Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Northwood, North Dakota

Northwood, ND Car Consumer Discussions

Re: Group therapy? [micosilver]

by imidazol97 on Wed Feb 20 14:10:21 PST 2008

I bought my last couple of cars and might not have gotten the lowest price. But I have bought 5 cars from the same dealer/salesman. Factors: The first time I ordered a car after shopping several area Buick dealers, I got a call shortly after we got home that there was a bundle package price for a radio option that gave us an AM stereo radio at the same cost. Did we want him to order that instead? No money deposit wanted earlier that afternoon for the car order. In the service department when I wanted to change my OHC belt they loaned me the wrench to reach a bolt. They treated the little problems with cars like they were their own car, even though to some service folk they may have been trivial. The larger things I happily paid for. Loaner cars for any service car dropoff needs. Those are reasons I went back often checking with one other dealer on shopping price actually with a salesman; they never seemed as interested or real as the salesperson at the "right" dealer for me. The reviews of the dealer from other folk by word of mouth were almost always good. Occasionally someone had an incident where they weren't happy. But in reality all they had to do was talk to one of the three owners who would have done whatever it took unless it was completely irrational to do so. *************** *************** *************** But now the attitude has changed. Instead of the three sons of the founder running the store, the grandsons are there with their MBAs and Northwoods management training. The service people don't seem happy. The family atmosphere is gone. Maybe it's because I've dared to change my own oil instead of coming in every 3000 miles for service. Maybe it's that I change my own spark plugs. The salesman is retired along with one of the other brothers. The grandsons are taking over. Completely different attitude. Traffic is slow in the business when I have been there recently. Am I the only one noticing the change, or are the reviews from others getting around. I believe that reviews are strong influences to stay away from a store.

Re: Well [qbrozen]

by snakeweasel on Thu Nov 16 08:35:32 PST 2006

I don't know what the EPA uses as a standard but my epa rated at 30 MPG highway has gotten me 34 MPG driving the back roads of the UP and the northwoods doing 60-65. Of course getting on the interstate and doing 80 MPH it drops significantly. Remember a few things. 1.) EPA estiments are just that estiments. 2.) EPA conducts its test in a laboratory which is not the same as real world experience. 3.) Each car is slightly different and will have slightly different performance numbers including attainable mileage. All that being said a 10% swing either way from the EPA estiments is not unbelievable. Also do you know what type of gas did the EPA use? If they use an ethanol blend it will get a few MPG's less than 100% gas. PLUS, just a couple of pages back, you scoffed that 25% over epa was unbelievable ... but 10% is not impressive and common? That's an awfully narrow emotional range ya got there. So what, to you, would be "impressive"? There is a certain range that is more acceptable than others. There is a big difference between a 10% variance and a 25% variance. Case in point the average height of an adult male in the US is just over 5 foot 9, I bet you wouldn't think to much of a 6 foot 3 person walking down the street (10% taller) but would really notice someone 7 foot 2 (25% taller).

Re: 2007 Grand Vitara........ [vitara4me]

