Veenstra’s Garage

These guys are incredibly honest and up-​front with you about your vehicle. I would recommend them to anyone. A few weeks ago, I called multiple garages to ask about an estimate on a timing belt replacement, and Veenstra’s was the only one who wanted me to bring my car in for them to look at before giving an estimate in order to ensure accuracy. When I did brought my car in for the appointment, they gave me a coupon to the coffee shop across the street. When they had finished with my car, the owner of the garage met me in the coffee shop and talked with me for at least 15 minutes, listening to my questions and making sure I knew everything that was going on (he even brought over a timing belt display model!). I ended up having them replace my timing belt, and they were very courteous and friendly throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an affordable and honest garage team.

I’ll be back.
Veenstra’s took my car in on short notice and took care of everything very professionally.
When I say «everything», I will include an anomaly w/​my car after paying, driving away, noticing an issue, and returning 10 min later — they were quick to make it right.
I’ve been looking/​hoping for a neighborhood shop that I can trust, and looks like I’ve found it. They have a solid operation.

This place sucks. Had my car towed there and had to pay $ 100 for a diagnostic report. Paid them almost $ 600 to then not be able to drive off with my car. Front desk person seemed to not care or seem sympathetic. Left car over night and got a call the next day for them to have to run a «full» diagnostic and ask me to pay another $ 200-​$ 300. Had my car towed away to another garage. Highly dissatisfied with their business and the way they dismissed my non drivable vehicle.

I really like this place as our tire was going flat and they took us right away. The front desk was quick and friendly. I love the sign up front that says if you are grumpy, mean or have an attitude they have a $ 10 surcharge!!! Ha! It’s nice to see some people still have a sense of humor in the world. :)

The good: The hours are decent, they also have Saturday hours. The staff was polite. They called me with updates on the car.
The bad: The car was brought in because it wouldn’t start after highway driving. They looked at the car, gave an assessment of what they thought the problem might be, started work on the car. $ 2500 later the car could be driven away from the shop but after driving the car on the highway for a couple hours the car wouldn’t start just like it did when the car was brought in initially.

I cannot say enough good things about Veenstra’s. My daughter’s car had a serious, catastrophic failure while returning to school in Grand Rapids. We picked Veenstra because it looked convenient, but in retrospect it was a God-​send. They went well above and beyond what was expected. They called nearly every day to keep me informed and the price was more than reasonable. Particular kudos to Phil who even came in on a Saturday to dedicate to working the problem. This it the kind of auto repair shop you want to use. They have a life-​long customer.

Started taking my cars to Veenstra’s when I was 16 (in 1968). Worst part of moving to San Diego in 1996 was that I had to find a shop that I trusted as much as Mike Veenstra. I knew his dad, went to school with his brother, and would trust Mike with any repair. They are the best. Terry Hunefeld, San Diego