So I just bought a car, 89 Honda Accord. Anyone know of a good place to get it serviced? It needs an alignment and one new tire (the guy I bought it from replaced one so I could test drive it. So it needs another on the other side.) Also it needs brakes pads and rotors on the front and maybe a tune up.
Well there's a very good mechanic in newburg, goes by the name Carl Lewis. He's getting kind of old and not too up to date on electronics and computers, but as long as it's actual mechanical work he's very good and honest.
If you're looking for one a little more local you can try Mike's Car Care Center. They don't usually do any serious work, but they should be fine for what you're looking for. I know one of their mechanics, and he's a pretty honest guy so I doubt they'll try to rip you off.
Wherever you go DO NOT go to Muffler Mart, I repeat DO NOT GO TO MUFFLER MART!! They're good for inspections but TERRIBLE for work. I lost a lot of money on them because they obviously do not know how to install a water pump.
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Joined: Sat 10-18-2003 10:26PM Posts: 2954 Location: Stone's throw from Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
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I've got the hookup on all the auto mechanics around town.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GO TO: Smitty's Overland Service Taylor's Used Cars Muffler Mart for anything except exhaust
Cheap, somewhat competent independent mechanics can be found at: D&S Auto (next to Autozone) Elmers' (5 miles south of Rolla on 63)
Cheap, highly competent independent mechanics can be found at: Zimmerman's (off of Little Oaks Road toward the fairgrounds) Lewis Garage (down 63 south past the fairgrounds about 1 mile)
Reasonable garages that perform primarily underbody work (brakes, etc) include (in order of my preference): Plaza Tire (north of town toward Lowes) Big O (across from Plaza) Tune's (down 72 hwy) Sam's Tire (downtown)
Reasonable garages that perform work including engine and drivetrain work include (in order of my preference): Rolla Full Auto Care (on I-44 next to Waffle House) john's Firestone (10th and Pine downtown)
The OEM shops in order of cost for shop time (cheapest first): Denny Ford Fairgrounds GM Al West Chrysler
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Last edited by bagvwf on Thu 06-04-2009 6:03PM, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks. Well I could try to change them myself, but my mom said they take a bit of muscle to change. Being 105 lbs and 5' I don't know how well that is going to work. I know someone that can change the brake pads for me, but if I need to rotors done, an alignment, and now it looks like I need to replace the rest of the tires, I might as well go to a mechanic.
Joined: Fri 09-05-2003 10:24AM Posts: 3589 Location: Oklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the p l a i n s !
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From what I have heard from many townies in the area, avoid Plaza Tire by Lowe's. Apparently, most of their work is shady. I know that Brad (bagvwf) recommends them, but I'd take the word of a townie over the word of a student in this area.
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Joined: Sat 10-18-2003 10:26PM Posts: 2954 Location: Stone's throw from Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
Source: Off Campus
Shadowcat, you forget I AM a townie now. I'd go to Plaza before I'd go to Big O...just saying.
Course if it were me I'd change my own brake pads and rotors. I wrote a thread on that a while back, you should search. One stupid thing the Hondas like to do is use two extra screws to hold their brake rotors onto the hub, which is completely unnecessary. No clue if they would have done that on an '89 Accord. They also like to use a tool which screws the piston back into the caliper, rather than pushing it as you might expect if you grew up on American cars.
Don't forget also, that the OEM shops like Ford and Chevy will work on other vehicles besides Fords and Chevy's. Also Denny Ford will work on Chevys and Fairgrounds will do work on Fords. It's all where you can get the better deal. One may have a better deal on shop time, one may do better on their parts and one may have specials on the particular service you need. Don't be afraid to shop around (and even pit service writers against one another, if you feel comfortable so doing).
If you know exactly what you need done, you're better off buying the parts yourself and taking them to the shop. You'll save half the price easily. Shops mark up big time. Plus, you get the warranty in your name, cuts out at least one middleman.
Joined: Sun 08-13-2006 10:28PM Posts: 138 Location: The Midwest Staple Company
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I always thought that was a no-no... buying your own parts and taking them to a mechanic. The last thing I would want to do is piss off the guy working on my car.
Joined: Fri 09-05-2003 10:24AM Posts: 3589 Location: Oklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the p l a i n s !
Source: Fidelity
bagvwf wrote:
Shadowcat, you forget I AM a townie now. I'd go to Plaza before I'd go to Big O...just saying.
You've been here for about 6 years versus the others I'm referring to who have been adults here for around 20. I was talking about older adults, not townie kids. I wouldn't trust most of them as far as I could throw them, unless they started attending MS&T and learned how many of the non-local folk function.
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