Russell Automotive, Inc.

I think that they did a decent job. I would use them for general maintenance but I think I would go to a dealer for breaks.

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I described the part, Steve knew what part it was (unlike others I had called). He was able to quote an approximate price, subject to verifying the actual part number. Turned out only slightly more than his first guess, but significantly less than others had mentioned having paid (I searched Angie's list for others who had the same part repaired; found some done at other shops).

On arrival, I was greeted by name, promised a call to estimate finish time, got that call before I got home, agreed to the price and my van was finished almost exactly at the time estimated.

Returned to pick up my van, again greeted by name, while I was signing the credit card slip another employee slid my keys in front of me and my van was waiting a few feet away at the door. Inside, my van was still clean - no greasy hand or footprints, and nobody had changed the radio setting - something that really annoys me and that has happened at far too many other repair shops.

Altogether a very professionally-run business - refreshing to deal with them. I'll go back to have them attend to some other services I've been neglecting. Neglected mainly because I've been searching for a trust-worthy operation.

PS I'm a master mechanic's tomboy daughter - I know what I'm looking for in a good shop.

I'm very choosy about my automotive repairs. I grew up in a family that enjoyed rebuilding cars of all types from the ground up for fun. At this point in my life I have no interest in doing much of my own work other than cosmetic such as detailing.
Several years ago we took our Toyota Avalon to a local toyota dealership. We knew it needed front and rear brakes for the first time around 70K miles. We had a brakes special coupon from the dealer.
I recieved a call from toyota dealer an hour after I dropped it off to explain that the brakes were much worse than anticipated and the total for front and rear brakes would be $1500 out the door, about five times more than expected based on coupon and quoted price. At that point I asked them to wrap it up and not proceed any further with the car. We'd had frequent issues with this dealership previously and questioned their ethics and honesty. This incident became our and quot;last strawand quot; with them.
I was aware that Russell Automotive in Apopka had a great reputation for being an honest and competent auto service. I took the car directly to them and explained what we'd been told. At that point their advisor, Steve, couldn't really comment other than to say that they would be glad to take a look and give us their honest professional opinion.
An hour or two later Steve called me back to explain that they had looked it over carefully and that is simply needed a normal brake job, front and rear including some cleaning and adjusting which they said is typical with any routine brake job. I believe the quoted price was between $350-400 to do both front and rear brakes.
The car was ready on time later that afternoon and when I went to pick it up they explained that they had applied an internet special coupon they were running on their web site and therefore the cost out the door would only be about $275 to my recollection.
Needless to say I was thrilled. We'd gone from the dealer's price for the same service going up from $300 to a price of $1500 back down to our local Apopka family run shop quoting us $350-400 but only charging us $275 due to an online coupon from their internet site being applied without our asking.
Needless to say we've continued to use their services for both our vehicles ever since then and have remained very happy with their service, quality of work and professionalism. I can't help but notice when we are there that they seem to be the preferred auto service shop of several local prominent media comapanies.
Steve is their service advisor and is approachable and honest. He and Chrissy, the office manager make an awesome team. No matter what type of work we have done there, we always hear from Chrissy a week or two later checking on us and asking if the vehicle is running ok.
I highty recommend this business.

Did it while I waited. I will be back.

I use them frequently. I like them pretty well. They seem straightforward and honest. They are reasonably priced. They are very punctual.

Check engine light was on and their response was likely need new catalytic converter - performed maintenance and reset the sensor advising to come back if it came back on - over $900 for this visit. Check engine light back on and now oil leak. Took car back and had catalytic converter replaced. Leak diagnosed to be power steering fluid, not oil - seal replaced. Cost, $800 - included new brakes. Engine light back on, oil still leaking. Took car back. Leak diagnosed to be tensioner assembly - paid another $565 which included new battery. Car would not start when I came to pick it up - technician failed to charge the new battery. Check engine light back on and oil still leaking. I received a call from Steve Alfieri telling me that Russell would fix my oil leak at no additional charge to me. I took the car back and the problem was diagnosed to be coming from the head gasket. I was told that they would replace the head gasket, as promised, for no additional charge (normally $1600). Needed to keep my car for three days. They had the car for four days. A few days after picking it up the oil light began to flash off and on. I thought I just needed to top off the oil level - ended up adding three and one-half quarts. Became evident oil was still leaking. Did not trust at this point that Russell technician's had expertise or inclination to fix my leak - took the car to a family member's mechanic for evaluation. Learned that I had paid top dollar for a generic catalytic converter that does not fit my car - leaks exhaust. Also learned that the oil leak was coming from stripped head gasket bolts. The mechanic now working on my car contacted Russell Automotive on my behalf. It was only then that I received a letter from Russell, asking me to permit them yet another opportunity to resolve my problem. When I asked how the head gasket bolts became stripped, they cited engine defect as the cause - this is disputed by Toyota, and seems very coincidental with the fact that they worked on the head gasket and returned to me a car that was obviously still not in good working order. I subsequently wrote to Mr. Russell asking for any good-faith refund that he would be willing to consider. He has yet to respond. I urge caution with this company. They talk a good talk, but fail to deliver. Extremely disappointing given their longevity in the Apopka area.

They were good. I thought they were pretty pricey. They are always nice and professional. They ae opened to you asking lots of questions. They answer your questions. My husband always wants to have the final say, so they wait on me to call him.

Top notch service, as always. I'm always satisfied with Russell.

CV joint replacement was done correctly, and price was in line with other shops' estimates. The replacement of the choke was unnecessary, overpriced, and did not correct the problem. This is a problem I have had with Russell in the past. They mis-diagnose problems, and cost you time and money fixing things that weren't broke. It wasn't my choice to use Russell this time, and it won't be in the future, either.

I feel like they are telling me the truth. I was not happy with their explanations a couple of times. I have, overall, been very happy with them.

We called for an appointment, brought the vehicle in that day and was given an estimate ($ and time). While working on the problem, another part needed to be replaced and was given an update on $ and time and the work was completed as expected.

All I can say is that I had a very good experience and that the shop did a good job. I would rather not disclose the price but I can say that the quality of their work was excellent and that I would recommend them to other people if I had to.