Ridiculous Dealership.... advice..

[wagyshag]

Change the oil yourself!!! you don't even have to jack up the car to do it!!! "Special Tool" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!!!!!! If you just try / attempt changing the oil yourself - 1) you will see how VERY easy it is 2) you will never let a dealer or anyone else do it again

 

[wagyshag]

I just have to make another comment on this!! $102 for an OIL CHANGE is INSANE!!!!!!! even $40 for one is stupid! I just recently bought 5 of the 5qt tubs of Mobil 1 synthetic from Wal-Mart for $96 bucks.....so....I feel for you Any place of business that charges more just because "It's an Acura" or because they know the car is a little pricey...well......obviously if they know they can rip you off ....well.........it's going to happen. Try seriously considering doing the oil yourself

just my .02

 

[nsxtasy]

even $40 for one is stupid!

No, it isn't. Not when you consider that six quarts of synthetic oil cost $24-30, and the oil filter costs $10-14.

Incidentally, I'm happy to pay a few extra bucks (on top of the cost of the oil and filter) to let someone else get dirty, deal with proper disposal of the waste oil, etc. Those who enjoy changing their own oil, fine - go for it. But there's no need to criticize those of us who would prefer to pay someone else to do so.

 

[nsxtasy]

Incidentally, while we're discussing oil changes...

One thing I find surprising is the refusal of some Honda dealers to work on Acuras. I would expect that any Honda dealer would be willing to do an oil change on any car, especially an Acura, if the owner were willing to provide the oil filter. I would expect this to be even more true in markets in which there is no Acura dealer. But it isn't.

I'm about to go on a cross-country drive in which I am arranging an oil change on a '94 Acura Integra GS-R in a medium-sized city 60 miles from the nearest Acura dealer. I called the local Honda dealer to schedule the oil change, and they flat-out refused to do it on the Integra (this despite the fact that the Integra and Civic are even built on the same platform). They did refer me to a couple of independent mechanics who are happy to do the oil change. I'm not upset, I just find it surprising that they would turn down the business.

 

[Briank]

I have had no problem getting my local Acura dealer to work on my Accord. Have never tried to get my NSX worked on at a Honda dealer. The Acura dealer is no cheaper or really any better its just located within waking distance of my home, make for real easy pickup and drop off.

I don't mind paying top dollar for service at the dealer but I do expect first class service. To bad that is frequently not what happens. There is good reason there is much discussion here about where to get you car serviced.

 

[danpiu]

depends what kind of oil you put in. I pay in switzerland 13$ per litre.

 

[wagyshag]

nsxtasy: I was NOT critizing anyone!! I was simply stating my "Opinion" - there is a difference. Critizing would mean I make a statement like - "I think he or she is a moron for doing this or that". An "Opinion" like I said in my previous post - "I think $40 for an oil change is stupid." that's MY OPINION! PEROID! if you don't like my OPINION too bad!! you have the same entitlement as I do to your OWN OPINION.

 

[nsxtasy]

nsxtasy: I was NOT critizing anyone!! I was simply stating my "Opinion" - there is a difference. Critizing would mean I make a statement like - "I think he or she is a moron for doing this or that". An "Opinion" like I said in my previous post - "I think $40 for an oil change is stupid." that's MY OPINION! PEROID! if you don't like my OPINION too bad!! you have the same entitlement as I do to your OWN OPINION.

What I don't understand is why YOUR OPINION is that it's stupid to pay roughly the same amount as the materials cost. MY OPINION is that that is not stupid. Of course, that's just MY OPINION.

MY OPINION is also that you may be having a bad day, because MY OPINION is that you are overreacting to a simple statement of fact, not opinion, regarding how much the materials cost.

 

[nsxtasy]

One thing I find surprising is the refusal of some Honda dealers to work on Acuras. I would expect that any Honda dealer would be willing to do an oil change on any car, especially an Acura, if the owner were willing to provide the oil filter. I would expect this to be even more true in markets in which there is no Acura dealer. But it isn't.

