Curtis Hi Tech Auto Service Center

Excellent-competitive price. Easy to do business with

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I have a 2004 forester, summer is here and the A/C runs cold for 5 minutes and then starts blowing warm. AND the drivers side window doesn't go down. So, I thought, wow there are a lot of good reviews for Curtis Hi-tech, lets give em a try! After all, a reliable, honest local mechanic is hard to find. I dropped it off, and after a few (expected) hours Courtney called me with a diagnosis and a fix. She stated it would be in the range of over $525-something to fix the window and the A/C. That was a little much for me, so I asked what was the cheaper option, the window or the A/C. A/C was the cheaper one coming in at around $240.00. A Harmonic Balancer was worn out, thats what was stated to me. Harmonic balancer was so bad it was wearing into the cover on the engine. Belts were worn as well. Ok, sure sounds legit enough. I gave the go ahead to replace said balancer and belts and was looking forward to a whole new driving experience for under $300, which was for us, a lot of money. I received the call that it was done, and went over to HI-Tech. Paid up, got the keys, Courtney was very nice. Started the car and instantly I noticed that it idled like there was a large mammal trapped under the hood, noticeably rocking the whole car. I pulled out to the main road, and stopped at a light, thought maybe it'll work its way out, computer maybe has to reset the idle…nope. All this took about 5 minutes, the A/C was cold for that time, when the light changed, it went hot again. Now the car idles rough and the A/C wasn't fixed like they stated it would be. Turned right back around and pulled into the lot. Told them what happened, and someone went out to look at the idle. It was around closing and I felt bad to keep them so after they came back in and told me they didn't know what was wrong, I said just keep it and try to figure it out with more time and no rush. I guess they gave it a good once over the next day or so and didn't find anything that would make it idle that way. All the “tune up” stuff was in good condition they said. Ok, I said, can you just check everything and try to narrow it down, time is not of the essence, I just want the idle to be normal, and solve my original problem: fixing the A/C. At this point I think now I had to keep calling them, so Courtney said they got Prestige Subaru involved because they were stumped. Subaru apparently knew what was wrong and how to fix it, and has more technology at their fingertips. Ok fine. I’ll go there, I asked ONE LAST TIME if the A/C was working, I was given the response “yup, its blowing cold”. To which I respond, “Yes, but please take it for a longer test drive to see that it blows hot after about 5 minutes”. I received a reassuring response that would be the case. After the call, I, like anyone, would have assumed it was going to be fixed, right? This little journey takes us to about a week’s worth of time as I said take your time, as long as its fixed, right? I pick up the car the following Sunday, I drive 1.8 miles down the road to Prestige Subaru, 4 minutes according to google maps. A/C blows hot air as I turn into the dealership lot. You’d think that A/C was blowing hot, I’m ready to spit fire and brimstone at this point. So after $240.00, a week of waiting patiently, AND getting a car back with a rougher idle than I left it, what could be worse. Well, after Subaru’s diagnosis, compression test, and figuring it out that it was the timing and the rollers were loose, it wasn't Curtis hi-tech’s fault (according to Subaru), that the Idle was messed up, timing was off apparently. Fine. Fix it Subaru. Me- ok, Mr. Subaru, whats wrong with the air conditioner? Mr. Subaru- Oh, its the compressor, the clutch is bad, and the unit is a whole so you cant just replace the clutch. (Im paraphrasing). Me- great, (sarcasm) how much is this going to cost? Mr. S.- about $900.00 Me- LOL Why I actually laughed out loud at such an outrageous number is that I had just given the ok to repair the timing stuff for about 1k. I did need a reliable car, and timing and engine stuff is pretty important. But the A/C for 900.00? I’d be lucky to get 2k for this car as a trade in. So now I call back Curtis “hi-tech”. I think I spoke to Charles the first time calling back, he was pretty quick on the explanation, I know they're busy. I spoke slowly and controllably explaining what Subaru said about the timing. He seemed relieved that it was nothing they had done. I had then also stated that Mr. Subaru told me the clutch on the compressor was bad. This seemed to be no surprise at all to him, as if this was a discussion that we had had several times before. Subarus diagnosis was the FIRST TIME I was hearing about any compressor problems. So I went on to ask him for a refund or partial refund or whatever he could do for me because the problem wasn't fixed. I had to call back the next day being that I had no return call, spoke to Kitty, she took a message and had Courtney call me back. I was under the impression that Charles was going to call me back. Anyway I explained to Courtney, what I spoke to Charles about. She was nice as ever and apologized profusely about the new “missing” information that I wasn't given regarding the compressor more than a week ago. At this point there was no resolution, and I was at work, so I said you guys figure it out and call me back. I gave them 24 hours. No call. I called back and spoke to Courtney, asking what the deal was. She put me on a brief hold, and came back stating that Charles doesn't give refunds. She said he would give me $120 off of the service for the A/C compressor, OR PUT THE OLD DAMAGED HARMONIC BALANCER BACK ON!! LOL. Lucky me. I’m not so upset about the timing/idle repair, its an old car and things happen. But, the missing information about the compressor that seemed so obvious to him is what bothers me, and why this is a negative review. Here’s the thing, why would I have opted for the least costly fix initially, to have it then turn out to be a $880.00 (before the generous discount he offered), job for a compressor? I would've fixed the NON WORKING WINDOW instead of the A/C if they actually disclosed the information about the compressor in the beginning. I’m shocked at the lack of responsibility and disclosure on their part regarding the missing information that was so blatantly obvious to him when we had our final conversation. Really surprising that there are this many great reviews in multiple places for this joint. For a 20 plus year old business and this many good reviews you would think disclosure and responsibility would be more important. Free oil changes for every review probably doesn’t hurt that review count either. They’ll probably change it to free oil change for every “good” review now. If I had a lawnmower I wouldn't let them change that oil for free after this debacle. I guess I'm eating the $237.64, Its a shame because I thought I had found a good honest mechanic that was local.

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It went great. I pulled in right at 4 and they took the car right away. I waited while they changed the oil and rotated the tires.  I was out by 4:45.

Great!

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I am new to Asheville and had two people recommend this mechanic.  I went to the shop on a busy Saturday morning when they were short handed but they fit me in and accurately predicted the time that they would be ready for me so I didn't have to wait around. They had my car on the rack within 10 minutes after I came back and had the work done in about 15. The person at the desk was very efficient in taking my information and printing out the paperwork needed for me to register my car for the first time in NC. She also kindly provided a number of pointers about where I would need to go and best times to avoid crowds.

Extremely nice on the phone and in person. Got it done in 1/2 hour while I had coffee. I will be going back.

Everything has always been smooth in all of our interactions.

Made an appointment, completed oil change, remedied low pressure on front tire, check for leaks, sufficiently explained as to why the indicator light was on.
Also, checked all fluids, multi-pointed inspection, noted and explained anti-freeze abnormality,

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Finished it up quickly while I had breakfast nearby. Found two minor needs that could wait til after the holidays and gave me printed estimate. These folks are responsive, trustworthy, affordable, "no frills"  mechanics. I'll keep going back to them to keep my aging car going for many more years.

Very well, could not have asked for better service.  After a lengthy evaluation there was no charge.

I have been using Curtis Hi Tech for over ten years and have consistently found them to be very dependable in their assessment of problems with the appropriate repair. They are a family owned business with integrity. They will go to the extra mile to accomodate their customers. They have also consistently saved me money that I would pay at the dealer.

They came highly recommended to me.  They have great prices and excellent service.

I have been going to Curtis Hi Tech for several years. They are honest and always do a good job. If something isn't needed, they tell you.