when to use local mechanics vs nsx specialist

[pjr300]

I recently had a debate with a local car enthusiast about when to use certain types of mechanics. the point of discussion was about when to use a nsx specialist, or could a local tuner or repair shop perform the service just as well.

his point is that clutch repair, exhaust system modifications, timing belt or water pump repair are as easily performed by any good mechanic, and our specialists are not needed for this work.

I don't agree with his comments about engines, as the x has a lot of unique components. however I'm curious about the opinion of Prime members related to the comments on water pumps clutches and other such items... are his comments legitimate, or do you bring your vehicle to a true nsx expert for all repair tasks?

 

[Ric]

For my nsx, I always bring it to nsx specialists or mechanic who has worked on nsx before. For my civic, I would bring it to anyone.

 

[shawn110975]

well let him bring it to someone that has not done one before and take a risk.

sure any mech can do it. but they will prob be learning how on your dollar.

how many have they done?
do you have the correct shop manual for the NSX's year.
whats your price and how long will it take to do it?
if and when you break something like over tighen a bolt and it strips how will they fix it.
if they have to take the engine out will they scratch the paint in the engine bay?
if they need to do anything will they put down the special NSX cover so it will protect the paint from those accidental wrench and socket drops on the trunk?
if they need to remove the rear panels to get to the ECU etc. will they rip the leather since this would be the first one they looked at?
if they need to remove the door panels will the break every single tab that hold the panel to the door shell. I have seen this on almost every NSX except mine.
the list goes on.

but sure putting in the TB and water pump is second nature for any old car mech but do you wanna risk your car?

I would say no thank you.

 

[liftnot]

I recently had a debate with a local car enthusiast about when to use certain types of mechanics.

...as the x has a lot of unique components.

If the said "local car enthusiast" ever owned a NSX, he would not make that kind of comment and you wouldn't had to debate him.

...as the X.....I think you answered your own question. If its a simple bolt on and off, its no big deal. More difficult jobs you should not take the risk as new parts can be very hard to find not to mention the cost if he screws it up. Your wording of "repair" I assume you meant "replacement"....as not many tech now days know how to repair things but even with replacement, there are still things which are unique to the X need special attention. I say don't risk it unless you done this once or twice on someone elses X.

 

[d_prada1]

I really don't know what an NSX "specialist" is. A careful mechanic? Lol regardless if they are true professionals they will treat each car the same way, civic or Ferrari. All you need is the proper tools and manuals.

When we receive new turbine engines to overhaul we don't become specialists in that engine...we are already jet engine specialist, we just get the proper tools ordered or made and service manuals. Same concept goes for cars in my eyes. I have never used a mechanic in my life (not once ever lol). I can see how the avg person just gets a job turning wrenches and doesn't really know what they are doing.

Whether I own a civic or a Ferrari, it's a car I drive on the road with other people and proper measures should be taken to ensure proper maintenance is provided. Hence why I never use mechanics.

 

[pjr300]

All good points.... if it was something complex (like some of the examples that shawn mentioned) then it's a no-brainer, you want someone experienced (like shawn!) working on your ride.

But, to play the devil's advocate (as my buddy was doing): The NSX uses a lot of standard Honda parts, so, in reality, its maintenance should not be very exotic requiring specialists. Hey would say something like: isn't a timing belt a timing belt, so to speak? If your good mechanic is skilled enough to perform that task for a VTEC belt in a Accord coupe, they should be skilled enough to perform that task on the NSX.

Ditto for the example of clutch: is there anything in replacing a clutch in the NSX that is so unique that it requires special skills?

Just because the tech hasn't done an NSX clutch doesn't make him a dolt or a klutz... i mean, there is less than 9000 NSX here in the US! It's likely they have not done NSX work... but may have done great work on many clutch jobs, including high performance work for Subis, Accords, and so on.

 

[ChrisK]

I pretty much use nothing but local trusted mechanics now. Our one and only Acura dealer in the entire state doesn't really support the NSX anymore. They are reluctant to work on it. In fact, I didn't even get a return phone call from them when I wanted some work done on my NSX. That said while we don't have NSX Specific mechanics here, we do have very good ones that get the job done no problem. O

 

[shawn110975]

depending on what year the NSX clutch is special. dual clutch the second clutch plate needs to be intialized at 3 points

but I agreed with you any mech can do the work but....

and an NSX mech has had to go to honda school to get the NSX Specialist Badge

 

[Stephen@NCAutoUSA]

Like others have said, for generic stuff I'd probably take it to a trusted mechanic, BUT for anything major like clutch, tb/water pump, coolant hoses and things like that I'd only take it to someone that knows exactly what they're doing...

There's things that I like to try myself, and there's things I'll take my car for other people to do, then there's things I'll only take my car to Larry B for... It helps me sleep at night knowing that my car's been worked on by the best, or in your case the best in my area.

