Miata Mailing List: February 1994, Message #194
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   From: a.mccombs3@genie.geis.com
Subject: Mechanics: DC Area
   Date: Sat, 12 Feb 1994 12:05:58 -0500

I have a bit of input RE: Miata work in the DC area.  A month or so ago, our
recently purchased '90 Miata came up for its 60k svc (at 80k - the previous
owner had kind of let this go).  I received an Ourisman's discount coupon
(thanks again, Alex!) for the timing belt, and figured that was as good a
place as any to take it.  Their shop rates are a little higher than
elsewhere in the area, but they have a free shuttle to/from the Bethesda
Metro station, and they'll clean up the car after they complete the work.
That's worth a little something right there.  The car needed more than just
the belt replacement (don't they always), and in reviewing the paperwork
afterwards, I see no mention of a break for my local Mazda club membership,
as promised and as I mentioned to them in the morning.  (By the time I
picked up the car, all the service people were gone - only the money takers
were there, so I couldn't sort it out with the svc. manager.)
 
So, I have mixed emotions.  It was more expensive than I expected, but the
work seems to have been done right the first time.  Other shops in the area
(for our vintage Datsun 240Z and Triumph TR-8, traded for the Miata) have
just about led me to tears over inept service and things not being done
right.  Bottom line - I guess I'd take it back to Ourisman's for future
work, and be ready for an expensive visit.
 
The only other Mazda dealers I've checked into in the DC area are College
Park (a few miles from home) and Bill Cairns (near Anne's workplace).
College Park has no parking space for customers, and I don't know how to get
to work from there once the car is dropped off.  Cairns seems to have
banker's hours - no Sat. hours (tried to pick up some small parts once) and
seemed to be closed for inventory when I called about service/parts during
the week.
 
If anyone knows of a good, reliable, fix-it-right-the-first-time Miata shop
closer to the Cheverly, MD area, please let me know.  I can live with the
hassle of an hour's commute-time drive to Ourisman's, since the car needs
work so infrequently, but something closer would be nice.
 
                                                           --Jack M.