[Yardjass]

Originally Posted by Cole

Please explain why a Subaru tech is going to be better at not stripping oil pan plugs than a Toyota tech?

I never said that. Reading comprehension.

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I don't know about the US but here the techs (not the oil change guys) are licenced mechanics that spent years in school and apprenticeships. They must do periodic retraining and upgrading in order to maintain that license. They are working on expensive cars for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week in a fully equipped shop with all the best and most up to date tools and equipment.

But of course all that means nothing since any Joe that watched a video and put his car up on 2x4 ramps so he could get his Harbor Freight wrench on a bolt is far better at every single task and never ever makes a mistake. Shit, the number of guys that claim they know what they are doing that make stupid ass comments or ask basic dumb questions on here alone disproves that whole concept.
Get over yourselves.

I really hope that's not directed at me. We are talking about basic maintenance here and I have personally had way too many problems with the work that dealerships and other shops that I have had to fix myself. Many of these things (i.e. bothering to reinstall a trans fill plug, managing to install a wheel without snapping a stud), are completely inexcusable, and are things I myself had managed not to mess up many times before, and I expect most of this forum could manage to not mess up. Very few things on a car are actually difficult to do, especially basic maintenance, and there is a lot to be said for thorough and proper research. I have seen firsthand that I am capable enough to accomplish most tasks and that my record of mistakes is both fewer in number and in severity than these so-called professional dealerships and shops with "certifications". So, having been affected by their incompetence so often, I will trash talk them and I will not "get over myself". Maybe things are different in Canada but here, most of them are a joke.

Originally Posted by jtaeric

Thanks dude. I never thought that the dealership is so bad. Since I am not an American, in my country, there are not too many auto shops that capable of working on everything. Dealership can do a way better job than most of the auto shops and the dealership will not fool you by using low quality parts which can not be guaranteed by normal shops. The rest of those shops are working on tuning and modification. So it is a normal thought that taking cars to dealership is better, although it may cost a little bit more. And most people will do so. Looks like things are different here.

Where I'm at, there are a lot of highly regarded shops for specific cars/engines. For example, one does mostly Miatas and Subarus, another does small block chevys. These are the only places I actually trust, and the sort of places I take my vehicles when I want to outsource work, unless of course, there is a warranty involved. I would call them "tuning and modification" but they aren't using cheap parts without asking you. They make money off the labor, not the part, and they will install the best of everything as long as you're willing to pay for it.