Mechanic recommendations?
10-22-2005, 11:39 AM
#1
n00b
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mississauga
Posts: 24
Mechanic recommendations?
Hey Guys,
I've been having trouble since I bought my 98 GSR with finding a decent, reliable dealership or strictly Acura/Honda mechanic to maintain my car and keep it running 150%. I love the car and for the most part, the car has been very reliable.
I tried the dealership route and found it good, but painfully expensive, especially for larger jobs. I wouldn't mind sticking with a dealership, just because I know that they have standards to stick with and know the cars inside and out, and if they don't, the technician will have access to the information. Only issue being that as the car gets older (167000kms now) I want to have someone that will be completely honest with me.
I tried a mechanic who only works on Acura/Hondas in Brampton to get my timing belt and water pump replaced. This guy who owned the shop, very nice guy, and seemed to have genuine concern and knowledge about the car and issues that may occur with it. I got the timing belt changed rather late, about 145000kms rather than the 120000kms. I expected the car to run better after getting the change done, but there wasn't much difference. Also, two weeks after I had this work done, after coming back to Mississauga from T.O. my radiator cap, somhow, blew off. I've never heard or seen anything like that happen. After replacing the cap, the radiator appeared to be fine, however, a month later the radiator began leaking, and the temperature went to above half on the gauge, however, I immediately stopped using the car. I took it my uncle, who is a GM mechanic and he replaced the radiator. I also replaced the thermostat with a new Acura one. After having this done, the temperature gauge always sits at close to halfway. It always stayed less than a quarter prior to this. My uncle tells me that this is just the way it is and once a car heats to a certain level, it will always be around there.
I'm thinking thats a bit of BS, any thoughts?
I would do this work myself, but I'm not overly mechanically inclined and my work simply limits my free time and I would prefer to drive the car rather than completing complex maintenance in my off time. Also, I would like a place that can do alignments, engine tuning and be entirely knowledgable about my car and identify issue before they happen.
So, my questions is, does anyone have a reliable, trusted Acura mechanic or know someone in an Acura service department that they could put me in touch with regarding maintaining my beautiful black 98 GSR?
Feel free to contact me:
raine_31@hotmail.com
416.899.4885
Thanks for your time.
P.S. I'm located at 403 & Winston Churchill
I've been having trouble since I bought my 98 GSR with finding a decent, reliable dealership or strictly Acura/Honda mechanic to maintain my car and keep it running 150%. I love the car and for the most part, the car has been very reliable.
I tried the dealership route and found it good, but painfully expensive, especially for larger jobs. I wouldn't mind sticking with a dealership, just because I know that they have standards to stick with and know the cars inside and out, and if they don't, the technician will have access to the information. Only issue being that as the car gets older (167000kms now) I want to have someone that will be completely honest with me.
I tried a mechanic who only works on Acura/Hondas in Brampton to get my timing belt and water pump replaced. This guy who owned the shop, very nice guy, and seemed to have genuine concern and knowledge about the car and issues that may occur with it. I got the timing belt changed rather late, about 145000kms rather than the 120000kms. I expected the car to run better after getting the change done, but there wasn't much difference. Also, two weeks after I had this work done, after coming back to Mississauga from T.O. my radiator cap, somhow, blew off. I've never heard or seen anything like that happen. After replacing the cap, the radiator appeared to be fine, however, a month later the radiator began leaking, and the temperature went to above half on the gauge, however, I immediately stopped using the car. I took it my uncle, who is a GM mechanic and he replaced the radiator. I also replaced the thermostat with a new Acura one. After having this done, the temperature gauge always sits at close to halfway. It always stayed less than a quarter prior to this. My uncle tells me that this is just the way it is and once a car heats to a certain level, it will always be around there.
I'm thinking thats a bit of BS, any thoughts?I would do this work myself, but I'm not overly mechanically inclined and my work simply limits my free time and I would prefer to drive the car rather than completing complex maintenance in my off time. Also, I would like a place that can do alignments, engine tuning and be entirely knowledgable about my car and identify issue before they happen.
So, my questions is, does anyone have a reliable, trusted Acura mechanic or know someone in an Acura service department that they could put me in touch with regarding maintaining my beautiful black 98 GSR?
Feel free to contact me:
raine_31@hotmail.com
416.899.4885
Thanks for your time.
P.S. I'm located at 403 & Winston Churchill
Last edited by raine_31; 10-22-2005 at 11:43 AM.
10-22-2005, 12:38 PM
#5
n00b
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mississauga
Posts: 24
Originally Posted by Platinum Playa
your temperture is supposed to be a little less then half ur uncle is right.
Even though it was much lower prior to getting the rad replaced?
I will try Gilman, just tight going all the way to the far end of Scarborough to get stuff done all the time, especially if something goes wrong in Mississauga, a tow to Scarborough is expensive. Anyone know people in the west-end?
Very good! Thanks guys. 
10-27-2005, 01:07 AM
#14
All the guys I bring my cars to are in the east end... pretty much the same as everyone else here:
Raymond @ Gilman Auto (Bellamy/Ellesmere)
Rick @ RT Motorsports (Off Jane between 7 and Rutherford)
Patrick & Joee @ A.R.T Motorsports (Bayview/Greenlane)
If you're in the westend... I would recommend Paul @ Splitfire or Michael @ Racing Evolution.
Raymond @ Gilman Auto (Bellamy/Ellesmere)
Rick @ RT Motorsports (Off Jane between 7 and Rutherford)
Patrick & Joee @ A.R.T Motorsports (Bayview/Greenlane)
If you're in the westend... I would recommend Paul @ Splitfire or Michael @ Racing Evolution.
