...but I don't want the tech/s to take my car for a test drive afterwards. Is it ok to let them know after the service is completed that I do NOT want it road tested? I can obviously see why they want to road test it (to make sure it drives straight before handing it over to me - then any issues afterwards can't be traced to them). I'd rather road test it myself. But I can see the possibility of them denying service if I deny them the chance to road test it.

I don't let anyone except my brother drive my car, and I do many of the services myself, so I really never had to let techs drive my car. But obviously I can't do an alignment myself.

The 4 places I was considering (Nissan being one of them, AND the cheapest - $106) all have really young techs who work there and I have personally seen them road testing cars. I even saw one tech doing a burnout in a customer's car a few blocks away from the dealership. I made a complaint that same day to the manager, but I'm not sure what happened after that. I feel bad for the person who's car that was.

Any ideas on this one? Anyone else paranoid in this respect the same way I am? I guess my only option is to ask to sit with them when they test it, but even that sounds borderline obnoxious

 

Just ask to ride along with the tech on the testdrive or take your car elsewhere. There are many places that can do alignments, and the technician is what makes the difference. Sears is under $90 for alignments.

 

Paranoid.

Suspension work , especially alignment is one of the times you definitely want them to test drive the car.

If you're worried about irresponsible kids driving it, then you're taking it to the wrong shops. Find a reputable shop, meet the owner and mechanic who will work on your car.

 

+1 on taking a ride along

 

Ask if they test drive and if they do, ask to ride along b/c of your (legitimate) concerns arising from what you saw at the dealer in the past. And no, I'm not as paranoid.

Definitely go with the dealer if the suspension parts are OE. If you have a bunch of aftermarket parts, like I do then, ask which techs have experience with those particular brands.

 

You are silly.

 

^-- what he said. If you really have trust issues, invest in the Ikeya Formula alignment tool. Pretty legit, buddy of mine has one and he does my alignments. I just don't kno if Ikeya still manufactures the tool. Just an idea...

-miLes.

 

i dont let many places test drive my car and i NEVER let anyone at dealership test drive it. go to a import sports car specialist place. they will have low incline ramps for lowerd cars and should be less than 100$. plus they usually work on a lot of nice cars with custom wheels, turbos etc. so they know their customers are ****. they also know the customer follows their car out the gate on foot when they test drive it. nissan dealers are used to extera owners....
i take mine to a place called precision z. they specialize in nissan sports cars. look for a place like that and you wont have to worry.
they took mine for a drive and drove it right back onto the ramp and made some adjustments. i dont think a dealership tech would be able to feel out the car like that.

dont let the dealer techs drive it if you choose to go to one, you can tell them to just align it the closest they can with the machine and be done with it.

 

I would soooo pissed if the techs were doing burn outs in my Z
Definitely best to get to know the reputable shop, the managers, and techs who are working on the car.
+1 for the ride along.

 

For those of you really paranoid about your Z and others driving it, look into:

Carchip - http://www.davisnet.com/drive/products/index.asp

 

Just ride with them, simple and easy. I understand you care about your car, but being **** about a $15k car is just crazy.

 

appreciate everyone's feedback. I'll most probably go to a sports car specialty shop for this even though it charges more and is further away. I know they're enthusiasts so the work will likely be done right. Also, the price of the car has nothing to do with me being **** about it. That's a pretty crazy thing to say.

 

i agree pbn5. it doesnt matter how much it costs. my 73 camaro cost me under 5k originally. but you cant buy one today without it being rediculously priced or completely re$tored.

 

Try firestone tire center, they have lifetime warranty on wheel alignments. You can take your car in as many times as you want. I take mine in 2-3times a year. Been doing it for the last 3 years, and the cost is less than $200 bucks, I got mine for around $150 it was a Christmas special. During alignment process I always stand next to the technician and ask him to set the alignment to my preference and that being within the nissan spec. Give them a try.

 

I had mine done at firestone I got two Bridgestone Potenza 245/40/19.
My two fronts are still good. Four wheel alignment and they have a
lifetime warranty under $200. They did a great job. The car feels like
a completely different car. I highly recommend them.

 

Going to a place like Firestone would probably almost guarantee that some minimum wage kid will be working on your car. I think that is exactly what OP is trying to avoid.

 

And bridgestone potenza are made by who? one of your top rated tires for these cars according to your own forums. The technician seemed in his mid-thirties and yes he
test drove it. Firestone has been around since when as compared to so-called
performance shops. What is it exactly they do differently, not that I care about
firestone either. The equipment was from Hunter alignment. Why are they superior
and what is the exact difference.

 

Actually, it depends on the store you go to. I autocross and was sponsored by a Firestone Complete Auto Care in Albuquerque. The Techs were older, experienced, and real car enthusiasts. The manager would come out to events every now and again in his Mini S to play.
My suggestion is ask local racers where they take their car. It's usually a reputable shop with responsible employees. Your dealership sounds suspect.
Or do what I do now...buy some stuff on this page: http://www.soloperformance.com/Wheel...ent_c_104.html

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I decided to go here:

http://www.cambertoe.com/wordpress/?page_id=31

Let's see how right people were when they said that the tein S-techs don't really mess up the alignment...

 

How is it crazy? It's obvious that OP has pride in his "15k car". Not everyone can be careless with 15k and sleep good at night. I can understand op's point of view since he did witness a tech beating up a customers car. Then again I agree with what Dave said about being at the wrong shop if you're gonna worry.....best advice so far OP!