Rip off Shell station in Santa Ana

[SilverOne]

I needed to get my car smog and went to a test only station in Santa Ana, corner of Redhill and El Camino Real, right next door to UHaul. I had a coupon for $10.99 smog plus $8.25 cert and $3 transfer fee. I showed up asked the guy if he would honor the coupon, he said yes. Mind you, he saw me pull up in the NSX.

When he was writing up my paperwork, he said because the car is an Acura NSX, so he has to charge $20 more because the car is different. I asked him to explain the 'difference' of NSX to other cars, or other Honda/Acura, his response was "it's different".

I did not feel that it's right for me to be charged more simply because the car looks different. If he provided adequate explanation on how a NSX would smog differently than other cars. I would gladly pay the difference.

I called the smog station right across the street, they had a coupon for $11.99, and the guy gladly honored the coupon for NSX, and also setup an appointment for me because he wants to be extra careful and take his time. I am on my way to my smog now, will update as to the result. But, I would warned against going to this Shell station, it's unreasonable and unethical.

 

[KooLaid]

Yep, that guy was a jackass. I smog at the same price as any other car in my year bracket. However, the guy was VERY careful and extra cautious when doing my car. He didn't want to possibly scratch the car by trying to reach the throttle cable in the engine bay. He also didn't want to get grease or dirt IN the car by sitting in it, so he had me sit inside. Very cool guy and loves getting in the occasional rare cars.

 

[scorp965]

When I first tried to smog my car I went through the same thing, went through 3 coupons before I just end up going to a place autowave recommended, and paid the $50.

One shop I went to, in Aliso Viejo, gave me the 'its different' line, then when I asked him to explain he got angry and said something along the lines of "if you can spend $80,000 for the car you can spend $80 for a smog" - it would seem, if a tech sees an nsx, they start to imagine dollar signs, or assume you're used to being bent over and think you won't compain about extra fees.

 

[Joel]

I know of a great guy who does smog testing. I've taken all my cars to him for years. PM me for info.

 

[redrocket]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good smog place for my NSX in the Newport Beach or Irvine areas? South Coast Acura recommended Harbor Smog in Costa Mesa. Need to get it done in the next week or so. Don't want to end up at a careless shop. Thanks. Marc

 

[SilverOne]

Marc,

I think they're all the same. I've not had any "good" experience with test only centers.

The guy at the Mobile station that I ended up taking the car to (across street from the Shell) was extremely meticulous. Not that I have anything to hide on the car, but he spent a good 40+ minutes on the entire thing, looking into the engine, underneath the car, back and forth several times very closely. My guess is he was looking for mods or uncertified components. I had a coupon for $11 to do the smog, and for the money, I thought he spent way too much time and effort for what he's getting.

I asked at the end of my smog for valid reasons that NSX would be 'different' from other cars thus causing additional fee to smog. The guy's answer was that the NSX has very low ground clearance, and the suspension is extremely sensitive. For tech that doesn't know lowered cars well, they can easily damaged the suspension when driving onto the roller. *roll eyes*

Sorry, can't be more helpful in recommending a place.

 

[nsxsupra]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good smog place for my NSX in the Newport Beach or Irvine areas? South Coast Acura recommended Harbor Smog in Costa Mesa. Need to get it done in the next week or so. Don't want to end up at a careless shop. Thanks. Marc

Try this place, they jsut did my smog yesterday. The shop is clean, the tech is super nice, extremely careful with the car.

State of California Official Smog Check
Test Only Center of Santa Ana
4518 Westminster Ave.
(Corner of Valero Gas Station Westminster & Newhope)
Mon~Fri 8:30am~6:00pm
Sat 8.30am~5:00pm
714-590-1732


Harbor Smog is good as well, I had the smog done there 2 years ago, no problems.

 

[CDub]

OK, I'll admit that I was the one that recommended SilverOne to the Shell station on Red Hill.

It is my turn to smog my car and yesterday I took it to the same Shell station. He honored the $8.99 coupon(+$12 cert and transfer) and I thought I scored. After trying to find the RPM signal from the car for over 40 mins+ an hour waiting, it failed the test. It turned out that my car was cold sitting there waiting.

So I took it to ACE at the corner of Edinger and Grand.
1501 E. Edinger Ave. Santa Ana
The owner's name is Gary and was a Honda marketing guy and knows Shepley. He smoged my NSX 2 years ago. Yes it cost more ($40 out the door, still reasonable), but I was in and out in 15 minutes. Great guy to talk to and knows his stuff. I highly recommend him.

