Do you worry about repair shops abusing your car?

some dude · 08-05-2009, 02:49 AM

Is it ok to request that nobody drives your car without you in it? I was debating this as I worry about a mechanic taking my car for a joy ride when they go out to test drive the car. Do any of you do this?

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Spudchucker · 08-05-2009, 02:53 AM

I worry about me working on my car

If you can't trust your shop though, find a new one. My family's mechanic (Hughes Automotive FTW) is unaffiliated with any dealerships and has no incentives to do certain "necessary upgrades", and we just plain know that we can trust him completely with our cars. Find someone like that, and you don't need to worry about it at all

PS, if you tell them not to joyride your car, you will immediately be labeled a prick, and your car will become lowest priority in the shop.

some dude · 08-05-2009, 03:03 AM

Yeah, I ask because the shop and I both know what i'm implying when I bring it up. I trust my regular mechanic, but they don't do allignments. They recommended a shop in town that does, and I know they are fairly reputable. However, I don't know their mechanics, and I do worry about having someone get in and drive it in a way that would make me

.

Rodeoflipper1818 · 08-05-2009, 03:22 AM

Search.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1688870

DHRDAN · 08-05-2009, 03:33 AM

Doesn't everyone. Just watch your mileage, that is almost always the biggest give away.

akeric · 08-05-2009, 03:48 AM

Hell just use your accessport, tactrix, utec, whatever to load up a valet map if your worried. I never fear about someone taking my car out. 2k rpm rev limit FTMFW. They don't need more revs than that to pull it in and out of the shop and you don't have to worry about them taking it out and beating on it because it wouldn't be any fun anyway. If you need them to be able to take it for a test drive bump it up to 3200rpm...and disconnect your boost control so it will run wastegate spring pressure. If you have a 6spd they will be shifting like crazy but can still get on the highway and for the most part won't be able to rip on it to bad. The car will make it in to boost but only for a second before it hits the rev limit and it probably won't make full spool.

My car doesn't go to the shop often, the only time I have actually done this was when I got the windows tinted as thats the only time its been left somewhere with someone else having the keys. I didn't have to worry one bit. They shop guy did mention that my car wouldn't rev very high and was hard to drive. I told them it needed a tune, and I guess it was lucky he was just tinting the windows and didn't need to drive it. Then I flashed it back to stage2 in the parking lot before I left.

Also as a side note this kind of crap happens all the time. I worked in a midas in high school doing oil changes and tire rotations etc etc and if one of those guys ever got his hands on a 'fast car' (none were really that fast), I know for a fact they would flog it when on a 'test drive'

TheBaran06 · 08-05-2009, 04:37 AM

you drive a stock wrx. With 240 blazing horses I highly doubt any mechanics would be interested in abusing it on the road. But if your really that concerned. Follow akeric's advice.

pearljam11 · 08-05-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBaran06

you drive a stock wrx. With 240 blazing horses I highly doubt any mechanics would be interested in abusing it on the road. But if your really that concerned. Follow akeric's advice.

I definitely disagree, a stock wrx has to be one of the faster cars that run through most dealerships. Techs are twenty-something year olds that could care less as its not their car. Think of it like a rental to them

iluvdrt · 08-05-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodeoflipper1818

Search.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1688870

This, it was just bumped a few minutes ago by someone.

gtfaded · 08-05-2009, 10:08 AM

My brother had a friend that was a tech at the nissan dealership that came to pick him up on a "test drive" in a customers TT 300zx (this was a few years back) and he drove it to the outskirts of town with it pegged about the whole way. And all the car needed was rotors, and the test drive was before he even began working on it. And that wasnt the only car he seen him "test drive" like that. So yea your fears are warrented, does it happen everywhere, prolly not but it does happen.

testify · 08-05-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by some dude

Yeah, I ask because the shop and I both know what i'm implying when I bring it up. I trust my regular mechanic, but they don't do allignments. They recommended a shop in town that does, and I know they are fairly reputable. However, I don't know their mechanics, and I do worry about having someone get in and drive it in a way that would make me

.

