Acura Dealers - The good, the bad, the ugly

[TireMeltingRSX]

This thread is dedicated to member's experiences with different Acura dealers across the country. This thread may lend more insight in the RSX thread due to the perceived "buyer" of a sport compact. These are our experiences, for you to draw on however you wish.

Please post your own Acura dealer story, and keep the chatter to a minimum.

Thanks!

[TireMeltingRSX]

I am a native of Chicago, had my RSX for 2 years and had many different dealings with many different dealers. Here's my list:

The Good - McGrath Acura of Morton Grove

Oscar was my service representative. He was very attentive and helpful. I originally took my car here because it was the closest dealer to my apartment. Someone threw a rock through my passenger side window in order to steal my radar detector. I found the broken window on a Saturday and with rain in the forecast I wanted to get it in ASAP.

Oscar went the extra mile, and stored my RSX in their underground structure where it would be safe from more break ins when he found out I had a system in the car. They fixed the window, got all of the broken glass out of the interior and inside the door. They also changed the oil while it was there since I was close to the mark. All service was done that after this experience. Unfortunately I didn't find them until shortly before I sold my RSX.

Also, before I'd ever gone there for service I needed replacement bolts for my front license plate. I went and asked how much and they gave them to me for free.



The Bad - Ed Napelton Acura

I originally was going to buy my RSX from them. At the time I was living in Indianapolis and drove up (180+ miles) to make the purchase. My salesman, Ali, told me they had a NBP RSX Type S in stock and were holding it for me. When I got there they had me test drive a Silver SSM while they got the NBP ready. When I got back from my test drive they let me know that they had sold the NBP already. They then fed me a line of BS about getting it shipped that day. I later found out, from a different dealer, that in IL dealer transfers take a minimum of 24 hours to do. It was the old bait and switch. Needless to say they didn't earn my business and I would never ever go there for anything.



The Bad - Continental Acura of Naperville

Christmas day I was driving home when my transmission got an insanely loud knock. It got to the point where it felt like something was in the gears and I had to pull over. I had it towed to Continental Acura of Naperville because it was the closest Acura dealer. I had to cover the tow out of pocket because Acura's roadside assistance only covers tows of 30 miles or something. They reimbursed me on the backside though.

Acura of Libertyville called me, after I bugged them to get back to me for 4 days to tell me that I'd blown up my transmission and it wasn't covered under warranty. They accused me of launching the car (which I did once when I first got it). They would hear nothing else and charged me $3,500 to fix it. After talking to another dealer about the situation they said it was possible it was abuse, but most likely a bad gear from the factory and it should have been covered under warranty.



The Ugly - Acura of Libertyville

The only redeeming quality of this dealer is that when the other dealer pulled a bait/switch on me they had the NBP I wanted and matched the original dealer's price. I was lulled into a sense of false security.

Upon my passenger door getting stuck shut for the second time (both times fixed by them) I took it in for service. While I had their loaner we had a pretty heavy rain. I thought nothing of it. After I got my car back as I was driving home (35 miles) my check engine light came on. I figured it was nothing but took it back. They reset the computer and told me to come back if it came back on. It came back on.

After a week of them having it and hearing nothing I went in and spoke with Shelly. Her and I were already on a first name basis. She said that my engine had been hydrolocked. She said that when we had the heavy rain my car was outside at a low spot on their lot where it flooded. When they went to move it out of the standing water they hydrolocked it. Yes, she admitted the dealer had hydrolocked the engine. So they tell me they're repairing it and their insurance will cover it. I think fine, no problem.

Another week goes by, and I check in. They tell me that it wasn't just a bent connecting rod but also a cracked cylinder. They also tell me that they didn't do it, I must have done it. I ask them how I hydrolocked my car when they had it. They have no response. I'm no longer dealing with Shelly at this point, it's her boss who is telling me all this.

They charge me $6,500 to repair the car and keep it from me for a month while they fix it.

This is the lowest of the low. They destroyed my car and then charged me an obnoxious amount to fix it. When Shelly handed me the keys back she had the look of "sorry" all over her face. She knew it was their fault, it was her boss who made me pay, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Avoid this dealer at all costs, they are the true scum of the earth. In fact you should probably avoid all dealers except the "good" dealer, because there's no reason not to. Drive a couple extra miles, it's worth it.

[n0s_speed]

nice........i'll work on mine whenever i get a chance.

[Ska]

Never bought a car from a dealer before, but here's my only contribution:

The Good: Gary Force Acura, Brentwood, TN

When I had my first Integra, I had an exhaust leak that I couldn't find and decided to take it to the local Acura place instead of the mechanic I usually go to, just to see what happened. The guys found the leak, showed it to me on an engine diagram, told me exactly what I needed & how much it would be, and were perfectly cool when I told them I wanted to install aftermarket pipes myself. They vacuumed the car, patched a tire that was leaking a bit, and sent me on my way for not much money at all. Nice guys too.

[MC Teg]

The only Acura Dealer I have been too but their service is A+.

The Good: Los Gatos Acura, Ca

When I had my teg, the upper rad hose swelled up and finally popped while driving through town. Luckily, I was only 1.5 miles away from an Acura dealer and I drove my teg right through the service line. The employees were courteous and helpful. I told them what happened my hose and they said they would be able to replace the hose and fluid in a few hours. I was amazed that I was able to have it done on spot because most dealers require you to have an appointment to get service done. Few hours later, I was given the bill for no more than $200 and I was very happy on how they treated my car and me. They also complimented on how great my twin loop system sounded, liked how it wasn't another teg with a fart can.

