by mark » Sat 24.06.2006, 06:48
i used planet auto alot for a few years after i bought my elan, and they generally did a good job and were reasonably priced for general mechanical work. I then had them do a custom exhaust since they are an exhaust shop. They did a miserable job, put on cheap parts, and since that time I haven't been back. I had the whole exhaust replaced about a year later at a shop in Redwood City. However, I know a few guys who continue to take their cars to Planet Auto and are generally satisfied.
I have my car at Silicon Valley Auto Group now, the Lotus dealer in Los Gatos. Not happy at all with them. The car has been there for 2 weeks and they haven't done any work on it. I will probably have it towed out of there monday back to my house.
I also have used an independant mechanic in Campbell, Mark Spencer, twice now. He works only on Ferraris, Porsches and high end cars, and he is very good and also reasonably priced. However, because he is in such great demand, its very hard to get his attention. He can take days to return phone calls and emails. However, believe it or not, he came to my house on a Saturday to help me with a repair I was doing on my cylinder head. So its really hit or miss with him.
I'm really in need of a good mechanic right now, so I would really like to hear of other reliable, reasonably priced shops now.
Mark