Ridiculous Dealership.... advice..

[eg9]

I've posted before in regards to my local dealership charging $102 for an oil change. www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20200&highlight=University

The dealership where I purchased my NSX charges $24 and recommended that I file a complaint because that price is absurd.
Heck my previous exotic (2000 Esprit) only cost $80 for an oil change at a Ferrari/Lotus dealership!

I called over to the dealership today and the price dropped to $99 for the oil change. The service manager said that most dealership will charge that for an oil change on an NSX. I've been compiling evidence that proves different and have found that the most expensive oil change outside of University Acura in Clovis/Fresno California is Bakersfield CA. ($53).

Any advice whether I should pursue this fight or just go to Jiffy-Lube?

Does anyone have a cost of over $53 for an oil change at a dealership?

THANKS

EG

'03 Silver/Silver

 

[LeftLane]

Dealership cost for oil change here is 29.99, and it is 18.99 at a local independent Acura shop. They obviously want to gouge you, so take your biz elsewhere and don't worry about a fight - or maybe you could send a message to the regional Acura rep.

 

[coolnsx]

I was charged $19 and I supplied syn oil, they provide filter, washer and oil change. Total cost to me +/- $45. Hundred bucks sounds out of line to me, I'd complain too!

 

[mikec]

My Acura dealer in Lancaster PA charges about $22 including filter and I supply the synth oil.

Did you get ripped off? yes! What can you do about it? nothing. You should have known the cost before they did it. The most you can do is to tell them they are out of line and not take your car back. Also spread the word. As far as legal action.. forget it.

YMMV

 

[eg9]

LeftLane-

I could just leave this alone but for some reason it just bothers me. Listening to these guys rationalize a $100 oil change is comical... They've said things like, "It's a mid-engine car and it requires very special tools", "The specialty oil and filter is what cost most of the money", "These are very complicated cars", "Most other dealerships charge the same price".

It's comments like these above that make me angry with this dealership. No wonder no one is buying NSX's around Fresno area. This dealership is doing a disservice to NSX owners and Acura customers. I'm being freak'n lied to and it's really bothering me.


OKAY... Any advice on how to pursue a complaint? I will be contacting their General Manager tomorrow and will look for an address to send a letter.


EG-

 

[steveny]

The Acura dealer here charges 30 bucks for the NSX. I just had the oil changed on my X-5 which was 125.00 and can only be done at the dealer because the computer needs to be reset. I did not think that was too bad as the oil only needs to be changed every 15k.

 

[coolnsx]

eg9, I think you letting the community known what's happening is what this forum is all about. I become very aware thanks to input from this board. Thanks

 

[CokerRat]

LeftLane-

I could just leave this alone but for some reason it just bothers me. Listening to these guys rationalize a $100 oil change is comical... They've said things like, "It's a mid-engine car and it requires very special tools", "The specialty oil and filter is what cost most of the money", "These are very complicated cars"

LOL!! You're right to be angry, they're calling you a fool right to your face! Not much to add beyond echoing the advice to let the regional rep know what this particular dealership is doing to the good Acura name. But don't expect your money back.

 

[LeftLane]

steveny:

I had a 740il that the dealer told me needed to be serviced there as well because of the reset tool - but now just about every Jiffy Lube type place has those reset tools and can do it for you for a fraction of the cost. This is a big problem with high dollar cars - it isn't just the initial acquisition cost, but the ongoing maintenance that is out of whack. Wait until you do the Inspection I and Inspection II on your Beemer - outrageous.

 

[nsxtasy]

The Acura dealer here charges 30 bucks for the NSX. I just had the oil changed on my X-5 which was 125.00 and can only be done at the dealer because the computer needs to be reset. I did not think that was too bad as the oil only needs to be changed every 15k.

I believe some of the new BMWs require special oil (special viscosity and a specific brand) that is difficult to find and very expensive. I don't know if the X5 is one of them.

That doesn't apply to the NSX, which takes good ol' 10W30.

Sure, your dealer charges more than anyone else. But that's not the only place in town.

In my town, there are maybe a couple dozen gas stations. One of them charges 30 cents more per gallon than all the others. They're allowed to charge whatever they want. And anyone is allowed to decide whether to buy gas there, or elsewhere. It's called a "free market economy" and it doesn't bother me at all.

I suggest you simply find another place for your oil changes, instead of letting it upset you.

 

[steveny]

I thought both the Acura and BMW dealership prices were pretty fair. I am not upset about either price.

 

[eg9]

This really wouldn't bother me except for the fact that the dealership can't honestly answer my simple question of, "Why", along with giving conflicting answers to my questions.

I've owned an 89Esprit SE and a 2000 Esprit V8 and have changed my oil at Ferrari of Los Gatos, Smith Lotus, Boardwalk Lotus and ALL have been less than $102 dollars.

I'm also pissed at a 300% mark up compared to similar dealerships.

No wonder there are SO FEW NSX's around a 700,000 population area . This makes me rethink Lotus ownership again. Sorry.... this is frustration talking...

