Need advice on a 2000 NSX (just bought)

[chrisdelgado]

I just purchased my dream car -- a 2000 NSX-T (Red)
with 11k miles on it from a dealer (came off a lease).
Part of the deal was getting it "certified" by Acura, and
I also bought an extended warranty from Acura.

The dealer is about 70 miles from my house, and I
drove it home this past Saturday and haven't driven
it since due to bad weather. In one of my many trips
to the garage, I checked the oil and noticed it barely
showed any on the stick (not even close to the bottom
hole). And yes, I was on a completely flat surface.

I take responsibility for not checking this immediately
before taking possesion, however I took comfort in the
fact that it was just certified (I'd like to think that
checking the oil is part of their 150-point check).

Adding to my delimma, I've just received in the mail
today the bank draft for the balance due to the dealer.
The dealer also gave me a 1000 mile/30 day satisfaction
guarantee. So I still have some leverage in the situation,
but need to make a decision

Here are my questions:
1. What are the potential (long term) affects of a 70-mile ride with that little oil? No lights showed up in the dash, and it
did not appear to run hot.

2. After searching this site, I don't see any postings about
varying oil levels depending on how recently the car was run.
Anybody have thoughts on this?

3. While I accept responsibility for not checking the oil
first thing, I do think the dealer let something slip here.
Should I ask them to re-do the certification? Ask them
to pay another dealer to do it?

Sorry for the length of this post, and thanks in advance
for any advice.

 

[KGP]

Did the dealer recently change the oil? Why not start by calling the dealer and explaining the situation. You have a warranty, so you should be okay of there's a problem from low oil, provided that you go on record with how much was in it when you received it. That part, I would leave nothing to chance; Send them a letter about it.

 

[Taj]

For a Pre-owned Certified Acura, delivery package should include a pre-delivery inspection checklist, which is signed by the technician. If you have not received it, you have the right to question the inspection process. The technician could have checked all the boxes and signed the checklist without performing the inspection. In fact the engine oil and filter are replacement items. You should not take the responsibility of checking oil level. The dealer should. I don't see a long-term problem with low oil level for 70 miles. But then again, how could you be sure that it was only 70 miles? The oil level could have been low since the last oil change.

Here's a list of items you should receive at delivery:

Owners Manual
Warranty Manual
Certified Warranty Booklet
Vehicle History Report (Full History/Title Check Report)
Copy of 150 pt. Inspection checklist in Glove Box (Once completed)

Congratulation and welcome to the club.

 

[chrisdelgado]

Thanks for the responses. I actually did call the dealer
this afternoon, and he passed me on to the service
manager who spoke to the tech that did the certification.
He says he checked it (but didn't say he changed it).

It's good to know that the oil/filter are replacement items,
I'll definitely ask the dealer about this tomorrow. Thanks
also for posting the list of what I should have received
on delivery -- I didn't get a copy of the inspection
checklist (and it isn't in the glove box) -- I'll definitely
be asking for these items.

 

[NoSeX4U]

I don't think you'll have a problem, and while I think the dealership may have dropped the ball a bit here, as the owner, it's really your responsibility to be on top of everything. The first rule of oil changes is to check shortly after getting one done. Sometimes the tech doesn't screw the drain bolt on tight enough, or the filter isn't seated right or...whatever. Mistakes happen, but as the owner, or the guy who'll suffer the most from a problem, take it upon yourself to look after whatever you can look after when you can. It's also a good excuse to look at the engine! And don't forget to check tire pressures often. Even a little variation can unbalance the drive. Remember: No one cares about your car as much as YOU do, so no one's going to have the same level of attention to the details as you. Which is probably why you checked the oil and discovered this issue in the first place. Good job.