Hey guys. I live in Worcester, MA. I am going to take my 97 Maxima into the dealership to get a full diag as to what needs to be done (just bought used 133k no previous work history available)
I was always under the impression that taking it to a dealership would be better due to the fact that they have custom EQ for Nissan cars.
Or would going to a non dealership mechanic around town be good enough? I don't mind paying extra as long as it's trusting work and knowing what I want will get done.
What do you guys think? Take it to Nissan? Or find a good mech and save money?
The only other thing is....all of us who frequent car forums are more into their cars then the average Joe. I wish I knew a "geek" mechanic who was genuine and knew his stuff, ("the geek stuff" not just normal Nissan wear and tear) around here. I would def take it to them. But how would one find out that type of person? Even if what I am making makes any sense.
Ok thanks guys for the help.
Nissan dealer or non dealer mechanic
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driftingmy240sx
- Posts: 322
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:53 pm
- Car: 1996 Nissan 240sx rb25det
Re: Nissan dealer or non dealer mechanic (jarablue)
who you take your car to is your decision. a nissan tech may have more availible access to quirks but it all comes down to trust. i am a nissan master tech and see first hand so pretty sloppy techs at my dealership.
find someone you can trust and feel comfortable with, and never be afraid to ask questions.
find someone you can trust and feel comfortable with, and never be afraid to ask questions.
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vancouverbc
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:30 am
- Car: 1991 240sx
Re: Nissan dealer or non dealer mechanic (jarablue)
I dont have any great insight but have been trying to figure it out. SOmeone mentioned that dealerships are no longer that more expensive than private garages. Also, the smaller garages see older cars more often so are better than dealership who tend to look after the new cars.
Some of the private garages can be really incompetent because the owner might be older with poor education. dealers are going to have the better mechanics.
some of the auto associations will do an inspection but I dont know how good they are.
in the long-term I want to find a private guy who has small garage or is mobile. someone who is good. some of the private garages on the main streets can be just as expensive as the dealer.
i dont think there is an easy answer. it is trial and error or word of mouth. the rules also change over time ie dealers used to be expensive but market forces kind of corrected that at some point
Some of the private garages can be really incompetent because the owner might be older with poor education. dealers are going to have the better mechanics.
some of the auto associations will do an inspection but I dont know how good they are.
in the long-term I want to find a private guy who has small garage or is mobile. someone who is good. some of the private garages on the main streets can be just as expensive as the dealer.
i dont think there is an easy answer. it is trial and error or word of mouth. the rules also change over time ie dealers used to be expensive but market forces kind of corrected that at some point