I can do most work myself, so I only take my car here when its too difficult or I cant figure out what needs to be fixed. I like Privitts because whatever the deal is they only try to sell you what you really need, the main guy loves talking about fixing cars, knows his stuff, and doesnt even mind doing just the diagnosis if you want to do the actual work. Ive repaired everything from removing the tranny and replacing the clutch to brake work or changing out a timing chain, but some things take specialized tools and sometimes I get stumped. The other day I had a shimmy in the front left wheel, but couldnt find anything lose at all. Thinking I either needed a wheel balance, or maybe just missed something. I took it to Custom Complete on Worley for a balance. They balanced my tires, said no alignment was needed and found no other problems with the suspension. They charged me $40. Took it out and the car still had a big shimmy in the front suspension. Totally stumped, I jacked it up again, but found nothing. Started researching some exotic options, since its a high mileage care. Still no answer. Finally, I took it to Privitt.
After giving it a good look over, he said lets go back to the basics so he rechecked the balance and it turned out the balance had been done wrong and that was all it needed. At that point they could have charged me for replacing the rear motor mount (ouch) control arms, anything. Detailed suspension check plus wheel balance. $60. Well worth it to me for the expertise and the free advice he gave me on other items.
I noticed in Mr. Rosario in another review was complaining about paying more than $1000, for a serpentine belt, tensioner replacement and radiator on his Montero. I know the tensioner/belt thing is a frustrating, expensive unexpected repair, but I paid $734 at Machens Toyota for just the tensioner and belt, when I wanted them to diagnose the charging circuit. That belt drives a lot of things. (I still had to fix the alternator brushes myself) Adding on an aftermarket radiator for the Montero will add well over $200 and then theres the labor. If you dont work on cars you might worry they would put in a used radiator, as Mr Rosario did. Used radiators dont work very well though when it comes to radiator repair, and you would see it. So, even though it may sound high, given the work involved, $1000 sounds like a good deal to me.
When I need expertise or cant do the work, I take it to Privitts. I can get an above average level of expertise at a reasonable price without being charged for a lot of support staff and brand new buildings in the cost. Better yet they will still drop me off and pick me up like the more expensive shops. And, as others have said, I dont have to second guess them, because I know they are honest. In this case that meant a lot.
