I'm looking for feedback from those of you who've purchased a lifetime alignment for your lowered cars. I know that Firestone has offered such a package in the past.

Any complaints? Regrets? Would you do it again?

Thanks.

 

"lifetime" alignments are no good if the techs there don't know what they are doing to start with, IMO find a compentent shop who will adjust the alignment to specs that you give them to minimize wear.

 

I have a lifetime alignment at Firestone and don't regret it one bit. I've had ~20 alignments done in the past 12 months. LOL

 

Has anyone besides grant done the alignment though? I think your tune would change quickly if you saw what the work firestone normally does on alignments

 

i get my alignments done at firestone under the lifetime alignment program. no big complaints, but +1 on what redlude said - make sure you get a good tech to work on your car. the firestone guy who usually does mine is pretty good, but the one time i used another guy...oh boy.

 

No, only Grant. Given that you're probably right about most employees at Firestone, there are a few exceptions.

I'd take all necessary precautions before taking my car to ANY alignment shop - Firestone or not - if I didn't personally know and trust the mechanic working on my car.

 

Thats exactly what I'm saying, recommendations should not be made based on overall impressions of a chain, but rather finding a compentant tech is the most important factor, not price. The exceptions to this are rare.

 

And what I'm saying (now ) is that if you are lucky enough to find a good mechanic are your local Firestone, then this is a fantastic deal - even if you only get 3 alignments done...it'll pay for itself.

Grant no longer works at my local Firestone, but with all the alignments I've gotten...it was well worth the money.

 

I would not start by buying a lifetime package or recommend it though

 

I didn't recommend it, necessarily. I answered (2/3 of) his questions.

Part of taking all necessary precautions before having ANY work done to your car would be to observe the mechanics' work on cars prior. Asking for local references is also a good idea. When you feel confident that the mechanic is competent to work on your car, then make it clear with the manager that you would like to have the wheels inspected before and after with him to note any damages (or lack of) on the wheels.

If they don't comply, as some places won't, then take your car somewhere else.

 

one of the good things about firestone is they have lots of locations. you can always go to another location if you don't feel comfortable with the one you're at, or don't like how they took care of your vehicle.

 

From my understanding, if you purchase the lifetime alignment deal at one Firestone, then it is only good for the specific car you purchase if for, so long as you own it, and at that location only.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

i have the firestone lifetime and you can take it to any firestone. i know b/c i've taken my car to 3 different locations hehe

however, i found that all 3 locations sucked **** and couldn't get the alignment right so i had to dish out another 80 bux to get it done right at another independant shop.

 

This is a lot of people's experience, especially if you don't live in california or areas with a heavy tuner population

 

That's good to know. I'm crossing my fingers in hopes that Firestone will still allow Grant to do my alignments.

It's unfortunate that you had poor experiences with Firestone's alignments, though. Did you purchase the lifetime alignment deal prior to having any work (alignments) done by Firestone?

Grant did one alignment for me first before I purchased the lifetime package.