Mail-From: local user C410LM81 at 20-Sep-82 13:36:34-EDT
Mail-From: local user R110MS81 at 14-Sep-82 09:39:05-EDT
Date: 14 September 1982 0938-EDT (Tuesday)
From: Mel Siegel
To: Lyle McGeoch at CMU-10A
Subject:  Honda Dealer (McKean)
Reply-To: Mel.Siegel at CMU-10A (R110MS81)
Message-Id: <14Sep82 093850 MS81@CMU-10A>
Remailed-To: Harry.Bovik at CMU-10A
Remailed-From: Lyle.McGeoch at CMU-10A
Remailed-Date: Monday, 20 September 1982 1228-EDT


     I have purchases two Hondas, a 1979 Prelude and a 1981 Civic Wagon, from
McKean.  They are reasonable people to deal with, for car dealers.

     Their service staff appear well trained, although I have had no major
problems, so it is hard to know how they would perform if confronted with
something serious.  The oscillate between refusing to make service appointments
(so you have to appear at their front door at some un-godly early hour) and
being very strict about appointments.  I'm not sure which mode they are operating in now.

    Their service charges are outrageous.  I don't mind paying premium labor rates for premium skills, but they nickel-and-dime you to death with separate 
charges for grease, rags, and other items which I consider overhead.  If you
don't put much mileage on the car (say less than 10,000 miles/year) then the
routine maintenance (based on months or miles) will cost 1-2 cents/mile.  I have
pretty much decided to forego this expense, and wait until something breaks
before having it serviced.

     Good luck.