First Choice Auto Clinic Inc

This past Summer Brian had one of his employees pick up my 1981 Datsun 280 Z for full restoration work. I had already disassembled the car in my garage. The car chassis had to be transported on a dolly (provided by Brian) as the rear drive train had been removed. The fenders, doors, hood, and rear lid were also handed over for restoration. The fenders were rusting mainly around the inside of the arches, and one of the doors displayed rust along the lower edge. I had already stripped the paint off of the fenders, hood, and doors, so the amount of corrosion was very visible. The drivers side and passengers side floor pans also needed to be replaced, as well as other areas around the rear wheel arches and windshield frame. I agreed to pay Brian $5'000 dollars (Check made out to Brian, not First Choice Auto Clinic), to start the restoration on the vehicle. It had been in my garage for ten years, and it was time to get it completed. Brian had shown me around his shop, and allowed me to see several projects that were in the works. I was impressed with what I saw and listened to multiple restoration stories he had to offer about existing and past customers. He convinced me that "First Choice Auto Clinic" was the right place to restore this car back to its former glory. After several weeks, I had heard nothing so I called to check on the progress of the car. I was told Brian was busy and would call me back.........well two days later I heard nothing and tried again.......given the same reason he could not talk to me, so again I waited for a couple of days, and called again. I was told once again that he was busy. At this point I was getting a little concerned, so I demanded that he call me back that day. He did, and said that he had been busy and apologized for not returning my call. I let it go, and set up a day that week to swing in and look at the progress on the car. I was sent an invoice for $3'200, and some change for 38 hours worth of labor, so I was looking forward to seeing the progress. When I got there, Brian was not around, so one of his employees showed me the work that had been done thus far. I was a little confused when I saw that the two fenders had had some rust cut out and a couple of steel patches welded in with some initial grinding around the arches. That was it! I took photos of the work and asked for the rest of the progress, only to told, "That was it". Three Thousand Dollars to half patch two fenders that I could have completely replaced for $1,200. I called Brian later that day to try and figure out why it took 38 hours to partially patch two fenders. He said that he agreed that it was high, and that he was out of town and was not on top of his guys. He also said that he tried to find parts, but had no luck! I find that hard to believe as it only took me 15 minutes to find two parts vehicles online within a 100 mile radius for $1'100. Although no offer of reducing the charge was made, he said he would make it up on the remaining portion of the project. We left it at that, and I said I would check in at the end of the year. I was a little concerned at this point, but didn't want to be one of those annoying demanding customers, as I have a small restoration business myself, and know what that can be like. I checked in last week, and was told that Brian was busy with a customer. I requested to see the vehicle anyway, and was told that it was outside at the rear of the building. I walked around the building in the pouring rain only to find my car sitting there uncovered and full of leaves and at least 5 inches of standing water in the floor pans. No hood, doors, or rear lid. The car was completely water logged, and appeared to have been left uncovered and open to the Winter elements for Months. I am completely confused as to why he would do this to a paying customer? I had a tow truck pick the car up within the hour and had it brought back to garage where it sits now drying out. These photos show the work he did, and the condition I found it in. He also kept the remaining $1'800.00.

They quoted a price and then they jacked up the price when I went to pick up the car. It was $600 higher. The engine worked once I picked it up, but the owner used profanities and raised his voice when I challenged him on it.

I had to go back multiple times because parts kept failing. It didn't seem that they knew what they were doing. The warranty ended up running out. The windshield wipers still were not operating correctly.

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 I initially dropped off the truck in February 2010.  I was told it would be 6-8 weeks.  The repairs and delays became tragic.  As with any custom work I was prepared for some delays, but as 6 MONTHS drug on to a full year, the owner Brian constantly asked me for more money, but no progress had been made on the truck.  There was a fitment issue with the headers, I told them if they could fix easily to do so, if not I was going to put ram horn manifolds on it anyway.  It became almost silly as they kept insisting that the IFS manufacturer has sent them a hub with 4.25 lug spacing.  We went back and forth for a time until I went in and measured it to find it was a 4.5" lug pattern.  They did not even know how to measure a hub correctly.  I once made arrangements at Brian's request to meet him at the shop and go over the repair.  I left work only to arrive at the shop and be told that Brian was not there and gone for the day.  I returned another day to find the police locking the shop and carrying computers out the door.
I finally received the bill which was thousands over what we had agreed upon.  They attempted to charge me $900 dollars for the modification to the headers.  Brian agreed to take that off, (which was for the best as the welds cracked 2 weeks after I picked the truck up).  I went through the bill to find that EVERY part was marked up over 100% from the cost.  There were multiple entries for parts with different prices.  There were also numerous parts on the bill that were not installed or used on the repair.  When I asked them to correct Brian complained that he was going to lose money on the job-I asked him if I should pay for parts that were not used so he could make money? The workmanship was shoddy at best- They had sprayed the new cross member while still on the truck but had not even taken the time to mask off the engine, so the result was black overspray all over the bottom of the oil pan. they ran into clearance issues so they elevated the front of the motor (leading to oiling problems I had to fix later) 
Not even a year later I spilled some coffee on the passenger floorboard.  As I was cleaning the coating wiped clean off.  The space cleared was in the approximate shape and size of a greasy footprint.  To their credit they did remedy the coating (another 3 weeks in the shop.)
 
