What you are saying is partially true. I've been doing mechanical
inspections primarily for extended warranty for almost 20 years, and I
can tell you that ANY aftermarket warranty is likely to be money thrown
away. OEM warranty is different but there are many little things that
need to be taken into consideration. For a basic well built (!!!) car
like, let's say a Civic, warranty is almost definitely a waste but for
an upscale luxury vehicle stuffed with hi-tech expensive extras it may
make sense since 1. a possibility of breakdown increases with
complexity and 2. almost any repair will cost you as much as the
warranty itself or more.
Visit these pages for some info on extended warranty, maintenance,
etc.:
www.anti-lemon.com/faq.html
www.anti-lemon.com/lookatthat.html
www.anti-lemon.com/misconceptions.html

 

On 31 Mar 2005 23:12:06 -0800, "Auto Inspector"
<auto_inspector@yahoo.com> wrote:


>can tell you that ANY aftermarket warranty is likely to be money thrown
>away. OEM warranty is different but there are many little things that
>need to be taken into consideration. For a basic well built (!!!) car

I once had one. I used it on a minor repair. I remember having to
leave my car at the shoppe an extra 4 hours because the mechanic had
to fuss around getting authorization to do some service.

Thinking about all that is involved it has to be expensive. The
price of the insurance includes the following:
a) Actuaries salary to analyze the risk to the insurance company
b) Salaries of individuals needed to honor claims and to
detect/prevent fraudulant claims.
c) Buildings / employee insurance to pay and house all those employees
d) Oh - yeah need some money from which to pay claims.

I am curious - when you analyze a car and come up with a conclusion
that the car has not been properly maintained: Are you paid per hour
or are you paid a fixed sum? How does that rate compare to the labor
rate they will pay for the actual repair?

 

On 31 Mar 2005 23:12:06 -0800, "Auto Inspector"
<auto_inspector@yahoo.com> wrote:


>can tell you that ANY aftermarket warranty is likely to be money thrown
>away. OEM warranty is different but there are many little things that
>need to be taken into consideration. For a basic well built (!!!) car

I once had one. I used it on a minor repair. I remember having to
leave my car at the shoppe an extra 4 hours because the mechanic had
to fuss around getting authorization to do some service.

Thinking about all that is involved it has to be expensive. The
price of the insurance includes the following:
a) Actuaries salary to analyze the risk to the insurance company
b) Salaries of individuals needed to honor claims and to
detect/prevent fraudulant claims.
c) Buildings / employee insurance to pay and house all those employees
d) Oh - yeah need some money from which to pay claims.

I am curious - when you analyze a car and come up with a conclusion
that the car has not been properly maintained: Are you paid per hour
or are you paid a fixed sum? How does that rate compare to the labor
rate they will pay for the actual repair?

 

Auto Inspector wrote:

> @90K, you need to replace the timing belt, and you better do it because
> if it breaks you will not only enjoy a tow truck ride but also it may
> cause damage to valves and possibly head and pistons. Now, if the
> dealer quoted $400 for this work, it's very reasonable, otherwise they
> are crooks.
> www.anti-lemon.com

The OP said 96,000 *KM*, not miles. He still has another 50,000 KM (or 2
years) before it's time to replace the timing belt.

 

Auto Inspector wrote:

> @90K, you need to replace the timing belt, and you better do it because
> if it breaks you will not only enjoy a tow truck ride but also it may
> cause damage to valves and possibly head and pistons. Now, if the
> dealer quoted $400 for this work, it's very reasonable, otherwise they
> are crooks.
> www.anti-lemon.com

The OP said 96,000 *KM*, not miles. He still has another 50,000 KM (or 2
years) before it's time to replace the timing belt.

 

I have a folder with receipts for the oil, filter, etc. I keep very good
records. This is ALL that is required by law.

G-Man


"Pepper" <jdoe@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:g62dnQO61cPdGNHfRVn-tA@rogers.com...
> Just wondering, if you do all the maintenance work yourself, how do you
> prove to Honda that the vehicle was maintained if you have a warranty
> issue?
> "G-Man" <g_foreman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:114o9jk13av8m8d@news.supernews.com...
>>I don't take it to the dealer unless it's Warranty work. Sorry, just too
>>much markup. I have a trusted mechanic at AAMCO who was a Honda mechanic
>>for years. Most of the maintenance I do myself, but Timing Belt and Water
>>Pump I leave up to them.
>>
>> If you have Pollen Filters, they are a pain, but I can send you the
>> instructions if you need it.
>>
>> G-Man
>>
>>
>> "Leon Kiriliuk" <leonki@gmail.dot.com> wrote in message
>> news-2dnU0vaOs5btbfRVn-og@rogers.com...
>>> I drive a 2001 4cyl Honda Accord sedan. I just hit 96,000km, and went to
>>> the dealership to find out what needs to be done. I was told my car
>>> needs a type 4 maintenance (~400$) + trans fluid change (more $$$ on top
>>> of it).
>>>
>>> I was shocked to find out that type 4 is nothing more than a 3 hour
>>> inspection! All they change is the oil, oil filter, air filter, and if
>>> applicable, air purifier filter. For 400$ they don't even replace the
>>> spark plugs!!! WHAT A RIP OFF!
>>>
>>> So what am I to do? I had my brakes serviced ~20K ago, and I just put on
>>> a set of new tires. Do you folks think that if I just get the trans
>>> fluid changed and oil changed, + buy the air filter and replace it
>>> myself would be good enough for a 96K service ??
>>>
>>> What would you do if you were in my shoes ?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

I have a folder with receipts for the oil, filter, etc. I keep very good
records. This is ALL that is required by law.

