Any Honest Auto Repair Shops?
 

Twice within 9 months we've gotten taken by auto service centers. Last summer we took our Trail Blazer to Tire Choice to have two new tires mounted and a wheel alignment taken care of. That was expensive enough. After we picked up the car, we noticed the clock was an-hour-an-half ahead of time. Didn't think much of it at the time since who knows what needs to be done mounting tires and aligning wheels? The next day I noticed the gas gauge read almost on "E" when we just filled up two days earlier. We hadn't driven anywhere to use up nearly a full tank of gas. I thought someone had siphoned gas. I mentioned it to my husband and again couldn't find an explanation for the lack of gas. Within a couple more days, my husband noticed the gauge pointer was straight down, as if broken, and from then on it went all over the gauge. We never knew how much gas we had in the tank. Our lesson learned was that we should've taken the car right back to Tire Choice and asked why the gas gauge broke and the clock was set ahead of time after it was in their shop. It will now cost $450 to get it fixed. Expensive lesson but I doubt they would've claimed responsibility for it.

Problem two: Within the last two weeks, the brake light burned out and the ol' "Service Engine Soon" light came on. We took it to Auto Masters of Leesburg and they found the air injection valve and a serpentine chain needed to be replaced. They also replaced the brake light. We got an estimate for the gas gauge repair bill, too. When we went to pick up the car, my husband got in while still in the parking lot and pressed the button for the driver's side window to roll down. It didn't. He went back into the shop and told them now his window doesn't work. A guy came out, pressed the button a couple of times and said the regulator motor broke. I asked how could that conveniently happen just as we were about to leave? He said "it just so happened while the car was under their watch, it could've just as easily broken while the car was under our watch." It's another $100 repair bill on top of $331 we just paid to them.

Why do I have the feeling that excuse is the same one Tire Choice would've used?

The odds of two working, unrelated-to-the-problem parts breaking while the car is in the repair shop within nine months of each other is so infinitesimal that the universe could not calculate it. I'd have better chances of winning the lottery!

What do you think the odds will be that something else will break while we're getting the fuel gauge repaired?

Anybody know of an honest, trustworthy, reputable auto repair shop?

What recourse does a customer have in these cases?

Michael has not let us down yet (03 Nissan Pathfinder).... see below for details

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ad.php?t=24435

Quality Tire & Repair
 

Unbelievable workmanship and pricing and most of all --- honesty!!

They are near the corner of Route 466 and 441 (on 466). There are cars of all years and makes (looks like a junk yard) and the grounds are unpaved.

They did a power window for me for $150.00 that others quoted $400.00 and a radiator and advised me on an oil leak, etc. On a couple of occasions they even drove me home after leaving the car when they weren't busy.

They have a crew of 6 - 8.
:BigApplause:

Economy Auto Repair in Fruitland Park - it's across 441 from the Walmart. Great family run place. We've used them for 7 years and Big Frankie and Little Frankie keep both of our vehicle in top shape.

car repair
 

Never take your car to "Ford of Ocala" Belleview Office. They are not trustworthy. Long story. Tried to double-dip warrenty on a ford still covered. Did not do work they said they did. Took Ford dealership in Michigan straighten this mess out.

We had a good experience with Michaels in Fruitland Park. My mother's car air conditioner did not work and he said it just needed freon which he added. Efficient and economical. The ambiance is not great - be prepared.

I take my car to Accu-Tech on 301 in Oxford. Very good and honest. Walmart is the best place to have oil changed
drd

Fruitland Park Auto Repair
 

I have been referred to them by 3 of my friends and I am well satisfied. They do a great job at fair prices, no unnessesary extras. Try them, only once will be your need .

we refer to this site as Vaughn's - and he is so busy that you cannot reach the business by phone - if he didn't take the phone off the hook no work would get done!

drive over and get an appt - they are the best! never met a mechanic so honest - and he guarantees his work!

Don't you mean 466a?

Napa on 441
 

We had a good experience at Napa on 441.

Meredith's Auto Clinic
40739 County Road 25, Lady Lake, FL 32159-2510 (352) 753-1033 ‎

CR 25 is East boundary of historic area of TV.


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Quality Tire and Repair!!! They had been reccomended by this site and they have been wonderful. Several times I have said yes to an estimate and they charged me less for different reasons. They have saved me thousands and are always less expensive than other service stations. Herb

I've had great experience with Sumter Tire and Auto, 352-748-6549. If you take 466A into Wildwood and turn right on 301 (Main St.) they're a block or two on the right. Someone recommended them to me as doing good work, being honest and reasonably priced. I had an alignment and found it to be true. A few weeks later, as I was in the car to take my niece and her friend to the airport, the "Check engine light" came on. I knew I didn't have time to wait somewhere... I drove right to Sumter Tire and Larry had someone come right away to take my car in, diagnose the problem and put my mind at ease. No charge.

Mike's Auto - great job........reasonable......:MOJE_whot:

AccuTech on 301 Oxford gets my vote as well. Highly recommend them for their ethics, prices lower and all-round good service. Had them a number of times in the past few years and they are the best and have never let me down.

car repair
 

The best and most honest iI have found is Jason Accurso.Oxford behind bargins and treasures 748 9004

Totally agree!
 

Honest, reliable service. I whole-heartedly recommend him!

