No, no, no!! Do NOT waste your money by taking your car to the dealer.

I used to go to the dealer all the time for service before I met DH. DH's brother works for a car dealer, so I've learned quite a bit. Apparently, the profit margins on selling cars have gone down (due to people being able to get pricing info on the internet). So, dealers make their money in the service department, and by selling you extended warranties.

As an adult, I've always kept track of my expenses, and when I compare what I used to pay for regular service (oil change/tire rotation) going to the dealer, versus what I pay now using a mechanic, the difference is RIDICULOUS. Even with the 'coupons', trust me, you're being hosed.

Find a reputable mechanic. A PP mentioned Car Talk, and I've found good mechanics using that site.

www.cartalk.com

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there is no reason to do the regular "maintenance." besides oil changes and tire rotations, almost everything else can be held to the rule that if it breaks, then fix it.

TIMING BELT

Not all cars have a timing belt nowadays. My 2004 Mazda doesn't, FWIW. My dad always used to harass me about if I've changed it, until the mechanic educated me and told me I don't need to because I don't have one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there is no reason to do the regular "maintenance." besides oil changes and tire rotations, almost everything else can be held to the rule that if it breaks, then fix it.

TIMING BELT

also, spark plugs, brakes, various hoses and gaskets. etc. etc.

For a car as ubiquitous as a Toyota, I'd use a good local shop. No need to go to a dealer once you're not under warranty anymore - they'll hose you every time. Look at Car Talk's website for recommendations.

Anonymous wrote:there is no reason to do the regular "maintenance." besides oil changes and tire rotations, almost everything else can be held to the rule that if it breaks, then fix it.

TIMING BELT

My dad is a mechanic and he tells me to stay away from the dealership. I got a new Mazda 3 in 2004 and ignored his advice. I took it to the dealership for the first 3 years I had it until....the last time I took it to the dealership for an oil change. Of course they called me and said I needed some other work done which came to a total of just over $500. So I got the work done on a Saturday. Monday I'm driving to work and the oil light comes on. I take it back to the dealership and they told me that I had a leak that would cost $800 to fix. I asked why the leak was not found when the car was in the shop 2 days ago. I was told that it was an "intermittent leak." I picked up my car & took it to Merchants. The mechanic at Merchants told me there was nothing wrong with my car and didnt charge me to look at it. I havent been back to the dealership since.

there is no reason to do the regular "maintenance." besides oil changes and tire rotations, almost everything else can be held to the rule that if it breaks, then fix it.

Is your car under warranty? This is the only reason you should take it to the dealer other than for recall issues (if something happens you can easily show maintenance records). Otherwise, you are going to pay more that at a mechanic. Sometimes a lot more. Sometimes for service that is a lot worse. Just find a reputable mechanic.

We use Certified Auto repoair in ROckville. It is right across the street from the Rockville Metro.

I take my Acura (purchased in 2003) to Jiffy Lube for the minor maintenance and to the dealership for the bigger stuff. (10K/20K service, etc.) It is probably a bit more expensive, but I trust them and they do good work. Plus they give me a loaner if the car needs to stay more than a couple of hours, and there's good shopping across the street and a WIFI connection inside the lounge. So I'll continue to take my car there, until I trade it in and buy another one from them.

I used to go to Jim Coleman Honda in Clarksville and they were great. Never pushed extra services, and prices weren't too much more than a regular mechanic. Moved to Alexandria and Landmark Honda service was pretty good, too. Moved up to Rockville and not only got huge shock at the cost charged by Herson's and the Honda dealer in Germantown (tried both), but they both sucked at actually fixing things. I had to return 4x to get a tire pressure sensor diagnosed and fixed.

Would love recommendations for good mechanic around Rockville. I tried an independent one and got inferior parts. I don't might paying extra for good, honest service, but where is that anymore?

No! I finally realized what a rip off it was when I took my 2006 Honda CRV to the dealer and they told me I needed 2000 dollars worth of work after an oil change. I ignored them and three months later I went to a diffent dealer for an oil change. The second dealer told me I needed 2500 dollars in different work. I then found an independent Honda mechanic who said I needed two hundred dollars of new ball bearings, but I could hold off for two months. I did and returned to that place and got the work done for 200. He said the car was in great condition.

We take our 2007 Toyota Prius to the dealer. I know we're probably getting hosed, but we get coupons, it's convenient, and I like the service there. DH is terrible about maintaining his car, so I have overcompensated in the other direction.

I own a 2007 Toyota Camry (my first car) and every six months or so my husband takes it to the dealer for maintained. Last time I did that and I was horrified to have to pay them about $120.00. Only to see the car..... Plus the rest (change air filter, break "thing") etc. I spent $1500.00 for a car that has only 35k miles in it (30k six months ago)!

Anyway, my husband thinks it is worth and that we should keep going to the dealer (even tough he does not take his Hyundai to the dealer); I thing it is a waste of money and also, that we should not renew and pay for the warranty....

Do you take your car to the dealer? If you do, how old is your car? For how long do you plan on keep doing it?