Qualified Hybrid Mechanic(s) in central NJ

[smittya]

Hi, all. It's been a time since my last post... new child, new job and about 15K on the Prius.

I'm curious if anyone has recommendations for mechanics in th NJ... specifically Central NJ area.

Dealership has been where I've been going... but, frankly they haven't got much of a clue about the car. Eg. ask them details... the service dept relays you to the sale team who regurgitates marketing pamphlets and points you to the parts dept who states the all parts for touring and standard suspensions are the same. Forget asking them about making simple adjustments to things like bluetooth etc.

I suppose my gripe is that it seems as if Dealerships are really the only place to go if maintaining a warrenty is important. And the Dealerships show not only very little interest but almost outright resistance in the technology that is a bonanza for them.

There has to be a mechanic(s) out there that is motivated by and enthusiastic about the new technology.

I am interested to hear oppinions and hopinig to get recommendations.

Thanks in advance.
-alec

[smittya]

Awww... man.

We are in deep doo doo if there are no qualified hybrid mechanics.

Hmmm... Market opportunity?

[barbaram]

alec-
sorry if your dealership is that lame. call toyota if they really don't know what they are doing. there are many folks here at priuschat with lots of expertise who may be able to help.
I saw the spaceship as a computer on wheels so got service plan. joecar guy on the corner would be useless.
barb

[yams69]

Holy cow, NO ONE has any recommendations on a good place to have a Prius serviced in NJ?

[smittya]

Seems as if there's no other option than to go thru the dealership.

Frankly, I do trust them to have on hand and be able to review the existing tech/shop manuals.

My confidence is limited as they haven't got a clue or interest in any off the easter-eggs (eg. bluetooth adjustments, etc) or aftermarket add-ons.

I went to the parts dept to see what the $$ would be to convert my base to a touring. According to the parts dept the only difference btwn touring and non-touring is in the spoiler, wheels and tires... ie. suspension part numbers are all the same. They had to look up to know... Sales didn't know what the technical diff was either.

Thoughts?

I keep thinking there is an really great opportunity for a hybrid specialty shop in central NJ.

Any potential investors?

[Proco]

I've been fortunate that I haven't needed any "hybrid-related" service on my car. My local mechanic has ably handled my oil changes & tire rotations thus far.

[composter]

We take ours to our local (excellent) mechanic in Highland Park, NJ. The 2005 is the only one that is old enough to have needed any service. Just the scheduled maintenance and the tail light I broke

[JimN]

For warranty work I go to Cherry Hill Toyota where I bought the car. For oil changes I go to Victory (an indy shop) in Cinnaminson. My Prius in 2 years has not needed service and I don't expect it to need service. You are not required to take your car to a dealer to maintain the warranty. Retain receipts for all work done.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by smittya

Seems as if there's no other option than to go thru the dealership.

Frankly, I do trust them to have on hand and be able to review the existing tech/shop manuals.

My confidence is limited as they haven't got a clue or interest in any off the easter-eggs (eg. bluetooth adjustments, etc) or aftermarket add-ons.

I went to the parts dept to see what the $$ would be to convert my base to a touring. According to the parts dept the only difference btwn touring and non-touring is in the spoiler, wheels and tires... ie. suspension part numbers are all the same. They had to look up to know... Sales didn't know what the technical diff was either.

Thoughts?

I think your initial mistrust was correct.

I am 99.99% certain that the following suspension parts on the Touring are different than their counterparts on the Standard Prius:

1. Different Front Stabilizer Bar

2. Different Rear Stabilizer Bar

3. Different Rear Shocks

4. Different Rear Springs

The cost of these four different Touring parts is around $400.

Check it out for yourself on the Toyota Prius OEM parts database (but be sure to plug in 2008 as the year you're looking for parts for). Or see this thread started by BerkshirePrius:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ma...-research.html

[iraeise]

Smittya...
I am also looking for an independent mechanic to check my 2007 Prius over.
It has close to 80,000 miles, and it would be nice to get anything taken care of that should be dealt with in the next 20,000 miles.
The dealer that I take my car to seems to be fairly knowledgeable about it and fairly open in talking about issues and questions with me, but obviously I don't want to bring it to them for the check-over as they are the ones who have been maintaining it and it would look bad for them if the car had warranty issues (as in they had not been maintaining it properly).
So if you run across anyone independent, please email me at iraeise@earthlink.net

BTW... I will be getting a plug-in conversion on my car shortly.
I will be getting a 40% to 100% increase in gas mileage and it does not re-program Toyota's control system of which motor is running and doing what... That way it does not change how the original battery gets charged/discharged, and does not void the warranty. I will get 40 miles of all electric driving, and then it goes back to normal hybrid operation.... for approx $4500.
Are you interested in that for yours?
Ira