4/30    Where do you go to get car regular maintainance?  The dealers are
        charging a lot of money.  But do you trust a non-dealer?
        \_ Sure I trust my non-dealer, and more than I do the dealer.
           But there is value to sticking with the dealer until the end
           of the warranty period.
        \_ As a Ford owner I can unfortunately honestly say you should
           a) never buy a Ford no matter how good a deal it looked like at
              the time and
                \_ what did you buy, and what location? (randomly curious,
                   also had bad luck with Ford in the past)
                   \_ I'm too ashamed to say anything that might ID me.  I
                      *have* seen Ford dealership stories on the net on their
                      different scams and had the local PoS try one on me
                      exactly as described on the net.  Just don't buy a Ford.
                      \_ Any links?
           b) if you're stupid enough to buy a Ford like me, then *never*
              bring it in to the dealer.  Ford dealers charge waaaaaay too
              much and they don't always do the work they claimed to have
              charged you hundreds of dollars for.
           I trust my non-dealer.  Ford almost killed me when they didn't
           bother to rebolt my transmission back in place properly.  What
           do you think would've happened if it dropped while I was doing 65?
           [btw, I've got a Ford for sale if anyone wants a good used car]
           \_ ask dbushong his ford matrix test drive story.
              \_ uh, i think you're thinking of the ford focus?
        \_ Depends on the car. Dealer is usually more expensive, but also
           more inclined to court your business (i.e. if they mess up they
           will try harder to correct it). They also have the best tools,
           manuals, and such. That doesn't mean they do a better job, though.
           If it is a newer car you care about and wish to keep, then take
           it to the dealer. Otherwise, find a good mechanic you trust and
           take it there. --dim
           \_ for lots of things (eg transmissions),
                dealers just send the work out.
                \_ Even if this is true, the dealer has more clout and
                   leverage than you do when the work goes bad. --dim
        \_ marty's motors
           \_ I went here once and when I was looking over my itemized bill
              I saw some extra $200 charge. when I asked him what it was he
              said, "uh... my secretary made a mistake. sorry" and took it
              off. I dunno, maybe it really was the secretary's fault... he
              seemed nice enough besides...
        \_ fred's wrench in alameda
           \- oceanworks is pretty good but they mostly do japanese cars--psb
        \_  http://parents.berkeley.edu/recommend/services has a list of
           fairly reliable recommendations in the Berkeley area.  --chris