own alignments anymore, I do...get this...research. Every different town I lived in had "the one guy in America who still believes in integrity, doing things the right way, holding up their end of a deal even if it turns out not to be as good a deal for them" working at a large franchise shop. Every single town since I've been driving. I haven't lived in the same town for more than 6 months for the last 5 or 6 years (I've been driving for more than that though). That's a lot of towns, all with alignment techs that will take the time to do the job correctly simply because they are enthusiasts.
Maybe because I go in and give the kid a few bucks cash before he does it? Maybe because it's the kid that does all the locals' cars so he knows that if he screws up he will lose an entire forum of people's business? Dunno, but I have always gone to large franchises for alignments since I stopped working in that field, and I have yet to get even the least bit hassled by anyone. And try to align a lowered Miata - I would MUCH rather take in a completely adjustable Z over even a stock Miata any day.
