This has been an on and off conversation in FFAF for a long time, but often times questions are specific to a certain make and model. Here’s a thread for every type of car owner to get in their two cents about their favorite auto mechanics around Atlanta!
Photo courtesy of Just Us 3 via Flickr
lunchlurker
The Walrus
Iteral
crambone
Thisten
CAB
DecaturFollower
Elle
Parker Cross
Stussey
ProudMama
BethW
I think the next Best….for the Money ought to be best tree to plant for your money.
And it should just be “Best Tree” period because, as I understand it, Decatur has now entered that magical realm where money is no object.
I’ve had great experiences with both Kauffman Tire and Pure. Both places have performed minor service for no charge whatsoever.
I have always had great service from Catherine’s Auto Repair. They’re a smidge pricier than some places, but by attempting to save money, I went to K&W and they absolutely ruined my valve cover gasket (using silicone to seal instead of a real gasket – which you absolutely can’t do with a 4Runner and any good mechanic should know that – and warping the cover to the point I had to buy a new one when I got it re-repaired). Catherine’s repaired it and with a quick turnaround since I was about to go out of town, driving 600 miles, and wanted to feel confident in my car’s ability to get me where I needed to go and back. I won’t make that mistake again – looking for “cheap” instead of “quality.” I will only trust Catherine’s with my car from here on out.
I also like Kauffman.
I second Catherine’s. Very honest service. I am engine ignorant and was once at the mercy of a dealership when my car wouldn’t start. The dealership said the car needed a new engine and that it would cost $5000 to have it replaced. I had my car towed to Catherine’s for a second opinion, fearing the worst. Later that day they called and told me they had the car fixed. I couldn’t believe it. Turned out the problem was dirty spark plugs which they replaced for a very fair price.
Is that a Ford Galaxie 500?
Six Star and Quantum.
1965
If you have a Subie, you can’t do better than Six Star Service on College at Sam’s Crossing. Worst choice: the dealer.
Pure station is by far the best. Qualified techs, fair price, and quick service! Plus owned and operated by Decatur peeps! Keep it local!
+1
Anyone have good experience locally with Jeeps? I have an 1985 CJ7 and everywhere I’ve asked said the nearest Jeep mechanic is in Roswell or further north… I even called the place at Clairemont and N Druid (that has the Jeep on their sign) and they said they no longer have any Jeep techs. I do most repairs on it myself, but I want to know where to turn if (when) I inevitably mess something up. 🙂
For general repairs on my 95 YJ, I’ve used Car Care One (formerly Performance Exhaust) on North Decatur Rd past Kroger. They are not Jeep specific but have never had a problem diagnosing and fixing at a reasonable price. I have taken the car to the repair shop on Clairmont and did not have a good experience.
For Jeep type stuff- lifts, mods, etc. I’d recommend Fortec on the Westside or a day trek to Jeep Hut in Jasper. 4 Wheel Parts in Duluth and Marietta is very expensive.
Thanks!
Pete’s Import Garage. No relation to me. Slam dunk for anyone with a Honda or Toyota. Honest, thorough and affordable, the most important qualities in a mechanic. I trust them more than the babysitters who watch my children.
http://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files/mechanic/ga/atlanta/petes-import-garage
VolMaz on Church Street.
Been there twice in the past month for both our Mazda’s and very pleased with results (so far 😉
+1
Have had great luck with Quantum
Given that Pure has been recommended many times on DM, I took my car their last fall after it failed emissions. They got the diagnosis correct (O2 sensor and carbon canister), but wanted $1,500 to do the repairs. Given that this was close to the car’s Blue Book value, I took no action for a few months (except to buy a new car). I eventually found a shade-tree mechanic who fixed it for less than $500. Now I expect some markup for having a shop and all, but I didn’t expect it to be 200%. Just my two cents.
I have found Pure to be helpful twice but not real warm, fuzzy, and friendly. I think the rave reviews here gave me unreasonable expectations. It’s a service station not an aid bureau.