I'm about to go on a cross-country drive in which I am arranging an oil change on a '94 Acura Integra GS-R in a medium-sized city 60 miles from the nearest Acura dealer. I called the local Honda dealer to schedule the oil change, and they flat-out refused to do it on the Integra (this despite the fact that the Integra and Civic are even built on the same platform). They did refer me to a couple of independent mechanics who are happy to do the oil change. I'm not upset, I just find it surprising that they would turn down the business.

By the way, I am not implying that this is true of all Honda dealers. I have routinely had my Acura automobiles serviced by my Honda dealer, and my Honda automobiles serviced by my Acura dealer, here in the Chicago area. I just find it odd that this is not equally true in an area with no Acura dealers.

 

[Nsx Service Girl]

Dealer Input

I charge $40.00 for NSXCA members. I use specific lifts in our shop for NSX's, and prefer to keep my top techs wrenching on them. All of our master techs are NSX certified, and therefore I feel more comfortable with them checking the REST of the car over while its here. ie; hoses, brakes, cv boots, coolant reservoirs, etc. Of course, your car gets hand washed while its here as well


Please, please, please stay away from "quickie lube places"...I have an NSX in the parking lot currently that the oil filter was loose and no oil was registering on the dip stick, he wound up spinning two rod bearings...in four months he has not received a response from the shop that had last changed his oil and filter. I couldn't count the number of other Acuras that I have seen the oil pans stripped because the shops didn't replace the crush washer and over torqued the drain bolt.

Just my .02
Susan

 

[wagyshag]

I disagree - materials (1 5qt Mobil 1) is $18.88 from Wal-Mart. add a $6, $10 or however much you pay for your filter of choice is still 30 bucks or less. therefore 40 bucks for an oil change is too much. However, if you feel that 10 bucks more on top of the materials is good for you so that you don't have to waste time doing it....that's cool.........to each his own.

 

[nsxtasy]

I charge $40.00 for NSXCA members. I use specific lifts in our shop for NSX's, and prefer to keep my top techs wrenching on them. All of our master techs are NSX certified, and therefore I feel more comfortable with them checking the REST of the car over while its here. ie; hoses, brakes, cv boots, coolant reservoirs, etc. Of course, your car gets hand washed while its here as well

And this is why your dealership does more NSX service work than other dealers in your state.

For those who are not already aware of it, Susan's dealership is:

Goodson Acura
1750 East Airport Freeway
Irving, TX 75062
(800) 326-2055

Oh, and they also offer discounts to club members on parts purchases...

 

[nsxtasy]

I disagree - materials (1 5qt Mobil 1) is $18.88 from Wal-Mart. add a $6, $10 or however much you pay for your filter of choice is still 30 bucks or less.

The NSX takes 5.3 quarts of oil for an oil change, so you have to buy six quarts, and you'll pay $24 for the oil at Sam's Club or Wal-Mart. Five quarts is not enough. And the OEM oil filter lists for $14, although if you look around you can find it discounted for around $10-11. So you're paying $34-38 for the materials. Add sales tax and you're right around $40.

 

[steveny]

By the way, I am not implying that this is true of all Honda dealers. I have routinely had my Acura automobiles serviced by my Honda dealer, and my Honda automobiles serviced by my Acura dealer, here in the Chicago area. I just find it odd that this is not equally true in an area with no Acura dealers.

This is true of the local Honda dealer here. To have my NSX serviced I need to drive about 30-40 minutes. I live close to Watkins Glen (about an hour drive) so this may be something to consider for those who are driving to NSXPO 2004. The closet Honda dealer is in Ithaca NY and they WILL NOT work on Acura. I have my car serviced at Crest Acura in Syracuse NY, about a 90 mile drive from The Glen. Maybe there is a Acura dealer closer to the Glen?