 

[Lostbuckeye]

We here in San Antonio are lucky enough to have an NSX specialist who is very anal about the cars and he only works on Hondas and Acuras. He costs less than most other mechanics and at least 50% less than the dealer. He is the only mechanic that works on my NSX, S2K and CRV. If a plastic clip is missing or broken he replaces it usually for free. Hell one time he noticed that there was rust on my oil pan plug then masked it off and painted it. A few months ago, my NSX was in his garage to fix the common on 02+ bouncing headlights and he let me do some cleaning work and modifications to my frontend while he had my bumper off. We are paying his way to NSXPO this year because he does a lot of stuff for us at no cost. Plus he's a lot of fun to have beers with. The NSX is too rare to just let anyone work on it IMO. A good NSX specialist doesn't have to guess or look up what's wrong with your car and he has access to those NSX specific parts. Some of which are no longer being produced.

 

[ProOnThaSnow]

I live in Montana, and where I'm at there isn't even an Acura dealer close - not that I'd bring it to them any way. Although an amazing car, it's just that, a car. I'm VERY mechanically inclined and unless I simply don't feel like doing something (being lazy) I do all my own work from my 2001 F350 Diesel to my K24 Frankenstein swapped 6266'd Civic SFWD racecar... down to my Craftsman riding mower.

I've got access to a lift if need be and haven't found a problem I couldn't solve yet myself, so I intend to do all work on my NSX myself. Fortunately it was very well cared for prior to my purchase and Source1 did all needed maintenance and everything was up to date on it.

 

[J KRIB]

I am a Honda tech at a local dealer and am very anal when it comes to working on customer NSX's. The vehicle itself is far less complicated than say even the new civic in terms of knowledge required to work on the car. Even though I am sure a small shop can do the T-belt small things like when they jack up on the oil pan do they push up on the edge of the pan to prevent it from denting of right smack in the middle of it. I have had customer's come in who have had clutch jobs peformed at small shops that used a pickle fork to separate the ball joints and damaged the ball joint and destroyed the boots. At a dealer if there is a good NSX tech there they will know tricks of the trade
because they would work on them more often than the average small shop. I am not saying all small shop techs are bad, there are great NSX specialist techs who are not even at dealers, what I said does not apply to them.
This is more in regards to small shops who have never touched an NSX ever, you do not want your NSX to be the guiena pig, I would not want mine to be.

 

[rbilder]

I would agree with J KRIB, if it was somebody who had never worked on an NSX I'm fairly sure it wouldn't be mine they would be working on.

But here there is a great independent shop, the owner grew up working on Honda's and now works on all the NSX's I know of in our area.
He is very good, sharp, honest and is the owner of one of the fastest growing shops in the region (I'm sure that is because he is good and very fair with customers).
I'm pretty sure he isn't a "certified NSX tech" meaning he has a special certificate saying he has gone through specific NSX training. But I know for sure he has more experience working on an NSX than the techs at our local Acura or Honda dealerships. Plus his rates are close to half the cost of the dealership.
He is also the one that does most of the work himself on all the NSX's. He is an ASE Master Mechanic. He loves what he does and it shows in his work.
He just finished up installing a CTSC in a local car.

The only other non certified mechanic I let touch the car is myself. :smile: I change my own oil and have done my brakes and some other smaller items, replacing small things that have come up. I don't really trust taking the NSX to those 20 minute oil change places. I would rather do it myself.
My starter gave me some grief a while back. I looked at it and thought about replacing it myself. I'm sure I could have done it, but I figured it would take me a while and I would probably make a big mess, so I took it to Joey who did it and at a great price. I have no regrets having him do the job instead of me.

I wouldn't let somebody off CL or something like that work on the NSX.

 

[A.S. Motorsport]

Well this is a comment easily made over the NSX as quite a few people have this preconception it's just a other Honda.

Yes it's a reliable and relatively straight forward car (not like a Ferrari, Maserati etc) and it has a fair amount commonalities with other Honda's.
Yet it isn't a run of the mill car and does have some unique issues/differences versus your daily driver.

I see this quite often with NSX's in Europe where I've seen Garages and even Honda dealers struggle with the NSX and the Legend.
All in all a good mechanic following the Honda procedures should be fine, it isn't extremely difficult it.

Although ignition & ABS diagnosis can be something garages struggle with if they aren't familiar with the NSX.

 

[davidf]

I think part of the NSX ownership is being required to do some of your own maintenance yourself. While there are things I cannot/will not perform, I find it most gratifying finishing a job myself. Of course it helps that I am mechanically inclined but for some, the learning part is also fun and gratifying.

 

[J KRIB]

I think part of the NSX ownership is being required to do some of your own maintenance yourself. While there are things I cannot/will not perform, I find it most gratifying finishing a job myself. Of course it helps that I am mechanically inclined but for some, the learning part is also fun and gratifying.

