[JohnN]

Well, I've been to Tire Choice (Hwy 441-Spanish Springs) twice, looking for a good place for tires and service. I won't be back.

First time, I buy the tires, and the manager tells me that my struts are really bad and it's $1,500. Car was running noisy, so I research it and a couple days later bring it back and tell him it's a wheel bearing.

He says that's unlikely because his crew would have caught it, but he'll take a look. By damned, it's a wheel bearing. I don't mind the $450 for that one, but I diagnosed it.

Then, I bring the car in for an oil change (no thanks again, I don't want your near worthless charge card). Now the same manager takes me under the car.
I asked if he remembered me, he says yeah.

So........ He says my power steering fluid is leaking and that my rack-and-pinion needs to be replaced immediately, $1,500. Ah, ok, how do you think my struts look?? He says.. the struts look OK!?!?!?!?!

So now, I'll think on the rack&pinion. I go to Advance Auto Parts, buy a $10 bottle of power steering fluid with stop leak, add about 4 ounces (4 ounces!!)
and voila.. it's been steady for a couple of months now.

I really don't like it when the world is ending every time I bring my car in for an oil change. And if it is, I'd appreciate someone being honest and say.. hey, try a $10 bottle of stop leak before replacing a system.

Where's a good place to go?

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by JohnN

Well, I've been to Tire Choice (Hwy 441-Spanish Springs) twice, looking for a good place for tires and service. I won't be back.

First time, I buy the tires, and the manager tells me that my struts are really bad and it's $1,500. Car was running noisy, so I research it and a couple days later bring it back and tell him it's a wheel bearing.

He says that's unlikely because his crew would have caught it, but he'll take a look. By damned, it's a wheel bearing. I don't mind the $450 for that one, but I diagnosed it.

Then, I bring the car in for an oil change (no thanks again, I don't want your near worthless charge card). Now the same manager takes me under the car.
I asked if he remembered me, he says yeah.

So........ He says my power steering fluid is leaking and that my rack-and-pinion needs to be replaced immediately, $1,500. Ah, ok, how do you think my struts look?? He says.. the struts look OK!?!?!?!?!

So now, I'll think on the rack&pinion. I go to Advance Auto Parts, buy a $10 bottle of power steering fluid with stop leak, add about 4 ounces (4 ounces!!)
and voila.. it's been steady for a couple of months now.

I really don't like it when the world is ending every time I bring my car in for an oil change. And if it is, I'd appreciate someone being honest and say.. hey, try a $10 bottle of stop leak before replacing a system.

Where's a good place to go?

Sam's

[Bogie Shooter]

Haven't we all learned that these oil change,quick stop, etc. places can always find something that needs fixing. Let the buyer beware.

[KathieI]

Even I know that you get second opinions on ANY car repairs... Never would I believe a tire shop about mechanical stuff - my ex-husband taught me well.

I use my Ford dealer in Leesburg and when I need a second opinion (or sometime vice-versa), I go to Sumter Tire on 301. Both have been excellent for me. Many of my local friends have been using Sumter Tire for years and they are very honest (and good too).

[njbchbum]

Quality Tire & Repair

great workmanship, price has never been beat and best of all - honesty!

the yard is near the corner of routes 466 and 441 on the right hand side of466 before you get to 441. don't be put off by the number of cars in the yard - they are that good - and they are an area best kept secret!

best to go in person since they are ofter too busy to answer their phone!

they were recommended by the folks who recommended the villages to us - and we can see how that worked out!

[deano_hoosier]

Not my choice either. Took my 11 year old Odyssey in for oil change and tire leak check last July. They did the oil change and had them check the brakes... but then they found other stuff that ought to be done. Quite a list. I did none of those, but compared their brake fix price and found a much better deal and had brakes done at other location.

So in December I take the same van back in to have leak in front tires fixed. They found the problem and fixed it, but then wanted to sell me nitrogen air fill in all tires... Then they wanted to know if I got my brakes fixed. Said I did and the service manager went off on me about why I didn't get it done there. Price I said. He went on about I should have come back with the other quote. "Why, I said, don't you give me your best deal on the front end?" He muttered something about a lot of things are negotiable. Then started on needing a alignment. It's free he said and your tires show a little uneven wear. "Hey", I said "only drive this van about 500 miles a year so why would I worry about a little uneven tire wear."

I'm done with that place, too.

