Looking for a Millenia mechanic near Buffalo, NY

[parasocks]

Looking for someone who knows about this car, seems like it's the only way to actually solve problems. My mechanic here is fair to me, but it seems they don't really know what's going on half the time, and aren't willing to put in the time to solve the harder issues. For example when I had my TCS issues, they swore it was an ABS issue, and "couldn't fix it" so I went to Mazda dealership ($$$$) and they just replaced a solenoid and voila.

I'd like to get a bunch of work done in Buffalo (I'm from Toronto, Canada) because of the dollar difference, I'll probably save a bit, and hopefully get better service. Not everywhere though. I asked for an estimate on getting a wheel bearing replaced (since my mechanics above replaced the wrong one for me...) so I know it cost $80 for the bearing and $160 in labour here. The estimates I got from the US were $350.. :/

I'd like to get all my vac lines + T's replaced, new solenoids, and this front wheel bearing. Anyone know of someone in Buffalo?

[99SnowWhiteMillyS]

I can't help you with the mechanic inquiry, but I will tell you, if you aren't willing to work on this car yourself you are going to spend a fortune on repairs.

I'm assuming you have an S?

Please don't go back to the mechanic who couldn't diagnose the ABV solenoid issue and swore it was an ABS problem. I'm no mechanic but even I know how to plug a diag reader into the car, get a code and look it up in the Mazda FSM.

If you decide to go through with the vacuum line project if I was you I would make sure to be at the repair shop when they do the lines, I bet most mechanics would just replace the ones on top and not bother pulling the intercoolers and charge air cooler assembly to get the to the tees underneath.

I wonder what the quoted labor time is on that, three hours just guessing? It sucks paying $20 for some vacuum lines and then having to pay $315+ for labor.

[parasocks]

Yeah maybe I need my head examined.. I wonder how much a doctor costs... :P

But for example I just watched them replace this wheel bearing.. An ogreish type guy hammered on that thing for 2 minutes with a little sledgehammer and it wouldn't budge, so they needed to use a press. I don't have a press, let alone a hammer.. I would have never been able to do that.

But I hear what you're saying, maybe the vacuum lines is the kind of thing I could do myself if I tried.

I called the mazda dealership about the vacuum lines (and to see what they replaced last time) and they said $200-300 to replace all the "accessible" lines.. And he said if they have to take the supercharger off it would double.. and he said I still wouldn't get all the lines. Sigh.

[bigb]

hrm... I live in Toronto

[parasocks]

You fix cars?!

Edit:

okay based on this post I'd love if you would mate your handheld device's dongle to my princess.

I'll even let you smell her oil, suck on her vacuum lines to failure, and give her the gas pedal.

I'll bring her to you, but I want to watch.

Oh I got the second front wheel bearing replaced yesterday, jet engine turbine sound silenced, car now feels like it was freshly sponsored by astroglide.

Thought a small chance that the TCS problems were maybe fixed too because it didn't come on yesterday, but then today driving wife to work it happened again. Doh!

I live near the airport, 427/401 area.

[parasocks]

Originally Posted by 99SnowWhiteMillyS

Please don't go back to the mechanic who couldn't diagnose the ABV solenoid issue and swore it was an ABS problem. I'm no mechanic but even I know how to plug a diag reader into the car, get a code and look it up in the Mazda FSM.

I hear ya, but when you got a good thing it's hard to cut that off. To check my codes at some random place - Canadian Tire for example, it's $90. They do it for free, every time. When I needed a light replaced, they did it for $20. They've sent me home numerous times without charging me anything.. When they did give up, they had tested the solenoids or at least some of them, but I guess not the right ones. They had spent at least 3 hours messing with it, but since they couldn't fix it they didn't charge me anything.

Just this last time, I had the first wheel bearing replaced, $78 + $10 cover + $160 labour.. Few days later they did the next one, and only charged me $96 for labour, because they said it wasn't as hard to get off. They know I don't know anything about cars, and I was expecting to pay $160 again. That's $64 I still have because they're honest. Plus, they only ever replace what's needed. It's never "oh and...".. And if there is something that needs to go, they demonstrate how it's broken for you.

I'm just learning that I can't take it there for everything, at least diagnostic wise, because of the kind of car I have. They just don't have the same kind of equipment that the dealer has.

[yel-low]

I used to live in Canada as a young boy. They certainly are FAR more honest than most of the guys down here in the USA.
Edit: I should say "In my opinion and experience...". but who isn't out to make a quick buck be it the USA or worldwide?

[bigb]

well, I don't have a shop if that is what you are asking... just as well stocked garage as you can see by that linked post I'm just offering my help if you have a hard to solve 2.3 specific issue that makes your mechanic scratch his head.

$150 for a bearing is not too bad considering the time it takes to do it. I'm probably going to be much more expensive then a mechanic for generic stuff like suspension / brakes / etc. actually, I don't even want to bother with that kind of stuff since anyone can do that.

but if you have weird gremlins in the engine and cant seem to find them, I could probably help you out. just be aware the help doesn't come free and it has to be worth my while too. so chose wisely on what (or if) you want me to look at it. Just figure that for some things I can fix in an hour where they might spend a week trying to diagnose. but other things like an axle or bearing, it will take the same amount of time since knowledge or skill wont save you time on a task like that.

that being said I live in Woodbridge so I'm close. I also have a metric .**** ton of spare parts, so before buying from the dealer pm me first and I can probably hook you up for a small fraction of the cost. local pickup helps too since shipping things makes it lest cost effective.

[parasocks]

Hey, yeah lets do whatever makes sense for both of us. Like I said I have a fair mechanic I can go to, so if it's something you'd think I'd be better off going there for just tell me. Same as if you just don't want to do something because it's a pain in the ass or whatever. At least I can go knowing what work needs to be done.

When can I bring my car by? Sooner is better than later, I'm off to Mexico for a month on the 13th I think. I sent you a PM with my contact info.

I have brand new axles and bearings anyways, at least in the front. This TCS issue has to go, either a line or a solenoid, I guess your machine can say which, and I want to check I have the right spark plugs.

Oh, and try to figure out why acceleration isn't smooth, especially on the highway. When you try to pass someone it's very noticeable. Someone mentioned spark plugs and type of gasoline. I did replace all my plugs maybe a year or so ago, but I'm not 1000% sure they used the exact right kind.

[bigb]

If you want to meet up at a Tims near 427 and 7 sometime this weekend I can give her a quick test drive and advise you on some areas that might need work. Consider it a favor for a fellow millenia driver. any serious work after that and I'll be charging by the hour at the dealer rate. I'll leave the choice up to you but I'd probably only bring it to me, again as I said, for issues that a regular mechanic would not be able to solve.

I'll give you a shout tomorrow at the number in your PM but I was thinking Monday sometime