Beware of alignment shops, no matter how highly recommended they are!

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1814877

AWDWRXLOVER · 08-05-2009, 12:04 PM

my mechanic/homey drives a suby so i tell him to do some pulls in it. was funny becaue he took my car home fromhis shop for me and when i picked it up he had a bmw kill story.

Spudchucker · 08-05-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akeric

Hell just use your accessport, tactrix, utec, whatever to load up a valet map if your worried. I never fear about someone taking my car out. 2k rpm rev limit FTMFW. They don't need more revs than that to pull it in and out of the shop and you don't have to worry about them taking it out and beating on it because it wouldn't be any fun anyway. If you need them to be able to take it for a test drive bump it up to 3200rpm...and disconnect your boost control so it will run wastegate spring pressure. If you have a 6spd they will be shifting like crazy but can still get on the highway and for the most part won't be able to rip on it to bad. The car will make it in to boost but only for a second before it hits the rev limit and it probably won't make full spool.

My car doesn't go to the shop often, the only time I have actually done this was when I got the windows tinted as thats the only time its been left somewhere with someone else having the keys. I didn't have to worry one bit. They shop guy did mention that my car wouldn't rev very high and was hard to drive. I told them it needed a tune, and I guess it was lucky he was just tinting the windows and didn't need to drive it. Then I flashed it back to stage2 in the parking lot before I left.

Also as a side note this kind of crap happens all the time. I worked in a midas in high school doing oil changes and tire rotations etc etc and if one of those guys ever got his hands on a 'fast car' (none were really that fast), I know for a fact they would flog it when on a 'test drive'

Do this ^^^ if you have the ability and are legitimately concerned. If you don't have the ability to tune your own car, learn (just cause IMO it's one of the best things you can do for your car, and the knowledge lasts forever) and give it a rev limiter at like 3k.

If you want to have fun and make some potential joyrider look like a moron in front of their buddy invited along in the passenger seat, you could mess with the relationship between the pedal angle and the throttle, giving them a nasty bumpy ride

Wouldn't be great for your car, but it'd sure be funny to watch one guy tell the other he can't handle your car after looking like an idiot

BVM · 08-05-2009, 12:15 PM

I have always told my mechanics that if they damage a customers car, they better hope they have enough money to pay cash for it (it being the car, not the repairs). Otherwise treat it as such.

With that being said I am concerned about it. My car is in for warranty work and when one of the young techs was looking at my car with that knowing gleam in his eye... I got worried. I walked over to the master tech working on the 'ol girl and adamantly stated only he was to drive my car. And then I said if he wrecked it, and it wasn't totalled,to back up and try again!

4wdrift · 08-05-2009, 12:33 PM

This topic comes up at least once a month and will turn into a big argument again

iluvdrt · 08-05-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4wdrift

This topic comes up at least once a month and will turn into a big argument again

No it doesn't.

ryking69 · 08-05-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBaran06

you drive a stock wrx. With 240 blazing horses I highly doubt any mechanics would be interested in abusing it on the road. But if your really that concerned. Follow akeric's advice.

not true, when I worked at honda ages ago they used to beat the hell out of the civic loaner cars, and those have like 93 "blazing horses" at the wheels. OP you best bet is to do what some of these other guys said, use your ap or whatever you have and put it in valet mode.

snowflowmfg · 08-05-2009, 01:14 PM

Fortunately for me, I know all the mechanics really well at my local Subaru dealer. I also live in a town full of rednecks that look at my car as a toy and find it highly inferior to their big trucks and I can watch as they get in my car with great disgust. That's how I know no one joy rides it. lol plus I just know most people in my area.

some dude · 08-05-2009, 03:00 PM

Yeah, sorry to beat the dead horse. I guess another question is how do you go about saying it without being a dick? It seems reasonable to be worried about this, so why not just be safe.

fizzin_A · 08-05-2009, 05:31 PM

+1 for valet mode! If you could find a way to datalog their test drive, then you could hold them accountable.

