So true. However, I will say that I find dealers (the mechanics) to be the most familiar with your car because that's what they mostly work with, that is, if there's any known problem with your type of car they'd be the first to know about it. In my younger years I used to do everything myself. But, not so much anymore because either I don't have the time or I just don't want to do it. I've had a dealer try to rip me off, but fortunately I knew he was full of shit and I told them no (the last one said my fuel pump was going bad - 30,000 miles ago - it's still working today). My mom & sis always ask for my opinion on stuff, I've saved them from being scammed a few times. In high school I worked in a lawn mower shop and the owner (more than once) told me to do a carb overhaul when all it needed was a new spark plug - freakin crook. I don't like to go to dealers because they are so expensive, so I only go there as a last resort. The trick is finding somebody you can trust. Ask around. Seems like even this thread is working for some places recommended. I recently (and for the first time) went to have oil changed at an EZ Lube place. I sat outside to watch them (I don't trust any of them). I was impressed with their crew. They were working hard, did a good job, and didn't try to scam me. Thumbs up to the EZ Lube crew in HB (Gothard & Edinger). But, I'm guessing those drive thru shops change crews like McDonalds does with cooks, so...BRIAN MAIDEN said:
So true! And the crook aspect may not necessarily be the guy under the hood but the person who writes up the bill. Once I took my car to a dealer. They said it would be an hour - it was a simple little job - and when I called back they said the mechanic was out to lunch and I could pick it up when he got back. When I went in to pick up the car they billed me for 2 hours. I asked why 2 hours of billing for a one hour job and the woman said, "Well he's got to eat lunch!"BRIAN MAIDEN said:
I kid you not! Not on my dime, though!!!! In the end, she took it off because I insisted (and can you believe I actually had to argue that point?) Oy VEY! 
