I clearly remember Dad's reaction the first time I had a major problem with it!  Before calling him for advice (I was in a time crunch preparing for a road trip), I took the car to an independent shop rather than a dealership, thinking I would save some money.  Little did I know the car was still under warranty!  By the time I was made aware of this fact, I had already racked up my credit card with a brand new alternator, among other things.

After an informative conversation with my Dad, I took my Cavalier to the dealership for anything and everything!  On my first visit I met with a Service Advisor named Dan who made a great first impression.  Knowing I was a new vehicle owner and away from home, he took the time to explain everything to me in detail regarding the work that was necessary and when it should be completed.  He went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure I felt comfortable and that I was being taken care of at his dealership!  On one occasion he even offered to call my Dad to explain all the brake work I needed.....upon seeing my anguish following his explanation.

Friends of mine would suggest going to an Indpendent Service location for oil changes and just going to the dealership for the big things that were still under warranty, due to the difference in price.  Back then, and in the city where I went to University, you would pay double the price at a dealership vs. a small shop for an oil change.  This didn't matter to me....student or not.  Dan took the time to build a trusting relationship with me and was aware of my needs.  Because of this, his service far outweighed any difference in price!!