ABJ Auto Repair

Al always tries to find the reasonably priced repair for you, always explains the problem in detail and gives you ALL your options. He's the first mechanic in a long time to treat me exactly the same as he treats my husband.

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.

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.

I got the name of this place from an employee at auto store in Portland Me who was admiring my Viggen. Turns out a co- worker also swears by them. I have been most impressed by their honesty - (I have to sit and wait for my car as public transportation would take me an hour each way so waiting is easier), so I hear what is going on. And it is all good. The first time I was there I walked away paying $150 instead of the $1950 that SAAB dealer recommended! As sson as I walked in there and spoke to them, I couldn't stop smiling. I knew I had finally found a reliable place to take my car. They have sat down and taken the time to explain things. Just recently I was in a traffic jam and I thought I saw smoke coming from under the hood. A very calm Al reassurred my panicky call.

Al, Wendel, Mike and company are fantastic. They've done wonders on my '86 Celica GT. From my first interaction with them in regards to a problem driving up the Rt 2w hill (bad O2 sensor) to the more recent reconstruction of a gas tank from salvaged parts, these guys have worked wonders. The labor rate is likely the lowest around and you get great work done for the price. No matter where in the city I move to I will always make the trek to ABJ to have my cars repaired and maintained!

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!

You're not going to pay a lot for your muffler.....no not at Meineke, at ABJ. I got a quote from Meineke of $600 to replace the muffler on my BMW. ABJ charged me $300! Not only was the labor rate reasonable, but the price they charged me for the part was less then what Autozone was selling it for. They did it in a single afternoon on short notice during a very busy day. Oh, and they also fixed my parking brake handle (the release button was recessed too far), for free. Its a small thing, but I've had my car at many shops, and not a single one ever bothered (or thought) to take care of that. This is my first time at this shop, but it certainly won't be my last!