. That's probably why his mailbox was full.
His address is: 22 Strathern Avenue, Unit 8A, Brampton. The shop faces Steeles ave, east of Dixie.
took my car into Woodbridge alignment yesterday and got the "de-tuned" alignment. I wanted to try it and since I'm doing a long drive today and Saturday (to Watkins Glen Race) I figured I'd give it a shot to see what it feels like.
Facts: My cousin who lives in LA has a 92 with 230,000 MILES! on it. He is a "real" race car driver as well as a licenced instructor. He detuned his alignment since his car is a "daily driver" (he also removed the front splitter since he's lost three or four in the mean streets of LA.) He said there is a performance diff but the tire life diff is he now can get up to 50,000 miles on a set of tires.
(This is relevant to me because I am considering running snow tires and using the car as an ocasional driver on dry winter days. The "tire eating settings" will kill snows fast on a warm day.)
Observations day 1:
Car is a little "darty" you need to be actively steering it at all times since it has a softer zero (soft zero is not unlike my Audi A6 4.2).
Car steering overall feels softer
Car feels stable at hwy speeds, no conifdence lost, but is a little lighter
Actual response time of steering wheel (turn in) seems simmilar to factory,
The car is now more "aware" of pavement irregularities and I find myself "steering" over them (minor corrections to wheel) where I didn't before
Day 2: I'm off to the Glen, will write Sunday when I'm back (Race Saturday 3:00 on Speed - Follow the 10 car - Suntrust Racing Daytona Prototype.
FYI - four wheel alignment at Woodbridge was $95.00 including road test - I forgot to wipe the bottom of my steering wheel before I got in the car so dry cleaning from oil on tech's pants rubbing off onto steering wheel and then onto my pants $14 - Be warned! :wink:
Facts: My cousin who lives in LA has a 92 with 230,000 MILES! on it. He is a "real" race car driver as well as a licenced instructor. He detuned his alignment since his car is a "daily driver" (he also removed the front splitter since he's lost three or four in the mean streets of LA.) He said there is a performance diff but the tire life diff is he now can get up to 50,000 miles on a set of tires.
(This is relevant to me because I am considering running snow tires and using the car as an ocasional driver on dry winter days. The "tire eating settings" will kill snows fast on a warm day.)
Observations day 1:
Car is a little "darty" you need to be actively steering it at all times since it has a softer zero (soft zero is not unlike my Audi A6 4.2).
Car steering overall feels softer
Car feels stable at hwy speeds, no conifdence lost, but is a little lighter
Actual response time of steering wheel (turn in) seems simmilar to factory,
The car is now more "aware" of pavement irregularities and I find myself "steering" over them (minor corrections to wheel) where I didn't before
Day 2: I'm off to the Glen, will write Sunday when I'm back (Race Saturday 3:00 on Speed - Follow the 10 car - Suntrust Racing Daytona Prototype.
FYI - four wheel alignment at Woodbridge was $95.00 including road test - I forgot to wipe the bottom of my steering wheel before I got in the car so dry cleaning from oil on tech's pants rubbing off onto steering wheel and then onto my pants $14 - Be warned! :wink:
OK, so after an amazing victory at the Glen (Victory becasue the last five laps were a fight to keep the car in 1st in spite of hitting a groundhog and doing serious damage to the front right corner on a right handed track) I have observations about the de-tuned alignment:
1) Tracking on the highway is actually improved, the car is easier to drive on poorer surfaces since it isn't "pulled" into uneven spots, etc.
2) There is a drop in "tightness feel" although for normal driving I am not noticing any drop in steering/cornering/handeling in "within reason" driving on city streets and highways.
3) The ultimate question: "will I go back to stock?" (which I intended to do after this weekend) - for now, no, I'm happy with the set up. When I start driving the car on the track regularly, yes, I'll want the edge, even if at my skill level its just psychological. (I went to an Audi Precision Driving School with my (wife's) own Audi (they bragged that they were the only manufacturer that allow you to do everything in your own car) and was shocked to find that even with my most agressive street driving I was at maybe 30% of the cars max envelope (probably only 15% of her new 2006's.)
1) Tracking on the highway is actually improved, the car is easier to drive on poorer surfaces since it isn't "pulled" into uneven spots, etc.
2) There is a drop in "tightness feel" although for normal driving I am not noticing any drop in steering/cornering/handeling in "within reason" driving on city streets and highways.
3) The ultimate question: "will I go back to stock?" (which I intended to do after this weekend) - for now, no, I'm happy with the set up. When I start driving the car on the track regularly, yes, I'll want the edge, even if at my skill level its just psychological. (I went to an Audi Precision Driving School with my (wife's) own Audi (they bragged that they were the only manufacturer that allow you to do everything in your own car) and was shocked to find that even with my most agressive street driving I was at maybe 30% of the cars max envelope (probably only 15% of her new 2006's.)
Hmm, interesting observations. I found that when I changed to zero toe a few years back, I lost the 'precision' handling that I was used to and I only gained a few additional thousand km's. The brand of tire also makes a big difference in this regard. Since then I've gone to the 93 alignment settings which are a bit less aggressive than the 91 settings. I burn through rears every 8k using high treadwear tires. When I had softer tires on there, they only lasted me 4k. Oh well -- I just chalk it up to cost of ownership
He's not certain of the actual numbers, he evolved the settings over time (he has owned the car since new '92 and changed tires and settings many times in his 230k miles) but I asked him the rear wheel question.
He says he's changing fronts and backs around the same time, the key tricks re- clutch and tires are: No wheel spinning burn out drag races off red lights, he matches engine speed when downshifting (or upshifting), and he has deleted the front splitter - driving in LA and valet parking often he says part of it rode home in his trunk so often that he finally decided that ground clearance was cheaper than downforce.
He says he's changing fronts and backs around the same time, the key tricks re- clutch and tires are: No wheel spinning burn out drag races off red lights, he matches engine speed when downshifting (or upshifting), and he has deleted the front splitter - driving in LA and valet parking often he says part of it rode home in his trunk so often that he finally decided that ground clearance was cheaper than downforce.
A side note - Back on thread
I just spoke to Andrew, the Service Manager, at Brant Acura in Burlington 905-333-4144
He was a straight forward no-nonsense guy who had the pricing for the work I wanted to do in minutes - seems like its a place to go if you're West.
I just spoke to Andrew, the Service Manager, at Brant Acura in Burlington 905-333-4144
He was a straight forward no-nonsense guy who had the pricing for the work I wanted to do in minutes - seems like its a place to go if you're West.
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