This should be so easy to forget about and walk away from, but the conversations that I had with the service deparment just keeps bothering me....AHHHHH!!! I hate the fact that they think NSX owners are some fancy lads with deep pockets who know nothing about cars... That's it! I'm going to video tape myself changing the oil and mail them the tape calling it (NSX Oil Changing 101)

EG

 

[Vytas]

A $100 is absurd for an NSX oil change. My friend took his NSX in to an independent and the shop had two prices for oil changes. When he was charged the higher price, he questioned it. The shop owner said that cars like Acura, BMW, Mercedes, etc. cost more. That's BS. Changing the oil on the NSX isn't any more difficult than doing one on a Ford Escort. Charging more just because the car is expensive is simply lame.

I change the oil on both my NSX and GSR. I find it easier to do the NSX than the GSR.

 

[SF944]

eg9 --

I don't know what the local dealerships charge around here since I do my own oil changes.

But, I feel your pain. I was in the market for an Audi S4 last year and saw one at a local VW dealership. When I went back to see it the next day a salesman actually told me: "Yeah, I sold it yesterday. Some guy rolled up in a tricked out Escalade, so even though we were only asking twenty-seven-nine for the car, I got 30 G's outa him!"

Not really a related story, but the moral is that when they see you coming (read "$$") they'll gouge you. EVERYONE knows that NSX owners are LOADED, right???


I agree that you won't get your money back, and legal action is probably pointless. HOWEVER, it wouldn't hurt to file a complaint with the local Better Business Bureau and maybe even the local Attorney General's office. Price gouging may not be illegal, but it certainly isn't ethical.

 

[gheba_nsx]

I asked my work colleague and he told me that for his Modena he is charged 90$ at the Ferrari dealership (and the italian V8 needs more oil!) including an Espresso while waiting... 100$ at Acura is plain crazy!

 

[NSX/MR2]

LeftLane-

I could just leave this alone but for some reason it just bothers me. Listening to these guys rationalize a $100 oil change is comical... They've said things like, "It's a mid-engine car and it requires very special tools", "The specialty oil and filter is what cost most of the money", "These are very complicated cars", "Most other dealerships charge the same price".

It's comments like these above that make me angry with this dealership. No wonder no one is buying NSX's around Fresno area. This dealership is doing a disservice to NSX owners and Acura customers. I'm being freak'n lied to and it's really bothering me.


OKAY... Any advice on how to pursue a complaint? I will be contacting their General Manager tomorrow and will look for an address to send a letter.


EG-

Dealership is BSing. The NSX's oil change can be done by anyone; remember, after all, it was made by Honda. Heck, many of us, including me change it ourselves.

 

[T Bolen]

Wow! Special tools huh? I guess that metric socket for the drain plug and the oil filter wrench that I own are ready to go on ebay!
Not only are they liars & crooks, but they are really bad liars at that!
This is why I do my own work.
Get your jack out, remove the right rear tire and do it yourself next time.

 

[steveny]

Wow! Special tools huh? I guess that metric socket for the drain plug and the oil filter wrench that I own are ready to go on ebay!
Not only are they liars & crooks, but they are really bad liars at that!
This is why I do my own work.
Get your jack out, remove the right rear tire and do it yourself next time.

I think that says it all. When I am lied to it infuriates me that the liar believes I am ignorant enough to believe the lie told. I always feel like I have been insulted.

 

[hlweyl]

my advice is simple. Don't use that dealership! Why fight with them on what they charge for an oil change? Just go somewhere else



you cannot save the world

 

[SCS2k]

Get the email addresses of the general manager and service manager and send them a link to this thread with a nasty letter.

 

[jlindy]

LeftLane-

"It's a mid-engine car and it requires very special tools"
EG-

The special TOOL is the yahoo behind the counter pumping you full of his BS. Call a couple of other dealerships and get estimates in writing, and get one from that shady dealership that charges $102 as well. If you want to go in and speak with the GM on it and see what they say that is fine, but I would send it to Acura corporate. I would think that shady practices could affect a dealerships allocation. Corporate and/or the GM would take this more seriously than some hourly punk answering a phone.

Monetarily, it is not worth it, but if it just gets under your skin, this is a quick and easy to maybe hit them where it hurts.

 

[DocL]

I've had the same situation at a stealership very close to my house give me a similar story about how the NSX is different than any other Acura when it comes to the oil change. You'd think that since I own two Acura vehicles that they'd want my business for routine maintanence and warranty work. Instead, I drive 40 miles out of my way to go to Palm Beach Acura for my service. Sorry Delray Acura, but you won't be getting my dollars anytime in the future.

 

[nsxtasy]

No wonder there are SO FEW NSX's around a 700,000 population area .

Not true. Based on the number of members of the NSX Club of America, there are roughly as many owners in Fresno as elsewhere in California. The same thing is true of the rest of the CA-99 corridor, from Modesto down to Visalia. The cars are out there.

Incidentally, I gotta believe that there must be plenty of independent mechanics in Fresno who would be happy to change your car's oil and oil filter for a reasonable price. Join the NSX Club and use your member discount to order OEM NSX oil filters by the case from Niello, and bring them with you.

 

[Tom239]

I just want to second what others have said about this being an easy car to change the oil on.

I don't jack the car up to change the oil. Driving it up onto pieces of 2x8 lumber is all I need (the pan I use to catch the oil is a little too tall to slide under the car otherwise).

The filter and drain are close enough to the right edge of the car that I don't have to crawl underneath; I can reach everything while lying down next to the car.

 

[Joel]

Yeah, change the oil yourself. It takes me about 20 minutes. If I don't have the time, I go to my local mechanic and supply him the synthetic oil/filter and he charges me $10 for labor.