PPI in Chicago area?

[Arbitrator]

Hi, I'm a prospective owner in the SF Bay Area. I'm interested in a 1991 NA1 located near Chicago. Due to the pandemic, I won't be traveling to see the car. The Carfax is clean, and I've gotten a look at major service records.

From a search, it seems like Muller's Woodfield Acura is the best place to get a PPI done locally. Is that still the case? If not, can anyone name a better spot?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jeffreygebhart]

I take my car to the Acura dealership nearby to have routine work done on my car. I had a torn axle boot and needed to have it replaced. The guy at the local dealership couldn't separate the components (to his credit, he told me this and gave up rather than trying to force something and break it). Anyway, I heard of Ted at Mueller's Woodfield Acura and took the car there. They fixed it, so I'm somewhat a fan of theirs.

However...

Ask anyone around Chicago and they'll point you to John Vasos at Asteri Motorsports up in Milwaukee. He is THE Acura NSX tech in the entire Chicago-Milwaukee metro area and is well known among everyone in the NSX community. John was the one I chose to do my timing belt/water pump replacement as well as my preemptive snap-ring repair. If you want someone who absolutely knows the car, I would give him a call.

 

[Arbitrator]

Thanks! That helps a ton. I will ask the current owner to see if Milwaukee is feasible.

 

[Brylek]

I am not a mechanic but I have seen a good amount of these cars since I bought my first one in 2008, I can go see it for you if you like.

 

[Arbitrator]

I am not a mechanic but I have seen a good amount of these cars since I bought my first one in 2008, I can go see it for you if you like.

I'm reluctant to have someone go out of their way during a pandemic and especially during these protests, but I'll think that over. Thank you.

The current owner refused to take the car to Asteri or Woodfield, only McGrath, which doesn't have a specialist on staff. He doesn't have a strong mechanic relationship, as he only did the clutch. Previous owners did the snap ring, TB, WP, and seals. He also got touchy when I asked for more detailed photos, and that isn't helping to build trust.

An uninspected car that I haven't seen in person, with an owner who isn't interested in taking more photos, seems like a headache. I'm inclined to hold out for a different option.

 

[jeffreygebhart]

I would keep looking. It's difficult enough looking to buy one of these cars without having some uncooperative moron (the seller) throwing wrenches into the process. I can see him not wanting to go to Milwaukee, for it IS a bit of a hike up there. Mueller's Acura in Woodfield (Schaumburg) isn't that far from anywhere save the far south suburbs of Chicago. At first glance it sounds like a good car, but he obviously isn't serious about selling it, otherwise he would be happy to show you more detailed photos... unless he's hiding something. Cut your losses (in time and effort spent on this ) and walk away...there are probably plenty of other cars out there, and closer to where you live. If you feel inclined to do him a favor, tell him why you aren't buying the car. It might give him something to think about.

What I just wrote notwithstanding, if you decide to pursue this car further, Paul (Brylek) is a friend of mine, and I can vouch for him in that, while not a mechanic (as he stated), he DOES know these cars well. If he went over a car that I was considering to purchase and gave it his "thumbs up", that would go a long way toward allaying any concerns that I might have about the car.

If you find yourself traveling to Chicago to look at this, let us know! We'll be happy to buy you a cup of coffee!

 

[Arbitrator]

I would keep looking. It's difficult enough looking to buy one of these cars without having some uncooperative moron (the seller) throwing wrenches into the process. I can see him not wanting to go to Milwaukee, for it IS a bit of a hike up there. Mueller's Acura in Woodfield (Schaumburg) isn't that far from anywhere save the far south suburbs of Chicago. At first glance it sounds like a good car, but he obviously isn't serious about selling it, otherwise he would be happy to show you more detailed photos... unless he's hiding something. Cut your losses (in time and effort spent on this ) and walk away...there are probably plenty of other cars out there, and closer to where you live. If you feel inclined to do him a favor, tell him why you aren't buying the car. It might give him something to think about.

What I just wrote notwithstanding, if you decide to pursue this car further, Paul (Brylek) is a friend of mine, and I can vouch for him in that, while not a mechanic (as he stated), he DOES know these cars well. If he went over a car that I was considering to purchase and gave it his "thumbs up", that would go a long way toward allaying any concerns that I might have about the car.

If you find yourself traveling to Chicago to look at this, let us know! We'll be happy to buy you a cup of coffee!

I've submitted two replies to this post, but they don't seem to have gone through. Trying again.

First, thanks for the offer of coffee. I'll take you up on it if I'm in Chi-town.

I've seen Brylek make the offer to people in the past (when I was lurking). Having a Primer's opinion would elevate my trust in the car. But it seems like an unnecessary hoop to compensate for an unmotivated seller. I'm continuing the search locally, or at least in-state so I can see the car in person.

 

[Cor2nir]

Hi any recommended service shops/dealers for NSX in Chicagoland. Thank you

 

[Stkpikr]

McGrath won't service NSX's even though they have sold some NC1s. They say they will call back but never do. I have an NC1 and have had Joe Rizza Acura and Mueller's Acura do change of fluids. Both were attentive. Other places with NSX techs seemed a bit less attentive; failing to follow up on quotes. Joe Rizza Acura in Orland Park gives you loyalty points and a promise to match anyone else's prices (which are all over the place).

 

[JayFunk]

Hi any recommended service shops/dealers for NSX in Chicagoland. Thank you

Cor2nir -

Two places I send my NSX to here in the Chicagoland area are either Smart Auto (David Bang is a former NSXer and does most of the local NSX work for all of us here) and as crazy as it may seem, Morton Grove Acura has ONE nsx tech along with a service writer who has a NSX also and will take on NSX work 1st and 2nd gens. Ask for Paul, Jeff or Andrew (both are techs) they will take are of it.

 

[Cor2nir]

Thank you for the responses. Is Mueller’s still the best dealer to take the NSX to? I remember they had one of the best NSX techs.

Also thank you for Smart Auto, I will give David a call.