Since I'm expecting to get my max back within a month w/ over 101K on the odo & knowing what it needs, I was debating on whether or not to have my dad's mechanic do the 60K stuff, along w/ brakes, or have the mechanic do the brakes, then take it to the dealer for the 60K?

Pros: The mechanic is really good w/ brakes and he was the one who changed the rear pads last summer, + he's done work on my dad's '89 BMW 535i and knows lots about all kinds of cars. I even bought him a Haynes manual for my Max so he should be able to fix it decently.

Cons: I had a '98 Altima which I religiously maintaned thru the dealer and ran flawlessly, even w/ 2 accidents, and they know how to fix Nissans and I trust thier work even if they're pricey. With the mechanic tho, I'm worried that he may do something to my Maxee and screw something up and would cost me a lot of $$ to fix

What would you guys recommend? Mechanic or dealer?

 

Take it to your Dad's mechanic. It's a 60k tuneup something even the most novice and inexperienced person let alone a mechanic can do. Dealerships are a ripoff and just because they wear a Nissan logo on their chest doesn't mean that they are going to be able to do anything above and beyond your regular ASE or backyard mechanice. Just my opinion.

Adam

 

Mechanic. search for dealer threads, they're are NO better than ur reg. mechanic.

 

Regular mechanics usually worry more about a satisfied customers than dealers would. Bad word of mouth advertising can kill an independent guy. If you have a legit problem after the work, I'm sure he'll do what he can to make it right. Not always the case with the dealer.

 

ppl lie under the impression that if they spend big bucks for the stealership, they will get the best. Actually, thats not true. go ahead w/the mechanic w/your tune up; there's no point of wasting all that extra dough.

 

do the breaks yourself

 

take that haynes manual, and do those brakes yourself. otherwise a regular mechanic should be able to do plenty of the work you need for you car.

 

Do the tuneup yourself...
Plugs - easy
Air filter - easy
PCV valve - easy (loosen hose clip and pull off the hose, then pull out the PCV valve. Stick a new one in and put the hose back on it)
Fuel filter - easy, but you might have some trouble getting the old one off since it might be stuck on there good Just take off your intake to get to the fuel filter, and clean the throttle body and IACV while you're at it.

 

cool, mechanic it is then. Thanx 4 the help fellas

 

do it urself

 

Hell, I know that my local dealership cant do **** right. Mechanic is your best bet, and with the money you save you probably have enough for a FTSB or DC clears or something.

 

i say it depends on what needs to be done.

 

Just because you take your car to Nissan, doesn't mean the Nissan mechanic knows a damn thing about your Maxima. Especially if:
1) He's a snot nosed kit straight outa ASE school.
2) If he's being paid by the # of jobs he does in XX amount of time. VS taking his time to do the job RIGHT and taking even an ounce of pride in the job.

If vote dad's mechanic if he's a good guy.

 

go to dealer and come back with an empty pocket.
go to dads mechanic and come back with enough money to buy a few mods !

 

He's a good guy.... I mean if he can work on a BMW then I'm sure he can work on a Maxima as well

 

specially if its a 89 BMW

 

I never let anyone else work on my car unless I dont have the tools (tires and such). I can't remeber the last time my car didn't get messed up while being "fixed" by someone else.

 

Not necessarily. Each make has its nuances and quirks. A BMW mechanic will know the "known problems" with certain models just as we know certain quirks with our Maximas.

However, all competent mechanics are able to figure out generally where things are and how to dismantle/re-assemble things. If all else fails, hit the shop manual.

I'd say check the ECU codes on your own, and have your dad's mechanic do the work. Perhaps have his opinion go as a second opinion to confirm what you have learned on the .org already

 

Your dad's mechanic of course...
I dont know him, but i know my mechanic gives me hell of deals when he works on my car. He is an independant, and works strickly off word of mouth. He makes about $70,000.00 a year, that is how good he is. I know that i went to get him to install a new speed sensor, since my odo, and my tripo didnt work.....

He called me up and said that he had some nice 5 spoke chrome 18's with Pirelli's on them....Did i want to buy them for $500.00? He had gotten them off of a car whose engine blew, and the driver's father had sold him the car as a parts car... LOL....stupid kid redlined it and held it there...LOL

But anyways, he does things like that an he always tops off any fluids i may be low on for nothing.....Now that is just cool.

 

How do you know how much your mechanic makes per year?

 

The dealer, im a mechanic but i would only do a few things other than that its all Dealer from there..

 

My aunt does his taxes.

 

Ah hah! Nice one! hehe

 

Both dealer and mechanics have pros and cons. The dealer has every possible tool and strategy for the maxima. The dealer has the knowledge about the car and will fix your car. The only thing is that the dealer will rape you with expenses and labor charges.
The mechanic on the other hand has the tools to do the job but needs a little time to have a feel for the car. He needs to gain a little knowledge about the car first before doing anything. He will have the car running. Mechanics are great because they have cheaper prices than the dealer.

Just make sure they have all warrenties on all work, you don't want to purchase something that is going to die in a few months.