Is you car worked on at a mechanics shop or a home garage?

If I can do it myself, I do so, but when something needs to be done that I can't do, I take it to a very small garage. Just now I'm getting the A/C motor replaced, and to do that, I took it to a small place that only has one employee: the mechanic, manager, and owner all in one. I have had him recommended to me, and I know he does good work at a reasonable rate, and he's not afraid to do a non-factory repair if it means a better solution for a smaller price. With small garages, you have to know the people who run them. If those people are good, you'll get the best service you've ever seen. If those people are bad, you'll get the worst service you've ever seen, and maybe get cheated.

My husband generally does all the maintence or repairs on our vehicles. Unless we are pressed for time or it is something he hasn't done before. Sometimes it is easier to do part of the job at home than take it in the shop to do the rest.

My sig. other fixes my car usually- Knock on wood- it is pretty new and doesn't need much- but he does oil changes and brake jobs- He evn put a new muffler clamp on- He is pretty good at that- Prior to the car running out of warranty- I took it to the shop- I live in a small town also- but that is one thing we have alot of- Car dealerships and auto repair shops!

All of my mom’s brothers are mechanics, and I have worked in a shop for three years. Although I was in the office, I had the opportunity to learn basic repairs. I can repair simple things like changing the brake pads, spark plugs, bleeding the brakes, changing oil fix window brackets and such. But is basically it! Last week I had problems with my brakes after my brother borrowed the car. When I went under to try and bleed the brakes, I noticed that a part was broke so then I went to our farm and got another one and replaced it. But it still didn’t work! I ended up calling one of my uncles to help me figure out what was wrong. It was the brake master cylinder assembly that was the problem. I though about taking it in to the shop but the parts alone is no less than two hundred dollars! Luckily, I have a friend who owns a shop and he sold a second hand part to me for $45.00. My uncle was the one who helped me install it and re bleed the brakes. I don’t take my car to the shop because my experience working in one has left me smart enough to know how they work with the pricing and all. Therefore, if I can’t fix it I just call my uncles.