ABJ 's Foreign Motors (Somerville, MA) Mechanic(s): Al & company, Al
91 Marshall Street , Somerville, MA (617) 625-6632
Features and Specialties: Specializes in Transmission Work ,Specializes in Air Conditioning work ,Specializes in Brakes & Mufflers ,Specializes in Engine Rebuild Work ,Specializes in Radiator Work Mainly Saabs

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Survey results:

They are always honest
They are competent
The repair price is always reasonable
They fix the problem the first time
They complete the work in a timely manner
They respond well when they screw something up
They take the time to explain the problems and necessary repairs
The shop is located in a safe neighborhood
The hours of operation are convenient for customers
They treat male and female customers in the same manner
They are near public transportation (or provide loaners, shuttle bus, rides as needed)

Reviewers Comments:

I have known Al and Jim for years. They are bright, honest, and really care about their customers and their cars. Also, they are committed to helping their employees. There is a team spirit.

These guys are actually named Al, Jim, Herby, etc., just as you'd expect from truly great mechanics. A Claude managed to sneak in, but that's OK, he's Haitian. Claude is pretty much Al in Hatian. Seriously, ABJ knows what they're doing, and is very good at finding parts for foreign autos.

I first started by buying hard-to-find VW Rabbit Diesel parts from this guy's parts business and doing my own nuts-and- bolts work. Al was an early proponent of using computers to keep prices down and track inventory. I have picked up parts from him at amazingly good prices and taken them to astonished mechanics who had much less good prices to offer. I started taking my cars to his shop when I had less time an more money, (or was too pregnant to mess with brake fluid, let alone squeeze under the car) and wasn't disappointed. They always listen to my descriptions of a problem.

Al and his crew at ABJ are fantastic. My very first interaction with them blew me away...my car was having trouble getting up steep Rt 2 with the engine just fading out and not responding to the gas pedal. I was recommended by a family member to take the car to Al. When I pulled up to drop the car off (as one normally does at most repair shops) instead of being told to just leave the car, Wendel, Al's primary diagnostician, actually came out on the spot to give the car a once over. Without being told, he immediately noted I'd changed the timing belt. Further, upon listening to the car and asking a few extra questions, he showed me a coupla spots of potential trouble. Finally he showed me one "trick" to try that may get around the problem I was having. All this for no charge!! AND, the "trick" worked (disconnection of a potentially faulty oxygen sensor). From that time on I have never had qualms about taking my car to ABJ and I sing their praises to all I meet.

This shop has more reasonable hourly labor rates than most other shops in the area. They have always fixed everything which needed fixing on my car as well as finding other problems which need attention ("Oh yeah, I had been hearing that noise for a while."). Their hours are amazing and always have my car done in only a few hours.

Having tried four Saab mechanics in the Boston area over time, they're the best: amazingly fast turn around, work very late for you, and good at what they do. I like 'em.

They replaced my rear brakes (incl. new rotors) for $220, which was more than $300 less than what I was quoted at nearby Mike's Auto. They appear to have the best prices on parts by far in the area. Their labor rate ($48/hour) is also low, but I have to say that it gets cancelled out by what appears to be inflated hours on my bill. The brake job took 2.5 hours to complete according to the bill, but I have never had anyone charge me for more than 1.5 hours of labor for new brakes on this car. Despite this, their total price ended up being cheaper than anyone else's -- due to their extremely low parts prices. So..I would recommend them highly for any repair involving expensive parts, but possibly not for labor-intensive jobs. Open until 7:00 pm and free shuttle service.

