Looking for a auto shop for my Saturn VUE in Colorado Springs area

[bradbn4]

Fall is here and I am looking for a garage / shop that can work on my 2003 Saturn Vue SUV in Colorado Springs. I need the valve cover gaskets replaced and a few other standard things looked at to get it in better running shape. I am thinking all new radar fluid (need new thermostat - old opens too soon), transmission fluid, break fluid, etc to be swapped out for fresh.

Phase 2 will be to upgrade the shocks / struts.

I do have a secondary beater so if it takes a few days/week I can live with that.


Recommendations? or places to avoid?

Oh, the SUV just reached 50k.

[Great-Kazoo]

Fall is here and I am looking for a garage / shop that can work on my 2003 Saturn Vue SUV in Colorado Springs. I need the valve cover gaskets replaced and a few other standard things looked at to get it in better running shape. I am thinking all new radar fluid (need new thermostat - old opens too soon), transmission fluid, break fluid, etc to be swapped out for fresh.

Phase 2 will be to upgrade the shocks / struts.

I do have a secondary beater so if it takes a few days/week I can live with that.


Recommendations? or places to avoid?

Oh, the SUV just reached 50k.

pm zteknik, he's dialed in. People still drive Saturn's ?

[zteknik]

pm zteknik, he's dialed in. People still drive Saturn's ?

Give me a shout.
I'm a certified Ford and KIA tech that works at motor city. I'll do it on the weekend for ya and save you lots of coin
Saturn, Ford, Chevy they all have moving parts (most the time )

[bradbn4]

I figured I should give a after action report - -

I had a bit more work done on the Saturn VUE to resolve the front break having about 10k or so left on the pads. I figured I might as well go whole hog and get a good pads and rotors.

The good - car seems to drive fine, no issues currently with the engine check light that was caused by an obsolete thermostat that opened too soon, so I had hardware replaced.

The bad news, it took him two sessions with the Saturn because I tossed additional work load on to the pile. Oh wait, I caused that issue . . . I figured that the valve covers would be a pain in the butt to get to so I had more work done in that area while it was tore apart.

The fantastic news it it was fun to meet with a fellow ar-15 member to get quality work done.

Would I have him do it again? Nope, the car is all fixed - no need for more work. But if I have more work to be done he is worth while to deal with. So I should be good to go for the next 50k before I need this work done all over again.

Brad

[3beansalad]

There's an old guy off of Powers and Omaha that has treated me very well, and came highly recommended. He's always reasonable on pricing as well. Neil's Automotive - http://neilsautorepair.com/

[zteknik]

It's been a pleasure working for you Brad. Your one of my best customers, not just buy having a bunch of work done but a real pleasure to deal with.
Most of my customers would automatically start asking for discounts and the like. Those are the ones I really do not cut any breaks on an already discounted prices.
And it was sure fun meeting and chatting with you. If anything else is ever needed I'm sure you will give me a call.

I use to like when I was a kid my Dad would bring his car to his mechanic, knew him by first name, knew his family and it was a fun experience for me to hang out at his shop and play with the scrap parts
Now a days the whole auto industry is so impersonal, bring your car to a shop, make appointment so that tech 09098 can look at it and then get an over inflated estimate on repairs
I try to keep the family, friends personality about what I do. Get more work that way and you meet some really decent people.

Thanks for the kind words