I imagine that they can do good work he showed me some of the cars they had built there and they were nice, I am not sure if they only focus on the folks willing to continuously write checks with no knowledge of autos or mechanics.
Needless to say I will not be going back to them for any other work.

First Choice Auto Clinic always takes care of my car quickly. I never feel like I'm being overcharged. The guys take the time to explain what is wrong with my car and what my options are. I have been going there for almost a year for oil changes and other repairs.

After a front end collision, my Hyundai Sonata was towed to First Choice for repair.  The work was completed fairly quickly and it seemed as if they did a good job.  Shortly afterwards my husband was changing the oil and noticed missing bolts around the radiator.  This could conceivably cause an accident and I called them immediately.  They agreed to send a tow truck to pick it up for no charge.  When they called to tell me the car had been fixed and was ready I was told that I would need to pay half the tow.  I refused and went to pick up my car.  When I arrived they agreed that I would not be charged.
Today, 6/7/12, I had the same car repaired for an unrelated problem.  The mechanic informed me that there were two loose bolts and two missing bolts.  I am thankful to have avoided an accident during this time.  Apparently when the bolts were replaced by First Choice they were not sufficiently tightened and came loose and fell out.
It is apparent that First Choice is not a reputable or conscientious auto repair shop.

I am satisfied with the services provided. I would use them again.

Very well. They did a great job, completed timely. I would use again.

The car looks beautiful. Many people have asked me where had the work done becasue they loved uit so much. The work did take a little longer than expected, but I did add a couple things & many of the parts I needed are no longer offered so First Choice had to fabricate these themselves. I have used First Choice several times. They refurbished my transmission, upgraded my thermostat, radiator, headers and several other items. They have completed numerous mechanical repairs on my car as well. We not only take our classic car to them; they also work on our daily drivers as well.

There was no charge for the service. I will absolutely use them again.

On a scale of one to ten they'd be seven and a half. Generally they're very reliable and have good communication.

I think I had my own seat in the waiting room. Everything always turned out well and if it didn't, he replaced it immediately.

Everything went very well. The owner, Brian, took around the surprisingly large shop and gave us a chance to look at various other cars they were working. He was very friendly and took his time explaining what options we had and the pros and cons of each. He was mindful of both quality and cost making sure we got the best value for our money.

I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS COMPANY. I WAS INITIALLY PLEASED WITH THE SERVICE, THOUGH THE COST WAS HIGHER THAN SOME SHOPS, I FELT I RECEIVED VALUE FOR MY INVESTMENT. NOT LONG AGO, I HAD A CLASSIC CORVETTE BROUGHT TO THEM, AND I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE IT WAS IN GOOD EXTERIOR CONDITION WHEN THEY RECEIVED IT. WHEN IT WAS RETURNED, THE NOSE WAS DAMAGED (AND THIS WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR), THERE WAS A CHIP IN THE PAINT, AND THE NEW BATTERY I SENT WAS DEAD, A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN THEY DIDN'T NOTICE AMONG OTHER ISSUES. THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE IN MY BLAZER, AND I'VE HAD CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THIS AS WELL. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO THEIR ATTENTION, THEY MADE NO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE ANY ASPECT OF THESE PROBLEMS IN ANYWAY. TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR PROFESSIONALISM.

I HAVE HAD VARIOUS WORK DONE FROM ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO 'NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR' REPAIRS OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO AND I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS. EVERYONE FROM THE FRONT OFFICE TO THE SHOP IS VERY FRIENDLY AND THEY DO THEIR VERY BEST TO SATISFY THE CUSTOMER. THEY CAN FIX JUST ABOUT ANYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO AUTO REPAIRS AND THEY'RE DEPENDABLE! I'VE REFERRED SEVERAL PEOPLE TO THEM FOR SERVICE.BRIAN NEWSOM, THE OWNER, HAS TREATED ME VERY WELL FROM THE VERY FIRST TIME WE MET. IN MY EXPERIENCE, HE HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY FOR ME ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. AS A SELF-EMPLOYED SINGLE FEMALE, I NEED TO KNOW THAT I HAVE A VERY RELIABLE MECHANIC AVAILABLE THAT I CAN DEPEND ON FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS. I RECOMMEND BRIAN AND FIRST CHOICE AUTO CLINIC, INC., TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR A GREAT AUTO REPAIR SHOP!