Unfortunately can’t multi quote, but I’m writing this in the context of what the original poster posted directly above.
I agree 100% with Nick in Sydney*
Personally, while I admire people who can do their own spannering, there is no way I I would buy an expensive sports car from someone who had maintained a new $200k+ (here) car from home.
Stamps in the book say something that I like to see (at least up to the end of warranty, and after that a highly regarded independent is ok too).
*THAT SAID, the situation may be totally different in the US with the lack of dealers etc. so perhaps the attitude there to owner maintained cars is different.
In which case, fair enough.
First off, hopefully this is related enough to the original intent of this thread, to be on topic. Secondly, I understand the comments and respect the opinion of Steve24 and I've known many who express that view. Next, I've always done much of my own "spannering" (work on vehicles) so take my obviously biased comments expressing a different viewpoint, for what they're worth.
1. I've encountered good and bad car dealerships, when it comes to automotive servicing, even of their own house-brands. I found this moreso when a new vehicle comes out. For example, I was one of the first purchasers in my City of the new Corvette C8, when I lucked out and managed to buy the 2020 first model year. It was a completely new design and I found that my knowledge of the vehicle, from the several Corvette/C8 mid-engine forums I frequented (all too much, according to my spouse...similar to this Emira forum in her view, lol), was superior to that of the Chev dealers in my City. I had to explain what the dealers were to provide n/c, for a new vehicle, along with other basic information the dealers hadn't bothered to get familiar with. The beauty of the forums, was members posting problems/solutions (especially US members, who had their C8's far before us Canadians), which I found my local dealerships were unaware of, until much much later or in some cases, only after I told them. That was years ago, so no doubt they're more comfortable servicing the C8 line now. I found similar examples with the Emira, with the one dealership closest to me (3 hour drive, one way). I obtained information from this forum, they'd never heard of. I've learned these automotive forums are invaluable, for this advice/knowledge.
Aside from that, I've received varying degrees of quality service/maintenance, from auto dealers. It usually starts "from the top" with the
dealership owner (focused on more than simply profit...or realizing that profit flows more readily from good service) hiring a qualified/competent
dealership GM, who in turn hires a qualified/fair person as the
service manager, who then looks after hiring good
techs and training them properly. If you don't have that, you get what you get with servicing work and sometimes it's not pretty. Looking at the vehicle's maintenance history, won't tell you that. So I don't completely trust what the "stamps in the book" or dealership paperwork says. When considering a dealership, I tend to look at its reputation and how I perceive the dealership after talking to some of its people or seeing how long its service manager and techs have been working there and what the techs tell me about their training.
2. I'm usually much fussier than any dealer tech, when it comes to maintaining my vehicles. For example, with the first oil/filter change, I usually let the oil drain out overnight, to get "every last drop" of the old oil out, then after that first one, I change the oil/filter far sooner than recommended. I usually research the proper oil and other fluids and typically purchase them, before buying the vehicle. I'll use the OEM recommended oil
or better. That said, Steve24 is quite right: why would anyone trust the work I've done as opposed to what a "qualified dealer with expert techs" would have done? Answer: see #1 above...plus anyone talking to me and seeing what I've written down for vehicle servicing (dates, mileage, parts/fluids used), should hopefully be satisfied. You have to put your trust in someone: either a dealership or a self-confessed DIY "car-nut". You choose. The one thing a dealership might offer you and I don't, is a warranty. However, I've had fun with vehicle warranties in the past; so they're sometimes not what you'd expect and sometimes, a warranty is only as good as the honesty/integrity of the dealership. Even with a manufacturer warranty, it's the dealership who usually "goes to bat" for you to convince the manufacturer it should be covered, if there's any doubt. I've experienced that personally and as a result, I've never set foot in a certain Volvo dealership again, nor have I ever purchased another Volvo, after selling the Volvo where my warranty claim was denied.
3. Anyone hesitant to pull the trigger on buying a vehicle from a DIY'r, has other means to verify the vehicle has been well cared for: a compression test for the engine will tell you a lot, or an oil analysis, or an inspection by a competent mechanic familiar with that type of vehicle. People tend not to do the first 2 of these however those may be justified for an expensive vehicle and perhaps moreso an expensive sport car where someone may have improperly driven the s**t out of it. I tend to rely upon talking to the past owner and doing a test drive to "feel" the drive and "listen" to the vehicle. That said, you can usually tell a lot about a vehicle, just from its outer appearance. Well loved/cared for used vehicles, usually show obvious signs of being well looked after: the paint, interior and options/accessories and the attention to detail when looking at its cleanliness and lack of signs of obvious improper wear/tear. That usually translates into the vehicle being mechanically well maintained as well. Not always, but I find it's often the case and usually, all the information points to that, or else you get a "red flag" which tells you to dig further or walk away. All this is based upon my experience and being someone who does most everything for a vehicle, except (for example) rebuilding the engine...those days are long over...or anything else requiring ++ specialized tools/knowledge.
In the past, I've had people test driving my used vehicles (often 5-9 years old, when I sell them, with my 2020 and 2023 C8's being the exception) and expressing surprise that "it drives like-new" and "everything works". I've had people ask I call them, when I plan to sell a vehicle. So I've not had a problem selling any of my used vehicles. My 2 cents and perhaps food for thought, especially if you've reached this ending of what's likely too long a post (sorry).
