Tom Hodges & My new Rav 4

[Lugnut]

I stopped in at Tom Hodges looking at cars last summer. I asked if I could take a car I was interested in to a mechanic for a once over and they said no.

While looking I ran across several cars that had engine bays that were steam cleaned then sprayed with clear coat. That is SHADY. The clear coat makes everything nice and shiny but it also temporarily seals leaks. They also clean out the inside of the tail pipes which means you can't do a quick wipe and see if the engine is burning oil.

 

[Oz]

I stopped in at Tom Hodges looking at cars last summer. I asked if I could take a car I was interested in to a mechanic for a once over and they said no.

While looking I ran across several cars that had engine bays that were steam cleaned then sprayed with clear coat. That is SHADY. The clear coat makes everything nice and shiny but it also temporarily seals leaks. They also clean out the inside of the tail pipes which means you can't do a quick wipe and see if the engine is burning oil.

I would almost guarantee that every used car dealer sprays clear in the engine bay if they detail under the hood. That is a common practice that is similar to washing and waxing the rest of the car. Temporarily sealing a leak really isn't something that a clear spray paint or polyurethane can physically do.

 

[Lugnut]

I would almost guarantee that every used car dealer sprays clear in the engine bay if they detail under the hood. That is a common practice that is similar to washing and waxing the rest of the car. Temporarily sealing a leak really isn't something that a clear spray paint or polyurethane can physically do.

Similar to washing and waxing? If that were the case, professional detailers would be spraying clear coat poly in engine bays. They don't.

Spraying poly will seal all kinds of leaks, temporarily. Valve covers, timing chain covers, vaccuum lines, etc... I've been bitten by that trick once.

But lets say the dealership only used the poly to make the engine pretty. What excuse would a dealership use for cleaning out the tail pipe? What excuse would they use for refusing to allow a car to be inspected by an independent mechanic?

 

[Ehesef]

Similar to washing and waxing? If that were the case, professional detailers would be spraying clear coat poly in engine bays. They don't.

Spraying poly will seal all kinds of leaks, temporarily. Valve covers, timing chain covers, vaccuum lines, etc... I've been bitten by that trick once.

But lets say the dealership only used the poly to make the engine pretty. What excuse would a dealership use for cleaning out the tail pipe? What excuse would they use for refusing to allow a car to be inspected by an independent mechanic?

Cleaning the tail pipe? It could be the way that they detail cars, which takes the clear coat argument out too.

How are they going to know you took it to a mechanic?

 

[bresamil]

How are they going to know you took it to a mechanic?

I'd schedule the appt with the mech at the same time as the test drive.

 

[Lugnut]

Cleaning the tail pipe? It could be the way that they detail cars, which takes the clear coat argument out too.

How are they going to know you took it to a mechanic?

I'm talking about the INSIDE of the tailpipe. If the inside of the tailpipe was so dirty it needed to be "detailed" for the entire visible length, the engine likely has problems.

if I take a car to a mechanic it's going to take a little time. Out of courtesy I tell the dealership so they won't get worried about the car being gone for an hour or more.

So again I ask, why would a dealership refuse to allow a car to be inspected by an independent mechanic?

 

[johnjrval424]

I'm talking about the INSIDE of the tailpipe. If the inside of the tailpipe was so dirty it needed to be "detailed" for the entire visible length, the engine likely has problems.

if I take a car to a mechanic it's going to take a little time. Out of courtesy I tell the dealership so they won't get worried about the car being gone for an hour or more.

So again I ask, why would a dealership refuse to allow a car to be inspected by an independent mechanic?

Playing devil's advocate here, I would guess that the car dealership would be hesitant to let you take it to a good mechanic because who knows what that shop might do to the car, then you return it to their lot to be sold because it didn't pass your inspection, and then the next unsuspecting buyer brings it back because "something was altered" on the motor. Of course, YOU would know that you stood there the whole time while your mechanic was doing the inspection but the car dealership doesn't know that. They are on the hook to the new buyer for whatever repairs need to be done.

The alternative would be to bring the mechanic to the car lot with you. You'd be surprised, for the same fee that they would charge you to bring it to them, that they will go to the dealership with you. They will crawl underneath and check the car thoroughly. I know this because I've done it. The car dealership was slightly uneasy about having an inspection done on the premises but were relieved when it "passed" and I purchased the car.

Just a suggestion...

 

[keekee]

I know Tom, and he's a super nice guy. I looked there when car-shopping for my son, but ended up not buying there. I did notice that some cars come with a 30 day warranty, and others are sold "as-is, no warranty", and it's printed in very large font and displayed in the window.

 

[flomaster]

Such awesome points brought out by all. Of course now I am followed by

 

[Oz]

Similar to washing and waxing? If that were the case, professional detailers would be spraying clear coat poly in engine bays. They don't.

Spraying poly will seal all kinds of leaks, temporarily. Valve covers, timing chain covers, vaccuum lines, etc... I've been bitten by that trick once.

But lets say the dealership only used the poly to make the engine pretty. What excuse would a dealership use for cleaning out the tail pipe? What excuse would they use for refusing to allow a car to be inspected by an independent mechanic?

Polyurethane may temporarily seal some small cracks in a vacuum line. I'll give you that one. But there is no way in the laws of physics that what is basically clear paint can seal up a valve or timing chain cover. Impossible.

