honda dealer vs private mechanice

No need at all to visit a Honda dealer. Any competant mechanic should be able to solve any problems. Look up who specialises in Hondas, or what people in your area recommend.

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Originally Posted by mugen_ctr

i too got quoted similar pricing, from Essendon Honda, Vic, at first i thought it was expensive, but the cheapest quote ive gotten from other private places is around 400 - 500, but than again, private places always use aftermarket gear which is hella cheaper than oem belts from honda, but most likey they source there parts from repco or else where.... So really, 550 does seem to add up if u included buying the oem belt, if not, 400ish is more reasonable

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good blokes at Essendon Honda, they've looked after my car pretty well i must say, sure the dealer is always abit more expensive but they've been cheapest to all the other dealers surprisingly, had 1 fault, they fixed the next day no questions asked.
If you got the extra money and want that baked guarantee take it to them bro

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Originally Posted by charliebrown

Do it yourself... save the green. You'll always do it more carefully and make sure you did everything properly, no corners skipped, best fluids/parts used.

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+1 to this

if a jobs too big find help, if its minor like a basic service do it yourself, if u got manufacturer warranty - abuse it for all its worth wen u need it

I find that my private mechanic has spent more time and effort on my car.. he also goes out of the way to maintain small things as well! Private all the way - if you can't do it yourself =P

I'm a mechanic at a dealership in adelaide and I do private work after-hours still use genuine Honda parts and charge about half the price so I think the stealerships are definately making good money.

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Originally Posted by HONTUNE

I'm a mechanic at a dealership in adelaide and I do private work after-hours still use genuine Honda parts and charge about half the price so I think the stealerships are definately making good money.

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no doubt about that.

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Originally Posted by HONTUNE

I'm a mechanic at a dealership in adelaide and I do private work after-hours still use genuine Honda parts and charge about half the price so I think the stealerships are definately making good money.

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the dealership gotta pay rent , pay advertising , pay fees pay insurance pay super etc....and pay YOUR wages too.....then try and make a cut ontop. With you your only overhead is you. This is why they charge double of what your backyard work costs lol.

So the labor rate is 112 per hour the mechanic get 20-25 an hour and the rest is all insurance and rent? There cut would still be pretty good. I know what you mean tho.
Just saying that's why dealer ships cost so much more that private mechanics.

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Originally Posted by bennjamin

the dealership gotta pay rent , pay advertising , pay fees pay insurance pay super etc....and pay YOUR wages too.....then try and make a cut ontop. With you your only overhead is you. This is why they charge double of what your backyard work costs lol.

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One other point is that the smaller mechanics... No offense but in my experience when i've had my car serviced and found a problem after there always seems to be an issue of the blame game....
Oh i never touched that blah blah blah

Well with my experience at Honda, they repaired a oil leak on my car which was coming from an aftermarket gauge, sensor was replaced... On the way home, noticed the sensor was the wrong one and was playing up... Immediately called them up, they came and PICKED UP my car as i couldn't get it back there, repaired the error they made free of charge and got me a lift to the dealership to pick my car up.... To me thats quality service...

Thats my experience though.

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Originally Posted by HONTUNE

So the labor rate is 112 per hour the mechanic get 20-25 an hour and the rest is all insurance and rent? There cut would still be pretty good. I know what you mean tho.
Just saying that's why dealer ships cost so much more that private mechanics.

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They make most there money on cars dude, servicing is just icing on the cake to them =)