I will live & die by these guys from now on -- they worked on my SAAB for a windshield washer fluid motor and the 'older version clutch' for a 1994 900S. Dealt with Mike specifically (super guy!) and Al (owner) was in the office and was great to chat with. The shop is something out of Oscar's Can on Sesame Street but its all a part of the charm and the atmosphere. Friends seemed to drop by nonchalantly to say 'Hello' and the rapport with their customers was equally disarming. Price was, eh, competitive but they got the job done, no excuses, and all while I watched Mike do his magic. Look no further, SAAB, VW, Volvo, Honda (Japanese Cars in general) owners ABJ Foreign Auto are your guys in Somerville! --DF

ABJ was able to schedule me with less than one week's notice. They did a pretty thorough job checking out my 1997 Saab 900SE to check for current and upcoming issues. Al kept me informed of the work they wanted to do and why. He didn't pressure me to do the repairs for the upcoming issues - but even offered to sell me a part at his lower cost so another shop could repair (I'm moving out of state) - and I could return it via mail for a refund if I didn't need it. Altogether a good experience as a first- time customer.

My first experience with Al was when I decided to get a second opinion on the repair of my Saab's direct ignition control module. I had priced the part on the internet and figured that the Herb Chambers outlet was charging an exorbitant amount. Al quoted me a very good price and offered to pay if I towed the car out of Herb Chambers' lot to his shop. I have to say that the expression on the HC guy's face was excellent, as he assumed with a disabled car, I was not in a position to negotiate. I have been back to Al ever since, and their work is better priced - and more honestly priced - than others in the area. I give their contact info: 91 Marshall Street - Somerville, MA. 617-776-2978 to every foreign car owner I meet.

ABJ is paying the price of success. For years, they've been much better than anyone expects of a mechanic. They are truly nice people who deeply care about their customers; if you don't have too much money and need something expensive, they feel bad about having to break the news, instead of thinking about how much money they're going to make. The problem is, no-one can be that perfect forever. They are mobbed by customers, appointments can take several days or more to come by, and major work can take days longer than they think it will, because they just get too busy. Their top mechanics are great, but the junior folks they've hired in can't match the standard of excellence. This is not like going to a porsche dealer where the customer is always right even if they are an obnoxious moron; this is like having your brother or your dad (or your mom or your wife) doing the work. It's great, cause they care about you and about doing things right, but it's tough, because you can't just treat them like someone who is there to serve you, even though, as a service business, they are in fact there to serve you. It's great and homey, until they mess something up when you needed them not to, then it's kinda rough. They know Saabs inside out and backwards; if you have a Saab, you almost certainly want them to work on it. They can handle SUV four-wheel-drive problems, and are very good at Hondas, and probably BMW and Mercedes (though I don't know for sure). I'm not sure I've ever seen another shop that is so considerate of women. If you're a type A, get it done now, get it done right kind of person, though, find someplace else.

I love these guys, but I agree with the advice that they may not be the best place if you're type "A". If you can pay 2-3 times the cost to have you car fixed at NTB by probably less competent people, they'll more likely be organized and on-time. ABJ, on the other hand, will do what they say, for a fair price, and won't gouge you on the parts cost.

Al Riskalla and his crew treat the whole car. The lead mechanics have all been with Al for well over a decade, and the staff of drivers shared with their parts operation is nearly always available to drop you off at home, work or T-stop. They have made it possible for us to get over 20 years of great performance out of a couple of Saabs, and have helped us to buy a couple more used Saabs which worked out very well. Their previously mentioned parts operation is great for folks who like to listen to Car Talk while performing minor repairs on their own rides.

I like Al, I like Mimi, I like the guys. The seem to like fixing older cars without charging a lot. They have a great inventory of used parts and their labor rate is great. they are skilled at keeping older Saabs going, and seem to enjoy doing some little fixes, which other shops would require new parts for, at a higher price. Here's a nice story: I was debating about keeping a 1991 car or moving to a 1999 -- Al said it would be cheaper in the long run to keep the older car going, and advised me to do that. Also, very respectful of women customers, unlike many others. A very nice, friendly place. The kind of shop I'd like to have if I were in the biz.

My housemate has used them for years, and between her recommendation and the surveys here, I decided that was good enough for me. I brought the car in on Monday at Noon, and it was ready by 6 that night! I was 95% sure it was the starter, and Al called me and confirmed this. The price is what I expected, and the estimate was right on. They were very friendly (even made suggestions on the phone about how to check to see if it was the starter), quick and fair. I highly recommend them!

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