Received: from GNOME.CS.CMU.EDU by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU; 28 Sep 87 21:13:09 EDT Date: Mon, 28 Sep 87 21:07:52 EDT From: Jodi.Slater@GNOME.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: mechanics Date: 16 Sep 1987 18:54-EDT From: Harry.Printz@IUS1.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: an honest mechanic? Jodi, I recommend Rudy Molnar's Texaco, on Baum near Negley. Avoid "Lifetime Tuneup" and "Dynamics Service Center". Good luck, Harry Date: 16 Sep 1987 18:59-EDT From: Jos.Schreinemakers@B.GP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: an honest mechanic? Iff your car is a Volvo try 'Dean's Garage' @ Bigelow Boulevard 3380 and ask for Dean. Jos Date: Wednesday, 16 September 1987 22:39:04 EDT From: Timothy.Freeman@theory.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Good & honest mechanic too I'd like any hints you get. I've been to Lee Himmel ServiceCenter twice. The first time was for a tune-up. They set the timing wrong the first time. Fortunately I had time to take it back to them and they did it right without charging me any more. The second time was to get the front wheels aligned. They got me to buy new tires, and the wheels still shimmied just as much after they did the job. I didn't have time to take this back to them. I conclude that Lee Himmel and co. doesn't always test their work, and they don't always do it right either. Since I want to go to auto mechanics to save me time, I would rather do it myself than have to visit the mechanic twice per repair job. Since Lee Himmel seemed to have the best recommendation in Bovik's files, I am going to do it myself now. Date: Wednesday, 16 September 1987 22:45:10 EDT From: Cam.Miller@gauss.ece.cmu.edu Subject: mechanic Mike at Morningside Automotive held an old '76 Nova together for me on a shoestring budget for several years. He's a young guy who bought a garage and wants steady customers to make his business work. I haven't been there for 3 years (since I bought a new car plus moved out of the neighborhood) but Im sure Mike hasn't changed. Also, Doug Hess Exxon (the one by the Morewood Lot) seem to be very honest when I take my car there for inspections. I think Bovik has positive things to say about them too. Date: 16 Sep 1987 22:55-EDT From: Dionysis.Rigopoulos@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: an honest mechanic? I am going to Andy's Auto Body, 6020 Butler St. tel 781-8989. The recommendations for him were good. Till now he has repaired an engine mount for which Chevrolet in Baum had asked $80, with $20 after giving an estimate of $50. On the other hand his estimate for a mufler was $90 and he finally replaced more things and charged $120 without asking before (but I consider that ok). In short, my friends and myself trust him. Dionysis Date: 17 Sep 1987 08:36-EDT From: Dean.Thompson@SCOTLAND.CAMELOT.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: an honest mechanic? When I was having some problems with my brakes, I went to the people at Firestone. They told me I needed new drums, new cylinders, and new this that and the other and it would cost about $400. Shortly afterward they closed that location, so I went to Rudy Molnar's Texaco (since they happened to be nearby and the problem was getting urgent). I told them that I thought I needed new drums, new cylinders, etc., etc. and that I wanted them to do it. They sort of laughed, said they thought it was very unlikely that I needed all that, and asked me who told me I did. (Incidentally, when I told them, they said Firestone is notorious for that.) They then fixed the brakes, fixed the air conditioner, and did a bunch of routine maintenance, all for about $250. Since then I have always gone back to them, and always been satisfied. They are on the corner of Graham and Baum, and you can find them in the yellow pages under "service stations -- Molnar's, Rudy Texaco". Dean Date: Thu Sep 17 09:03:53 EDT 1987 From: Matt.Mason@a.gp.cs.cmu.edu Subject: mechanic I have a shop that I trust completely. From all appearances they are honest and good mechanics. It is Kozub's Tune-Up Center (they do more than just tune-up's) on Frankstown Road in Penn Hills. Date: Thu, 17 Sep 87 09:01:31 EDT From: Saul Kravitz Subject: Mechanic... Please post your responses to bovik, or post to the bboard. Thanx, Saul You are not the only one looking for an honest mechanic.... -Saul Date: 17 Sep 1987 09:05-EDT From: Kerim.Nutku@THEORY.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: an honest mechanic? Jodi, I know of a couple of places. 