Through the years I have read rants and raves about bringing the Vette to the dealership for work. I almost felt like a heathen for doing so because only an idiot would have the work done at a dealership. Well, here is the story.
In my attempts to save on maintenance expenses I found a local shop that was doing a lot of the work I wanted done at 1/2 to 2/3rds of what it would cost me at the dealership. Injector problems, heater core, timing, plug, distributor and wire issues. Recently they informed me that my timing cover was leaking. They replaced the ignition switch but the security light stayed on.( broke the switch on installation) They lubed up and repaired my door locks and locking mechanisms but when I got it back my mirrors stopped working and my ac/heater fuse was blown. Once they put on the knee bolster over the hood latch. My darling wife was getting really pissed with me for bringing it to these guys and in the end I have to say she was right. She insisted we bring the car to the dealer to address and correct all the little crap that is wrong with the Vert. So they're fixing all the stuff I saved all that money on at the other shop.
It wasn't the timing cover it was the oil pan gasket they rigged when I had the leakdown problem with the injectors. As I said they didn't reconnect the mirrors when they reinstalled the door panel. They're replacing the broken ignition switch and two new keys. I'm having a couple other little things fixed while they have it.
There are a lot of shops and mechanics locally but they're either crooked or minimally trained. Oh ya! I can fix that. No problem. I did a search of AAA approved repair facilities in my area. There was one. It was the dealer. Yup! They're expensive but they have a good Vette mechanic who does things right. I'm willing to pay the premium to get it done right the first time. All the agrivation isn't worth the several hundreds of dollars I never saved.
I would try to do a lot of this work myself but in the end I know where it would end up ...........The dealership ...

It's rare to find a tech that is still experienced with the C4. I hope it works out.

My experience wigh dealers runs the gambit.

When I was still in Delaware, the local Honda dealer had a great service department. A touch pricy on parts, but competitive on labour. I never had to take a car back because of something they did or didn't do.

Hey Tommy, If they actually do a good job and you are happy then that's all that matters. I like working on mine and really like having the satisfaction of doing the work myself and, yes, not paying the labor costs for some else to do what I can do myself. In the end if your ride is looking good, running good, and your happy....then life is good. :thumbright:

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They have always done a good job for me. I was trying to break away from the $80 plus an hour shop fee. Believe me when I say I didn't save a dime. Probably lost some because of the incompetence of others.

All the work I have had done on my car (new tranny, new column, broken valve spring) has been done at Gwatney Chevrolet in Jacksonville, Arkansas. I could not be happier with the work they have done. They have a guy named Aaron that really knows Corvettes and especially C4's. He is a Corvette owner now (C6) and is a former owner of a C4. Little pricey, yes, but I know its been done right.

Our sponsor dealership for the Corvette Club of America is outstandiing and has a great Vette Mechanic that has been there for over 35 years. He knows all the Vettes. He raced Corvettes in SCCA races years ago and just loves the cars. He is just one of the reasons we like this dealership so much.

http://www.sportchevrolet.com/default ... terMake=1&xMake=Chevrolet

It all depends on the mechanic. It's hard to be good and fast at working on something without previous experience.

Previous owner of my car took it to a Corvette specialty shop to have work done, and gave me a few receipts of what they'd done. I had to redo some of their work, and found other parts of it that were misdiagnosed and unnecessary.

Hey Tommy don't feel bad about it. I think you did the right thing, hopefully you can get everything straightened out.

Matthrew

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I am convinced that for some people, once they put "specialist" infront of their names, seem to believe it.

Well, the guy running the shop may be a specialist, but it's his $8 employee who has a hangover and can't read english that's putting your interior back together.

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I had a "specialist" install my gears on my SS... we all know how that turned out. He was special alright....

I try to do everything myself. I rather screw it up, and possibly learn something in the process, than pay someone to screw it up for me.

Just my $0.02...

Don't feel bad Tommy, at least if the F it up at the dealership they HAVE to fix it. Even though you pay more, and the work is comperable to a local shop, its the added security that you pay for.

DG

Tommy....Horsepower Sales of Pompano Beach. 954-984-8040
They do great work...have done tons to my 86 Monte Carlo SS. Their techs know C4s as the owner's son (one of the techs) has had Corvettes his whole life. Check them out.

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YES! Couldnt agree more. Especially when they do so online and use it as their "handle". The way I see it is that "specialists" should be right 99.9% of the time. Its almost like they are challenging you to find something wrong!

As for dealerships. Lucky you found a decent dealer! Congrats! It does depend on the mechanic. I used one guy who worked at dealer for electrical problems...once he left I never went back.
I find that EVERYTIME with that ONE exception that when went to dealer to do something I couldnt handle myself they seem to break something else, probably so I bring it back! Thats been my experience anyway.