Corrupt Dealers - Royal Honda and Honda of Slidell

[Accordlover]

For the past two years, my 1996 Honda Accord has been in New Orleans LA with my mother. I have it back in Texas again, and while it was in New Orleans, she used two dealerships for service purposes. One was Honda of Slidell in Slidell LA, and Royal Honda, in Metairie LA.

About one year ago, at 119k miles, Honda of Slidell informed my mother that she needed to re-do her timing belt service as the crank/cam seals were not seated properly and leaking oil onto the belt. They also pushed a rear main seal on her, saying it was leaking, too. As well as the oil pan.

This was overwhelming to my Mother, who had little interest in spending $2k+ on a car she bought 13 years ago, it wasn't worth it, especially when so many other things could still go wrong. Like a bad transmission 2 weeks after replacing the rear main or something of that nature, etc.

When I went to go visit her, I took the car to my preferred dealership, Royal Honda. They re-affirmed the diagnosis (probably due to my divulging the prior diagnosis). Nevertheless, they could've ended the lie there, but they too, were focused on making the big bucks or encouraging the sale of a new car. This same dealership told my godmother, "Your odyssey needs a new tourqe converter, you should come look at the new odyssey's, they're very nice." - He didn't even give her a cost to fix! Just wanted to encourage her to buy another car.

So back in my homeland, I took it to MY dealership, First Texas Honda. I have great pride for 1st TX, and they sold us this car ages ago. I hadn't intended on bringing it in quite yet, but I had a problem with a CEL and flashing D4 light which prompted me to bring it in ASAP. The speed sensor went out, but thankfully the extended emissions warranty covered it. ($270)

While it was there, they changed the oil. Most dealers do a little 'checkup' during the oil change, and I knew I was going to get a phone call telling me of all the leaks that needed fixed.

Not so much. The only thing the two dealers in LA diagnosed right, was the leaking Oil Pan. They also failed to explain to my mother that the reason why her heater hose went out recently was because of a leaking distributor o-ring. Therefore this heater hose is on its way out, again, because of the oil leaking onto it.

Today I was informed of a few things.

The CV boot at the transmission is torn, and it needs replaced along with a leaking axle seal This will cost $230.

Distributor O-Ring - $60

Oil Pan - $230

Alignment - $70

Trans Svc. - $38 (with the CV and Axle Seal)

Brake Fluid - $60

We looked at the timing belt together and there was no oil on the belt or behind the cover. I cannot believe that I could've fixed these issues ages ago had the dealers in New Orleans just been honest about what needed fixing. And the transmission is not leaking either, there is oil on it from the Dist O-ring leaking down onto it.

What a disaster in terms of caring for my poor car. I encourage all to avoid these two dealerships, and always get a second or third opinion without telling what the prior diagnosis' were. I was prepared to just let the car go until it fell apart but now I am having it fixed, as it is 100% worth fixing in this economy, especially when it still looks and drives great.

Off my Soap-Box!

-Tyler

[ind0fo0]

First Texas Honda really does have incredible service. I highly recommend them to anyone who lives in the Central Texas area. Hell, I am from Houston... and have seen the caliber of dealerships like Honda Cars of Katy (terrible) and Gillman Honda on 59 and 8 (so-so)... Last time I went to First Texas, they were proud to tell anyone and everyone of their new showroom that was under construction across the street. Anyone know if its complete yet?

[Accordlover]

Originally Posted by ind0fo0

First Texas Honda really does have incredible service. I highly recommend them to anyone who lives in the Central Texas area. Hell, I am from Houston... and have seen the caliber of dealerships like Honda Cars of Katy (terrible) and Gillman Honda on 59 and 8 (so-so)... Last time I went to First Texas, they were proud to tell anyone and everyone of their new showroom that was under construction across the street. Anyone know if its complete yet?

The location that 1st TX is at right now will be moving to the new facility which will be the largest and greenest Honda Dealership in the US. I cannot wait as the service/parts department is in need of more space and an update. I do not believe anything special is happening across the street from the main store, just excess used cars (non-honda and old hondas) plus a handful of new cars which there is no room for on the main lot are over there.

[07graphiteV6cpe]

Honda should be aware of these kind of dishonest practices from some of their dealerships and revoke their franchises.

[Dreamacre]

As far as the axle boot, wouldn't it be cheaper to install a new half shaft?

I had both half shafts replaced on our 95 Odyssey, last summer for a cost of $300 (including labor).

Just a thought.

[Accordlover]

Originally Posted by Dreamacre

As far as the axle boot, wouldn't it be cheaper to install a new half shaft?

I had both half shafts replaced on our 95 Odyssey, last summer for a cost of $300 (including labor).

Just a thought.

I just replaced one of mine on my 99 Accord and it was 250 just for one side... labor must be cheap where you are???

[morcheez]

wow man that sux...i second the call on royal honda...they are the buttheads that wouldnt cut my dang tsx key for me...after much complaining the finally did...but they still couldnt get the buttons to work ...but i got them to work in about 15 seconds when i got home...i go to superior honda for everything else though since i live on that side of the river ...they seem to be fine so far...of course there is nothing wrong with my car so maybe thats why ...i know nothing of honda of slidell so i cant give an opinion on them ...as for texas dealer everyone should avoid gillman honda in san antonio..bunch of idiots working there including the salesman and finance manager haha

[Dreamacre]

Originally Posted by Accordlover

I just replaced one of mine on my 99 Accord and it was 250 just for one side... labor must be cheap where you are???

