Frontier Automotive

I took my 99 Chevy Lumina to Frontier Automotive on a recommendation of a friend. When I talked to Gilbert the owner, he quoted me a price of 225.00 to replace the sensor. When I dropped car off next morning I was going to take the bus back to my place, but he said he would drive me. When I went to pick up the car that afternoon, I was waiting for him to tell me everything else that needed done to it but he didn’t. I asked him what the final bill would be thinking it would probably be way more than the estimate. When he told me the final repair cost, my mouth dropped open. Luckily I had forgotten my false teeth that day because when he said the amount, I’m sure they would have fell onto the counter. Only 197.00 total price. I’ve never heard of a mechanic give a price less that the estimate before. I was totally impressed with the service and the price, and the car runs great. I always thought «honest mechanic» was an oxymoron. I will recommend this place to everyone I know. Gilbert and Frontier Automotive is the place to go for car repairs.

I would NEVER recommend anyone EXCEPT Gilbert to get the job done. He NEVER overcharges (one time he overestimated and then charged me LESS than what I was expecting) and he NEVER takes advantage of you. He’s the most honest mechanic I’ve ever come across and anytime anyone ever asks me for a recommendation for a mechanic, Gilbert is the first and only person I think of. He’s the best!

I went to Frontier because a friend recommended them to me and also b/​c they had great reviews on Unilocal.Gilbert was a very personable and his staff called me after the work was done to tell me that the issue was not a compressor problem but just a fan belt that was loose and a thermal fan clutch that needs replacing. Here is the problem — I called back to ask him if he was sure it was not the compressor and they assured me no. I went in and had a 15 minute conversation asking them to verify that it was not the compressor (I even told them that another mechanic told me the day before that it was the compressor) and again they assured me no. I drove off and within minutes, A/​C not blowing as efficiently and now a high hissing sound. I brought it back the next day and Gilbert said, it probably needs a freon charge after 30 minutes or so of testing — Its the compressor. it was bad.
I am disappointed because i asked them on 3 different occasions if they were sure it was not the compressor and they assured me that it was not. The problem with this is i would have never paid for the a/​c fan belt to be tightened or replaced the fan clutch if it was indeed the compressor. Then I am also worried about the competency of the technicians. If I asked on 3 different occasions if it was the compressor and even told you that another mechanic shop said THIS was the issue, HOW do you miss this?
So now I am back to square one. I just spent over $ 300 for you to tell me what I just spent $ 63 to learn — I need a compressor. Now Frontier said they would replace the compressor for around $ 800, (way less that the other mechanic) but now I am leery because I am now concerned with your competency.
I really wanted to make Frontier my new go to mechanic based on the reviews. The shop owner was a really nice guy and seemed really confident in his initial analysis.
I think an apology or even a attempt at making things right would change the way I feel about this whole situation. If I was rating Frontier on just atmosphere, friendliness, then I would give them a 5 stars, but on competency I have to go with a 2.

Gilbert is AMAZING! He is an honest kind man. Every time we take our cars in he fixes everything properly and is reasonable. I would recommend him to anyone.

You know you always doubt whether you got screwed when you get your car fixed right? Well not at Frontier. Gilbert is the man! He will be honest about what your car needs and even better what it DOESN’T NEED!!! YES you heard me!

I have only gotten anything replaced on my car here, mainly because my parents have known the owner a long time. But I have to say the location of this place kind of freaks me out, and the shop is in deparate need of some TLC. Looks aren’t everything though because this shop has always done a great job on my car. This place isn’t really in our neighborhood, but when you find someone who doesn’t screw up fixing your car you don’t mess with that!