I wash the inside of the tailpipe when I wash my car, because you can see it when standing at the back bumper.

As for the independent mechanic, if I wanted to do that and the dealership wouldn't allow it then I wouldn't buy that vehicle. Not a big deal. Buy a car somewhere else. It's their car, not mine.

However, in Maryland, you have at least 3 days to change your mind on a contract. So you could just buy the car, have your mechanic look at it and take it back if you decide you don't want it. Or have them fix whatever is wrong under the 30 day warranty. So there's more than one way around things.

I probably wouldn't buy a used car from a dealer, as-is/no warranty. If they don't have the confidence to offer the purchaser a 30 day warranty, and I can afford something better, I think I would move on to a car they can stand behind.

Meanwhile, Tom Hodges continues to operate a successful small business that has been serving our community for a very long time. He's expanding his site there with a huge service center so he can move their Hodges and Mattingly service operation out of the Hollywood industrial park.

If they have the vehicle you want, and you can make a deal, I wouldn't hesitate to shop there.

 

[lulu belle]

I'd schedule the appt with the mech at the same time as the test drive.

Yup, that's what we did, out test drive was near an hour long, and they didn't seem to care....

 

[Ehesef]

When I bought my second car from Tom Hodges, they told me when I bought it that it hadn't had the timing belt changed yet, but to bring it back anytime and they would change it for me. There was nothing wrong with the existing one, it was a maintenance thing more than anything. I brought it back like 2 months later to have it replaced. No charge.

 

[desertrat]

Caveat emptor. If you buy anything "as is , no warrantee", you take your chances.
If the dealer puts that on a car he's telling you the same thing.

 

[Lugnut]

Polyurethane may temporarily seal some small cracks in a vacuum line. I'll give you that one. But there is no way in the laws of physics that what is basically clear paint can seal up a valve or timing chain cover. Impossible.

The oil under a valve cover and behind the timing chain cover is not under pressure, it's draining back to the pan. I.e. the pressure being exerted against the clear poly seal is equal to the weight of the oil laying against it. The vacuum on the other hand can be as 17+"hg. That's quite a bit more force.

I wash the inside of the tailpipe when I wash my car, because you can see it when standing at the back bumper.

Do you get down on your hands and knees, peer down the tail pipe, and scrub as far back as you can see? Because that is what I saw at Tom Hodges, cars with 70K or more with not even a HINT of residue anywhere in the tail pipe as far back as you could possibly see.

As for the independent mechanic, if I wanted to do that and the dealership wouldn't allow it then I wouldn't buy that vehicle.

That's the point I was making

If they have the vehicle you want, and you can make a deal, I wouldn't hesitate to shop there.

What ever works for you but caveat emptor is a good motto in dealing with ANY professional car salesman and PARTICULARLY with small independent dealerships.

 

[johnjrval424]

...However, in Maryland, you have at least 3 days to change your mind on a contract. So you could just buy the car, have your mechanic look at it and take it back if you decide you don't want it. Or have them fix whatever is wrong under the 30 day warranty. So there's more than one way around things.

NO! NO! That is incorrect. The 3-day right of rescission only applies to real estate purchases - NOT cars!

I can't tell you the number of people who bought cars under that impression and were ticked to find out later that they couldn't get out of the purchase - whether it be for "buyers remorse" or just didn't like the car that much after they bought it.

If you buy a car and it takes more than 3 visits to repair, then you want to file under the Maryland Lemon Law. Otherwise, it's caveat emptor.

 

[Oz]

If you buy a car and it takes more than 3 visits to repair, then you want to file under the Maryland Lemon Law. Otherwise, it's caveat emptor.

Lemon Law doesn't apply to used vehicles.

 

[USNavyMike]

Lemon Law doesn't apply to used vehicles.

But it does to wives!!!!!

 

[Elle]

NO! NO! That is incorrect. The 3-day right of rescission only applies to real estate purchases - NOT cars!

We just purchased a truck from Waldorf Dodge and they had a sign that clearly stated they have a 72 hour no questions asked return policy; maybe it was just that dealer:shrug:

As for Hodges, I personally won't ever shop there again. Hubby and I went to look at trucks 4 years ago. They were soo unwilling to work with us on clearly inflated prices. The guy we dealt with talked very degrading to us as a younger couple (even though we had excellent credit and a substantial down payment). I’m happy to say that we ended up going Toyota of Southern Maryland and purchased a wonderful truck (much more than what we were in the market for) below the price we had set at our limit.

 

[Lugnut]

Lemon Law doesn't apply to used vehicles.

The Maryland lemon law applies to any vehicle (new, used, or leased) registered in Maryland with less than 15,000 miles and that is less than 15 months from original new purchase.

The key is "Less than 15 months from original purchase" some less than honest dealers purchase lemon law returns at auction and wait out the remainder of the 15 month time frame before offering them for sale at full dealer retail. You can call the AG's office in any state to get a list of dealerships with past and/or current complaints.

 

[jaie]

Do you get down on your hands and knees, peer down the tail pipe, and scrub as far back as you can see? Because that is what I saw at Tom Hodges, cars with 70K or more with not even a HINT of residue anywhere in the tail pipe as far back as you could possibly see.

Yes he does. I have seen him do it. He will rewash his truck that he has spent 3 hours washing if he doesn't think it looks good enough.