Should I just go to a mechanic or dealership?
I have a 2004 Honda Civic Lx Special Edition. I really like this car because it's my first used car and it probably has 200,000 miles already. I know it's a lot but this car helps me get around. But my question is I want to keep this car for a long time, and I wanted to know if I take my car to a Honda dealership, will they really tell me what's wrong with my car or will they add other stuff just to take money out of my pocket? With all due respect I could go to a mechanic, but sometimes I feel they take advantage of me for not knowing about cars and just add other stuff as well. So if you had to pick where would you take your car? Also how much do dealerships charge just to check out what's wrong with your car?
TRY actually asking local educated adults for actual info locally in your area cause we don't have a clue obviously.
A NON dealership mechanic will save you Hundreds$$ easily each time.
Look at reviews for the honda dealers near you on sites like yelp, BBB, etc… As for prices - no way to know til you arrive there
If you take a 13 year old car to dealer they will want to sell you a new car find a local mechanic that likes hondas
Honda
At that age I would use a good reliable specialist. There are honest specialists around.
If you do not have a mechanic you can trust, take the car to the dealership. They charge a lot, but they are pretty honest and do quality work. They have the Honda reputation and new car sales to protect. And you have people you can complain to.
If you got a Honda, Honda is happy. They are(the service department) are not trying to sell you a new car. They are just the mechanics. You know who the sales people are, those are the dudes that do not get their hands dirty. Do not pay attention to them… You will be fine there.
Find a good local workshop that can service your car.
Because it's an older car, the service info and diagnostics has now reached the independent shops via their own parts and service networks, and they should have plenty of experience with working on common older cars like that.
Like people have said, check the reviews of nearby Honda dealerships to see if there are honest ones nearby. Paying slightly extra is better than paying less and getting hosed. Quality parts and repairs. And the SERVICE center does not try to sell you a car. The salesman roaming around do.
I have learned with years of experience the hard way. I own Toyotas. The local dealer charges $90 for diagnosing problems, but that $90 also goes towards any repairs. They charge a very slight extra, but they know what they are doing, and they guarantee their work.
The others I have tried in the past outright lied claiming my fuel filter had to be changed and they have to remove the fuel tank quoting me $600. The dealer said it is normally a lifetime filter, it was fine and easily accessed through the back seat. No need to remove the tank. That is just one of MANY examples.
- Should I have a mechanic inspect the car I'm about to purchase (2009 honda civi hybrid - 52K miles)? It is at wheels and deals. I do not know if they check out the cars or allow inspections. I know nothing about cars. Should I have a shop inspect it? Or is it okay not to do since I'm buying from wheels and deals and the car has very low miles?
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- How much should I expect to buy in fees when buying a new motorcycle at a dealership? I want to buy a Kawasaki Ninja 300 ABS that has an MSRP of $5,299 in the state of California. The dealership I plan on going to is Fremont Honda Kawasaki. I would be financing the motorcycle. Up-front, how much should I expect to pay, assuming I buy the bike at MSRP? Thanks! Also, what information would they need? ID etc? I'm 17 and have no permit or license for any sort of vehicle. Could my mother buy it for me? She has a Class C license only.
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