I got robbed by the dealer- Rosenthal Nissan, at Tyson's Corner in VA.Took my 95 max SE for the 90k service($435.00 for that alone) and then was told I need 'some' work done and gave me a whole list. Starter was giving me problems , so I decided to get it replaced.Replaced CV boots...avoided the rest. Total bill?- $1200(including the $435.00 above).Am bankrupt now.Did'nt have time for any research.

There is a bunch of other things that I need to get done according to the the dealer's 100-point inspection.Could you guys recommend a reliable local shop where I can get this done at reasonable cost.

 

The best measure to ensure that you dont get ripped off is to do it yourself. I understand a small number of us may not be mechanically inclined but with a help of some online tutorials, you could be saving hundreds of dollars! Leave the big work to mechanics who u can trust. As for any local mechanics, I live in Richmond, Va so I'm not familiar with any shops up there. Can you post your other items that need to be replace? Other members and myself may be able to help you do it yourself. ~Frank

 

Look, I dont mean to be an azzhole, but what were you thinking. Oh well you live and learn.

I live 5 min from tysons rosenthal, but I never take my car there. I had a coupon from Rosenthal for a free state inspection, so I took it in thinking I will save $15. Do you know why Rosenthal gives out free state inspection coupons? They make people bring the car in, then proceed to make up phantom problems, and most people end up spending hundreds of dollars on repairing perfectly good parts.

They had my car on the lift and noticed that on my passenger side rear brake, the "ebrake cable retainer spring" was missing. It was missing because I did my own brakes a week ago and I didnt insert the spring back on correctly, and it had fallen out. The grease monkey and his manager insisted that my caliper/piston/whole assembly was damaged and its gonna take $850 to fix it. I said "who are you kidding? u think i'm stupid?" "I just wanna buy that spring. you have that in stock" ( I told him lot more stuff than this)

The stupid mechanic was very surprised and didnt know what to do because he had thought I was a spoiled brat who doesnt know anything about cars. He was like
"ummm..uh....I aint gonna sell you just that spring. I aint gonna do that".

At this point I was like WTF. I told him to get my car off the lift. I went to Browns Nissan, bought the spring for 2 bucks and change and put it in.
One thing I do like about Nissan is that they got this computer exploded view parts catalog. It shows every single nuts and bolts and their part numbers. And there was this grease monkey telling me he can't just sell me the spring. what a bunch of horse $hit.

 

some things you probably can't do easily, like say fluid flushes. I recommend those be done by either a dealership, or someplace local with a flusher machine.

A lot of things you CAN do yourself. I opted out of my 60k checkup because I did it myself. Things like: knock sensor, spark plugs, TB cleaning, OPSU change, fuel filter change, oil change, etc. I have receipts for all the parts and I keep them in the car for reference sake. I doubt I will give up the car any time soon, but you never know.

 

I got hosed at Browns bud, so just be careful where you take it and what you do with it.

No dealer is out to "HELP" you.. they're a business..... ESP. in the damn D.C./ METRO area

Don't get me started on Browns.....gr...

 

I hate the entire automotive/automotive service industry. Everything is so shady people trying to rip you off left and right. For example, I took my 98 Corvette into a shop that was $39.99 for state inspection. The avg. price is $50, so I figure I'll be cheap. They tell me that the rear rotors were shot and needed machining and it would be $65 JUST to pull the rotors (which they made it sound like it was this long drawn out process which infact you remove the wheel, undo TWO bolts for the caliper bracket, move the caliper and wiggle the rotor out) and another $15 a rotor to machine. They also said the car needed an alignment which they would charge $69 for a front toe only alignment. I took the car back, pulled the rotors myself, sent them to the local machine shop for $10 a rotor and put them back on.

Now heres where it gets even better, I went to Mr. Tire cause they said they'd do 4 wheel alignment for $69 but I founda 20% off coupon on the net. I go there and then they tell me that the caster and the camber are off and it would cost $120 to do it all. I asked how far was it off? They said far enough off that it was out of spec etc. I figure I've been waiting around enough, I needed to pass inspection and I just bought expensive (well the cheapest at $175 a tire) new back tires so I figure I'll just go with it, might as well do it. I get the spec sheet later and the front left caster was off by maybe .04 degrees and the front left camber was maybe .75 degrees off. But still they were making it sound like it was way outta spec. For that price I woulda shopped around elsewhere and asked who does adjust of caster, camber and toe of all 4 wheels for X amount of price.

I hate the automotive service industry.

 

Has anyone heard of the customer service / workmanship of Currys Automotive in Chanitlly? they also have one going out towards ashburn too. I hear they do good work...and they don't f around

 

These are the other items and dealer estimates:
Power steering flush--100.00
brake flush--89.95

Replacements:
Rear parking brake cables are split--360.00
drive belts are glazed --150.00
Ignition switch worn--365.00

Any input will be helpful.

 

For alignments (I've had like 18 or 19 cars) I almost always use Sears. They have really competitive prices, give you a printout from the alignment machine, and adjust everything into specs. It may just be the Sears(s) around here, but I have always gotten great tire and alignment service there. (Alignment ran me something like $50 last time - 4 wheel on a Grand Prix)

Just a thought.

 

Hmm the Vette is already costing you Eric? hehe

You never seem to shop around dude.