csua.com/?entry=27965
Got any reliable and reasonable priced mechanic anywhere on the East Bay? Mostly imports, but if he's not up to the work he will say so and help you find someone who is. Aamco told me my transmission fluid smelled burnt and that I'd probably have to replace the whole thing ($1100). Fred took me out for a spin so I could show him the problem, recommended a fuel additive to get rid of the knocks, and replaced my motor mounts for 1/3 the price I'd been quoted elsewhere. He told me the transmission was going downhill but given the age of the car it was better just to slowly change the fluid about a quart at a time. Somehow they "forgot" a lugnut when putting my tire back on. supposedly my type of car this happens a lot and most places will usually charge you regardless. Midas sucks for anything outside of a pad swap on special.
html I just checked the UCB recommendations for auto mechanics. But what I wan t is just a recommendation for a simple oil change. Preferably a place t hat I could just drop in and get my car's oil changed--no appointment ne cessary. Nori Oil Change- It's not a lot of work to change the oil and f ilter on most cars. All one needs is the appropriate wrench, oil of the right weight, a new filter,a drip pan, a plastic gallon jug and a funnel (for disposing of the used oil in the drip pan), and newspaper. For som e newer cars, accessing the filter is tough without blocks for the front wheels, but those are around the cost of one oil change. Keeping Car Wi ndshield Oil-free I have a problem with oil (probably that kicks up from the roadway) on my windshield. When it rains, with oil and water mix an d make a terrible mess. I have tried a number of cleaning products, but haven't come up with a sure-fire one that will completely remove the acc umulation of oil. I always clean the wipers at the same time since there is obviously oil on them, too. I've thought of replacing the wipers, bu t until I find a way to really clean the window, I'd prefer not to do th at. It is so effective in "sheeting" the rain off the windshield that I sometimes do not use my wipers, even in heavy downpours. Looks kind of d angerous, I know, but the wipers actually impair my view under these con ditions. Bruce -the owner- runs the cleanest garage I've ever seen. All the people are nice, and they give us a ride to and from the house whene ver we take the car in (a big plus for me). He also keeps a running list of stuff we need to get done on the car. Roberta I highly recommend Ack erman's Volvo in Berkeley. Bruce Ackerman has been our Volvo mechanic si nce the mid 80's. We've seen him grow from a one man operation to the bu siness he has today. The only that has changed is that he is even more s ervice oriented than he was in the past. He always gives a triage of wha t needs to be fixed right away and what can wait. In January, my car bro ke down at 630pm in a not so good area. He was and gave me the code to h is gate so the tow truck driver could drop off the car. This was helpful since I was pregnant and had my toddler with me. Lastly, he has driven me home and picked me up when my husband couldn't help out with the tran sportation logistics. Good Luck Gloria From: Katherine I have to recomme nd my volvo mechanic--Bruce Ackerman, Ackerman's Volvo, 2220 San Pablo A venue, 549-9330. There are a wealth of good volvo mechanics in the area, but I like him alot. He is such a professional, you can completely trus t him with your car. He is not cheap but his prices are competitive with others that specialize in volvos. He runs a responsible business (envir onmentally), and contributes to the Berkeley Education Fund which suppor ts Berkeley public schools. I have an old 1978 volvo wagon that I have b een slowly "restoring" (his word--I used to say "fix") at his garage. It 's been a choice between spending money on a newer model or spending mon ey on repairs as they come along. I've been enjoying this car and it's r unning great for an old car. If I buy an 89 to 93 Volvo wagon (740 or 94 0), will it last for another five years? Do these cars (740 & 940 wagons ) require a lot of servicing and repair? Does anyone have experience wit h buying a car through Autometrics (on San Pablo next to REI) or having a car serviced there? I looked at the UC Parents Web site, but didn't fi nd Autometrics listed. I would appreciate any advice/recommendations abo ut buying a used Volvo wagon and the general reliability of these cars. Heather (See replies above under the various shops) Albany Hill Automoti ve Aug. He has taught Auto Mechanics courses at community colleges, real ly knows his stuff, and is reliable and trustworthy. Michael Re: mechani c for Chrysler/Plymouth mini-van (Sept 2001) Try Evan Meyer at Albany Hi ll Auto, 558-2100, 660 San Pablo Avenue, Albany. Evan has been our Plymo uth Voyager's mechanic for six years now. He communicates very clearly, tries to save us money, and he does good work. Louise Albany Hill Auto o n San Pablo Avenue and Castro, 2 blocks north of Solano Avenue works on American cars. Albany Hill Auto is owned by Dana Meyer, who's shop Dana Meyer Foreign Car Service is across the street at 700 San Pablo. Dana ha s had the Dana Meyer shop for about 25 years and has an excellent reputa tion. June I highly recommend Albany Hill Auto for your needs. Dana Meye r runs Dana Meyer's auto just a few doors down. Albany Hill Auto works p rimarily with American cars,and they are great! Best, Beth Re: Toyota Ca r Repair Albany Hill where Made In Japan on San Pablo in Albany used to be is a great place. Willie, who used to be with Made in Japan is now wi th Albany Hill. Marie Allied Automotive From: Ed Regarding auto repairs. I had my alternator and battery replaced, but when i went to pick it up , it wasn't ready. After waiting an hour, for them to find the correct b attery, I simply asked them to put the old battery back in so i could go when the owner began to verbally abuse me (language not fit to be repea ted anywhere) and threaten me. I was so shocked by this that I asked my neighbor who had driven me down to witness this behavior and he too was aghast. I might add that I am experienced with doing my own repairs, but simply don't have time to do it anymore. Given that this was the owner and that he treated me in such a manner, I can only imagine what this sh op might do to a less informed customer. The reason I went to this shop in the first place was because of the muffler shop next door, same name, Allied Muffler, where i received excellent service. I have since been t aking my cars to McKevitt Volvo, where I have been very satisfied, altho ugh their prices are a bit higher than some non--dealers, and Bauers Vol kswagen. From: Susan This is in response to the person who had a terribl e experience at Allied Automotive on Gilman--the same thing happened to us! We took our car in for its 60,000 mile check up and they ended up do ing $800 worth of damage to the car--when we complained we were treated so nastily that we realized the only way we would ever get satisfaction would probably be to take them to small claims court. So we gave up and took our car to Kraft Automotive off Grand in Piedmont. They are wonderf ul, professional, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Art's Automo tive RE: Nissan Art's Automotive on San Pablo near Ashby. They will expl ain everything and outline the options available. I've recommended them several times on this board, and there are some recs for them also on th e Berkeley Parents Web site. You won't find more fair, competent, knowle dgeable, or efficient mechanics anywhere. Everyone down to the office st aff treats you like a human being, their prices are very fair, they neve r do any work that you don't need, and they will explain everything in e xcruciating detail. They only work on Japanese cars and know them better than anyone. Laura Aug 2002 RE: Acura You can't go wrong with Art's Aut omotive on San Pablo near Ashby. The shop only services certain types of cars (Acura is one). Art and his employees are knowledgeable, patient, responsive and trustworthy. Back in my impoverished days, I had a car th at needed...
|
http://csua.com/feed/