True Story: I took my car to a local dealer because there was a clunking noise in the right rear suspension. Their diagnosis:
Dealership: Well, we think it is the right rear ball joint, so we need to order that but you need to prepay for the part.
Me: You think? Well, okay, how much?
Dealership: The part will be $2800.
Me: For a ball joint!?
Them: Well, you have to buy it as part of an assembly.
Me to self: This is going to cost like $3500 after labor. My history with this outfit is spotty already - I am just not going to do this. The car is driveable so I am leaving.
Me to Dealership: No thanks, I am going to have to pass.
This is part of my first ever conversation with Charlie at the Car Doctor, having decided to search out an independent shop to look at this problem, and having gotten the recommendation via this website:
Me: Charlie, word on the street is that you are the go-to guy for the NSX. Can you have a look at this problem?
Charlie: Well, I will have to take it apart before I decide what is wrong. How about I take it apart and look at it and then we will go from there. It may take two trips.
Me: Okay.
Later that afternoon...
Car Doctor: Your car is done.
Me: Okay, you are ready to order parts?
Car Doctor: No, it is done.
Me: You mean done done?
Car Doctor: Yeah, done done.
Me: Uh, okay, how much?
Car Doctor: $80
Me: 80!? What was wrong with it?
Car Doctor: Well, when we were taking it apart, we found a loose nut, so we tightened that and torqued everything in that area. We think that got it.
Me: Sweet!
Epilogue: This was a few years ago. I have had any clunking noise back there since. Needless to say, this experience converted me to an enthusiastic Car Doctor supporter. This is an extreme example, but the other things I have had done at the Car Doctor have all turned out very well and been very reasonable. I have not had a four-figure repair (When I had the AC compressor replaced, the repair bill just broke into the minimum four figures, but I had a few extras done that pushed the tab just above three figures.) since I gave up the dealership, and I had not one but two mid-four-figure trips through the dealership before I gave them up. In once instance when the dealership didn't fix the car...
Me, after picking up the car: The power steering isn't working.
Dealership: Well, we couldn't fix it before, so this time we didn't try. (This was their logic - I swear I am not making this up!)
Me: ???? Before it was an intermittent problem. Now it is all the time!
...LarryB "fixed" my car via e-mail. [Note: The problem was the NM speed sensor.] In another instance, they insisted on replacing the fusebox. Which told me that they were shotgunning the problem. I told them that this would have no effect before they did replacement. Of course it didn't do anything. They gave me a ten percent discount on this particular ride. Afterwards, I got a phone call where the lady did a customer service survey. I answered honestly, on a one to ten I would give the dealership a five. When she asked about cost, I told her that I had purchased whole cars recently that cost less than that trip through the service bay. Now I know that most people always feel that they pay too much, but I am very reasonable about this topic. But when I told her the actual tab, her response was "Oh my goodness!"
Which demonstrates that the best NSX tech is the best NSX tech, whether at a dealership or an independent shop. I highly recommend the Car Doctor for all your NSX needs.
