I had a very bad experience with Ourisman Fairfax Toyota on Fairfax Blvd Fairfax when they did an inspection and I failed because the check engine light was on...ok no problem, fix it I told them...they said something about oxygen sensor needs to replaced ($1000+), light turned off, I passed the inspection.... 4 days later the light is back on....oh you just need a new fuel cap and air filters ($85) they reset the light....check engine light was off for only 10 days....next they said some charcoal filter needed replacing ($800). ok, now the check engine light turns on every 4 to 7 days then turns off for 4 to 7 days. The last time I took it in they had the balls to say it was something I was doing...dude i press the gas and then i press the brake...driving a car I owned for 10 years isn't rocket science...when I pressed him (Doug) on this comment he could come up with anything that I, as the driver, could be doing to make this happen. Now they want to change the throttle body assembly (the estimate was $1500)

I'm pretty much done with their over priced guessing games...either they know whats wrong with it or they don't....in my case they did not.....any suggestions for good mechanics in the Gallows, 50, 66 area for a 2001 toyota?

(In any case looks like we have a happy ending to this story, my wife and I are having baby #3 in 4 months...so we are shopping for a new minivan...we did not go to one Toyota dealership this weekend...especially with their history of brake problems)

Ourisman in Alexandria did their best to destroy my vehicle with faulty repairs. Then, to top it off one of their employees ran into it.

I ended up calling Lou King, the owner and bitching at her to get my issues resolved.

Ourisman Fairfax Toyota rip off Wrote:
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> I had a very bad experience with Ourisman Fairfax
> Toyota on Fairfax Blvd Fairfax when they did an
> inspection and I failed because the check engine
> light was on...ok no problem, fix it I told
> them...they said something about oxygen sensor
> needs to replaced ($1000+), light turned off, I
> passed the inspection.... 4 days later the light
> is back on....oh you just need a new fuel cap and
> air filters ($85) they reset the light....check
> engine light was off for only 10 days....next they
> said some charcoal filter needed replacing ($800).
> ok, now the check engine light turns on every 4 to
> 7 days then turns off for 4 to 7 days. The last
> time I took it in they had the balls to say it was
> something I was doing...dude i press the gas and
> then i press the brake...driving a car I owned for
> 10 years isn't rocket science...when I pressed him
> (Doug) on this comment he could come up with
> anything that I, as the driver, could be doing to
> make this happen. Now they want to change the
> throttle body assembly (the estimate was $1500)
>
> I'm pretty much done with their over priced
> guessing games...either they know whats wrong with
> it or they don't....in my case they did
> not.....any suggestions for good mechanics in the
> Gallows, 50, 66 area for a 2001 toyota?
>
> (In any case looks like we have a happy ending to
> this story, my wife and I are having baby #3 in 4
> months...so we are shopping for a new minivan...we
> did not go to one Toyota dealership this
> weekend...especially with their history of brake
> problems.

Not in your preferred location, but Advanced Automotive in Chantilly has been the most reliable shop that I have done business with in Northern Virginia. They have actually saved me money when other shops would have robbed me. As long as I'm in this area they will get my business.

In my experience, A.I.M. Auto Service is located on Rt. 29 by the diner. It's also adjacent to the Mazda dealership. Their 3-stall shop and parking lot are always crowded.

They've performed good service at competitive rates.

You can also try Nova Family Auto in Falls Church. They have a free shuttle to and from the Metro and usually provide a discount of 20 % off dealer estimates for new customers. They have a website but I don't remember it and I'm too lazy to Google it for you. I usually just drop by. They've always done good work for me.

I know the Service manager at ourisman... Really nice guy, knows his shit.

10 year old car, ever think it's falling apart? They tend to start needing major repairs around that time....

Learn to work on your own car, that's what I do. Saves a ton of $. You can also borrow a obd reader from advanced, pepboys or autozone.

I have had good experience with Kingstowne Auto - Behind Bugalows. And HRM in Springfield. Both did good work at reasonable prices fro me.

Go to Quinton in Chantilly. He's the man.

I've had an excellent experienced at Curry's Auto Service - they have several locations in Northern VA. Definitely experienced staff and HONEST!!!

Just an update to my previous post....we bought a 2011 Honda Mini-van...Take that Oursman Toyota...you lost a sale because of your bad service department...

novaguyy Wrote:
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> I've had an excellent experienced at Curry's Auto
> Service - they have several locations in Northern
> VA. Definitely experienced staff and HONEST!!!


Yeah, Curry's isn't bad ... once you digest the fact that their labor rates are $112.00 per hour.

Yeah, Currys Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> novaguyy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I've had an excellent experienced at Curry's
> Auto
> > Service - they have several locations in
> Northern
> > VA. Definitely experienced staff and HONEST!!!
>
>
> Yeah, Curry's isn't bad ... once you digest the
> fact that their labor rates are $112.00 per hour.



You get what you pay for. They probably only hire reputable, highly trained (and paid) mechanics. Not the kind who keep replacing parts until they get lucky on the last one.

I know a few parts changers, and wouldn't let them work on my kids tricycle.

I always use A&G in Rockville... they are solid. specialize in honda, but i've taken my nissan and audi there for work. Highly recommend giving them a shot.

I go to Currys but I think it is more about the guy working on you car than the place . I had a problem that the dealer was not able to fix , on a friends advice went to Currys they were helpful - said that I should ride with their tech Andy . I did and as much as the guy up front seemed to be blowing smoke up my ass this guy was no bs - felt my issue - knowlegable about the car . They called me and said that it what he suspected - fixed it and he has worked on my car since then . Maybe a bit expensive but I trust this guy - not about the shop really

Merv's in Springfield is good. Located right at Backlick and Old Keene Mill rd just west of I95.

Billy Weber Tire, or BWT, in Vienna, although mainly tire guys, also do a lot of mechanic work, and are as trustworthy as they come.

Shadow Wrote:
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> Merv's in Springfield is good. Located right at
> Backlick and Old Keene Mill rd just west of I95.


I have been going to Mervs since i was in like highschool. As does my whole family. Fair price and good work. Merv is a cool dude.

I moved out to Gainesville and have been using Curry's while in ffx and now in gainesville. great place and honest. They have multiple locations. And $112.00 per hour standard in the industry. You get what you pay for.

I would also try Master Mechanics in chantilly. They never gave me a problem when to fixing cars. And also if you have AAA, they will apply it to your bill. but you need to tell them in advance.

itchy Wrote:

>
> Not in your preferred location, but Advanced
> Automotive in Chantilly has been the most reliable
> shop that I have done business with in Northern
> Virginia. They have actually saved me money when
> other shops would have robbed me. As long as I'm
> in this area they will get my business.


Stay the hell away from this craphole. The worst service I have ever seen. There was a thread a few months ago about the worst auto service in FFX and it seems like half of the posts were people complaining about Advanced Automotive. It was justified. This is sleezy from the owner to the two truck drivers to the mechanics.

I've used Don Allen's in Alexandria (off of Eisenhower) for a decade. They've always provided great customer service and I trust them completely. They focus primarily on Volvos, Mercedes, and Toyotas but will handle just about anything (my in-laws take their BMW and Audi there as well).