I have to go down there this week to get the RSX serviced

[Cloud_Walker]

The Good: Dave Mungenast Acura, St. Louis, MO

I didn't buy my RSX from them, but they still take good care of me. First off, I think this should be obvious, but in a stealership comparison you can't complain about price; they're all going to be high. That said, the service at Dave Mungenast Acura is amazing. Every service advisor is extremely courteous. They always explain what will be/has been done to your vehicle as well as the cost of everything both before and after the service has been performed.

One time I noticed shortly after picking my car up from routine maintenance that a foglight insert had been knocked out and my front bumper marred close to where it was. I don't know exactly what caused it, but I do know that the last time I looked at my front bumper, before taking it into service, it was fine. Afterwards it wasn't, as I said. I sure as hell don't recall hitting anything or doing anything that might have caused the damage. I brought this to their attention, saying that I find it most likely some damage occurred while they were in possession of the car. They didn't have a problem assuming responsibility and fixing it. They gave me a brand new, shiny front bumper!

They have my loyalty.

[Ska]

For some reason the name "Los Gatos Acura" cracks me up..."The Cats' Acura"...riiiiiiiiiight.

[GiRLyTeGGy]

The Crappy: Scanlon Acura In Ft. Myers Florida

Everytime i go into the dealer they NEVER have anything for my car, this is how our conversation goes,
Me: " Good Morning, Im Calling to see If you guys have a part in stock for my 1997 acura integra?"
Service Guy: " What Part Huh?"
Me: Well im looking for the Exhaust Manifold, Stock."
Service Guy: Waits 5,4,3,2,1 No We dont carry Parts For That Year
Me: WHAT?????
Service Guy: No we dont have parts for integra's
Me: Well Can You Order it.......?
Service Guy: No.
Me: at that point i have to hang up and call A Acura Or Honda Dealer 50 Miles away where there service is actually GOOD.

[n0s_speed]

damn, i need to get mine done.

[Artillery129]

Continental Acura, Chicagoland Area
Ahh, I too have experience with Continental Acura, they do indeed have absurd prices to get your car maintenanced, and thats where my legend used to be maintained until I started doing the maintenance, as well I they reccomended me to a body shop after my accident and my car is still being repaired, we'll see how that comes out.

[MC Teg]

Originally Posted by Ska

For some reason the name "Los Gatos Acura" cracks me up..."The Cats' Acura"...riiiiiiiiiight.

I never thought about that

[n0s_speed]

Thomas Acura

GOOD: service is awesome! they really do care about our acuras. they'd check up your car and give you a call saying, "oh i just wanted to let you know that your brakes need to be replace, blah blah blah blah". the free car wash is great. to me it's better than them "handwash places" around my neighborhood. also, they usually have coupons for services.

BAD: parts are overpriced. coupons aren't posted online. always busy. ONLY 1 time i walked in and waited for them to finish the oilchange and they forgot that my car was sitting outside waiting to get the oilchanged.

[Slynky]

The BAD - Baranco Acura, Morrow, Georgia. (south of Atlanta)

Too much to mention but in short: Put front lip kit on sloppy, came back to get it done again. Screwed up leftside a-kit part and had to come back to have it replaced. Broke a-kit spoiler and had to order another one. Had to come back again. Put the second one on and somehow scratched my right rear side. Had to take it to Acura's paint shop. Paint job sucked. You guessed it, had to bring it leave it there and come back later. Came back, paint OK, but rear lip kit had been pulled off and put back on. Tape was loose and gaps all around. Had to order another rear lip and, you guessed it, had to come back. Couldn't hear the noise from the front steering (they said) but 11-year old daughter could hear it. Had to search I'net for the Acura service bulletin on it. Then, they fixed it. 10,000 mile service, somehow jacked up the car wrong and screwed up the front right quarter panel and the a-kit side part. Refused to take responsibility for it since I drove it away. $600 out of my own pocket to get it fixed. Torrence, CA, had no power over them to force repayment.

To make it worse, every time I came in, I had donuts in the passenger seat for them.

The Still Bad - Sons Acura of Morrow, Georgia

These people bought out Baranco but when I checked, all the people who were employed there were kept on. Far as I'm concerned, they bought all the people who provided crappy service and therefore, they probably still provide crappy service.

The Good - Sutton Acura of Macon, Georgia. (way south of Atlanta)

So far, so good. Prompt friendly service. Mentioned they had several customers who had changed to them from Baranco. Michelle will probably start taking her car there.

[RavynX]

Gunn Acura in San Antonio, TX

The Good: Curteous, Friendly, and the tech brought me back to the service area to show me what went wrong while my car was up on the lift when the service rep wasn't able to explain it.

My dad bought an MDX from them and he's had mostly good stuff to say about this dealer. Only a few quibbles when they were trying to fix the bluetooth unit and repair the leather seat under the protection plan.


The Bad: They accidentally kept my lugnut-key and my leather bag of tools for the scissor jack. I eventually got my lugnut-key back with the excuse of it being in the rookie's toolbox but I never got my scissor-jack tools back.

They also charge you for parts that they think will fix the issue when the underlying problem is totally different. On my teg I had this weird noise and feel coming from the wheel well and they wanted to charge $120 to replace the fender-liner and I told them I would do it and to look further and they later found out that the dust shield behind the rotor was making a gouge in the rotor itself. Sounded more like a "let's try this" scenario rather than figure out what went wrong.

They also are not very good about calling you to ask you questions on whether you want to proceed on replacing a part or telling you when your car is finished. You basically have to call and ask them often.

[QKSLVER03]

The Good: Acura of Las Vegas

I bought my car from them, I actually got my wife's car there as well. The salespeople are courteous and all, but I'd say to a certain point they're like others, in there to make money off you. The service people and the parts people, on the other hand, are very helpful, courteous and knowledgeable.