 

[nis350]

OK, I'll admit that I was the one that recommended SilverOne to the Shell station on Red Hill.

It is my turn to smog my car and yesterday I took it to the same Shell station. He honored the $8.99 coupon(+$12 cert and transfer) and I thought I scored. After trying to find the RPM signal from the car for over 40 mins+ an hour waiting, it failed the test. It turned out that my car was cold sitting there waiting.

So I took it to ACE at the corner of Edinger and Grand.
1501 E. Edinger Ave. Santa Ana
The owner's name is Gary and was a Honda marketing guy and knows Shepley. He smoged my NSX 2 years ago. Yes it cost more ($40 out the door, still reasonable), but I was in and out in 15 minutes. Great guy to talk to and knows his stuff. I highly recommend him.

Just curious which component failed on your first test when it was cold?

 

[CDub]

Just curious which component failed on your first test when it was cold?

My 25 mph test passed without problems. It was the 15 mph.

HC(ppm) CO (%) NO(ppm)
MAX 114 0.73 785
Cold 235 0.85 1224
Warm 98 0.33 776

As you can see, it made a huge difference. So take my advice, drive your car for 10 minutes before you head in. Don't do what I did. :redface:

 

[SilverOne]

sorry to hear, but I still say the dude is a jackass!

OK, I'll admit that I was the one that recommended SilverOne to the Shell station on Red Hill.

It is my turn to smog my car and yesterday I took it to the same Shell station. He honored the $8.99 coupon(+$12 cert and transfer) and I thought I scored. After trying to find the RPM signal from the car for over 40 mins+ an hour waiting, it failed the test. It turned out that my car was cold sitting there waiting.

So I took it to ACE at the corner of Edinger and Grand.
1501 E. Edinger Ave. Santa Ana
The owner's name is Gary and was a Honda marketing guy and knows Shepley. He smoged my NSX 2 years ago. Yes it cost more ($40 out the door, still reasonable), but I was in and out in 15 minutes. Great guy to talk to and knows his stuff. I highly recommend him.

 

[RQNSX]

:smile: cdub did u pass ur smog check

 

[CDub]

:smile: cdub did u pass ur smog check

Hi Ramon,

I got the car smog'ed without problems once it was in the right hands. Thanks for your help on the phone! You are a great resource to the NSX community.

 

[CDub]

sorry to hear, but I still say the dude is a jackass!

I have no one to blame but myself. Since I really don't get another out of it, I took the cheapest route.

The dude probably just burnt out from doing something he hates. I feel bad for him. That's why I'll take my cars somewhere else to minimize what he doesn't like doing.

 

[nis350]

My 25 mph test passed without problems. It was the 15 mph.

HC(ppm) CO (%) NO(ppm)
MAX 114 0.73 785
Cold 235 0.85 1224
Warm 98 0.33 776

As you can see, it made a huge difference. So take my advice, drive your car for 10 minutes before you head in. Don't do what I did. :redface:

Thanks. It sure made a different. However, the NO # is so close.... Was the NO also close to the max. for the 25mph test?

What yr. is your car and how many miles do you have?

Just wondering where is the best/easiest place to pick up the timing for the NSX?

Thanks for the info. :wink:

 

[CDub]

Thanks. It sure made a different. However, the NO # is so close.... Was the NO also close to the max. for the 25mph test?

What yr. is your car and how many miles do you have?

Just wondering where is the best/easiest place to pick up the timing for the NSX?

Thanks for the info. :wink:

Not a problem. My car is a 91 with 52k miles. Everything is stock except the Type R spark plugs and DC Sports headers.

15 MPH (Maximum/Measured)
HC (ppm): 114/98
CO (%): 0.73/0.33
NO (ppm): 785/776

25 MPH (Maximum/Measured)
HC (ppm): 88/68
CO (%): 0.61/0.21
NO (ppm): 724/459

So as you can see, it is not bad when the vehicle is at speed. I hope that answers your questions.

 

[nis350]

Not a problem. My car is a 91 with 52k miles. Everything is stock except the Type R spark plugs and DC Sports headers.

15 MPH (Maximum/Measured)
HC (ppm): 114/98
CO (%): 0.73/0.33
NO (ppm): 785/776

25 MPH (Maximum/Measured)
HC (ppm): 88/68
CO (%): 0.61/0.21
NO (ppm): 724/459

So as you can see, it is not bad when the vehicle is at speed. I hope that answers your questions.

Thanks again for the information. :smile: