Where is the best place to have normal car repairs/maintenance (i.e., brakes, tuneups) done? I usually take my vehicle to the dealership but dealers are expensive. I've read where a lot of people have had bad experiences with chain stores like Mineke, Midas, Belle Tire, etc so I'm not so sure about those. Others say find a reliable local mechanic (easier said than done!) And then there are the folks who do most of their car repairs themselves (I'm not even remotely mechanically inclined) so doing my own repairs/maintenance is not even an option.

I need new front pads and rotors on my 2007 Jeep Compass. The dealer quoted me $400. I don't know whether that's good or bad. What do you guys think?

kitbradley said:

Where is the best place to have normal car repairs/maintenance (i.e., brakes, tuneups) done? I usually take my vehicle to the dealership but dealers are expensive. I've read where a lot of people have had bad experiences with chain stores like Mineke, Midas, Belle Tire, etc so I'm not so sure about those. Others say find a reliable local mechanic (easier said than done!) And then there are the folks who do most of their car repairs themselves (I'm not even remotely mechanically inclined) so doing my own repairs/maintenance is not even an option.

I need new front pads and rotors on my 2007 Jeep Compass. The dealer quoted me $400. I don't know whether that's good or bad. What do you guys think?

Geez, $400! That's seems to be a bit high. I had to have brake pads put on my 2006 Kia Sportage. I bought the parts at Auto Zone and paid about $70 for all 4. I had a neighbor put them on for me and he charged me nothing to do it. I watched him take the old ones off and put the new ones on, and I couldn't believe how simple it was to do. Hell, if I were younger and stronger, I could have done it myself and I'm a woman! Oh, you said you needed rotors, too. Well maybe that's why he quoted you $400. Best thing to do is check with some type of consumer rating system like Checkbook or Consumer Reports. Or check with friends and colleagues.

Hershe said:

Midas quoted me $855 for front and rear pads and rotors just last week. It included labor. I hope that was good. Lol.

Yeah, I talked to the dealer this morning to give them the okay to do the work and they told me my rear brakes are starting to wear, too, but I have a little time left on those so I'll probably get those done in September. So we're talking another $400+. I tell ya, it's a blessing to have a vehicle but, unless you're rich, it's a pain to keep the bloody thing running!

I like the small garage businesses.

The dealership is mega bux. Other biggie outfits are big bux.

Some small independant mechanics tend to be reasonable with their prices. You just have to shop around.

I need my front brakes done btw

I always take my cars to the main dealers. I know it's more expensive, but that's usually just because of the labour costs - not the parts (in the UK anyway). But the reason they charge so much more for labour is because the technicians are experts for that particular type of car and chances are if you get a technical problem, they'll be able to put it rightin a much shorter time than a mechanic that isn't exclusive to that make.

My brother is a mechanic (all makes) and I won't even let him touch my car unless it's something straightforward.

I have managed a service station, written srvice for a number of years, and currently sell comercial autoparts working with many shops. The best thing to do is to get a good understanding of the difference between book time and straight time. It is this system that makes most mechanics rush thru jobs. especially chain shops and dealerships. Also be aware of the grade of part going on your car. Most shops mark parts up to around the same price. So they get a better margain by using the cheapest parts. (crappy brake pads will bring you back a year later for the same job) Generally a small shop will do better work than a large one or a chain, but there are plenty of crappy small shops also. Look at the types of cars a shop attracts, is the lot filled with 3 or four year old nice cars, or 15 year old cavaliers.

Find a good repair person, not necessarily a chain. You're right that is not always easy

Ask people who live near you.

or...

I found one that I liked based on recommendation, but years later I noticed they were on Yelp, and they were rated five stars and had 500 reviews--almost all of them glowing. And I agreed

So, if you Googe Maps "jeep repair" shops in your area you might be able to find a decent place with lots of reviews. Go for the highest rated place with lots of reviews

NDRU said:

So, if you Googe Maps "jeep repair" shops in your area you might be able to find a decent place with lots of reviews. Go for the highest rated place with lots of reviews

Never even thought of that. Thanks.

I'm still trying to recover from the fact that I just shelled out all that bread ($500) for front brakes and an engine tuneup.

kitbradley said:

NDRU said:

So, if you Googe Maps "jeep repair" shops in your area you might be able to find a decent place with lots of reviews. Go for the highest rated place with lots of reviews

Never even thought of that. Thanks.

I'm still trying to recover from the fact that I just shelled out all that bread ($500) for front brakes and an engine tuneup.

I never would have either, but I just happened to google maps some place for another type of car that had been recommended, and my old mechanic came up on the map as really highly rated. it made me think of it.

I have a alley mechanic who replaced my transmount for 40, axel for 40, breaks for 20, tune ups 20 bucks everything works fine. he's really good, people line up for him lol

Hershe said:

Midas quoted me $855 for front and rear pads and rotors just last week. It included labor. I hope that was good. Lol.

Ford here was running a special for 79.95 each brake for pads and rotors

tinaz said:

Pads and Rotors I can do myself and it's relatively easy if you have a hint of mechanical prowess... it's when I have to start unbolting engine parts that I get a bit squirrely. Then I go to my independent mechanic who I've known for 12yrs. now...

can't spell edit

[Edited 6/8/11 6:31am]