Fanatic Mechanics

I went there for my annual PA state inspection because of their low price ($ 50). I left my car and asked them to call me when done. About 30 mins. later they call to tell me i failed the safety inspection due to my front brake pads being «below spec». They quoted me $ 216 ($ 50 for inspection + $ 166 for brakes)!! Because I drive very few miles and I changed my front brakes 6 months ago, I was suspicious. Also, $ 166 for just front brakes (not brakes and rotors) is extremely expensive. I told them not to do the work, that i’ll replace the brakes myself then bring the car back for re-​inspection.
Well any brake pad below 2/​32″ cannot pass a PA state inspection. When I got home i pulled the brakes myself and they were 5/​32″, nearly new which is 7/​32″. I went back and showed them the so called below spec brakes. They apologized by saying they must have measured wrong! Yeah right, they thought they were gonna rob me of $ 166!
Beware, do not visit this establishment!

If I could I would give them less than one star. My wife took her 2005 Kia Sportage to this mechanic because it’s close to our home and convenient. She was hearing a loud pop every time she turned the wheel. They quoted her a price of $ 492 dollars to replace the strut, spring and mount and recommended that she replace both sides which would have totaled $ 984. When my wife told them no, and said she would come get the car, they tried a scare tactic by telling her that the car was dangerous to drive and that she would likely get into an accident and do further damage by the time she got it fixed. I went and got the car and dared them to say anything to me; they didn’t. I took the car to a mechanic named Dave around the corner, who told me to go to an auto parts store, told me what parts to get and said he would put the strut, spring and mount in for $ 65 per side. I found the part for $ 35 per side used. It was even reasonable new, at about $ 150 for all three pieces. Needless to say, I went back to Dave and got the car fixed. It runs good as new. Fanatic Mechanic preys on people who are not familiar with cars to try to scare them into paying the highest prices around. It’s sad that they would rip off the very community that they say they serve. I would not let Fanatic Mechanic change the oil in my car, let alone gauge me for extensive work. They used to be the best tire place around, now I won’t even let them plug my tire. A TOTAL RIPOFF!!! Spread the word.