outrage over cost of replacing timing belt

The poster indicated that despite his continuing and growing
dissatisfaction with the dealer, he contined to bring it back, time
after time. I was hoping that in some way my comment might help--perhaps
changing his approach to solving future car problems and considering
what to do(that is, where to have it diagnosed and serviced).

 

Likewise, I am hoping my comment might help you. Telling him
when he should be skeptical would have been far more
constructive.

 

If you ignore the timing belt replacement, you could be playing Russian
Roulette with your car. Some Hondas have "interference engines" which
mean if the belt breaks, the piston could slam into the open valves.
You know what that means!

I am NOT suggesting that you have to run out and change the belt at the
exact mile required. Some people never change the belt with no
problems. But the longer you wait, the greater the chances of it
breaking.

The cost of the belt itself is minor. Unfortunately, the work is all
labor. My 99 Accord is about due and I am psyc-ing myself for a
weekend under the hood sometime over the next few months.

--Jeff

 

This is called "positive punishment" in psychology. Without actually
bitch-slapping the person, you let him know that people think he is an
idiot, for being so ignorant of something that he depends on so heavily.
Social pressure, or "shame" as many people call it, has fallen into disfavor
as a motivational technique, but being rather old fashioned I like it.

Earle

 

Which ones?

 

Not sure. I only learned about my 99 Accord when "chatting" with the
Honda parts guy over the counter while he was getting me some tune up
parts. I gulped real hard when he said it. Best to call the
dealership and ask service about your specific model/year.

--Jeff

 

People like it because they are lazy and it makes them feel
better to slap someone around. It's all about the slapper's
ego.

 

For Hondas, all except the 3.2L Passports.

 

And that's what I did, in a somewhat "old fashioned" (thank you, Earle)
way. Of course everyone, including yourself, is free to have their own
interpretation.

Ken

 

Yours is a euphemistic justification for being an ass.

Without having a lot more experience with cars, the first
suspicion of foul play by a dealer may indeed be wrong. You
should note that the guy was all upset about the alleged
$7,800 charge for a new TB. He was wrong, and was man enough
to admit it in public. $780 for a new TB via the dealer is
not a ridiculous price. We do not have enough other
information to judge the other situations, period.

 

;^)

Earle

 

I prefer to think of it as being a "grumpy old coot". That at least makes
us potentially loveable.

Paz,

Earle

 

Anyone who posts 70 lines of pointless text just to add a smiley face
and a name in not only not lovable, but a friggin' menace. Trim your
posts, wanker.

nb

 

Oh. Know a lot about euphemistic justifications for being an ass, do you?

 

Yep... "Grumpy" is an earned term which when applied properly is to be
taken fully advantage of...

<G>

JT

 

....but anyone who thinks that being grumpy makes them "potentially
loveable" is delusional.

 

Unfortunately (because I wanted to be annoyed with goddarned
Earle for at least another ten minutes), I have to agree
with JT and him. From my experience, older men who are
occasionally grumpy often also tend to endear with charm,
the sharing of well-weathered experience, once in a while a
certain humility, etc.

One way or another, I suppose our fellow (the OP) is on a
better track now. Forward.

 

Think more of a challenge... Not everyone is a quitter..

JT

 

The key word there is **occasionally**.

 

No, the key words are "endear" and "charm".

Earle