I never take my car to a mechanic unless I absolutely have to. State inspection requirements means I have to.
Just got the Beast back from state safety/emissions inspection yesterday. It is privatized in PA, so I get to choose who to trust... still, I always have horrible visions of something gone wrong... like the front fenders bending outward because of incorrect jack locations, etc. My wife thinks I'm off the deep end because I'm under/over the entire car in the dark last night making sure the Beast survived the "humiliation". Of course, my trusted mechanic once again passed with flying colors, as did the Beast.
I know I am not the only one who goes through this annual ritual. How do you guys/gals do without chewing fingernails down to the bone while someone inevitably tries to find something wrong with your baby?
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
I don't plan on taking my cars to the dealer for any warranty work unless necessary. I know what's it like working at a dealer and having a "don't care" tech working on someones car.
Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on :
In Oregon, we dont have any kind of inspection (except emissions every other year). I wish we did, to get a lot of the unsafe cars either fixed, or off the road. Dont complain too much, as the inspection you have, actually makes it safer for you to be on the road with all the idiots out there!!!! Posted by Harry P (Member # 533) on :
You're right about that, Steve. And don't take my comments about avoiding mechanics as a flame... some of my closest friends are mechanics. I'm just an amateur. I guess I don't like anyone doing anything to the car... including getting a tank of premium at the full serve island! Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
Don't worry, Harry...Steve and I feel the same way about mechanics in general. A good technician is difficult to find. That is why Steve is so careful with other people's cars. He has mine today, but I still worry about it. I worry what other people may do to it if it's parked outside, not what Steve will do to it, of course.
Posted by 35th6spd (Member # 1243) on :
Inspections serve their purpose, but what a PIA !! I hate giving up the car to a tech (good ones so hard to find), and the guys running the state inspections are worse!! But, a ticket in Jersey for failing to inspect is now $123.00, and since its no points on your license, the police dont seem to have any hesitation at issuing them - repeatedly....when I drove a mustang street/strip car on the street, I got 5 of em in one year Posted by Thom Mackesy (Member # 264) on :
I always seem to worry more than I need to about this. I moved to NH from Mass a couple years back. Now back in Mass I knew the sticker guy. I've known him for over 25 years. I could always trust him to get the job done right.
In NH I got a name from one of my neighbors. So far he's been really good. Not picky, but does point out things that will probably need to be done before the next time. So far he's always been right on the mark, and I haven't heard anyone else complain about him.
guess I've been pretty lucky in that department
Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on :
No flame taken. I was just making a point that I wish we had some kind of inspection to keep all of the POS cars off the road!!!
