Car Servicing 'Recommendations'

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Because it was close. I'm not going there ever again. I just don't know any reliable mechanic in the NW

Knibbe in Crowfoot

[vtec260]

Originally Posted by Dentoman

Knibbe in Crowfoot

Once my warranty expires, this is the place I will take my Honda/Acura to for stuff I can't DIY. Used them before for other vehicles and they were straight up, nothing fishy, and fair priced. It's out of my way from home, but I'd rather drive a bit farther to get some honest work done.

[bagofpucks]

I have had really good service at midsun in the SE. I have had two regular wear and tear issues on my Infiniti dealt with there and they were honest, helpful, and quick. Midsun was recommended to me by one of my buddies who puts a ridiculous amount of kms per year on his vehicles.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Dentoman

Knibbe in Crowfoot

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll go there and hopefully they fix the loosened component that the Canadian Tire crooks most likely messed up.

[calgarywinning]

CT is awful. No reason to shop here for anything.

[taffeyb]

I don't mind CT.

I just took my car in the past week for a power steering hose leak and, potentially, a bad bearing on the power steering pump itself.

The leak was real as I could see the power steering fluid bead on the hose (and land on my driveway) when the engine was rev'ed. The pump sounded like a bad bearing. I mentioned both items on my service order.

They called to tell me that the pump was fine and I just needed the hose replaced. The noise was due to air in the system as a result of the bad hose.

Another time, I took in the wife's car as the battery was not charging. As the battery was less than a year old, I assumed that it was the alternator and asked them to check it out for me. They called back and told me that the alternator was fine...the battery was defective (bad cells). Had the battery replaced under warranty.

So...I've been lucky thus far...

[vtec260]

^ I think you won CT lottery. I gave up using CT after they could not fix a simple oil leak with a gasket replacement. I didn't realize CT was so bad at the time, but since moved on after hearing other people's horror stories. I'd recommend CT only to my enemies for car repairs.

[btimbit]

Some are obviously better than others, the service departments are independent. But it's definitely safer to assume they're all brutal, because most are

[4X4]

Originally Posted by taffeyb

I don't mind CT.

I just took my car in the past week for a power steering hose leak and, potentially, a bad bearing on the power steering pump itself.

The leak was real as I could see the power steering fluid bead on the hose (and land on my driveway) when the engine was rev'ed. The pump sounded like a bad bearing. I mentioned both items on my service order.

They called to tell me that the pump was fine and I just needed the hose replaced. The noise was due to air in the system as a result of the bad hose.

Another time, I took in the wife's car as the battery was not charging. As the battery was less than a year old, I assumed that it was the alternator and asked them to check it out for me. They called back and told me that the alternator was fine...the battery was defective (bad cells). Had the battery replaced under warranty.

So...I've been lucky thus far...

These are the first and only two good things I've ever heard about CT service. Pretty much every person I know has a bad story about the time they took their car to CT. It's a bit surprising when you think about it. If everyone in Canada thinks that CT is the absolute worst place you can take your car to, why wouldn't CT try to fix that?

I can somewhat understand not caring about your reputation when you're middle of the pack, but when you're the worst place in the country, and everyone knows it, how can you just sit there and live with it? I've been driving for 20 years, and this has been a universal fact the whole time. Not one CEO in that time has said "Hey, we're a complete joke across Canada... Let's remedy that."?

[calgarywinning]

The service department is a crappy front for selling knock off replacement parts to people who can't afford to properly service their cars. It's an endless cycle of junk on junk.

The management doesn't want to fix this problem as it's by design. The equation goes 80% revenue on parts 20% on bad service. Which leads to more high margin part sales. There is a massive known markup on knock off parts. The service labour is then sourced at the lowest market rate and suppressed.

[Johan Federko]

I have used the local Canadian Tire store for repairs on many occasions, never had any obscure issues - they were straight up with me and fully consulted me regarding replacement parts choices etc. These mechanics are trained through the same programs as any others. I have even gotten to know a few of the guys during my visit's, they're solid guys. The prices are not cheap but none are as it's an expensive business - when the new price of new cars is $50 or $60 K what do you expect

[Johan Federko]

When did it become a Canadian Tire bashing thread???

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

JRS Automotive by Chinook is really, really good.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

JRS Automotive by Chinook is really, really good.

Funny you mention him. I've been going to Jorge since he was operating out of his friend's garage. He's very honest, and he does good work.

[wooohooo]

I've had to use CT in dire situations, and nothing horrible has come out yet.

I don't have anything against them, but they're definitley not my first choice but I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

Side story, took my vehicle to Meineke and they did a solid job on a old pathfinder I had. While I was there my gf picks me up in her vehicle and needed an oil change done. We pick it up after hours but we find the glove compartment ripped apart and broken. Odd... now it never stays in place and flops out. I think they were trying to check the air filter and broke the glove comparment by accident.

This is in Edmonton btw.

[Calgary14]

As an update I had the vehicle looked at by Kingsboro Auto. They fixed the water pump leak as it was the most urgent item based on what I researched. I think I will wait on the other items for now.

They were great and they seem to have reasonable prices.

When I do get more work done on the car I will probably take it back there.

The annual servicing that Toyota dealers do is handy to get an idea of the vehicle condition but the issue is that they make the recommendations and also perform the work - huge conflict of interest.

[daaznfob]

Anyone know a good mechanic for diesels? Or even better an import diesel mechanic(rhd)?

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[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Johan Federko

When did it become a Canadian Tire bashing thread???

When they serviced my car and the engine light went on four hours after I got it back. Better than VW in Saskatoon though. They serviced the car, I got it back and the problem (broken coolant reservoir) hadn't been fixed and they charged me again to fix it. I hate mechanics so much, in all my life I've had one good experience. Wal-Mart did a job for 150 that VW said would be 2000.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by daaznfob

Anyone know a good mechanic for diesels? Or even better an import diesel mechanic(rhd)?

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Broken Axle. They specialize in Jeeps and Trucks but they do general service and Diesels too. I've never used them for Diesel stuff but the service has always been top notch

[daaznfob]

Actually I think I gave them a call once.unfortunately they don't work on imports

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