Tom, probably about the same distance (but less traffic) down here in Raleigh. Steve Gooding is hard to beat. See his bio below.
Steve Gooding is a successful Real Estate Broker/Owner who just happens to be an NSX factory trained technician, an ASC certified master technician, and an Acura Certified Technician. He started with Acura in 1991 in Los Gatos, CA, for the Ted Stevens Dealership Group, where he started specialized NSX training. The first dealership client was Steve Wozniak (who owned 3 NSX’s, including one of the first automatics). Steve attended several training stints in Torrance, CA for NSX training and dismantling. (The first NSX off the production line is sent to tech school and taken apart for training purposes.) While at tech training, Steve also assisted on the tech line to better understand how the process works. Steve changed dealerships within the Ted Stevens Group, and also spent several years at their dealership in Sunnyvale, CA.
A position became available at Hopkins Acura in Redwood City, CA, and Steve took that opportunity as Shop Foreman, and later as Assistant Service Manager. This was a fantastic opportunity because Hopkins Acura was the #1 NSX dealer in the country at the time. They were also a Comtech authorized installation center, covering such things as Superchargers, suspension, and carbon fiber add-ons. This was very different to factory work, but just as enlightening.
During this time, Steve owned P.R.E. (Performance Racing & Engineering). The shop, which primarily serviced Buick Grand Nationals, became very successful, working to modify and preserve the American muscle car.
The cost of living and many other factors brought the Gooding family to North Carolina, where Steve went to work at Autopark Honda and Leith Acura. Here, the number of NSX’s he serviced dropped from 3-4 per week to 1-2 per month. Also, they already had a very qualified technician working on them as well, and Steve and Craig shared the NSX work at the dealership.
Never one to sit idle, Steve opened Realty World Partners, a real estate brokerage firm. This career has given him continued success in business, and keeps him busy. To conitinue servicing the needs of his personal automotive clients, he has a 3-bay shop, a full set of tools, and a hydraulic lift, at his home in Raleigh. This side work enables him to keep his clients happy, and keeps his interest in automotive performance alive as well. Side work is by appointment only, and done mostly in the winter months and in the evenings. Steve does everything from timing belts to clutches to minor suspension work, and even some electrical work. Electrical issues used to be his specialty, but without factory ETM’s, this has been difficult. (If ETM is available, something could be worked out).
Steve looks forward to meeting people with a similar interest in Honda/Acura, and a respect for performance automobiles. Drive hard and stay safe!