For body work, I am a huge fan of North Perimeter Collision, 3854 N Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341 (770) 458-4875
This is a family-owned business and I have used them on many occasions, both big and small. Dwayne and Danny really know their stuff and are always fairly priced and they do great quality work.
I’ve had great luck with the folks at J & L Auto. I’ve been taking my cars (a Honda, then a Mazda) there for five years now. Anything that my mechanical boyfriend can’t fix, they will.
A mechanical boyfriend? Like a replicant or more like a C3PO ;-)?
Never hogs the remote and no back talk. On the other hand, can’t remember a joke.
Great, now I’ve got “Coin-Operated Boy” stuck in my head!
Any mechanical girlfriends about?
I have used Volmaz on Church Street for many years, for my Volvo and Toyota – they are honest, competent, amd will tell you whether or not you need to fix something right away. Also very friendly and conveniently located.
We have been very pleased with Volmaz service on our Volvo.
Quantum is the best I have found, nice guys, great service.
Sonny’s on Aldridge (just past the Farmer’s Market) for any Japanese make
I appreciate locally owned, operated, reliable, and affordable Pure! They know how to treat customers and fix cars. Pure has sponsored local school events and community organizations like DEF. Pure also offers discounts to school/city employees. Their partner Dad’s Garage emission is awesome as well. I like a business that gives back to it’s community, with employees and owners living and invested in Decatur. I also appreciate the fact that they have taken on high school interns from DHS, and hire Decatur’s youth for part time work during the summer and on college breaks. My vote is 100% PURE. Little Shop is to books what Pure is to cars in Decatur 🙂
Decatur Pure has worked successfully on part of my old fleet…the Nissan, the Odyssey, and the red dodge truck. Ask for Barrett…he is warm and fuzzy and honest. Good Decatur people.
RDS at North Decatur and Ponce, just a bit beyond YDFM. Tom Dubbert has always been responsive and fair, they regularly offer savings via mail or facebook, and if Tom thinks there’s a better person in town to repair a particular system, he doesn’t hesitate to refer you out. He’d prefer you get the proper fix than for him to just get your money. Have used him for many years now.
If you have a Lexus or Toyota, LexTechs on N McDonough across from the high school is as fine a repair shop as I have ever used.
Summit, on Ponce toward the Farmers Market.
I assume you are talking about Summit Auto on DeKalb Industrial Way…just off E Ponce…
I could not not recommend them more highly.
Some things:
1. Google your car. Someone, somewhere is having a conversation about the exact problem you’re having having with your car. The best way to avoid getting ripped off is to narrow the knowledge gap between you and the expert.
2. Sonny’s (next to YDFM) is great. I wouldn’t take my Toyota anywhere else for serious repairs or maintenance.
3. A lot of the places listed in this thread as “reasonable” are actually on the expensive side. That’s not to say they’re bad or unethical. They’re just not cheap. There’s nothing wrong with trying to earn as much you can for the work you do. If you aren’t in urgent need, call around and ask them how much they charge for a common repair/maintenance job such as replacing your brake pads and turning the rotors. It’s a standard repair they can quote you a cost for on the phone once they know the make, model and year. Don’t be surprised to find substantial price differences.
To your first point, join a forum. Most every car has some kind of forum associated with it, such as Odyclub for Honda Odysseys. Scroll through the posts and you’ll learn lots of valuable tips and info.
For my Mercedes, Revolution Mercedes Benz on Dekalb Industrial near North Decatur.
+1 Volmaz for other cars.
Any recommendations for a Land Rover? I loved Quantam, but they don’t work on the Rover. 🙁
Medlock Gulf down Scott Blvd has always done a good job for me at a cheap price too.
Mobley Tire and Auto for tires,
6 Star (and nobody else within a 30 minute drive) for any Subie.
Karma VW for your 80s or later VW.
And I can walk to Avondale MARTA from all 3 to get to work after dropping the vehicle off in the AM!
A bit out of Decatur (but not really), but Certified Auto Repair on Clairmont just north of the VA has worked on my cars for years. Victor and his staff are dependable and fair, and the price reasonable. If your car can make it up the “big hill,” I’d recommend taking it there. Added bonus: it is just around the corner from the Toco Library.