Wayne's Garage - Yea or Nea?

[JLM]

I've been taking my Subaru Outback to a dealer for inspection / service for years, but I'd like to find a place in the neighborhood. Some have suggested Wayne's. From what Yelp tells me, "Wayne" retired in recent years and a man named Joe now owns the garage. Some of the recent reviews on Yelp are pretty bad. What do you think? Am I better off trekking over to the dealer in NJ? Is the new Wayne's ok despite what Yelp says? Is there another mechanic in the neighborhood that you'd suggest?

Thanks.

[annie]

I've been taking my Subaru Outback to a dealer for inspection / service for years, but I'd like to find a place in the neighborhood. Some have suggested Wayne's. From what Yelp tells me, "Wayne" retired in recent years and a man named Joe now owns the garage. Some of the recent reviews on Yelp are pretty bad. What do you think? Am I better off trekking over to the dealer in NJ? Is the new Wayne's ok despite what Yelp says? Is there another mechanic in the neighborhood that you'd suggest?

I would not take a car there and probably suggest you keep taking it to the dealer. Wayne's has screwed us twice. Once, on a busy holiday weekend assuring us that the Check Engine light was for something that could wait (we ended up having to be towed later that day) and another time checking our brakes "free of charge" only to have something else messed up in the process and charging us to fix the new problem.

[boognish]

I would never go there again.


We had no choice as we needed some emergency work, but I'm still pretty angry about the job (not to mention their quotes for an additional job).


If you've got a Subie, I recommend the dealer in Cherry Hilly. If you get on their mailing list, they often send some good coupons.

[seand]

He's not cheap and tends to have a knack for "finding" lots of new things to fix. More than once I was told I needed several thousands of dollars simply to pass inspection and someone else said fix this one thing for $200. Maybe the other person is just telling me what I want to hear and putting my life at risk, but I'll take that risk. The sticker from the state looks just the same.

[Surya]

I took advantage of a coupon for an oil change and once-over. Being new to the neighborhood, I used it. They told me I had a transmission fuel leak and major damage that would be about $1800...I left promptly, took it to my old neighborhood place and confirmed that there was no damage. The older guy at the desk was condescending and I left fuming at the way I was treated. I would not go there, nor would I ever recommend.

[Travelgirl]

I've also not been happy with Wayne's. I took my car there once just for an oil change. Nothing went wrong but they also gave me a list of $2000 worth of work that didn't really need to be done which rubbed me the wrong way.

But as to the second question .... Is there any reliable mechanic in the general area anyone would recommend? I'm tired of taking my car to my parents mechanic in NJ and would like to find my own....

[Treatment]

Even though I live in University City, I still take my car down to Foreign Fix on 8th and Reed in south philly. They are a family owned garage and have always been really good to me. They sometimes throw in little free things ("we noticed your wiper blades were in bad shape, we put on a new set but I didnt charge it because you didnt ask for it"). My car is 18 years old and not in the best shape and they have never recommended additional repairs or overcharged.

[seand]

2nd of Foreign Fix.

[JBL]

I've been taking my Subaru Outback to a dealer for inspection / service for years, but I'd like to find a place in the neighborhood. Some have suggested Wayne's. From what Yelp tells me, "Wayne" retired in recent years and a man named Joe now owns the garage. Some of the recent reviews on Yelp are pretty bad. What do you think? Am I better off trekking over to the dealer in NJ? Is the new Wayne's ok despite what Yelp says? Is there another mechanic in the neighborhood that you'd suggest?

Thanks.

FWIW....if you're considering Jersey, I'll throw in my recommendation of Kelley's on Franklin Avenue and Haddonfield Berlin Road. Family run business, fair prices and friendly people. I even get thank you notes from them.