So You Need a Mechanic…

So you here a funny noise under your hood. It could be a rattle, a ping, a meow, who knows what the hell you hear. The only thing you know is you have no idea what it is.

So what now? You need to find a mechanic, that’s what you need to do. But where do you go? Most of us are fricking idiots when it comes to our cars; and it doesn’t help that Mechanics don’t have the best reputations. (They are right up there with Used Car Salesman and Hood Rats who tease their hair and wear mini-skirts in the Winter.)

Now you can go to a big name place that has a fancy slogan, like Pep Boys or AAMCO. But is that what is going to be the basis of your decision, a crappy little jingle? (“The Pep Boys. Manny, Moe and Jack” or “Double A, MCO”. Please, how lame. They are as bad as a Menthos commercial.) Have you ever been to one of these places? They make you feel like you should be getting ready to drop your pants and pull out your credit card. It is the automotive service business I don’t need to be upsold. Hell, they see that nervousness and deer in the headlights look on our faces and go for the jugular vein. But we are at their mercy. They can tell you anything, and usually do, and we listen. Why? Because we need our car so we can get from point A to point B.

So, you decide not to go to the big names for your car. So what now? What now is, you need to do research. And this takes some time and some question asking, but in the long run it will be worth it. You ask everyone whom you know, what mechanic, they go to. No matter where you are: at a bar, at the supermarket or even the urinal troff at Dodger Stadium, it doesn’t matter, just ask. This will save you money in the long run. Finding a trustworthy mechanic will eventually lead to a good relationship.

After getting answers from people, narrow down the field and check out the places that sound the best to you before you take your car there. Here is a rule. If the owner has really greasy hair, don’t go to him. (A greasy shirt or dirty hands is, OK, but beware of the hair.) Also if there are a lot of Mercedes, BMWs or Lexus’ do avoid, because he is probably very expensive.

What you need to do is find a place that has everyday people dropping their cars off there. Also, if the waiting area has a huge assortment of different types of magazines, most that are from five years ago, and an old DeLorean or Alfa Romeo getting rebuilt, these are great signs. And when you are happy with the job, refer people and you may possibly get a discount next time you need to visit. Because that is what is good about supporting the small guys, they remember you and appreciate you.