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[pam]

Our SUV started having problems yesterday and after having someone come over and read the codes off the system, we've found out it's most likely a problem with a bad sensor or sensors. We had taken our vehicles to Newport Auto in the past, but after trying to call there this morning, it looks like the business may have closed.

The next option we are looking at is Paul's Automotive on N.Dixie. Just wondering if anyone's dealt with them and how well it went (price, service, turnaround, etc). Also, any other recommendations are welcome...

[Monique]

I always use Import Auto (not sure if he works on domestic cars, too), and Randy is the BEST! He always does what he says, stands behind his work, charges reasonably, and never ever tries to sell me something I don't need. Plus he loves dogs.    He's just down the road from Paul's, right behind Custer Glass.

[tnweasel]

we use A-1 in the old Farmer Jack parking lot....have always been satisfied with their work....

[MM1]

A-1 is a good place for engine.

Auto Body for structural. 

 

[MorningStar]

We have been using A-1 for the past year and have been very satisfied with their work and their reasonable prices.

[family man]

I've used Paul's a couple times in the past several years, very happy with their work.

[naomi43]

I go to sams Auto on telegraph next to sotillie junk yard....hes wayyyy cheaper than any one else.

[Frenchfry]

Here's what I said back in 2007:

I once thought the stealerships were the most knowledgeable but with so many bad experiences I cannot recommend any (I can’t stand Thayer and have told Toyota headquarters for years how bad they are)

A-1 is AAA approved so I called and asked how much for an alignment.
The lady said $49.99 so I dropped the car off and later I received a call that they wanted another $20 because the rear was out of spec.
I was not happy with the news but the lady then said it was optional.

What!

I wasn’t about to align the front and let the rear go but then I was told that I could pick up the car at no charge.
A big hassle but I rushed there and took it to my usual spot; Park Tire on Fort Street in Lincoln Park. They will do all four wheels for $50 flat and the guy is a real nitpicker which means he spends the time be accurate.
I had hoped to find a place closer to home so can anyone recommend a good alignment place?

Once I went to that repair place on Monroe in the K-mart parking lot prior to Big-O-Tires. I think it was Penske but anyway they refused to align my car because the unibody frame rail had a dent. Not a large dent either so I just went to Midas on Telegraph for the alignment.

Someone on the forums once said Bob’s Auto Repair was good so I visited them and they really are pretty good folks. The unusual part is that when you go for an estimate you’re right in the shop where all the work is going on but I loved it… kind of a mechanics mechanic. They’re at 15212 S. Telegraph 734-241-3386.

The Newport Auto Repair guy is very down to earth. He didn’t know me from Adam but helped remove a broken exhaust bolt, heating it cherry red with his torch yet didn’t charge me a dime. 8742 Swan Creek Rd. 734-586-5800

I cannot say anything nice about A&T Automotive on N. Dixie because they wouldn’t have anything to do with. Apparently they wanted to do the entire job from start to finish.

Well there you have it…. my contribution of my recent experiences.

http://monroetalks.com/forum/index.php?topic=339.msg5813#msg5813

There are other opinions on that link as well.

Plus I saw one that mentioned Paul's for trans work:
http://monroetalks.com/forum/index.php?topic=7694.msg200328#msg200328

I know I wrote a post critical of Paul's but it no longer exists for some reason.

Basically Paul's misdiagnosed a problem which they wanted a ton of money to fix and left a bunch of bolts loose.

One bad experience doesn't mean that much but that's our personal experience with Paul's

I mentioned Bob's in the 2007 quote....sounds like the same place naomi43 called Sams...best price I could find.

It must be nice to have such an extensive source of inexpensive parts right behind the repair shop...and then not only are you recycling parts but probably getting OEM parts....not the cheaply made foreign garbage offered from parts stores...although that's not always true.

[pam]

Thanks for all the input. I read the old post about the transmission repair (I had searched old posts about auto repair, so I missed that thread the first time through) and knowing how bad our SUV is, we decided on Paul's. It was simply the closest and many said good things about it. They diagnosed it, confirmed what I already thought to be true, and came in below my worst case scenario number. Our SUV will be getting an engine transplant and will be back to us by Tuesday. So far, so good...we'll see if this turns out to be a thumbs-up when I pick it up.

[MM1]

A good choice and good luck to ya!  If nothing else, it's must be nice to have all the horror stories behind you and move toward your repairs.  Yuk   Auto repairs are always a headache.

And your thread reminded me I have to call both A-1 Auto and Auto Body for a couple of seperate issues I've been putting off.  I found out turning my stereo up loud does NOT actually take care of the problem! 

Anyway, I'll race you to "Happy Again With My Auto" days! 

[Frenchfry]

Funny how a code about a sensor turned into an engine transplant.

That would've required a second opinion for me.

I seem to recall Paul's said something similar to my daughter.

Not much more than $100 in parts for a lower intake manifold gasket plus my free labor and she was good to go.

It seems women get the shaft when they take vehicles in for repairs.

[Monique]

It seems women get the shaft when they take vehicles in for repairs.

Not with Randy at Import Auto. He absolutely does NOT play that card.

[Frenchfry]

Not with Randy at Import Auto. He absolutely does NOT play that card.

Good to know...if I knew anyone that drove anything with a foreign nameplate.

Oh gee...that didn't sound quite right.

It's just that everybody I know drives what is generally considered American. (Many times they're actually made in Canada or Mexico but that doesn't help further this discussion)

[pam]

Well, the repair is done. After we dropped it off, I knew the damage was bad. I barely got it parked in the lot before it died, so an engine transplant was on my radar as a possibility. My guess is that the engine sensors kicked a code because the engine was starting to go. So, the diagnosis by Paul's and the cost was pretty much what I figured it to be, so no surprises there. It was done on the date promised and it seems to be running well, so that's good so far.

I have no problem on the business side of things, however, I found Paul to be abrasive and condescending. There are two reasons why I hate dealing with auto shops...they try to talk you into other things (typical of places like Belle Tire) and they treat you like you're an idiot. While Paul didn't try to talk me into anything else, I felt very uncomfortable that he brought to my attention how incompetent my husband is at every stage of the repair. Will I return...don't know. I guess it depends on if the quality of the work outweighs my personal offense to his attitude when I need a repair shop again.

[ell]

Well, the repair is done. After we dropped it off, I knew the damage was bad. I barely got it parked in the lot before it died, so an engine transplant was on my radar as a possibility. My guess is that the engine sensors kicked a code because the engine was starting to go. So, the diagnosis by Paul's and the cost was pretty much what I figured it to be, so no surprises there. It was done on the date promised and it seems to be running well, so that's good so far.

I have no problem on the business side of things, however, I found Paul to be abrasive and condescending. There are two reasons why I hate dealing with auto shops...they try to talk you into other things (typical of places like Belle Tire) and they treat you like you're an idiot. While Paul didn't try to talk me into anything else, I felt very uncomfortable that he brought to my attention how incompetent my husband is at every stage of the repair. Will I return...don't know. I guess it depends on if the quality of the work outweighs my personal offense to his attitude when I need a repair shop again.

I've had very good dealings at Schlosser's at State Park.  Kevin does a good job and doesn't give you the hard sell.  The only downside is he is pretty much a one man shop, so some jobs he steers clear because he likes to have things ready when he promises them.  I've been going there for 2 or 3 years and will keep going unless the service goes downhill, and I don't see that happening.

Oh, my one and only experience with Paul's wasn't very good either.