G-Man


"Pepper" <jdoe@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:g62dnQO61cPdGNHfRVn-tA@rogers.com...
> Just wondering, if you do all the maintenance work yourself, how do you
> prove to Honda that the vehicle was maintained if you have a warranty
> issue?
> "G-Man" <g_foreman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:114o9jk13av8m8d@news.supernews.com...
>>I don't take it to the dealer unless it's Warranty work. Sorry, just too
>>much markup. I have a trusted mechanic at AAMCO who was a Honda mechanic
>>for years. Most of the maintenance I do myself, but Timing Belt and Water
>>Pump I leave up to them.
>>
>> If you have Pollen Filters, they are a pain, but I can send you the
>> instructions if you need it.
>>
>> G-Man
>>
>>
>> "Leon Kiriliuk" <leonki@gmail.dot.com> wrote in message
>> news-2dnU0vaOs5btbfRVn-og@rogers.com...
>>> I drive a 2001 4cyl Honda Accord sedan. I just hit 96,000km, and went to
>>> the dealership to find out what needs to be done. I was told my car
>>> needs a type 4 maintenance (~400$) + trans fluid change (more $$$ on top
>>> of it).
>>>
>>> I was shocked to find out that type 4 is nothing more than a 3 hour
>>> inspection! All they change is the oil, oil filter, air filter, and if
>>> applicable, air purifier filter. For 400$ they don't even replace the
>>> spark plugs!!! WHAT A RIP OFF!
>>>
>>> So what am I to do? I had my brakes serviced ~20K ago, and I just put on
>>> a set of new tires. Do you folks think that if I just get the trans
>>> fluid changed and oil changed, + buy the air filter and replace it
>>> myself would be good enough for a 96K service ??
>>>
>>> What would you do if you were in my shoes ?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

On 3/31/05 11:55 PM, in article
1112334927.426579.121150@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups. com, "Auto Inspector"
<auto_inspector@yahoo.com> wrote:

> @90K, you need to replace the timing belt, and you better do it because
> if it breaks you will not only enjoy a tow truck ride but also it may
> cause damage to valves and possibly head and pistons. Now, if the
> dealer quoted $400 for this work, it's very reasonable, otherwise they
> are crooks.
> www.anti-lemon.com
>

I believe the timing belt interval on this car is 105,000 miles for normal
usage and 60,000 for severe.

 

On 3/31/05 11:55 PM, in article
1112334927.426579.121150@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups. com, "Auto Inspector"
<auto_inspector@yahoo.com> wrote:

> @90K, you need to replace the timing belt, and you better do it because
> if it breaks you will not only enjoy a tow truck ride but also it may
> cause damage to valves and possibly head and pistons. Now, if the
> dealer quoted $400 for this work, it's very reasonable, otherwise they
> are crooks.
> www.anti-lemon.com
>

I believe the timing belt interval on this car is 105,000 miles for normal
usage and 60,000 for severe.

 

Leon Kiriliuk wrote:
> I was shocked to find out that type 4 is nothing more than a 3 hour
> inspection! All they change is the oil, oil filter, air filter, and
if
> applicable, air purifier filter. For 400$ they don't even replace the
spark
> plugs!!! WHAT A RIP OFF!

Yup. At least you asked them what you're getting for $400. Most people
I know just take it to the dealer blindly and let them do all kinds of
unnecessary servicing. The parts at a dealership are marked far above
list price (which is far above invoice).

 

Leon Kiriliuk wrote:
> I was shocked to find out that type 4 is nothing more than a 3 hour
> inspection! All they change is the oil, oil filter, air filter, and
if
> applicable, air purifier filter. For 400$ they don't even replace the
spark
> plugs!!! WHAT A RIP OFF!

Yup. At least you asked them what you're getting for $400. Most people
I know just take it to the dealer blindly and let them do all kinds of
unnecessary servicing. The parts at a dealership are marked far above
list price (which is far above invoice).

 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> Marty showed them the receipts for the
> oil but they said it didn't prove the oil went into the truck, or if
so,
> when.

Well, that would apply to dealer receipts as well. If you change your
oil at the dealer, and you got a receipt saying that they changed your
oil, that doesn't prove that they actually did.

Therefore, changing oil yourself and keeping receipts is as valid as
having them done at the dealership.

 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> Marty showed them the receipts for the
> oil but they said it didn't prove the oil went into the truck, or if
so,
> when.

Well, that would apply to dealer receipts as well. If you change your
oil at the dealer, and you got a receipt saying that they changed your
oil, that doesn't prove that they actually did.

Therefore, changing oil yourself and keeping receipts is as valid as
having them done at the dealership.

 

On Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:09:41 -0600, "E. Meyer" <e52.meyer@ieee.org>
wrote:


>I believe the timing belt interval on this car is 105,000 miles for normal
>usage and 60,000 for severe.

Ya - your probably right! I knew it was in there somewhere. Whatever
it was I did it at that time.

 

On Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:09:41 -0600, "E. Meyer" <e52.meyer@ieee.org>
wrote:


>I believe the timing belt interval on this car is 105,000 miles for normal
>usage and 60,000 for severe.

Ya - your probably right! I knew it was in there somewhere. Whatever
it was I did it at that time.