Return-Path: Received: from b.gp.cs.cmu.edu by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa01785; 17 Jul 89 10:24:04 EDT Date: Mon, 17 Jul 89 10:23:01 EDT From: David.Kosbie@B.GP.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: More Automobile Tune-Up Summary This contains the responses which did not make it into my previous summary on places for a good tune-up. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- RECOMMENDATIONS: Ron Gerenyi's Boron in Squill (previously disrecommended) Bruno's Garage off Mellon St. in E. Liberty Hess Exxon (previously recommended) Ron's Mobil/Boron in Squill ("for relatively simple stuff") Bruno's (again!) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- DISRECOMMENDATIONS: Hess Exxon (recommended above) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ACTUAL RESPONSES: --------- I would like to disagree with the disrecommendation for Ron Gerenyi's (Boron) in Squirrel Hill. I've brought my car there quite a few times, and I've been very happy with their service. They always call me if something unexpected goes wrong, and their recommendation has always been to minimize my costs while keeping my car in good condition. They've always gone over my bill with me, telling me everything they did. They've even told me things that they did that weren't on the bill. I've never had a problem with other things going wrong after I got my car fixed. What's gone in for fixing has always come out fixed. And they seem to be nice, accommodating people. ---------- Bruno's Garage in East Liberty is honest and reliable. (They are in the GtLiP -- don't forget this source of recommendations!) I've also used the Gulf station at Forbes and Murray. They seem OK. ---------- Your recent post summarizing the results you got from you request for tune-up recommendations has just reminded me that I wanted to recommend Doug Hess Exxon to you also. I didn't - because I have not had a tune-up there and I realize that a tune-up is a different animal than other types of repairs/maintenance. However, I HAVE had various kinds of maintenance done on three different cars (all American made) and I've found them to be very honest and their repairs to be competent. They have even called me a couple of times to tell me that I should take my car back to the dealer for one reason or another, rather than attempt to fix something that may still be covered under my warranty. I don't think you will get that kind of honesty everywhere. I also think they have a vested interest in keeping CMU people happy - we are a large percentage of their customers. ---------- I have also taken my car to Ron's Mobil/Boron in Sq Hill. They seem friendly and helpful and have done good work. They are also within walking distance of my house, which makes the car repair game a bit easier. I did have my car inspected there once and paid more than the posted price because there was a "sticker charge" that was not on the large sign. My conclusion is that I would go there for relatively simple stuff. For significant repairs/tuneups, I would go to Bruno's Garage off Mellon Street in East Liberty. It is a garage -- not a gas station. It is a father and son operation with several other employees. They have obviously been in business for ages. I have complete faith and trust in them. They have never failed to fix the problem the first time. Their rates seem fair. When I had starter problems with a Toyota, all the other garages just salivated, saw the cash register ringing and told me that I needed a new starter. Bruno's had my starter rebuilt for about half the other estimates. Everyone else denied that that could even be done. So, for anything significant, I make the trek to East Liberty and let Bruno's handle it. There are several "Bruno's Garages" listed in the phone book. They are the one in East Liberty. ---------- [This is in reference to Hess' Exxon] Sadly, I have to agree. I have had a *spate* of problems with them and just started trying them because I had heard they were recommended by the bboard. They kept creating problems, could never fix anything in one day (always had to come back, even with appointments), they ruined things that were not broken before, but claimed no responsibility. I too wish I had read something like this before I went there. Interestingly enough, I threatened to post on the bboard. They did not give me much satisfaction (I still paid an extra $30 for their destruction), but they bothered to try to act nice, and claim the labor was free--"only paying for parts". AVOID THEM. ----------