Here's my take on this:

The slew of Civics, Accords and Preludes that go in and out of Honda's service centers are a far cry from the S2000 in terms of enthusiast appeal. Because of this, I gather that most Honda service personnel don't know how to exceed the expectations of the typical S2000 owner. This is even more of a concern when you consider how rare the S2000 is and that most Honda techs are learning on your machine when you bring it in.

As a Ford SVT enthusiast in my other life, Ford dealers have to be certified in order to sell and service SVT vehicles. This certification standard is important to the dealership, which can be revoked at any time for any reason due to multiple customer complaints. Also, because Ford has produced many enthusiast vehicles over the years, their service personnel are better trained to deal with anal car nuts like us who want nothing but the best service performed on our cars. SVT is a pretty cool division within Ford and should be replicated at Honda. In fact, if you call SVT's toll-free number, a live person who actually knows what they are talking about answers the phone!

The fact of the matter is that you should always avoid taking your car to the dealer for ANYTHING. Dealership technicians are among the worst trained in the industry and rarely possess a positive work ethic. Also, because of the wonderful flat-rate concept, a tech's only concern is performing a job quicker than the time allotted for a job. I personally would never take my car to a service facility where its technicians are paid on a flat-rate basis. Why? Because flat-rate compensation is in the best interests of the dealership and their fastest technicians, not the customer.

If you have no choice but to take your S2K to the dealer for warranty work, consider the following in order to ensure a pleasant experience:

1. Check your local S2K regional community for recommended dealerships for service.
2. When you arrive at the dealership, ask for a service writer who specializes in the S2000. If they look at you like you are a geek, go elsewhere.
3. If you manage to speak with a service writer who specializes in the S2000, tell them exactly what you want them to work on and ask for a "...meticulous technician who also specializes in the S2000". If they look at you like you are a geek, go elsewhere.
4. Go over your car with the service writer and note any cosmetic damage to the vehicle.
5. After you get done working with the service writer, ask to meet with the technician who will be working on your car. If they look at you like you are a geek, once again, go elsewhere.

Following the above steps and recommendations will help ensure a rewarding experience while getting your car serviced. Nonetheless, I would still look under the seats for french fries to make sure they didn't use your ride for a lunch run!

***In case you're wondering how I know this stuff, I've had many a bad experience with dealership service. Most importantly, I have a cousin who is a tech at an Oldsmobile dealership in Philly. On many occasions he has given me the inside scoop on how dealership service is not in the best interests of the customer. Also, knowing how incompetent my cuz can be, he is reason enough alone why I wouldn't take my car to a dealership. He still hasn't passed his ASE exam after 3 tries for crying out loud and he's working on 40 grand Aurora's!

I wasn't kidding about tech's using customer cars for errands. It unfortunately happens.

This thread does not apply to the very few hard-working, dedicated and talented dealership technicians who have a passion to perform excellent work. You have a tough job that I could never do.***

 

Hmm, it's sad to see you guys are having so many problems with service quality at your Honda dealers. Here in Australia we have a totally different scenario. Hondas are not manufactured locally and Honda is considered the "prestige" Japanese import (with the exception of Lexus of course). In addition, we do not have Acuras, and all Hondas are serviced by the same dealership, including Integra/RSX, NSX and Legends.

Even the Accord is considered a much more upmarket vehicle than say a Camry whilst the Civic commands a huge price (and status) premium over a Corolla.

Whilst I have had my fair share of technical problems with my S2000 my dealer has always done their very best. My beef has been with Honda Australia who refuse to acknowledge many of the North American TSBs, claiming these do not apply to Australian models. An interesting twist compared to N.A. experiences - almost 180 degrees about face.

Hope everything works out for you guys in the end.

 

I've only taken my S2K to my Honda dealer once for its first oil change. However, from the beginning, I have considered taking it to an Acura dealer since they should be more experienced working on big brother NSX. I may still do that and only take it to Honda for warranty work.

 

The only Honda dealership I take my S2K to has a master tech who owns a S2K. And to beat that he is even active on this board (FULLTHROTTLE). Hope he doesn't mind me posting his secret. I trust him in getting the work done. And I make sure that all the service advisors are FULLY aware that I only authorize him to work on my car.

I also talk to him in advance and inform him I am coming in. That way he has all the parts avilable.

 

The trick is to find a trustworthy dealer and stick with them.

 

but the problem is, all HONDA dealers should be trustworthy.

 

The actual problem is, there isn't much decent dealerships around ... That's simply a fact. In the States, the S2000 should've been with Acura which would've probably brought better service reputations which doesn't justify anything because Honda and Acura should both be just as equally good.

 

Amen Takashi. It's almost like the mechanics that passed a certain test went to Acura dealers and those that didn't do as well went to Honda. According to many of the posts I've read.

 

I only goto the dealership if I need tsb or warranty claim and even then I'm weary of their antics. After a lot of searching I have found a decent dealership in south florida (Coral SPrings Honda).

 

I agree. I have even spoken to my local Acura dealer about servicing my S. I plan to take it to them for oil changes / regular maintenance. Unfortunately, they cannot do warrantie repairs. Figures.