Someone recommended Sumter Tire in Wildwood to me. I took my car there to repair a leak in one tire. Went there on a Saturday without an appointment. Even though they were busy, they took a look at my car right away. Told me that my tire was fine but my leak was caused by rust on my wheel. They sanded down my wheel and resealed my tire. When I asked them what I owed them they told me there was no charge. The tire has been fine ever since.

Fruitland Park
 

Fruit Park auto repair on 441 is very good. I was recommended by 2 friends and I am very happy with there work and cost.

Accu Tech on 301
 

We have been very impressed with Accu Tech on 301 near 466. We even dropped off donuts one day to thank them for the work they do.

Another vote for Accu tech on 301
 

Accu TEch was recommended to me by a Village resident and I am highly satisfied with their service and work ethics. Tim is the owner and his wife is the receptionist, they all go out of their way to be courteous, explain everything and do only repairs that are needed. I have taken my car in for oil changes, to addresss an engine light problem as well as to seek guidance about tire replacement and each time Tim and his staff listened, explained and freely answered questions. And much of it was at costs way lower than in NJ (and plenty of free advice!)

Re: ....honest repair shops...?
 

Took our auto to the new Tire Choice store near Colony. Had a real deal on an oil change and tire rotation. Common sense should tell you that something has to give...under $20 with a coupon. Anyhow, I was told that new tires were needed along with the air filter and air conditioner filters. The cost of replacing the tires would be almost $1000.00. Oh, that did include wheel balancing... My suggestion, go elsewhere unless you stop at your bank first! Ps. I found a machine screw with its washer under the car on the garage floor. Someone forgot to put it back in place!

Honest auto repair shops seems to be a recurring theme here on TOTV. You have to wonder what Tire Choice's management was thinking. Does TV really need three TC shops to sell tires, or do they plan to maximize their auto repair business? We've been using Hutson Automotive Repair, 3201 US 27\441, Fruitland Park. They're right next door to Stavros Pizza. They've been there for almost 30 years. They open at 8, and try to do all oil changes at that time to allow for regular auto repair work during the day. They're busy and they're reasonable and they don't need to find dubious work to stay in business. The owner's name is Craig Hutson and that's who you see when you bring your car in for service.

Good, honest....lady-friendly
 

I wish I could remember the name of the repair shop, but it is located just as you enter Wildwood on 301 going south. It is family owned and they are as honest as the day is long....and are extra, extra women friendly....meaning they explain things to ladies so they feel comfortable with the explanation and what repairs are needed and they keep the costs low. Good people!!! Use 'em

Finding trustworthy mechanics
 

I've always had good luck with cartalk.com, mechanix files sections. The misspelling here is intentional -- it is the way they spell it.

Just type in a zipcode and similar to Zagat's, voila!

try the napa store on 441 just south of 42--been there many times--good work, good prices. ask for dave. tell him george, the furniture repair man sent you.

Stay away from the Ford dealership in Bellview. Ford of Ocala

Michael's Fruitland Park
 

Michaels is the best around. Very reasonable and quality work. They are in Fruitland park. Nice family run business. I would avoid all Tire Choice shops in the villages. They will try and get all kinds of things done, when your there for an oil change. i.e. front end alignment, power steering flush, change all filters, clean brakes,, the list goes on an on. Tried the new store at Colony, same old song. Something needs to be done with them. I've seen so many elderly get taken advantage of while waiting for my oil changes. It would be interesting to see how many villagers have been told they need a alignment and or AC serviced by them, while they are there for a simple oil change or rotation.

If the oil change is so reasonable, why not just get the oil change and turn a deaf ear to the upselling, knowing they are scamming you? Cheap oil change and close by. Good combination.

Sumter tire & Auto
 

Been there a number of times Quick And honest

For those on the north side of TV (Marion County), Hilton's is excellent - good work, honest, fair prices. I and all of my neighbors use them. They are just north of the 42/441 intersection, behind the BP station.

I just had a couple of my power windows repaired and had some A/C work done is well. Michael's Auto Repair was fantastic. He fit me in to his schedule because I didn't have a ride home, the repair came out to be significantly less costly than the initial estimate, and everything is working perfectly now. He seems to run a great shop and appears to be very honest, sometimes a rarity in the car repair business. I will definitely use him again and would recommend him to friends and neighbors.

I recommend Tri-County Auto on 441 across from the hospital. Just before Lowe's. Honest, fair, courteous and they do good work.

Very honest,took my car in for rear brakes that squeak once and a while.they called and told me I still had 50% of brakes left.Could have just replaced as I had asked

Another vote for Jason Accurso, just south of CR 466, east of CR 301. Behind Bargains and Treasures in Oxford. Fireboy is very picky about who works on his vehicles. We find Jason honest and reliable.

These guys have proven to be honest and reliable numerous times in recent months...

Automotive Service 16676 S. US Highway 441, Summerfield, FL / (352) 693-2245

We are very happy with Tri County Automotive on 441. Excellent service, reasonable and no upselling.
Nancy

It is very hard to decide who is good and who is not...I have been to Hilton's on 441 just north of TV...they over charged me on work they did, cut a hose too short that popped when I left them (and they charged me for that to fix) lost a cap, the list goes on......and not to forget the man behind the desk was sooo rude! I know not to go there again!

Totally agree!!!! :MOJE_whot: