Mechanics: how do they work?
March 12, 2013 6:55 AM Subscribe
[Chicago Filter] My car needs new brakes, like, a year ago. (Seriously.) I need to find a good (reasonably priced, will get the job done) mechanic in Chicago because the Toyota dealership wants payment in first born children.
I come from one of those fix-it-yourself-or-take-it-to-the-dealership families, and have literally never been to a mechanic before. You can't walk a block in this city without running into a shop, so I feel kind of silly asking this, but I honestly have no idea what I'm doing.
Anyway, Toyota wants $1000 to replace the brakes and another like $650 or something to flush the brake lines, and as my car is a 1997, I feel it no longer requires the TLC a dealership would offer. Any old place will do, as long as they'll do it right and for less money.
Recommendations? Vehicle is a Rav4 if that matters. I live on the lower west side, but will go anywhere you people tell me to.
Thanks!
I come from one of those fix-it-yourself-or-take-it-to-the-dealership families, and have literally never been to a mechanic before. You can't walk a block in this city without running into a shop, so I feel kind of silly asking this, but I honestly have no idea what I'm doing.
Anyway, Toyota wants $1000 to replace the brakes and another like $650 or something to flush the brake lines, and as my car is a 1997, I feel it no longer requires the TLC a dealership would offer. Any old place will do, as long as they'll do it right and for less money.
Recommendations? Vehicle is a Rav4 if that matters. I live on the lower west side, but will go anywhere you people tell me to.
Thanks!
If it's all four brakes and they are in really bad shape to the point where all the parts need replacement (except calipers), then $1000 doesn't seem that bad, actually. The $650, though, seems odd...I have never paid more than $79 for a brake fluid flush, even in an expensive market. Are you sure it isn't $65 for the flush and not $650? But the flush should be included in that $1000 anyway...
Sorry my answer doesn't give you a shop name, but maybe it helps put you in a ballpark for dollar figures when you are looking.
posted by TinWhistle at 7:03 AM on March 12, 2013
Sorry my answer doesn't give you a shop name, but maybe it helps put you in a ballpark for dollar figures when you are looking.
posted by TinWhistle at 7:03 AM on March 12, 2013
Response by poster: I believe this is for new brake pads only. (Or it was, as recently as December...)
And there was definitely a line item in the $650 range for a brake fluid flush--maybe it was also listed together with another service? I don't think so, though.
posted by phunniemee at 7:08 AM on March 12, 2013
And there was definitely a line item in the $650 range for a brake fluid flush--maybe it was also listed together with another service? I don't think so, though.
posted by phunniemee at 7:08 AM on March 12, 2013
Best answer: The cheapest option I can offer is Runge Auto in Rogers Park. Explain your situation. I also have a 90s car and they've been great about keeping repairs in line with expectations.
posted by walla at 7:13 AM on March 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by walla at 7:13 AM on March 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Speedline on Damen in Ravenswood did a killer job on our brakes. They're cheap, fast, and polite.
posted by Lieber Frau at 7:14 AM on March 12, 2013
posted by Lieber Frau at 7:14 AM on March 12, 2013
Listen to jon1270 - CarTalk.com is a neutral community, well-regarded, and the right place to go for this kind of question.
posted by ellF at 7:25 AM on March 12, 2013
posted by ellF at 7:25 AM on March 12, 2013
Sorry, I should have added: Runge reviews here. Good luck!
posted by walla at 7:33 AM on March 12, 2013
posted by walla at 7:33 AM on March 12, 2013
Probably not very close to you, but I use these guys.
Bob & John's Auto Repair
8204 47th St, Lyons IL
(708) 442-6016
posted by goethean at 7:49 AM on March 12, 2013
Bob & John's Auto Repair
8204 47th St, Lyons IL
(708) 442-6016
posted by goethean at 7:49 AM on March 12, 2013
goethean's recomendation is seconded - it's part of/behind a Citgo. I took my old Toyota to Tech Auto service on 660 Ogden Ave way out in Downers Grove (630-968-6889) for all the big repairs. They were great.
posted by zenon at 9:07 AM on March 12, 2013
posted by zenon at 9:07 AM on March 12, 2013
AB Marathon. Nice guys, good work, usually fair prices. Get a quote before you agree to the work being done.
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 11:04 AM on March 12, 2013
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 11:04 AM on March 12, 2013
I will add to the chorus of recommendations for the mechanic finder on CarTalk.com - that's the way to go for a mechanic when you lack a solid personal recommendation from someone you trust.
posted by NoAccount at 12:08 PM on March 12, 2013
posted by NoAccount at 12:08 PM on March 12, 2013
Probably a bit too far, but I always took my Toyota to Motor Care when I lived in Chicago.
posted by balacat at 4:43 PM on March 12, 2013
posted by balacat at 4:43 PM on March 12, 2013
Best answer: Runge's is where I go, but it's nowhere near you. If you can find a reputable place nearer to you, you should go there: with an older car, it's likely you'll need to go back.
posted by eamondaly at 7:41 PM on March 12, 2013
posted by eamondaly at 7:41 PM on March 12, 2013
Response by poster: I ended up going to Runge. In and out in 3 hours for $400 flat, and for the first time ever since I've had the car (brand new brakes or no), the brakes don't squeak when I stop slowly. Win.
Thanks for the recs, guys!
posted by phunniemee at 2:31 PM on March 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
Thanks for the recs, guys!
posted by phunniemee at 2:31 PM on March 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
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posted by jon1270 at 6:57 AM on March 12, 2013 [8 favorites]