JWDWRX · 08-05-2009, 05:53 PM

I only have two trusted shops that I take mine to. Built a great repoire (sp?) with them. I stopped taking it to the regular Subaru shops.

How do you go about it without being dick? Be honest with them. If you feel that they are mistreating you or your car, go to another shop and write them an angry letter.

ryking69 · 08-05-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by some dude

Yeah, sorry to beat the dead horse. I guess another question is how do you go about saying it without being a dick? It seems reasonable to be worried about this, so why not just be safe.

There is no way! lol. Your best bet is to try to find the most mature looking tech. and ask him to take care of it. If there is a svc writer at the place you go ask him to give it to an experienced tech. Usually a good svc writer or manager would give the modified vehicles to the most mature and usually most experinced tech there. Good luck

08-05-2009, 02:49 AM	#1
some dude Scooby Specialist Member#: 100300 Join Date: Nov 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: MIC\|-\|IG/\N Vehicle: 06 WRX CGM	Do you worry about repair shops abusing your car? Is it ok to request that nobody drives your car without you in it? I was debating this as I worry about a mechanic taking my car for a joy ride when they go out to test drive the car. Do any of you do this? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

08-05-2009, 03:48 AM	#6
akeric Scooby Specialist Member#: 122954 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 2006 Evo IX My car is black not	Hell just use your accessport, tactrix, utec, whatever to load up a valet map if your worried. I never fear about someone taking my car out. 2k rpm rev limit FTMFW. They don't need more revs than that to pull it in and out of the shop and you don't have to worry about them taking it out and beating on it because it wouldn't be any fun anyway. If you need them to be able to take it for a test drive bump it up to 3200rpm...and disconnect your boost control so it will run wastegate spring pressure. If you have a 6spd they will be shifting like crazy but can still get on the highway and for the most part won't be able to rip on it to bad. The car will make it in to boost but only for a second before it hits the rev limit and it probably won't make full spool. My car doesn't go to the shop often, the only time I have actually done this was when I got the windows tinted as thats the only time its been left somewhere with someone else having the keys. I didn't have to worry one bit. They shop guy did mention that my car wouldn't rev very high and was hard to drive. I told them it needed a tune, and I guess it was lucky he was just tinting the windows and didn't need to drive it. Then I flashed it back to stage2 in the parking lot before I left. Also as a side note this kind of crap happens all the time. I worked in a midas in high school doing oil changes and tire rotations etc etc and if one of those guys ever got his hands on a 'fast car' (none were really that fast), I know for a fact they would flog it when on a 'test drive' Last edited by akeric; 08-05-2009 at 03:56 AM.

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08-05-2009, 02:53 AM	#2
Spudchucker Scooby Newbie Member#: 201147 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: NH Vehicle: 2006 Impreza 2.5ISC M90 SUPERCHARGED	I worry about me working on my car If you can't trust your shop though, find a new one. My family's mechanic (Hughes Automotive FTW) is unaffiliated with any dealerships and has no incentives to do certain "necessary upgrades", and we just plain know that we can trust him completely with our cars. Find someone like that, and you don't need to worry about it at all PS, if you tell them not to joyride your car, you will immediately be labeled a prick, and your car will become lowest priority in the shop.

08-05-2009, 03:03 AM	#3
some dude Scooby Specialist Member#: 100300 Join Date: Nov 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: MIC\|-\|IG/\N Vehicle: 06 WRX CGM	Yeah, I ask because the shop and I both know what i'm implying when I bring it up. I trust my regular mechanic, but they don't do allignments. They recommended a shop in town that does, and I know they are fairly reputable. However, I don't know their mechanics, and I do worry about having someone get in and drive it in a way that would make me .

