The DC dealer has earned its reputation. They just moved to a lavish spread in Ashburn that gives the mechanics a lot more room and a few extra service bays. Would have been better to invest in customer service. It takes forever to get an appointment, they will nickel and dime you at every opportunity, and the work isn't done well. I've had two botched services, and that's enough for me. The receptionist is awesome, but the rest are not.

To give a concrete example, during a $4k repair visit, I asked if they could adjust the fuel release door. Any other dealership I have ever dealt with would have done that five-minute job free. Nope. $125. Went in to have the parking sensor module replaced. Great. I pick up the car and the rear sensor worked, but when the tech programmed the module, he left the front sensors off. I mean, how hard is it to walk in front of the car to see there are sensors there and maybe he should turn them on? Had to go back months later and instead of, as I asked, recoding while I waited, had to waste my time dropping the car off and returning. Apology? Nope. Offer to do anything to make up for it? Nope. I will do everything I can not to go back.

 

Any recommendations for an independent shop in DMV area? I'm ready to pull the trigger and have already been forewarned about the local dealer here at Tyson's.

 

There are some really good ones way out on the Baltimore side, but on the VA side of the river, the one I've seen recommended is Intersport. I haven't used them yet.

 

Had negative experiences with Dimmit in Florida. Sales Manager in particular has been surly and degrading to visitors, he's probably gone by now. Orlando is very helpful, however. Atlanta has also been open to visitors, even those who are just traveling to and from Florida like me.

Troy, Michigan has great service people, Kiel and Austin, both been employed there for many years. The franchise has changed often since Ford's departure and is now owned by a massive corporation with hundreds of auto franchises. Luckily the Aston service has remained constant. Be prepared to pay big time.

 

I'm not around the 17th but keep me in the loop for future drives, I'm in Winter Garden.

 

I'm in South Tampa (SOG), but planning on doing the October 22 British car show in Safety Harbor, and we usually turn up for the supercar show in Celebration in spring.

Dimmit does not have a 'good' reputation locally in general, but somehow they stay in business. It boggles the mind with their horrible customer service. When I had a bumper repair down they did a great job on the work, but they took an extra month to do it without communication.

 

I must be one of the few people who haven't had a good experience with the Orlando Dealer. They had my car two weeks the first time for a couple tiny issues, I kept getting pushed aside for "emergency" issues. Second time they didn't fix the issue and I had to bring it back, and it was another week before I heard anything. Why make an appointment if they can't honor it? I booked months out. But anyway, enough people have had a good experience I guess I was unlucky. I've read that RennTech in Sarasota is a good option as well.

 

With Orlando I usually ask to wait on site for the car and so far, with the exception of the two year larger service that I scheduled for an overlapping visit by relatives requiring a rental car (which Orlando arranged), they have been accommodating and allowed me the use of an office on the sale floor to work from the dealer. I haven't had any issues except for having to schedule a month or so out because they were so busy at the end of 2021 for some reason.

 

one would think, that for the frequency with which an apology is warranted and their cost ($0.00), they would pass them out along with the estimate. smh.

 

I've had nothing but amazing service from Aston Martin of San Diego, however their service pricing has been excessive. I can't speak for other parts of the country (or world for that matter), but the SoCal Aston Martin owners are very close connected, and have found that the lead tech from our dealership has gone to an independent, and we've all followed him there.

 

Just purchased a 2019 Vantage and dealt with AM of Washington DC and AM of Houston. Great interaction with sales and service at both dealerships.

 

I would stay away from St. Louis. The prices seem to be high and going up. Every time I call them for something as simple as a brake fluid change they want to keep the car all day to look it over. I go to an independent shop. One thing I have done with the Indy shop is print instructions from the shop manual or redpants or someone else. It helps. Just my thought.

 

What indi mechanic would you recommend?
I'm south St. Louis. Thanks.