Saab & Raffi

The owner, John, is a master certified Lexus mechanic. Nice guy, willing to take time to explain things and will not do unnecessary work. Many times I will ask if something needs to be done and he will say, "it can wait until next time"

They are open 7 days a week. Closed on some big holidays. If it is something small like an oil change you are taken in right away. Clean restrooms. The two owners are from the middle east and you get the standard greeting of "My Friend" and you feel like you are in a bazaar with a merchant. They bought it from a Baltimore native and the business has been there for years. Their mechanics have been there for years and are as good if not better than most garages. If you are stuck there midday hike one block south to the "Roost" carryout for lunch. I do not know how safe the area is but the police station for the northwest area of Baltimore is right there.

I found Raffi through AAA when my car broke down in the middle of Fairfax Ave. I was towed to SAAB & Raffi and he accurately diagnosed the problem in about 2 minutes. On subsequent visits, he was able to locate and fix a problem in the exhaust system that the dealer had failed to diagnose in numerous (expensive) attempts, and located a glitch in the electrical system that took several days of tracking throughout the dash. Raffi always takes the time to explain what is being fixed, and always shows me the parts that were replaced or repaired. Everyone at the shop is polite and helpful. Because they have a relationship with Enterprise Rent-a-Car, it does not add horribly to the cost of repairs to rent a car for a day or two.

The first time I went to SAAB & Raffi I was towed there after stalling on Fairfax Blvd. Raffi diagnosed the problem immediately and fixed it quickly. Since then I have gone back for routine service as well as problem solving. Raffi was able to locate a problem in the exhaust system that had baffled the dealer over many expensive visits. He and his guys spent two days on another occasion locating a broken wire behind the dash that was affecting the AC. I trust Raffi to make sure my car is working correctly without gouging me. They always explain what they are doing, and always keep the parts they replace to show me. Everyone is very professional and very friendly.