ARPAD'S AUTO SVC

I had noticed a strong smell of gasoline, and I could see that fuel was leaking near the right rear door of my car.  I knew that this  was the location of the fuel filter, so I took the car to one of the local auto service stations that is highly rated on this list, thinking that this was a relatively easy fix.  The mechanic at this facility said that the fuel lines had rusted out and he said that the job couldn't be completed for less than $500 because he needed to replace the lines.  Furthermore, he said that the brake lines were also rusted, so the implication was that I was going to pay more than $500. I declined the offer and was charged $83 dollars for one hour's labor to diagnose the problem.
   I have long known about Arpad's service. Several acquaintances had used this repair facility before, and all of them had noted that Arpad was a capable and honest repairman who was a little offbeat in the sense that he wasn't just trying to maximize profits and take advantage of his customers. He will sometimes sit down and entertain customers with stories.  He has a reputation of offering very reasonable prices for mechanical repairs. It is probably best to show up to his shop in person rather than calling on the phone because this is a one-man operation and it is difficult for him to answer the phone while working on a car.
   I arranged for my car to be towed to his shop, and he fixed the fuel leak.  The charge was just $100.  He installed a fuel line repair kit and that was that.  The repair was fixed to my satisfaction, and I ended up saving hundreds of dollars.
   Arpad is a rarity in this day and age of auto repair shops mainly concerned with maximizing revenue. If one is willing to step outside of the usual patterns of customer relations associated with "professional" repair shops, then this is the place to go.      

Arpad has been the greatest and most honest auto mechanic for us for the last 8 years. He has helped us with almost all our auto repair work, and almost all the time, his diagnosis of the problems have been accurate and his fees very reasonable. He completes the work in time and does everything in great detail. What I really like about Arpad is that he is open if you elect to bring parts of your choice. In the recent transmission flush, I purchased high quality transmission oil and filter, and left them in the car for him to work on. The quality and price range of replacement parts in the market is astounding. With Arpad, you can bring in your own high quality parts and be assured that they are being fitted into your car.
At a lesser side, Arpad has his own style of working and preferences. He doesn't want you to loiter or boss him around. Just leave your car and he will call you once the job is done. Treat him well, and he will treat you back well. Highly recommended.