Advanced Automotive

Still the best and most fair mechanic around. I bought a new car and the dealer gave me 5 free oil changes. I didn’t visit Advanced Automotive for a while. When that year+ was up, I went back.
Not only was Greg happy to see me, he told me of some things that the dealer should have done but didn’t (such as using the highest grade recommended synthetic oil — 5 months or 5000 miles between changes instead of ³⁄₃₀₀₀ — and retorquing the 20 or so undercarriage bolts). Greg did all that, and also reset the computer.
If I would ever get a new car again, I’d say ‘no thanks’ to the dealer and go directly to Advanced Automotive. Why go anywhere else?

Few times in ones life where you meet people willing to help just out of the kindness of their hearts. What a pleasant surprise it is when they do. I can’t thank Collin enough for his assistance with my flat tire yesterday morning. The tire was rusted on and we couldn’t get it to budge. Fortunately I walked into Advanced Automotive for help where Collin immediately came to my rescue. He left the shop to go with me to my vehicle where he removed the tire, took it back to the shop where he repaired it and then left with me a second time to replace it. To top it off, he wouldn’t even accept payment. Huge thanks to you Collin and an outstanding company that truly puts customers first. I will be back for any and all of my automotive needs. 5 stars indeed. I wish there were 6! Thank you!!!

I have known Greg Augustine, the owner of Advanced Automotive for over 30 years. He is a very talented individual who can build or repair anything. Even better, Greg can communicate effectively about the work performed on your vehicle, and you leave educated about how to care for it. I have no hesitation about the 30 mile drive to get my car serviced at Greg’s shop. As a bonus, the clean and comfortable lounge area provides an opportunity to be productive during the very reasonable wait time.

I’ve been a customer of Advanced Automotive for more than 10 years and I wouldn’t even think of having any of our cars serviced any other place. The words HONEST, DEPENDABLE, and RELIABLE are not usually associated with mechanics but they truly define the service you receive from Greg and his team. The clean and comfortable waiting room is an added bonus and you are always greeted with a friendly smile and clear definition of the services being provided. Double Thumbs Up!

Under no circumstance should you bring your vehicle to this shop. Last month, after noticing my car was not running well, I brought my car to this «mechanic.» After a complete vehicle inspection that I paid for, I was told that the oil filter was damaged and that the car was low on oil. On the phone, the «mechanic» told me there was no damage to the engine and that I would need a new oil pump and that since the car had close to 80,000 miles on it, I also inquired about changing the spark plugs. The car also needed a new oxygen sensor. $ 820 later I picked up my car. I noticed at that time it did not sound right and asked the technician about it. I was told it was no concern, that oil needed to circulate and that a bottle of Slick 50 or other lubricant would eliminate the noise. About 15 minutes after that, while driving home, I hear a loud bang, followed by loss of power. By the time I pulled over, the entire engine block was on fire resulting in a complete loss of my vehicle. I registered a complaint with the BBB and asked the mechanic to refund my $ 820 as a sign of good will. He refused and proceeded to question my character and integrity and said the engine was already damaged when I brought it in. Even if that was the case, how would a mechanic allow me to leave his shop with a damaged engine AFTER a complete vehicle inspection that I paid for was completed. Nowhere was I informed of this and nowhere was it noted! What kind of mechanic would do $ 820 of cosmetic work and let me leave with an engine that was destined to fail. As well, I could have been seriously injured in the fire. Needless to say, legal counsel has been retained. Use this «mechanic» at your own risk.

Greg and his staff provide excellent customer service. On top of that, they are trustworthy and reliable. There’s a reason Advanced Automotive has been in business so long, integrity. Being the owner of a Swedish car, and often –as I feel– being viewed as a young, naïve car owner who can easily be taken advantage of, it’s intimidating when that «CHECK ENGINE» light pops up. I find solace in finally finding someone who doesn’t cause me the despair and anxiety of being exploited. He fixes what needs to be fixed at a fair price. Greg will eloquently explain what needs to be done and why, while providing the best financial options. He was referred to me by several people and I would refer him and his shop to anyone looking for a reliable mechanic.

I’m shocked to see the «taking advantage» review. I’ve been a customer of Greg’s at Advanced Automotive for more than 10 years. I’ve always found his ethics and standards to be the highest. He takes the time to really explain what he’s «recommending» and why and I never have felt forced to do anything or as if I was getting a line of bull.
In fact for the last 4 years, I have had a service contract with Ford on my truck and Lakewood Ford was doing the service every 3k. That contract just expired, so I decided that the dealer had not really given me the exceptional service I was use to with Greg, so back I went. I just took him my truck and had to have my rotors replaced rather than just turned because the dealer hadn’t told me they were already worn 3000 miles ago. He found that all the fluids looked great and recently replaced EXCEPT the transfer case — seems Ford never checked or changed that and it was black.
My wife’s Ford Escape was recently in there too and he found that Ford had removed a filter between the engine bay and passenger compartment, but failed to replace it.
He use to be a mechanic on the Honda race team, then was the lead tech for Honda’s corporate tech hotline (where they call when they can’t figure something out at the shops), and then started his own business. Greg’s prices aren’t any cheaper than a dealer, but I trust him completely. He keeps his shop immaculately clean, he thoroughly goes over ever car he services, and tells you what he recommends and why in great detail.
For more satisfied customers, I found 17 glowing reviews on Google…
and an A+ rating on the BBB
I recommend Greg and Advanced Automotive to all of my friends.

My friend and I (two young women) drop my forester off for an oil change and all around vehicle inspection. An hour later I get a run down of the $ 2,200 list of extensive things wrong with my car. Including timing belt, brake system, spark plugs, and air filters. Going back through my car facts and maintenance performed since I bought the car only 2 years ago, almost all of these services and replacements were done on my car– including the most expensive, the timing belt.
This is a blatant case of a mechanic trying to take advantage of young women.
Beware