How do you find a mechanic?

**Denvergirlie** · 07-31-2007, 08:35 AM

Try Angie's list

angieslist.com

Consumer-driven organization that collects customer satisfaction ratings on local service companies in more than 250 categories.

**disneysteve** · 07-31-2007, 08:43 AM

I can't help you as I use the dealer. I've found that over the years, the gap between the dealer prices and the other mechanics has gotten smaller, though the dealer is still more for sure. But I get great service and I trust that the work is being done well by people trained to work on my brand of car. They also are very accomodating and almost always give me a free loaner. If I went to Pep Boys or some private mechanic, I'd need to go out and rent a car which would add to the cost and the hassle. Plus the dealer has helped me out several times over the years when something broke and I needed it fixed in a hurry and they got me right in and out. That happened just this month when my starter died. I drove in with no appointment and I was out of there within an hour.

**katwoman** · 07-31-2007, 01:12 PM

My mechanic got so expensive that the dealer price became competitive.

If you do go to a dealer my suggestion would be to pick one located in a upper crust area. These dealers know how to cater to their customers and you get on the mailing list for coupons. Everyone knows how much I LOVE coupons!

**Gruntina** · 07-31-2007, 01:27 PM

Just keep in mind that if you go to a dealer, it does not mean the mechanic who may be working on your vehile is a certified mechanic.

**MonkeyMama** · 07-31-2007, 01:43 PM

word of mouth. If you have a GOOD mechanic it is so much cheaper than the dealer. (& I would go as far as to say better quality as far as Gruntina's comment).

I would start asking around. I haven't a clue how I would have found such awesome mechanics if it wasn't from recommendations. As with anything you ask ask ask until you find the best.

**Broken Arrow** · 07-31-2007, 03:07 PM

Weeeeell.... I try my best to research it myself.

Whenever something's wrong with my car, I would pour through the owner's manual and the internet to see what could be causing it, and more importantly, if I can fix it myself. I've saved a ton of money by doing the minor stuff.

Even if I can't fix it myself, I find that the more you know about it, the better off you'll be to spot a mechanic trying to scam you. Some places, if you walk in not knowing a thing about cars, they'll charge you for fixing everything under the sun, including the sun.

However, if you walk in and talk like you know a thing or two, then they'll be more likely to quote you a realistic price.

I would also recommend to call around first, and even take your car to a few garages before settling on one. When the transmission on my mother's car gave out, I made the fuss to have it towed to garages all over town. The tow truck guy charged $1 per mile, but I made a deal with him for $2 per mile if he would humor us, and he enthusiastically agreed. Yeah, it was more costly and more frustrating to do it this way, but it's nothing next to the cost of getting a transmission replaced.

Finally, a word of caution: I once had a flat tire and took my car to this mechanic. He charged me a great price for a new tire that ended up being the wrong width or something like that, because he was out of the exact ones that I was looking for. I didn't know at the time, but the only clue that something was wrong was when his son (who also worked at the garage) look at him and said "But dad, that's not the right one." His dad said, "No no, it'll be fine."

Two weeks later, the same tire blew out. I mean, it literally exploded. I never went back to that garage again, but I hope that his son will grow up to be a honest and successful mechanic.

Oh, but the moral to that last anecdote is that even when something seems like a deal, it really isn't. Elsewhere, they would've probably charged me more, but since my "new" tire didn't last two weeks, it really was more expensive in the end.

**Adambnn** · 08-01-2007, 12:07 AM

Originally posted by Broken Arrow View Post

Weeeeell.... I try my best to research it myself.

Whenever something's wrong with my car, I would pour through the owner's manual and the internet to see what could be causing it, and more importantly, if I can fix it myself. I've saved a ton of money by doing the minor stuff.

Even if I can't fix it myself, I find that the more you know about it, the better off you'll be to spot a mechanic trying to scam you. Some places, if you walk in not knowing a thing about cars, they'll charge you for fixing everything under the sun, including the sun.

However, if you walk in and talk like you know a thing or two, then they'll be more likely to quote you a realistic price.

I would also recommend to call around first, and even take your car to a few garages before settling on one. When the transmission on my mother's car gave out, I made the fuss to have it towed to garages all over town. The tow truck guy charged $1 per mile, but I made a deal with him for $2 per mile if he would humor us, and he enthusiastically agreed. Yeah, it was more costly and more frustrating to do it this way, but it's nothing next to the cost of getting a transmission replaced.

Finally, a word of caution: I once had a flat tire and took my car to this mechanic. He charged me a great price for a new tire that ended up being the wrong width or something like that, because he was out of the exact ones that I was looking for. I didn't know at the time, but the only clue that something was wrong was when his son (who also worked at the garage) look at him and said "But dad, that's not the right one." His dad said, "No no, it'll be fine."

Two weeks later, the same tire blew out. I mean, it literally exploded. I never went back to that garage again, but I hope that his son will grow up to be a honest and successful mechanic.

Oh, but the moral to that last anecdote is that even when something seems like a deal, it really isn't. Elsewhere, they would've probably charged me more, but since my "new" tire didn't last two weeks, it really was more expensive in the end.

yeah, I agree. Not only saving money, but also feel interesting when researching the problem.

**fairy74** · 08-01-2007, 08:13 AM

DH has a friend who's a mobile mechanic, he charges much less than the dealer and does an excellent job. DH fixes whatever he can, but if it's above his head he calls the mobile mechanic. It's also convenient because they come to you on your schedule.

**Vapors** · 08-01-2007, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by Denvergirlie View Post

Try Angie's list

angieslist.com

Consumer-driven organization that collects customer satisfaction ratings on local service companies in more than 250 categories.

I just took a look over there and it's pretty expensive to join. $17 for the first month plus $7 a month after that.

I usually ask my neighbors and I think I will continue to get info that way.

**daisybcb** · 08-01-2007, 10:52 PM

Wow thanks.

**vsjhoc** · 08-02-2007, 07:55 AM

I spoke to the local county's Dept. of Consumer Affairs (or whatever it's called). They really have the skinny on who's hot and who's not. Officially they're not supposed to make recommendations but if you chat them up they can be quite helpful.

They sent me to a mechanic that I have been TOTALLY pleased with. This shop told me that some of the expensive repairs the dealer was recommending were totally unnecessary. And once when I needed some parts, he got them on the same day and charged me less than the dealer had for the exact same part.

**Gruntina** · 08-02-2007, 08:00 AM

I am so happy that my DH is a mechanic!!!! Sure makes things easier as long as I do not tell my friend that are in the area. Otherwise we will receive non-stop request to get their car fixed.

**momof1in150** · 08-02-2007, 08:03 AM

My neighbor's son is a BMW mechanic so he works on our cars for as little as $20 an hour plus parts at wholesale. We have 2 Volkswagons so it is worth it to be patient (he isn't always available). I bring my car into the dealer for oil changes and they inspect it while it is there. If it needs any additional work we get our mechanic to fix it.

**autoxer** · 08-02-2007, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by humandraydel View Post

My question is, what do you do in a situation like this? The dealer is typically more expensive but theoretically they should be more knowledgeable. How do you find a reputable mechanic?

Trial and error.

I'll bet, everybody that has a good mechanic, has also been through a couple of bad mechanics. Just ask somebody local for a recommendation & try them out.

The dealer may be more knowledgeable, but they likely have good & bad mechanics in the shop. You don't know which ones are going to work on your car.

How do you find a mechanic?