FIVE STAR EXHAUST

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Update: I've spoken to the shop owner since this review and he assured me that many of my concerns have been resolved. Before the call I would not have used this shop again, but his straight forward approach to resolving customer issues has increased my confidence enough to give them another shot.

Below is my initial review that I must point out is a compilation of ~5yrs of using the shop. Personally, I'm OK using them for normal repairs. More complex repairs will likely go to the dealer due to the unique nature of some repairs. For example, I had my heater core replaced in a Diamante (not too many on the road) which required pulling the whole dash. Given that the dealer was the only shop in town that had likely performed such a repair I chose them to make sure it was performed properly. Such choices really depend on your personal comfort level in the type of repair to be performed.

Original Review: I've had good and subpar results with the shop. Overall they have been responsive in fixing issues that are found within the labor warranty period (90 days). I originally followed one of the owners from another shop to this location and while he was there I seemed to have a better experience. Part of this is likely due to an established relationship, which usually helps you receive the best possible service. 1. 4WD system repairs are iffy. They repaired my truck's auto locking hubs and the 4WD failed the first time I went offroad ($600 wasted). I'm not a hard core off-roader, but just needed to drive around a muddy yard. The auto locking hubs never seemed to engage and I was left begging for a tow out of the mud. I went back in after this issue and allowed them to install manual locking hubs (their recommendation), which did work without issue (at another $400-500 in costs). To be fair, my truck was a Ford so some of the issue could have been inherent to the 4WD design. However, I would have expected the shop to work with me a little on the 2nd repair given that my $600 initial repair was a bust.

2. Simpler repairs such as replacing a starter, alternator, normal maintenance, etc. went OK.

3. Brake jobs are a hit or miss item as well. I had a few brake lines replaced on my truck. The first repair of 2 lines was OK. I had to go in a 2nd time as 2 other lines were rusted and failing (Ford quality). The technician installed the lines, but when I got home and looked at the repair I saw that he wrapped excess brake line around my rear axle. Obviously he ran out too much line and instead of re-cutting and re-fluting the line he decided that I wouldn't notice 2ft extra under the truck.....you know unless a root or stick grabbed it when trying to use my4WD. I took it back in and the shop did fix the issue free of charge, however it was another afternoon spent waiting and I was the one who noticed the problem. I think the particular tech that performed the initial, poor repair is no longer there.

Again, these instances have been compiled over a ~5yr period and may not be a daily snapshot of the shop. It is very likely that my problems were a result of new/poor techs that are no longer with the shop. My advice is to talk to the guy actually doing the repairs beforehand and make sure you're confident in his abilities. As one gets a little wiser and more car savvy many of these types of problems could probably be noticed at most shops, 5 Star just so happened to be my shop of choice during my repair education.

Thanks for reading!

poorly im left with a junk that i have to take somewhere else. on the plus side they can deal with an irate customer without totally losing their cool

I called and made an appointment to drop my car off and they were able to get me in within 2 days on the day I needed. I dropped it off at 9 in the morning. I received the estimate around 12:30pm and gave them the go ahead to do the work. The work was done that afternoon and I picked up the car around 4:30pm. They were friendly and professional and easy to talk to. I was very pleased with their work and felt it was a fair price for all that they did. The car stopped great and no more grinding from the brakes. Also, about a week or so later after the work was done, I got a friendly call from them making sure everything was ok with the work on my car that they had done. I thought that was cool that they would follow up with a call. Good customer service.

They are reliable and trust worthy. The staff is very friendly. The quality of their job is very good. I highly recommend their services and will continue to use them in future.

My experience with them was extremly positive. II took my 4 wheel drive SUV in because after talking with all my friends, I was convinced it was going to be a job that should have cost me around 600.00. When I called them to make an appointment for that service, they got me right in. They called me a few hours later to tell me that the problem was something in the drive train that had come loose and it did not need to be replaced. When I went to pick up the SUV, they told me that the parts and labor only came to 175.00. SUV ran perfectly afterwards. I have recommended them to 2 other friends for other issues and they walked away very satisfied and thanked me for telling them about 5 star exhaust. They were very professional, curteous, and honest!

The labor rates are very reasonable. I only paid about $50 for the starter replacement. But they were unwilling to guarantee the work because I had supplied my own parts. The starter works fine now, but does make a strange whining sound at ignition that wasn't there before. They dismissed it as being the a refurbished part and wanted additional money to investigate, so I passed. My only complaint is that mechanics seemed annoyed when I asked questions about how they determined that the starter is bad, and be wary of their no warranty policy when supplying your own parts. Overall I think they are honest and reasonably priced, if you don't mind a lower level of service.

The employees are very nice and I was given a quote which the price ended up being cheaper. They have a cute dog that stays there why the owner is working and it really feels like good people helping you out.