Topic: Reliable Auto Shop in Edmonton

[Exiled_Addick]

Hi Guys,

Newbie here. Apologies if this topic has been discussed before - I did a search and couldn't find anything totally relevant to my question.

I've just arrived here from the UK and although I'd had my eye on a Ford Fusion or a Chevvy Malibu I eventually decided to keep some money in my pocket for a rainy day and settled on a 2002 Ford Taurus Sedan that I picked up from the dealer last week.

So far I'm very happy with it, it's quiet and well equipped and rides really nice. It's got a couple of minor battle scars on the outside but it's low mileage and the AMA inspection I had done on it reported the drivetrain is in good condition.

As per the T&Cs of the warranty I have on it, I took it for an oil change on Saturday and the guys there recommended a transmission fluid change. I've no doubt this is the standard tactic employed at these oil change while you wait shops so I declined for now, and according to the AMA inspection the tranny fluid is still okay, so I'm not overly worried - from what I can tell it looks old but not dangerously so, but this is the first automatic car I've owned so I could be wrong! All the same as I'm not entirely sure when it was last changed I figured I'd get it flushed before the winter comes, so can anyone recommend a good mechanic in Edmonton? Ideally I want someone who isn't going to try and rip me off and will do a 'proper' job, i.e. do the extra little things like take the pan off and clean it, put some sealant paste around the gasket and not just stick the cork gasket back in there. If I was back in the UK with all my tools I'd do something like this myself, but my warranty means I need a shop to do it and I don't have the tools or space yet anyway. South or East side would be the most convenient for me, but I'll go wherever if I stand a better chance of a getting a good job done.

I know there are places carrying the AMA approved logo, but even they must vary in quality and there's no replacement for local experience and word of mouth so any suggestions or advice on places to definitely avoid would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

[johngenx]

I have been using Bert's Auto, in the west end, for a couple years now for the Scoob, and have been highly satisfied.  Back when they were just an alignment shop, they used to do the set up for my race car, and were the only ones that seemed to understand what I really needed.

I tired of the dealer's astronomical pricing, and found that the family (Bert's is a family business) had expanded into general repairs.  So, I gave them a try, and they've been good.  They don't treat me like an idiot, always explaining (and showing) any problems that they've found and repairs were always done at/below estimated costs and on time (or before!).  They even have a cheap rental car.

Some people might cry heresy, but I love that they have access to lots of jobber brands for the old Subaru.  The OE parts are horrifically priced, and often not the best quality.  As an example, OE Subaru brakes parts are stupidly priced and suck.  Bert's sold me better parts at ~1/3 of the OE price.

[Exiled_Addick]

Thanks. I've given these guys a call and their estimate is a little higher than a couple I've had but I'll probably give them a try as I have a bit of word of mouth recommendation for them.

[johngenx]

They're not the least expensive shop, no doubt. Cheaper than a Subaru dealer, yes, but that's not hard, as the dealer's prices are stratospheric.   But, I have never had to return to Bert's thanks to an improper repair.  I'm not looking for the lowest price, I'm looking for it to be done right. 

The dealer charged me a ton and the repairs were often incorrect, incomplete, or they broke something else.  They gave me the car back once with the under-engine pan hanging down.  "Was like that."  Cripes.  Next time in they broke the hood deflector. "Was like that."  It was the last time I went there.