Larson Auto Repair Incorporated

I drive a 1985 Chevrolet 1-ton dually pickup with crew cab, 454 engine and 3-speed manual + granny gear. It's the best-running vehicle I've ever owned. Mike keeps it purring like a kitten, and even when something odd and esoteric goes wrong (like the switch between the dual fuel tanks), he knows what it is right away and how to fix it. He saves me money where he can, but he only uses factory parts, at least for my vehicles (I also have a 1985 Honda Accord) and he can usually estimate the approximate cost of repairs with amazing accuracy before he even calls and checks on the parts. The cars are always done when promised and better then expected. He spots potential problems and lets me know how critical they are and how long I can get away without fixing them if I'm short on cash. My truck runs so clean that it passed emissions in both Arizona and California, even after driving to Arizona all night - 800 miles and 13 hours on the road. He's probably the best mechanic I've ever known and I recommend him without reservation to anyone for any type of repair.

I have a ‘89 Ford E250 long van which I've converted into an RV. At about 80K mi I had the brakes done by the service department of a local dealer. I took it back the next day because I thought that the pedal was very spongy compared to what it had been before I took it in. The dealer's service department tinkered with it some, but it was still spongy to my feel. A few months later, going down from the 9900' Tioga Pass, the brakes all but failed. It was quite scary. The pedal was almost to the floor, and the right front wheel billowed smoke. I had been down from this pass several time in the past, and it had never been like that. I later extensively bled the breaks. The next time down from Tioga Pass I was very careful, and still I almost lost the brakes. I did not know what was wrong. I found Larson via the Car Talk web site. We talked on the phone, and I gave him a written rundown on the history. I'm an old hot rod mechanic, and he struck me as a savvy guy. He checked and bled the system, and installed "severe duty" front pads. Immediately after his work, the peddle felt solid. This summer, 2006, I went down from Tioga Pass again. I took it easy, I could smell my breaks, but they always felt solid, and we got to the bottom without any problems. I also had an air-conditioning problem. Mike declined to do that work, but recommended someone whom he thought would do an excellent job. Based on all of this experience, I strongly recommend Larson, and I think I've learned that the premium spent on service from the dealer's "factory trained" mechanics is money out the window.

I actually learned about Tom at Larson Automotive through the cartalk website. I was so excited to get the referral, and spastically kept relaying that information to poor Mike and Tom when I called the first few times to coordinate an appointment time. I don't know if they shared my enthusiasm because I'm certain that I mentioned cartalk EACH time I called, literally. But this was a wonderful discovery and I thank the others who took the time to write the review. Eventually tiring of being a "cash cow" for the dealership, I contacted Tom and now benefit from his expertise with Mercedes (he once worked at a dealership and has, I believe, 25 years of experience). Tom is honest, patient and fast and I expect that my car and I will have a long relationship with Larson Automotive.

I've referred many friends and colleagues to Mike and Tom. All without exception report that they share my extremely positive experience with Larson Automotive. There simply are no better mechanics than Mike and Tom. I hope they never retire.