STI_Tom

Ultratune: No way. Big chain-franchise who tend to specialize in cutting corners and doing half jobs. Will tell you stuff needs fixing when it doesn't and leave apprentices to break shit then cover it up. Not worth the discount price.

Subaru: Also a no go. Overpriced, yes everything will get actioned in line with the book you're overpaying for it. Apprentices galore in the servicing part of the workshop and most of them don't care to look hard enough for impending issues and then you're left with a big bill when that small component breaks and leaves a massive damage bill for other related components.

I recommend finding a reputable local mechanics garage who is honest, fair, knowledgeable and has people on forums recommend them. (I'm not from your neck of the woods so I can't actually recommend anything near you). Usually you'll spend a chunk less than the dealership would charge, you'll get better service, you can be sure that your car is in good hands.

My number one tip for choosing who touches my car, as the following questions. "Is the owner/manager also a mechanic on the tools in the shop? Is the owner/manager going to know exactly where my car is and who is doing what to it at any given time without looking it up?" If the answer is not yes to both questions then I move on to the next shop.

Great thread man, car looks awesome now, reading this thread is making me regret selling it.

As for my old handiwork -  I did a lot of learning how to do stuff on this car, the fact that some of it works at all was a win for me at the time!

How many ks has it got now? Still holding up strong?

Wagon love!
I love when grandpa can flog the young hoons.

Nothing has happened yet, Just Car never responded to me or the ombudsmen within their prescribed time frame, so now the ombudsmen is doing their part of the job and investigating. I'm in no rush to hear from them as I'm away from home and won't even be driving anything for another 2 months. I have thought about going to ACA but I hate everything they stand for so much that I couldn't bring myself down to that level.

I use United, because there is one 200m from my house, and it's usually anywhere from 5 to 15 cents cheaper than Caltex/bp for 98.

They use either Caltex or BP, depending on what is cheapest when their tanks need filling.

Most places outside of big centres like Sydney/Melbourne don't necessarily have the branded fuel in their tanks (BP I think may be an exception which it why it can be more expensive than others in regional areas). Chains like Mobil/Caltex/shell are in agreements will use each other's fuel for logistical reasons to save themselves money. Two servos sharing one truck is cheaper than two trucks from two depots.

Also wherever I fill up I always get a receipt and write down the odometer reading on it before I leave the servo. Always.