Good GM Mechanic - Used Inspection

[browna]

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone knows of a particularly good GM Mechanic in the city?

We're looking at buying a used vehicle from a GM dealer. I drove it, and its passed the rudimentry tests that I can perform on it as far as issues go.

Obviously, I'm getting a closer look at it by someone qualified. The closer look can't be a once-over basic safety thing or a check to see if there's enough washer fluid, that was already done at the dealer the last couple days when it got safetied, and by myself last night.

Because it has a fair number of kilometers on it, I'm thus more concerned about the big ticket expenses, such as engine (compression), transmisson/transfer case (its an AWD) and things like the timing belt.

Thus, it can't be looked at, most likely, buy Joe Mechanic at Cooter's Garage...it should be at a GM dealer who has experience with these vehicles and systems such as AWD etc.

I've done the research on the model year, looked the the recall list, and the problems owners have had with it (its a 2001), and have drawn up a number of issues. I'm going to Carfax it, too.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to talk to the guy who looked at it, before and after he/she looks it, not just read the sheet with the check marks on it.

I've had GM vehicles for my entire life basically, so I am not completely lost as to what service departments in the city are good or not....but haven't had to do a used inpsection, other then a trip to Canadian Tire for a couple of the used cars I had (which weren't as complex, or as expensive, as something like this).

If someones has direct experience with someone who can/has done a thorough inspection, that would be appreciated.

Cheers,

[GrrlGoalie33]

If you're buying it from a dealer ship that is part of the Optimum Used Vehicles group, I wouldn't worry about it too much. GM is very sticky on the rules of the Optimum program and all of their vehicles go through thorough inspections for these kinds of things. And of course being a program offered by GM Canada, and not just the dealership, you do have recourse should something go wrong.

If you want a good place to take it though, go to Stampede pontiac on 9th Ave downtown. I have all of my vehicle maintenance done there and they are fantastic and have had few problems with their repairs or service. Some of their customer service people have actually gone above and beyond to get some of my repairs done under warranty.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Frankster

If you're buying it from a dealer ship that is part of the Optimum Used Vehicles group, I wouldn't worry about it too much. GM is very sticky on the rules of the Optimum program and all of their vehicles go through thorough inspections for these kinds of things. And of course being a program offered by GM Canada, and not just the dealership, you do have recourse should something go wrong.

If you want a good place to take it though, go to Stampede pontiac on 9th Ave downtown. I have all of my vehicle maintenance done there and they are fantastic and have had few problems with their repairs or service. Some of their customer service people have actually gone above and beyond to get some of my repairs done under warranty.

The vehicle, while at a Optimum dealer, has too many KM's for them to "Optimize" it.

The deal ended up falling through in a couple hours this aft. Long story short, I ended up pretty ****ed. It involved another salesman scooping the salesman I was dealing with, who knew I was about to drop off a deposit and get it inspected tomrrow, after driving it last night.