Looking for a trustworthy shop in MA that doesn't jerk around girls

strawsmall · Post by **strawsmall** » 15 May 2018, 16:42

I'm a young(ish) girl who is sort of a tomboy. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty- I've worked on cars a lot and know quite a bit about all the ones I've owned. But as much as I'd like to I can't work on my car now myself because where I live doesn't allow residents to do that. Unfortunately due to my blond hair (or bad luck) I pretty much always get jerked around by mechanics and dealerships and I'm getting really sick of it.

Most places have a "park the car out front, don't call us we'll call you" attitude where you're not allowed to even look into the garage when your car is there. Either that or they're one of those good ol boy types that gets super irritated and defensive when you start asking questions. I'm looking for the opposite of all that- an open friendly place where I can get to know the guys personally. Somewhere where I can stand with them under my car and talk with them about what's going on and see what's worn with my own eyes. A place where I can talk about tie rods and loose calipers and say "I know my car and the way I drive, what I'm doing here is unusual but this is why" and have them take me seriously.

I'd prefer some place north west of the city, like say down from Cambridge up to 495, but I know beggars can't be choosers so I'm willing to drive quite a ways. Honestly anywhere easily accessible from a major thoroughfare is OK. Anyone have any recommendations?

Post by **vtl** » 15 May 2018, 17:30

I can recommend Jeff: http://a-1automotiveservice.com/ They are a great bunch of old school autotech guys, the ones who love cars and love talking to right customers. Don't do repairs there (everything is DIY), just new tires mounting, wheel balancing and alignment. Whatever I mumble, Jeff listens to it and take in count. He seems to be always booked, call him before you drive.

Post by **vtl** » 15 May 2018, 17:36

Other great guy, who I know, literally lives in his shop, he does car repairs at least 18 hours a day

He's a bit closer to you: 16 Park Avenue in Arlington. Getting in and out can pose a risk of scratching a bumper, but still manageable

Post by **oragex** » 15 May 2018, 18:54

There's local.google.com with reviews on garages. Local sites like Craigslist also may have Volvo technicians working from home.

Post by **abscate** » 16 May 2018, 09:59

We have a quite a good following of Volvo owners in BOS and area who are family guys/gals who can lend a hand and maybe even a driveway. If you can wrench, thats how I would do that.

strawsmall · Post by **strawsmall** » 17 May 2018, 11:33

vtl wrote: ↑15 May 2018, 17:36 Other great guy, who I know, literally lives in his shop

Thanks. Can he do major repairs or does he just work on cars in his driveway at his house? You said the first guy was just a tire shop. I need a full-service garage that can do stuff like tranny drops and the like, one of those qwiklube places or a friend that can spare a weekend won't really cut it.

Also when I say I'm willing to drive, I mean drive quite a ways. Seriously anything in the eastern half of the state is up for consideration at this point.

Post by **vtl** » 17 May 2018, 11:52

First place (in Ashland) is not a tire shop, they even build dirt karts - welding the frame, rebuild engines, transmissions - and go to competitions.

I did an engine+ tranny swap over weekend in my small garage, why "friend won't cut it"?