 

[steveny]

The NSX takes 5.3 quarts of oil for an oil change, so you have to buy six quarts, and you'll pay $24 for the oil at Sam's Club or Wal-Mart. Five quarts is not enough. And the OEM oil filter lists for $14, although if you look around you can find it discounted for around $10-11. So you're paying $34-38 for the materials. Add sales tax and you're right around $40.

I guess the 30 bucks I was charged was an awesome deal then. I also had a ton of other things done while it was there too.

 

[nsxtasy]

I have my car serviced at Crest Acura in Syracuse NY, about a 90 mile drive from The Glen. Maybe there is a Acura dealer closer to the Glen?

According to Acura's website, Crest Acura in Syracuse is 59 miles away, and John Holtz Acura in East Rochester is 60 miles away. I believe the NSXPO 2004 planning committee is looking at the Rochester dealership as the site for transporter dropoff and airport pickup.

 

[KGP]

LOL, some people feel that $10 for having someone else perform the labor is too much?! Dealers have to make a buck too ya know!

 

[DocL]

Maybe there is a Acura dealer closer to the Glen?

Isn't Heart Acura close to the Glen in Wappinger (sp?) Falls. I know it's up there because my father bought his NSX from them a few years ago.

 

[steveny]

According to Acura's website, Crest Acura in Syracuse is 59 miles away, and John Holtz Acura in East Rochester is 60 miles away. I believe the NSXPO 2004 planning committee is looking at the Rochester dealership as the site for transporter dropoff and airport pickup.

I used Yahoo maps to get the distance.

Syracuse

http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=...ry=us&tcsz=syracuse+ny&tcountry=us&oerr=-3008

East Rochester

http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=...country=us&tcsz=East+Rochester+ny&tcountry=us

 

[nsxtasy]

Isn't Heart Acura close to the Glen in Wappinger (sp?) Falls.

Yes, Heart Acura is in Wappingers Falls, but no, that is not close to the Glen. Unless you consider 240 miles away to be close.

I used Yahoo maps to get the distance.

From looking at Yahoo's maps, it's clear that the routes they use are probably the fastest (and also that the Rochester dealer is 15 miles closer).

I suspect Acura's website calculates distances as the crow flies.

 

[svalleynsx]

I'm all too happy to bring my own oil to the dealer and have them install the filter and pay the hazardous waste fee along with labor. Total out of pocket to me...roughly $20. More than fair, but to pay more than $50 for an oil change on ANY Acura seems a bit out of line to me.

I commend the original poster for at least delving into WHY this place is charging an excessive rate for such a relatively simple procedure.

 

[DocL]

Yes, Heart Acura is in Wappingers Falls, but no, that is not close to the Glen. Unless you consider 240 miles away to be close. ...

I knew I was starting to have some Alzheimer's symptoms since I moved down to Florida. But it's worth it because I don't ever have to shovel snow again.

Then again, I'm from the city so what do I know.

 

[Arata]

Having just changed it myself, I can tell you it is easier to do then a 928 Porsche or a 1991 Ford Explorer.

 

[svalleynsx]

Having just changed it myself, I can tell you it is easier to do then a 928 Porsche or a 1991 Ford Explorer.

Not to diverge from the subject too much, but I also owned a Porsche 928 once and remember paying something like $50 a pop just for the oil filter alone. Just another one of the many joys of owning something more exotic and paying way less to maintain. Almost like stealing, in my book

 

[ChrisK]

Having just changed it myself, I can tell you it is easier to do then a 928 Porsche or a 1991 Ford Explorer.

Having changed the oil on my NSX myself as well, I can say it is easier in a way than my Acura Legend and old Integra. Mainly because there is more room and you really don't need to get under the car to remove the filter as removing the right rear tire allows easy access to the filter. Also, since the diameter (Not length) of the filter is the same as the Legend filters (At least the older Legend filters) you can use the same so called "Special" tool. In fact, I just used a generic oil filter wrench and it removed the filter just fine. Heck, even a large screwdriver will do the job, although with a little more mess By the way, my dealer charges about $29.95 for an oil change.