08-05-2009, 03:22 AM	#4
Rodeoflipper1818 Scooby Specialist Member#: 193977 Join Date: Nov 2008 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle Vehicle: 2007 2.5i Wagon 2004 Honda RC51	Search. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1688870

08-05-2009, 03:33 AM	#5
DHRDAN Scooby Specialist Member#: 204358 Join Date: Feb 2009 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Santa Paula, CA. Vehicle: 01 2.5RS W/ EJ257 Black	Doesn't everyone. Just watch your mileage, that is almost always the biggest give away.

08-05-2009, 04:37 AM	#7
TheBaran06 Scooby Newbie Member#: 198216 Join Date: Dec 2008 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lake St. Louis, MO Vehicle: 2008 Infiniti G37S 2004 GSX-R600	you drive a stock wrx. With 240 blazing horses I highly doubt any mechanics would be interested in abusing it on the road. But if your really that concerned. Follow akeric's advice.

08-05-2009, 10:08 AM	#10
gtfaded Scooby Specialist Member#: 142322 Join Date: Mar 2007 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: San Antonio Tx Vehicle: 2002 wrx wrb	My brother had a friend that was a tech at the nissan dealership that came to pick him up on a "test drive" in a customers TT 300zx (this was a few years back) and he drove it to the outskirts of town with it pegged about the whole way. And all the car needed was rotors, and the test drive was before he even began working on it. And that wasnt the only car he seen him "test drive" like that. So yea your fears are warrented, does it happen everywhere, prolly not but it does happen.

08-05-2009, 12:04 PM	#12
AWDWRXLOVER Scooby Specialist Member#: 50267 Join Date: Dec 2003 Chapter/Region: SWIC Vehicle: 02 built hybrid sr55/meth/sick speed	my mechanic/homey drives a suby so i tell him to do some pulls in it. was funny becaue he took my car home fromhis shop for me and when i picked it up he had a bmw kill story.

08-05-2009, 12:15 PM	#14
BVM Scooby Specialist Member#: 41049 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Panama City FL (Tyndall AFB) Vehicle: 2010 Impreza WRX KTM 250sx	I have always told my mechanics that if they damage a customers car, they better hope they have enough money to pay cash for it (it being the car, not the repairs). Otherwise treat it as such. With that being said I am concerned about it. My car is in for warranty work and when one of the young techs was looking at my car with that knowing gleam in his eye... I got worried. I walked over to the master tech working on the 'ol girl and adamantly stated only he was to drive my car. And then I said if he wrecked it, and it wasn't totalled,to back up and try again!

08-05-2009, 12:33 PM	#15
4wdrift Scooby Guru Member#: 1403 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: In a warm dry place Vehicle: 99 RBP GC8 Impreza	This topic comes up at least once a month and will turn into a big argument again

08-05-2009, 01:14 PM	#18
snowflowmfg Scooby Specialist Member#: 163700 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Errrwhere Vehicle: 2013 Impurzer wFc #270	Fortunately for me, I know all the mechanics really well at my local Subaru dealer. I also live in a town full of rednecks that look at my car as a toy and find it highly inferior to their big trucks and I can watch as they get in my car with great disgust. That's how I know no one joy rides it. lol plus I just know most people in my area.

08-05-2009, 03:00 PM	#19
some dude Scooby Specialist Member#: 100300 Join Date: Nov 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: MIC\|-\|IG/\N Vehicle: 06 WRX CGM	Yeah, sorry to beat the dead horse. I guess another question is how do you go about saying it without being a dick? It seems reasonable to be worried about this, so why not just be safe.

08-05-2009, 05:31 PM	#20
fizzin_A Scooby Specialist Member#: 206751 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Titletown Vehicle: 2017 WRX Premium LBP 2007 WRX OBP (sold)	+1 for valet mode! If you could find a way to datalog their test drive, then you could hold them accountable.

08-05-2009, 05:53 PM	#21
JWDWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 126942 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: College Park, MD Vehicle: 2004 DPS Hybrid WRX Darkness	I only have two trusted shops that I take mine to. Built a great repoire (sp?) with them. I stopped taking it to the regular Subaru shops. How do you go about it without being dick? Be honest with them. If you feel that they are mistreating you or your car, go to another shop and write them an angry letter.