1-Doug Hess Exxon (very close) I have never had any problems with them. I've used them twice. The mechanic who fixed my car even went out of his way to advise me on what to be careful of, should I have my friend fix the car. The mechanic's name is Tom. The only drawback to these people is that they're a bit more expensive than most other people, though they do good work. 2-Bruno's Garage (Mellon Street, East Liberty) - This Father and son type establishment was recommended to me by David Nason and Kathy Porsche. They have been going to this place for three years and are VERY happy with the service, courtesy, trust, and care that they have received. I just used them recently for major repairs ($670.00). They charged a bit less than other places estimated and they are very conscientious workers. They even cleaned off all the exposed, greasy surfaces under the hood; this seems an uncommon (and very desirable) practice. You should know that although they are a father & son business they are not two people working out of their house for a few bucks. They run a licensed--and busy-- full-fledged repair shop. The only drawback is that since they are busy, they can't always start work on your car right away. But, as with any craftsmen, quality of care--not speed--is their first concern. Note: Stay away from the Mobil Station at the corner of Centre and Morewood. They're expensive and have had a few dissatisfied CMU customers. Also, stay away from Jim Stuckert's Exxon on Forbes Ave. in Oakland. He's not very nice or understanding. He also seems somewhat dishonest, or at least greedy. Good luck. I'd be interested to know what you decide to do and how it works out. --Kerim x5025 Date: 17 Sep 1987 09:48-EDT From: Angela.Hickman@ml.ri.cmu.edu Subject: Re: an honest mechanic? Please forward your responses to me. I am driving a car which is currently held together with bandaids. Thanks, Angela Date: Thu, 17 Sep 87 09:42:45 edt From: gc1v+@andrew.cmu.edu (Gary Cleveland) Subject: honest mechanic Joe Bellissario on the other side of the ravine on Childs St did a good job fixing my car after an accident. More details upon request. gary cleveland Date: Thu 17 Sep 87 11:46:10-EDT From: David Nason Subject: Mechanic I'd suggest Bruno's Garage ... we recommended them to people in the Dept about 5 years ago and at least a dozen people have gone to them and returned with raves. They are a family business (father and three sons) that are the most honest (refuse to do unnecessary work - recommend warantee work be taken to a dealer - low prices, fast work) we've ever found. We take all three of our cars there regularly. Bruno's only problem is finding them: Mellon| |St.Clair | 2 | | |1 | | |-----------------------+-----East Liberty Ave. | | | -------------------| | | | | |--- Penn Circle----+-----Penn Ave. | | | | -------------------+ | Negley St. One block from Negley & E.Liberty is Mellon St. A few houses up Mellon St is an alley to the right (connects Mellon and St.Clair). Bruno's is on the north side of the alley (about 2 houses from Mellon). Park on Mellon somewhere (that's where they want you to leave the car, anyway) and take the keys into the garage. I don't remember the phone number offhand, but they're in the book. Call for an appt...they get a lot of business. David ------- Date: Thu, 17 Sep 87 11:49:09 EDT From: J.S.Singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: honest injun jodi, i have finally found the best mechanic I have ever had. Call Bruno's garage at 361-1750. They do very good work and best of all will not do it if it doesn't need to be done. I am very pleased with them. tell them that Jeff with the BMW sent you. they are over in East Liberty. jeff Date: Thu, 17 Sep 87 15:31:36 EDT From: Todd.Rockoff@VLSI.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: re: mechanix The guys at 5th ave motor cars are surprisingly capable and friendly. It might be intimidating to go to a fancy dealer to get a car fixed, but if you have a nice foreign machine, you'll find it's cheaper in the long run. (you probably should have specified the type of car you have in your post). -- todd Date: Thursday, 17 Sep 87 15:32:43 EDT From: ball (William Ball) @ a.psy.cmu.edu Subject: re: an honest mechanic? As for good honest mechanics, I am satisfied that Lee at Merge Motors on Wilkins runs an honest shop, and all the work he's done for me over the past two years has stayed done. Another possibility: a friend of mine swears by Kay Auto in Shadyside (though I have no first hand experience with them). Bill