by norwoodsmn on Wed Sep 13 15:30:49 PDT 2006

Yes, again, Suzuki seldom "rushes" in new improvements to a newly intro'ed model. By the way, it will ALWAYS have drum brakes at the rear. Why?, it's a Suzuki, and it's built to a price so to speak. There are several SX-4's on the lot here in the northwoods too, and even more Grand Vitara's. Re: the SX-4, too bad it's actually a bit shorter than the covered wagon look Aerio which it replaces. But then it's been said it's intended to compete with the Honda Fit, and the Mazda mini mini van. Actually it's one up on the GV in the driveline department, as it can, as you point out, operate in 2wd only to maximize mileage. As to all those GV's on the lot here, it's about time to start looking for deep discounts on '06's, if one is so inclined, Should be some real deals out there soon. On expanding wall foam, a bit of a history lesson here from the Suzuki love/angst files: Unbeknownst to all buyers of the then brand new to the market 4 door Sidekick, back in 1991, it's rustproofing treatment consited of a light mist of primer applied over particularly poor quality steel, with a thin frosting of not so durable paint on top. Consequence being, today, Rusty comes by his nickname quite honestly, if that's the right word to use? Love/angst. I just hope the list of quirks that seem to come as standard equipment with a new Suzuki vehicle purchase, gets pared down to where it should be, somewhere closer towards Toyota or Honda territory. If those other motorcycle guys "in the hood" can do the deed there Suzuki, why not you guys? But back to wall foam. I've actually "injected" it in many places in the lower bodywork, not in an attempt at noise reduction per se, but rather as a last dich attempt to exclude some of the water comming in through Rusty's rusted rocker panels, etc. Along with "it", Bondo, and with carpets removed, silicone sealant applied on the interior side of pinhole sized rust holes in that area, well he's a real multi media artwork, for sure! But then again he's looking quite spruced up these days following a good brush painting recently with white Rustoleum primer, a good match for his original "Superior White" paint job! Let's see, maybe if I keep him long enough, Suzuki will pay me to take it off the street....? Ya, I'm in the market.... Drove the bud's Vitara recently deeper in the north woods here, and still have to wonder why pay more for a basic bush vehicle since Suzuki it's self doesn't even make one anymore? Decisions, decisions... May you all still also remain [mostly] loyal Suzuki fans some 15 years hence too, but sans anything close to similar horror stories with the new GV. No, the lack of body work integrity nighmare is history, but.... But, I'm going to require a hell of a well finessed sales job before I buy my next Suzuki 4wd. Yes, again IT COULD WELL BE a GV, but likely only if it's eventually offered with a more economical engine, plus low range and the 5 speed manual, and skid plates, (just like they used to make 'em actually). In the meantime, the accounts re: your "issues" while the new GV is in it's "teething period" are most interesting. Thanks again. Nwdsmn.

M35x VS RL

by 6sptl on Tue May 23 18:57:09 PDT 2006

Personally I think the interior of the M is hideous compared to the RL. Th infinity M35 x is actually fractionally slower than the RL (the M45 is much faster). The infinity has a small edge in handling which IMO has disappered with the RL tech package whose 18 inch rims improve handling significantly over the "base" RL. The only luxury item the infinity has over the rl is cooled seats every other luxury item that is optional on the M is Standard on the TL. The backup camera, however, is a 300 buck option on the RL. The RL did have some minor teething electrical glitches than have been resolved now. Thus reliability should be as good if not better than infinity, given Acuras much better long term reliability over infinity as a brand. I'm an die hard honda fan thus, I cant deny a little bias. However I think the differences are at best small and cut both ways. Given my long Honda history and the complete satisfaction that I've expirienced with every one I've owned for over 2 decades the M is not even in the running. Personally, the only car I would consider over the RL is an M5 and that would be only because of its overwhelmingly superior performance. The 5 series is seriously ugly and I would not even dream of comparable reliability. Obviously living in the land of snow the M5 is another non starter, superperforming RWD cars are an utter waste in the northwoods of Wisconsin. :cry:

New Hampshire Car Show

by nhclubowner on Sun Apr 30 03:50:36 PDT 2006

Show your stock or modified special interest car on Sunday May 7, 2006 at Daniels Hall, 186 Old Turnpike Road (Route 4), Nottingham, NH. Trophies awarded, food and restrooms available, inside and outside vendor space available. Fun day to meet other car enthusiasts. More details at www.tunercarmeet.com Dave

HELP A SINGLE MOM WITH NO HANDY MAN!!!

by bobbil on Tue Mar 28 14:51:21 PST 2006

I have a 98 Ford Windstar Northwoods Edition, it seems that evertime I get gas the engine light comes on. I have replaced the gas cap and I have paid a machanic 30 dollars everytime at least(6)to reset it. Now I am having the door ajar coming on. We slam it we turn the van on and off and still nothing. HELP ME, I have to drive around at night with the interior lights on because it is saying that the door(s) are open.....