Paul_DC

Hi,

I did a search, but did not find an answer to this in this forum. I am looking to get my first oil change and want to pick the right dealership while I am under warranty. I live in Leesburg, so I think my options are:

Jerry's in Leesburg Virginia
Sterling Chevrolet in Sterling Virginia
Koon's in McLean / Tyson's Corner Virginia
Radley's in Fredericksburg Virginia

Then in MD there is Criswell (but this is a good hour drive, though I have been to their open house)...

I'd imagine all the dealerships charge about the same for a synthetic oil change, so more concerned with how they will treat the car (e.g., no curb rash, door dings) and the quality of their work.

Any first hand experience? Anyone from the local dealership?

PMs are a-ok if you want to provide feedback offline...

Thank you,

Paul

dgoldenz

Koons is probably the most expensive. I went to Pohanka in Chantilly to get my DSV steering wheel installed and they charged 60% less than Koons. Was in and out in 45 minutes on a Saturday including install time. Took over an hour just to get my car in even with an appointment at Koons two weeks earlier for a small warranty item.

LilR3dCorvette

If you're going off of this alone, then I would say Joe Malo, Corvette Mechanic at Koons Chevrolet. He is the only person at any dealership that I would trust with my vettes. I know several other Corvette owners who also have felt the same way.
JMHO, YMMV

69mako

Joe Malo is not that great, he couldn’t diagnose a simple vacuum leak on an EGR valve on my stumbling 94. He wanted me to put down close to $800 for a new installed opti-spark to fix what “he” said was wrong.

I diagnosed the problem the next day by myself with a vacuum gauge. I replaced a $32 EGR valve and the blue beast runs fine...and the optispark is still running strong today...kind of makes you wonder who else he has tried to rip off.
I’ll never go back

Paul_DC

So if dealerships are out, any suggestions for a location for an oil change. Aside from doing it myself that is...

69mako

Wish I had more to offer on the stealerships in the areabut I do my own work on my Vette and the fleet of cars and trucks in the family

1 slow 97

Curry's has always treated me right. They have multiple locations. I would make the drive to criswell as they are the best dealership in DC metro area.

Ps, I wouldn't take my yugo to Koon's tyson's corner.

69mako

A Yugo-that has to be a classic item by now

Aurora40

FWIW, my experience with Criswell was hit or miss when I used to live in MD. I never had any real problems, but they weren't always that great. From what I understand, they lost their Lambo franchise because of too many customer complaints. At least that is what Ferrari of Washington said when they picked it up (which I found sort of telling since Ferrari and Lambo are competitors). I sure wouldn't drive an hour just to go to Criswell.

In Leesburg, I like Star Pontiac/Buick a lot. They've always done right by our cars, though I don't take my Corvette there. I don't think I'd be afraid to go to Jerry's with a newer Corvette either, they seem nice enough. You are just getting an oil change done, how bad could it be?

I'm in Leesburg also if I can help.

Edit: Oh, I'd also toss out the group of shops around Piper Motorsports. Piper does mainly fabrication and such, and do top-notch work from what I've seen. But they have a relationship with the shops around them and I'm sure one of them does general maintenance and such. They are off Old Ox near Dulles, they may be worth a call if you really want a specialty place doing your oil changes. Curry's might be good also, though their location closest to you (Dulles) closed. There is one in Chantilly. I've heard good and bad about Curry's. The Dulles one was a mile from where I work, so lots of folks went there for maintenance. So I've heard lots of ****les and complaints about their pricing and troubleshooting, but people with nice cars seem to get treated well. I suspect part is they are pricey, and if you have some old Camry or something you take there, you may feel you are getting ripped off because they aren't priced like your daily driver is.

08 ATOMIC-Z

RADLEY CHEVROLET in Fredericksburg is great! They also sponsor our Corvette Club (BATTLEFIELD CORVETTE CLUB) they will take care of your car like it was there own. I have everything done to both my Corvettes there. I can introduce you to the Service manager if you want. PM me.

designerRob

http://www.vatire.com/locations/ashburn-dulles.htm
I can recommend these guys for basic stuff. I've had inspections done here and a 4-wheel alignment. I spoke to them about jacking the car with the proper pucks and they had them to use.

No matter where you take it STRESS in a nice but firm way that they take proper care of your baby.

I've heard good things about Sterling Chevrolet for warranty work. But I don't have experience with them, yet.

05C6400

I would agree about being ripped off at Koons and Joe's attention to detail isn't great either... I have had to take my car back in several times for him to put stuff back in the way it is supposed to be as well as the tools he forgot in the car. Just frustrating...

Bluewasp

I've been to pohanka several times and never had an issue. I don't have anything negative to say about them. The skinny corvette tech, sorry don't remember his name, has been very helpful.

Bluewasp

Why don't you change the oil yourself?

GentleBen

One more vote for Curry's albeit the one in Chantilly.