How do I find a good dealership mechanic in Los Angeles?

[SeanInLACA]

I have a sound at 4500 rpm that the dealer has no interst in figuring out. They can hear it but they say they all do that without telling me what is making the sound.

The had me drive anohter car that did make some noise at 4500 rpm but no where near as loud as mine.

So how do I find someone willing to figure it out. It's like the dealer needs a dyno that they can take the car up to 4500 rpm in gear and then listen to it.

Or someone needs to know what the sound is b/c they have heard it before.

Ideas?

[radiocontrolhead]

If they documented it, thats enough for you to do something, if you also keep returning, thats something as well, if you have enough visits of where they did document the sound and problem, you may have a chance at calling honda corporate and asking them to do something, if not, I would probably give a lemon law lawyer a call to see if you qualify under the law.

[SeanInLACA]

Originally Posted by radiocontrolhead

If they documented it, thats enough for you to do something, if you also keep returning, thats something as well, if you have enough visits of where they did document the sound and problem, you may have a chance at calling honda corporate and asking them to do something, if not, I would probably give a lemon law lawyer a call to see if you qualify under the law.

From what I hear Honda is one of the worst companies to deal with for a lemon car. They will fight it to the end. I had a Lemon Audi and they took it back. Same lawyer told me that he won't even go after Honda they let it go to court. So you better have a rock solid case. A 'rattle' won't cut it. (just what i heard and I am not a lawyer)

For now I will try to play nice and look for a good dealership that might really try to figure out the issue.

* I see you are in Hollywood - same here. What dealership do you use?

[radiocontrolhead]

Originally Posted by SeanInLACA

From what I hear Honda is one of the worst companies to deal with for a lemon car. They will fight it to the end. I had a Lemon Audi and they took it back. Same lawyer told me that he won't even go after Honda they let it go to court. So you better have a rock solid case. A 'rattle' won't cut it. (just what i heard and I am not a lawyer)

For now I will try to play nice and look for a good dealership that might really try to figure out the issue.

* I see you are in Hollywood - same here. What dealership do you use?

I bought my Si at Spirit Honda in El Monte. It's pretty close to where the 10 and the 605 freeways meet. If I need any servicing done I will try to go to Miller Honda in Culver City. I'm very pleased with their customer service and technicians. They are professional, knowledgable, and fast. This was how I evaluated them the past couple visits.

I'm acctually currently dealing with the Lemon Law with my Si because of an oil leak I've expeirenced that hasn't been resolved. They seem to "micky mouse" the job everytime which leads me to drive right back into their shop.

You are indeed correct about Honda sticking to the end with the Lemon Law case as the lawyer thought the best thing for me to do was start a court scheduling right off the bat. The firm didn't think there was any point in sending them a forced letter to buy the car back. Also, the firm I'm with is Norman Taylor and Associates located in Burbank, Ca (their office at least). Which firm did you use for your Audi case?

How long did it take for you to get your Audi refunded or replaced? My case has almost been open for 4 months now and should close shortly, I'm hoping at least.

[SeanInLACA]

Originally Posted by radiocontrolhead

Also, the firm I'm with is Norman Taylor and Associates located in Burbank, Ca (their office at least). Which firm did you use for your Audi case?

How long did it take for you to get your Audi refunded or replaced? My case has almost been open for 4 months now and should close shortly, I'm hoping at least.

I used a firm in Cleveland when dealing with the Audi. I lived in Ohio at the time. And remember all lawyers are full of tricks. The Lawyer tried to take 30% of my full settlement! (Not just the lawyer fees.) I said no deal and he backed down to his 2000 in fees. It was a brand new car and if they took 30% I would have been out 10K.


The case took about 1 month. Audi gave up quickly on a minor issue, but the minor issue caused my car to be towed 3 times. (It was a coil pack issue on the 2002 A4.) The fix would have been easy but since the dealership was rude and AoA was horrible I went after them.

Then I had one month to turn in the car after the settlement. I just returned it to the dealership and I picked up a check. Then I bought another Honda.

Sorry to hear your Civic has issues. It's the luck of the draw. Not all are reliable. I would not give up on the brand, just understand that you got a bad car. It's a machine, and they break. It just sux when it's your car.

[radiocontrolhead]

Originally Posted by SeanInLACA

I used a firm in Cleveland when dealing with the Audi. I lived in Ohio at the time. And remember all lawyers are full of tricks. The Lawyer tried to take 30% of my full settlement! (Not just the lawyer fees.) I said no deal and he backed down to his 2000 in fees. It was a brand new car and if they took 30% I would have been out 10K.


The case took about 1 month. Audi gave up quickly on a minor issue, but the minor issue caused my car to be towed 3 times. (It was a coil pack issue on the 2002 A4.) The fix would have been easy but since the dealership was rude and AoA was horrible I went after them.

Then I had one month to turn in the car after the settlement. I just returned it to the dealership and I picked up a check. Then I bought another Honda.

Sorry to hear your Civic has issues. It's the luck of the draw. Not all are reliable. I would not give up on the brand, just understand that you got a bad car. It's a machine, and they break. It just sux when it's your car.

I completely understand that this just a faulty one, Honda in my book is reliable.

What I signed for was that they will only take $700 from my pocket and get the rest from the company. 30% percent seems way too steep.

[pd0019]

Originally Posted by SeanInLACA

So how do I find someone willing to figure it out. It's like the dealer needs a dyno that they can take the car up to 4500 rpm in gear and then listen to it.

Or someone needs to know what the sound is b/c they have heard it before.

Ideas?

there is a good place in the pasadena area. my parents and i have taken all of our hondas there for the last 20 or so years. the mechanic is very good. i never have and never will take my cars to the honda dealership until this guy closes shop. im sure that he can try to figure out the problem. let me know if you want his name.

[lpages]

Originally Posted by pd0019

there is a good place in the pasadena area. my parents and i have taken all of our hondas there for the last 20 or so years. the mechanic is very good. i never have and never will take my cars to the honda dealership until this guy closes shop. im sure that he can try to figure out the problem. let me know if you want his name.

I'm interested. Have been looking for a good honda mechanic around there, not impressed with dealer's service the few times I've brought the car in with a issue. They pretty much blow it off as a non-issue and then try to hit you up for other stuff you don't want done.

[ffheart]

Originally Posted by SeanInLACA

I have a sound at 4500 rpm that the dealer has no interst in figuring out. They can hear it but they say they all do that without telling me what is making the sound.

The had me drive anohter car that did make some noise at 4500 rpm but no where near as loud as mine.

Your best bet is to keep taking it to the dealer while it is under warranty so they can document your concerns and keep working on it. You could also call American Honda to document your concerns with them as well.

What model is it? What type of noise is it? Can you tell where it's coming from?