Well, here is the current status. The #2 band busted (a not too common occurence according to the mechanic). As for Bens Tek, so far I'm impressed. Small Merc certified shop with 2 Merc mechanics. The owner/head mechanic has been very informative and has shown me a lot about my engine since he had one in the shop that was totally torn down. He is going to do an onsite complete rebuild of the tranny and will warranty it for 4 years and 100,000 miles with the caveat that oil and filter are changed every 30,000 miles. Not a bad warranty as far as I can tell.

Now as for the dealership, they are Power Honda of Valencia (formerly Valencia Honda). They came just short of telling me to go pound sand up my a$$. They at first told Bens Tek that they were going to do everything possible to help me out on this since they felt really bad. Then I delivered the check the bank had sent for the car and they suddenly forgot how to pronounce my name. They told me there was absolutely nothing they would do for me to help with the $3,300.00 outlay of cash that I now have to cough up. Now, before they got their check they did decide to rent me a car for 3 days. So in the end I end up with a 3 day rental car for a two week job and the full burden of the financial blow. Oh well, lessons learned in life.

One thing I can now say, is I should have listened to the two separate persons who told me to avoid doing any business with Power Honda of Valencia. So let me add my own warning, if anyone out there in So Cal is thinking of doing business with Power Honda of Valencia .... DON'T DO IT! SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT, IT WILL BE LESS PAINFUL!