[islandgal]

Wish I could have read these posts (especially Kathie's saying never take to a tire place for a maintenance problem)
before I went to Tire Choice yesterday for a maintenance problem.
I picked up my car today and was enraged by their attitude and totally outrageous price.

[paulandjean]

Stay away from "Ford of Ocala" their bellview dealership.

[REDCART]

Interesting thread. Over the years we've been down the same road with tire chains who also do mechanic work and have made unnecessary auto repairs their profit center. If you haven't found a good mechanic near TV, whom you trust, you should. We've had good experience with Hutson Automotive in Fruitland Park. (352) 728-1454 3201 US Hwy 441/27, Fruitland Park. Our last experience with Good Year Tire on 441 in 2008 where we stopped to repair a flat tire, only confirmed it. They couldn't find enough to repair or replace on a two year old Murano, until we told them it was a lease car going back in two months.

[Mikeod]

Is it just the store on 441? I've used the one on 466 a few times. Once, the check engine light on my car came on while I was in Orlando. I checked the oil level, the coolant level, etc., and, since the car was otherwise running fine and cool, drove it home and took it in to the Tire Choice on 466. They could have told me anything, but told me it was my gas cap being a little loose. Only charged me for the diagnosis. I've had good luck with them on oil changes and alignments. No great pressure to get other things done. Of course, they advise the lifetime alignment instead of the one year, but I've never had them push additional work that was unrelated to the reason I brought the car in.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

Stay away from "Ford of Ocala" their bellview dealership.

.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by mikeod

Is it just the store on 441? I've used the one on 466 a few times. Once, the check engine light on my car came on while I was in Orlando. I checked the oil level, the coolant level, etc., and, since the car was otherwise running fine and cool, drove it home and took it in to the Tire Choice on 466. They could have told me anything, but told me it was my gas cap being a little loose. Only charged me for the diagnosis. I've had good luck with them on oil changes and alignments. No great pressure to get other things done. Of course, they advise the lifetime alignment instead of the one year, but I've never had them push additional work that was unrelated to the reason I brought the car in.

Seems like half the time the check engine light comes on it is a gas cap issue. Just tightening the cap normally doesn't fix the alert light - it has to be reset which can cost up to around $100 (but should be near $20).


.

[bluedog103]

I had problems with Honda of Ocala. We've had Accords since 1988 and usually had them serviced at the dealer in N.Y. with no problem. I didn't know where to go in Florida so I tried Honda of Ocala. The first time, which was the second oil change for the car, which was ok. The next time they wanted to do a ton of work which I rejected. The next oil change was back in N.Y so i asked them to check the things Ocala wanted to do. None of this was neccessary. Then when I returned last October I gave them one last chance. Again the tried to sell me a whole shopping list. The thing that sticks out is they insisted that I had to have the cabin filter replaced, which rejected. They wanted $70 to replace this filter which costs $15.99 at Advance and takes less than 5 minutes to change, without tools.
Last service was at Blount Honda in Leesburg. They seemed good. They found nothing for me to have done, except the oil change and tire rotation I came in for. This is after Honda of Ocala tried to sell me a list of services at the previous service.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by chuckinca

Seems like half the time the check engine light comes on it is a gas cap issue. Just tightening the cap normally doesn't fix the alert light - it has to be reset which can cost up to around $100 (but should be near $20).


.

True true. A place like Advance Discount Auto Parts will hook a code reader up to check what the specific code(s) is/are for free (at least they do in OH!). But they're not supposed to clear it - just display it, I believe. Maybe you'd get lucky and find someone who would hit the other button to clear it!

Frankly, before paying $100 to have someone clear it, check around - you can buy a cheapie code reader/scanner for way less than that. Search for "OBD-II scanner" - you'll get tons of hits. Amazon and eBay are a couple of good places to look.

Bill

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

True true. A place like Advance Discount Auto Parts will hook a code reader up to check what the specific code(s) is/are for free (at least they do in OH!). But they're not supposed to clear it - just display it, I believe. Maybe you'd get lucky and find someone who would hit the other button to clear it!

Frankly, before paying $100 to have someone clear it, check around - you can buy a cheapie code reader/scanner for way less than that. Search for "OBD-II scanner" - you'll get tons of hits. Amazon and eBay are a couple of good places to look.

Bill

Good advice Bill. Even if you can't fix the fault yourself you'll have a real good idea what's wrong when you take it in for repair. You'll find out real fast if you can trust your service people.