Old Fashion Service

Just got my car back from Old Fashion. I love these guys. My 99 Isuzu Rodeo stalled out and would not restart. Had to have it towed. The computer told them that the crankshaft valve needed fixing. After having it replaced the problem persisted. The computer told him something else was wrong, which was fixed. Nope. Still stalling. After ruling out a whole list of possible problems the diagnosis was the computer itself. Max found a used computer, sent back the crankshaft valve (kept the other part because it was needed) and fixed my car. Happy days! After having my car for a month I expected a HUGE bill. When Max told me $ 475 I about fell over! That was less than half of what I expected. Wonderful, honest service and a very happy customer.

My go to car guy. Max is an honest, trust worthy, and fair mechanic. He has never treated me weird (because I’m a girl). I’ve been taking my 2003 Acura to him since I moved to Utah 6 years ago, my sister has been going to him longer. On numerous occasions when the dealership has told me I need to get various work done, he’s said it’s not necessary. Additionally he goes out of his way to get me the best price. When I needed a part for my car instead of going to the dealership to buy the part (the only place that carried it new) he went to the junk yard to find the piece. His prices are always consistently less than any where I’ve gone and he always fixes the problem.
Typical of most mechanics there’s only a very small waiting area with not so comfortable chairs. There is however a lovely new library within walking distance if you have to wait. Max and his crew are really good about letting you know how long it will take. They have a secure gated area where you can leave your car if it has to stay overnight. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday which is great for us working folk. I can’t say enough good things about Max and Old Fashion Service and I don’t hesitate to send everyone I know there.

We just moved to the SLC area a few months ago and I’ve taken both cars here for oil changes only and they’ve done a great job so far. The service is simple to schedule and fast. The only drawback is that I have only used the Toyota dealership in the past before coming here and they, of course, do the full inspection each visit and would give me the details on what services I might expect to need in the coming months (such as the level of my brakes’ wear and tear and when I would expect to change the pads, etc.). I didn’t get that kind of service at Old Fashion. But, they certainly do a great job for oil changes and I would feel safe at this point bringing my car in for a problem.

I have never had a problem with these guys. Max, the owner, is very friendly and is usually the one at the front desk and discusses any issues that may arise. I’ve never had him try to up-​sell me on anything like people at the chain stores do. (I’m not sure if other places do that because I’m a woman and thereby must know nothing about cars, which is not true, or if it’s just general practice at the chains.) I appreciate the quick, courteous work they have done on my cars (and my parents who live in the area as well) in the past and I will continue to take my cars to Max as long as I’m in the area.

My car failed emissions at Performance Emission on state street, so I took it to old fashion to get looked at. Old fashion front desk told me they «made a bunch of adjustments, and cleaned everything out». They also retested my emissions for me, and my car passed. I was charged $ 100 for this. Out of curiosity, I used my free retest at performance emission, and the result hadn’t changed from their first test. So old fashion’s work made no difference when tested by an independent party. I basically got charged $ 100 for old fashion to finagle a passing emissions test for me (my vehicle failed idle hydrocarbon emissions at 710 rpm, old fashion’s reported idle speed was over 1000? My car has never idled that fast). If they were going to just fudge the test anyway, why not just retest it using «their method» first before poking around the engine bay for an hour? Why charge me for the work they claim to have done, (which they claim was the reason my car passed at their facility) which made no tangible difference when tested by a 3^rd party? Seems fishy to me. My friends and family will be taking their cars elsewhere now.

These guys are great! They always fit me in. They are knowledgeable. They are honest. They understand that they don’t always need to up-​sell me, knowing that my repeat business is more important. They have my repeat business. Also, their prices are great. What’s not to love! 5 stars.