I totally agree with this, the best part about owning this car is knowing that you can do some work on it yourself with just a few basic hand tools and be able to tell people "I did that". When NSX owners come up to me at the shop I work at you can see it in their eyes how proud they are about doing something they thought was out of there skill level but they did. In my opinoin this makes you appreciate the car more and makes your connection with it stronger rather than just getting someone to fix or service every little thing for you.

 

[ftuhy]

I do most of the work on my NSX myself, but there are a few things I've had done by a local mechanic or Acura dealer. I had the clutch done in 2000 by the dealer because I didn't have the time. A local glass shop replaced the windshield. How did I choose him? - He's a car nut, and read the manual before quoting the job so he ordered all the correct trim pireces, etc. When I have tires replaced, I tell the shop that the lug nut torque is 80- lbs-ft and tell them I'll check that's what they used when I get the car home. I torque every bolt and nut to spec. Other than that, I'm not anal about my NSX (or the SLK or the 'vette).

Some of my criteria for a mechanic when necessary? 1. A car enthusiast 2. Is willing to read & follow the manual and understand the job before starting. 3. Has the necessary tools.

 

[itrsteve]

Like others have said, for generic stuff I'd probably take it to a trusted mechanic, BUT for anything major like clutch, tb/water pump, coolant hoses and things like that I'd only take it to someone that knows exactly what they're doing...

This ^

Everything else, I let the dealership handle. It's a Honda, not a McLaren.

 

[shawn110975]

heres an example why you should only take to a NSX Certifed MECH



- - - Updated - - -

yes thats a ZIP tie holding the boot to the axle. LOL holy geez if this doesnt change your mind then nothing will LOL

 

[ProOnThaSnow]

^However, on my own car I wouldn't let that slide if I were doing the work (which I intend to do). Also, I have the proper tooling to fix that.

 

[Supra TT]

Learn to DIY
ive surprised myself a whole lot this year

 

[Nukem]

I would agree with J KRIB, if it was somebody who had never worked on an NSX I'm fairly sure it wouldn't be mine they would be working on.

But here there is a great independent shop, the owner grew up working on Honda's and now works on all the NSX's I know of in our area.
He is very good, sharp, honest and is the owner of one of the fastest growing shops in the region (I'm sure that is because he is good and very fair with customers).
I'm pretty sure he isn't a "certified NSX tech" meaning he has a special certificate saying he has gone through specific NSX training. But I know for sure he has more experience working on an NSX than the techs at our local Acura or Honda dealerships. Plus his rates are close to half the cost of the dealership.
He is also the one that does most of the work himself on all the NSX's. He is an ASE Master Mechanic. He loves what he does and it shows in his work.
He just finished up installing a CTSC in a local car.

The only other non certified mechanic I let touch the car is myself. :smile: I change my own oil and have done my brakes and some other smaller items, replacing small things that have come up. I don't really trust taking the NSX to those 20 minute oil change places. I would rather do it myself.
My starter gave me some grief a while back. I looked at it and thought about replacing it myself. I'm sure I could have done it, but I figured it would take me a while and I would probably make a big mess, so I took it to Joey who did it and at a great price. I have no regrets having him do the job instead of me.

I wouldn't let somebody off CL or something like that work on the NSX.

What Rod said...

 

[DRIFTER]

Ask Larry B how many Timing belts he has had to do again. Bring your car to someone that knows what they are doing. It may cost you more initially. But in the long run you will not have any issues, and it will be done right the first time.

 

[nsxtasy]

There are lots of excellent points above. And just to avoid a debate over semantics, the guy I want working on my NSX is a guy who has worked on a bunch of them - who knows all the shortcuts and gotchas of the more complicated scheduled maintenance services, who knows the common problems and how to fix them, etc. Anyone who has discussed how to do a service with Larry Bastanza (maybe the best NSX mechanic nationwide), and has heard such discussions sprinkled with numerous instances of "but then you gotta watch out for...", can appreciate how that experience translates to jobs being done right the first time and in less time than paying for someone's learning curve (and there will certainly be one with a mechanic who hasn't done much NSX work before, even if he/she is very experienced with other cars).

As for the original question:

when to use local mechanics vs nsx specialist

If you live far from an NSX-experienced mechanic, you may not have a choice. I live close to a dealership which has one of the most experienced NSX mechanics in the Midwest (who is also one of the best mechanics I've ever used anywhere), so I always took my NSX to him. But I use a competent independent mechanic for my other cars, and I would trust him to do the easy routine tasks like brake service, tire replacements, and fluid replacements. I would stick to the NSX-experienced guy for more complicated tasks like clutch replacements, timing belt changes, and problem troubleshooting.

 

[Caustic]

Larry Bastanza needs to be cloned. 1 for each state.