Local dealers...
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From: Front Royal, VA
Local dealers...
The S is showing signs of a bad timing belt tensioner. So I called around to get some quotes from a couple of dealers in NOVA and wanted to share my experience with you guys.
I first called Koons Honda in Manassas for a quote. The Service rep quoted me $1360.
I figured he misunderstood what I was asking for so I repeated my request and added "only the tensioner, not the chain itself". The rep said "Oh, ok well that will only be $1040". I asked him to reference the helms manual for labor time. He claimed he did and it said 6.9 hours so my info must be bad. I ended my conversation then and there.
I then called Rosenthal Fairfax Honda. The rep claimed he had to consult with his lead tech and would call me back. Minutes later I got a call back. The rep told me they could not quote me until they could take a look at the car. He said they would have to check the "plastic guide pins for wear" to determine if more work would be needed. Baffled by this I asked what plastic guide pins he was referring to, he had no idea. I told him the only pin involved was the retaining pin on the new tensioner and that would be new so his claim was making no sense to me. He insisted they could not do this work without inspecting the pins and their condition would determine if more work was needed on my car. After questioning his statement a second time he told me to do the work myself. I quickly terminated the call.
My third call was to Honda of Tysons corner. The rep seemed pretty knowledgeable and knew what I was asking for immediately. I liked him until he quoted me for two hours of labor. His quote was $360, far better than the 1k quoted earlier but not a fair price imo for 30 minutes of work.
My final call was to Miller Honda in Winchester. The lead tech said it would take less than one hour and the quote came to $255 ($180 for the part).
I was simply amazed at the first two responses I got. I'm not sure if they are the idiots or they thought I was the idiot but I do know they will never get another call from me. It just goes to show that having even a small amount of knowledge can save you a ton of money. The first two reps were so confident in the price gouging until I questioned them, then they reared up like cornered animals.
I first called Koons Honda in Manassas for a quote. The Service rep quoted me $1360.
I figured he misunderstood what I was asking for so I repeated my request and added "only the tensioner, not the chain itself". The rep said "Oh, ok well that will only be $1040". I asked him to reference the helms manual for labor time. He claimed he did and it said 6.9 hours so my info must be bad. I ended my conversation then and there.I then called Rosenthal Fairfax Honda. The rep claimed he had to consult with his lead tech and would call me back. Minutes later I got a call back. The rep told me they could not quote me until they could take a look at the car. He said they would have to check the "plastic guide pins for wear" to determine if more work would be needed. Baffled by this I asked what plastic guide pins he was referring to, he had no idea. I told him the only pin involved was the retaining pin on the new tensioner and that would be new so his claim was making no sense to me. He insisted they could not do this work without inspecting the pins and their condition would determine if more work was needed on my car. After questioning his statement a second time he told me to do the work myself. I quickly terminated the call.
My third call was to Honda of Tysons corner. The rep seemed pretty knowledgeable and knew what I was asking for immediately. I liked him until he quoted me for two hours of labor. His quote was $360, far better than the 1k quoted earlier but not a fair price imo for 30 minutes of work.
My final call was to Miller Honda in Winchester. The lead tech said it would take less than one hour and the quote came to $255 ($180 for the part).
I was simply amazed at the first two responses I got. I'm not sure if they are the idiots or they thought I was the idiot but I do know they will never get another call from me. It just goes to show that having even a small amount of knowledge can save you a ton of money. The first two reps were so confident in the price gouging until I questioned them, then they reared up like cornered animals.
long time no see man. calling around can definitely be a life saver. 2nd, 3rd, 4th and sometimes more opinions can be a huge $$ saver 
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marshall, VA.
I've said over and over Fairfax Honda just friggin sucks when it comes to this car. I had not a single issue with my civic and them.....since I bought an s2000....it's been nothing but nightmares. I'm very glad you did your reasearch 
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: NOVA
Originally Posted by move_right,Nov 29 2006, 08:56 PM
The S is showing signs of a bad timing belt tensioner. So I called around to get some quotes from a couple of dealers in NOVA and wanted to share my experience with you guys.
