Author Topic: Shopping for new mechanic (Read 2579 times)

weebl · « **on:** August 24, 2005, 04:26:37 pm »

Okay, so I'm looking for a new mechanic - nothing is wrong with my car, but looking for a place to do an oil change to give them a try. Partly because I would like a shop closer to my home, and partly because my wife is not terribly impressed with my old mechanic's handling of repairs to my dad's van last winter. To be fair to him, it wasn't entirely his fault at the stretched out process in diagnosing and repairing.

So I've used a few criteria in narrowing down places:

- places that are part of the BCAA approved garage program
- places that have been there for a long time under the same management, and are well kept premises
- places recommended by friends

Using that, I've found some places seem to be a little on the pricey side for a simple dino oil change. Additionally, every single one of them uses Fram oil filters as their standard filter - which makes me wonder the quality of parts they use overall.

I wish my complex would allow me to do work on my car, but in any case, that still doesn't solve my problem of picking out a mechanic for more major work.

Am I being unrealistic in finding a place? Anyone from the Vancouver area have recommendations for either the Surrey or Langley areas?

Worst case scenario, I'll go to the stealership for one of their advertised specials, and keep searching for an independent mechanic.

davidm · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2005, 06:14:42 pm »

What brand of car are you looking to have repaired?

weebl · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2005, 06:50:31 pm »

2002 Mazda Protege.

random006 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2005, 10:41:21 pm »

One thing to look for is whether they'd let you walk into the bays to see what they are doing. If they find anything, good or bad, they should be only too happy to point it out to you.

safristi · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2005, 02:20:49 pm »

Shoppin' fer a new MECHANIC...try..TOOLS R'US...or any other Gear Bars in T.O....!!!!!

gta_driver · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2005, 03:59:05 pm »

Garage's that are constantly busy or ask you to set an appointment because they can't even see your car unitill the next day for a few days because they are so busy are usually shops staffed with competent mechanics.

safristi · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2005, 04:56:39 pm »

OR "IN-COMPETENTS???"....hey Bill what's Diz...Ohhh about..err.... $120 bucks...!!!?

barrie1 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2005, 09:24:32 pm »

I try to find a shop that owns the property as they can't leave and generally do the best work. Their hourly rates are generally better as well.

safristi · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2005, 09:50:32 pm »

That's a fair and intelligent starting point Barrie...but ..what if DADDY gave Junior the keys ta the place while he's in Arizona fer the WINTER???
I have only a passing need fer service on my 5 year old Millenia...found out my trusted "mech Guy" just had his license pulled fer 3 weeks to do E-TESTS and last time I had an oil change his "new guy" suggested I needed an full brake job..that was a YEAR AGO...ALL IS FINE with the mazda's brakes still...!!!...but my relationship is SHOT!!!!

barrie1 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2005, 12:15:03 am »

I beleive I would have waited and shown this to the reg guy when he came back and asked him to explain the new policy on brakes. It sounds obvouse to me that Junior was trying to hustle you and got caught. I don't think his Dad would like that at all as its his name on the Sign or Door. A smart kid will learn the 1st time not to cheat the customers.

initial_D · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2005, 04:13:39 am »

Saf, Mazda dealerships only charge $25 for an oil change, and they are open Saturday mornings. (in Ab anyway). At least once a year, all Mazda dealerships have Customer Appreciation day, free oil change and inspection. Ask your local friendly service department for details.

A busy garage usually mean more repeat customers. I would "test the water" first over the phone, ask to book an appointment for an oil change, alter my time a couple of times, just to see how the guy on the other end would react. Second, drive to the garage in the morning just before it open for business to see how many cars are there and what type of cars they are. If the cars are the type that is "well loved" by the owners and are reliable, that would mean they trust the garage to do work on them, and willing to drop the cars off early in the morning just for an oil change, rather than a quick drive thru serice. Or something like that. That is how I find my last 2 mechanics (in different cities).

weebl · « **Reply #11 on:** August 26, 2005, 11:11:47 am »

Well, I guess this search became a moot point for me yesterday afternoon. No point in looking to form a relationship with a new mechanic here, as I was just offered a new job in Edmonton starting next month (and I accepted it). Exact date is still being finalized. My in laws already deal with a mechanic they trust in Edmonton, so I'll just go there after I move.

Since I only need an oil change this time around, I'll head over to the Mazda dealership down the road. Seems that $25 special isn't on anymore, at least in BC. Still, the $34 new price isn't that bad for a dino change.

davidm · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2005, 03:51:45 pm »

www.eunos.ca is an excellent local mazda mechanic (North Van).

weebl · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2005, 04:21:23 pm »

NOOOOOO!!!!! Looks like there's no escaping the evil Fram!

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=352584

The above thread states that apparently, the blue painted filters sold by Mazda in Canada are made by Fram. So I guess they get added to the ranks of Honda. I wonder which other auto makers use Fram?

johngenx · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2005, 05:41:27 pm »

Sundance Mazda in Edmonton is excellent. Doug the former service writer, now back to being a tech, knows every inch of every Mazda ever made. Thanks to him we got 17 years out of our 626 and they saved us tons of money. Highly recommended.

barrie1 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2005, 10:55:44 pm »

Fram makes Filters for everybody and to these other Folks specs as well so don't be afraid of their products as its private label at that level. Usually a very good filter for the money.

johngenx · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2005, 11:32:48 pm »

Usually a very good filter for the money.

I really, really, really hope you're being sarcastic!

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #17 on:** August 27, 2005, 01:42:06 am »

One reason everyone uses Fram is because Fram makes filters for everything... it makes more sense to stock all your filters from one company than be ordering different filters to fit different vehicles...

*shrug*

If you really want, I'm sure you could buy a filter elsewhere and say "I want you to install THIS filter when you do my oil change".

Sterling · « **Reply #18 on:** August 27, 2005, 01:49:37 am »

Frams are well known to be one of the worst filters available. This link is for a Fram motorcycle oil filter. The car filters are the very same in construction.

http://www.tobycreek.org/oil_filters/fram.shtml

(Message edited by Sterling on August 27, 2005)

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2005, 02:49:09 am »

That's not a very compelling link, imho. It's someone's homepage. And the recall he specified happened 10 years ago.

*shrug*

I'm not defending Fram at all, as I don't pretend to know enough to do so. But it strikes me, if Fram filters are so terrible, why are they so widely used?