I went to a local shop that I trust. Each half shaft was $110.

[car guy]

Hey Dude, I took my car to Willis Honda, dealer in Burlington, NJ for a 41,000 mile oil change and when it was done the clerk said it needed the front tires balanced and an alignment done. Well, the car drove perfect when I got there. Now, while driving home the car pulls to the right and the steering wheel is vibrating out of control. I got home and looked at the front wheels and the frikin (9) stick on wheel weights were pryed off of the inside surface each wheel, and the steering wheel was not aligned straight as before. I filed a complaint with Honda Inc. and they had the dealer call me. He said I could not prove that they did it, but would balance the front tires and do an alignment for over $100 !!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I went to my trusty tire dealer I've know for 25 years, had the front tires re-balanced, the front end alignment, and the steering wheel aligned, for $100, sent the bill to Honda, Inc, along with close up photos of the rims where the weights were pryed off, and got a letter saying "Sorry, your claim is denied because this car is out of warranty." WTF kind of company is this? I've owned GM cars for 30 years and I think I'll trade this piece of crap in real soon for a brand new Volt.

[gmoliver]

Originally Posted by Accordlover

For the past two years, my 1996 Honda Accord has been in New Orleans LA with my mother. I have it back in Texas again, and while it was in New Orleans, she used two dealerships for service purposes. One was Honda of Slidell in Slidell LA, and Royal Honda, in Metairie LA.

About one year ago, at 119k miles, Honda of Slidell informed my mother that she needed to re-do her timing belt service as the crank/cam seals were not seated properly and leaking oil onto the belt. They also pushed a rear main seal on her, saying it was leaking, too. As well as the oil pan.

This was overwhelming to my Mother, who had little interest in spending $2k+ on a car she bought 13 years ago, it wasn't worth it, especially when so many other things could still go wrong. Like a bad transmission 2 weeks after replacing the rear main or something of that nature, etc.

When I went to go visit her, I took the car to my preferred dealership, Royal Honda. They re-affirmed the diagnosis (probably due to my divulging the prior diagnosis). Nevertheless, they could've ended the lie there, but they too, were focused on making the big bucks or encouraging the sale of a new car. This same dealership told my godmother, "Your odyssey needs a new tourqe converter, you should come look at the new odyssey's, they're very nice." - He didn't even give her a cost to fix! Just wanted to encourage her to buy another car.

So back in my homeland, I took it to MY dealership, First Texas Honda. I have great pride for 1st TX, and they sold us this car ages ago. I hadn't intended on bringing it in quite yet, but I had a problem with a CEL and flashing D4 light which prompted me to bring it in ASAP. The speed sensor went out, but thankfully the extended emissions warranty covered it. ($270)

While it was there, they changed the oil. Most dealers do a little 'checkup' during the oil change, and I knew I was going to get a phone call telling me of all the leaks that needed fixed.

Not so much. The only thing the two dealers in LA diagnosed right, was the leaking Oil Pan. They also failed to explain to my mother that the reason why her heater hose went out recently was because of a leaking distributor o-ring. Therefore this heater hose is on its way out, again, because of the oil leaking onto it.

Today I was informed of a few things.

The CV boot at the transmission is torn, and it needs replaced along with a leaking axle seal This will cost $230.

Distributor O-Ring - $60

Oil Pan - $230

Alignment - $70

Trans Svc. - $38 (with the CV and Axle Seal)

Brake Fluid - $60

We looked at the timing belt together and there was no oil on the belt or behind the cover. I cannot believe that I could've fixed these issues ages ago had the dealers in New Orleans just been honest about what needed fixing. And the transmission is not leaking either, there is oil on it from the Dist O-ring leaking down onto it.

What a disaster in terms of caring for my poor car. I encourage all to avoid these two dealerships, and always get a second or third opinion without telling what the prior diagnosis' were. I was prepared to just let the car go until it fell apart but now I am having it fixed, as it is 100% worth fixing in this economy, especially when it still looks and drives great.

Off my Soap-Box!

-Tyler

I am in Kenner, LA. Cannot comment on Honda of Slidell but can on Royal Honda in Metairie. They are the king of ripoff artists. They will pick your wallet dry on all accounts ie service, accessories, new and used car sales. When any of my cars go out of warranty I go to Automotive Services in Kenner. Owned by Henry George. He is the Gregory House (TV show House) of auto diagnostics and so honest with very reasonable cost of work. He will do the least amount of work explain it adnausium to you (joking) and tell you what he recommends on anything he saw that he anticipates needing work in the future. Has a great business and his customers find it a pleasure to bring their vehicles. I could go on and on. Been going to see Henry for 25 years. Plus he loves to talk cars ie muscle cars etc. He has a beautiful black Boss 302 that is immaculate and a mean SOB when he cranks it up.
Hope that helps in some way to others here on the forum.
Glenn
I hate car dealers so much that by the time the dealer and I are finished they had been praying I would leave.