I first called Koons Honda in Manassas for a quote. The Service rep quoted me $1360. I figured he misunderstood what I was asking for so I repeated my request and added "only the tensioner, not the chain itself". The rep said "Oh, ok well that will only be $1040". I asked him to reference the helms manual for labor time. He claimed he did and it said 6.9 hours so my info must be bad. I ended my conversation then and there.
I then called Rosenthal Fairfax Honda. The rep claimed he had to consult with his lead tech and would call me back. Minutes later I got a call back. The rep told me they could not quote me until they could take a look at the car. He said they would have to check the "plastic guide pins for wear" to determine if more work would be needed. Baffled by this I asked what plastic guide pins he was referring to, he had no idea. I told him the only pin involved was the retaining pin on the new tensioner and that would be new so his claim was making no sense to me. He insisted they could not do this work without inspecting the pins and their condition would determine if more work was needed on my car. After questioning his statement a second time he told me to do the work myself. I quickly terminated the call.
My third call was to Honda of Tysons corner. The rep seemed pretty knowledgeable and knew what I was asking for immediately. I liked him until he quoted me for two hours of labor. His quote was $360, far better than the 1k quoted earlier but not a fair price imo for 30 minutes of work.
My final call was to Miller Honda in Winchester. The lead tech said it would take less than one hour and the quote came to $255 ($180 for the part).
I was simply amazed at the first two responses I got. I'm not sure if they are the idiots or they thought I was the idiot but I do know they will never get another call from me. It just goes to show that having even a small amount of knowledge can save you a ton of money. The first two reps were so confident in the price gouging until I questioned them, then they reared up like cornered animals.
I first called Koons Honda in Manassas for a quote. The Service rep quoted me $1360.
I figured he misunderstood what I was asking for so I repeated my request and added "only the tensioner, not the chain itself". The rep said "Oh, ok well that will only be $1040". I asked him to reference the helms manual for labor time. He claimed he did and it said 6.9 hours so my info must be bad. I ended my conversation then and there.I then called Rosenthal Fairfax Honda. The rep claimed he had to consult with his lead tech and would call me back. Minutes later I got a call back. The rep told me they could not quote me until they could take a look at the car. He said they would have to check the "plastic guide pins for wear" to determine if more work would be needed. Baffled by this I asked what plastic guide pins he was referring to, he had no idea. I told him the only pin involved was the retaining pin on the new tensioner and that would be new so his claim was making no sense to me. He insisted they could not do this work without inspecting the pins and their condition would determine if more work was needed on my car. After questioning his statement a second time he told me to do the work myself. I quickly terminated the call.
My third call was to Honda of Tysons corner. The rep seemed pretty knowledgeable and knew what I was asking for immediately. I liked him until he quoted me for two hours of labor. His quote was $360, far better than the 1k quoted earlier but not a fair price imo for 30 minutes of work.
My final call was to Miller Honda in Winchester. The lead tech said it would take less than one hour and the quote came to $255 ($180 for the part).
I was simply amazed at the first two responses I got. I'm not sure if they are the idiots or they thought I was the idiot but I do know they will never get another call from me. It just goes to show that having even a small amount of knowledge can save you a ton of money. The first two reps were so confident in the price gouging until I questioned them, then they reared up like cornered animals.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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In a conversation with a few service folks at Tyson's Corner Honda recently, they joked about the prices they charge. That little pollen filter you're supposed to change every 15K miles? They charge $140 to do it, but it's a $30 part that takes about 1 minute to replace...and easily.
Amazing.
Amazing.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,134
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From: Columbia, MD
Here's the chain tensioner fro $111 (I use this place quite often for fix-it parts):
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/j...SHAFT-CAM+CHAIN
Shipping is usually around $15 (except for really heavy parts) and it's on your doorstep in 2-3 days.
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/j...SHAFT-CAM+CHAIN
Shipping is usually around $15 (except for really heavy parts) and it's on your doorstep in 2-3 days.