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Auto repair shop - Drive Automotive - in Dekalb

14 reviews

Location: 849 S 4th St Ste 1, Dekalb, IL 60115

Office phone

+1 (815) 517-1491

5

14 total

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21/02/2012

I'm a single mom with six kids...

I'm a single mom with six kids and a limited income. I trust Drive Automotive, because they have always given me the best price. I have a 99 van that is still running great!!

rthorson-bergmann

Source: YPAGE

29/05/2012

Best repair shop in town.

Josh Niemeyer

Source: FSQR

02/11/2011

Best repair shop in town!

I have been bringing all my cars to Drive Automotive for some years now because they have always provided me with quality service at reasonable prices. I started going there because they had the best oil change prices in town and now I…

mardelean3

Source: CSEAR

07/03/2012

Awsome Automotive

I first heard about drive automotive on the DeKalb radio station B-95. I thought their advertisement was really cute and impressive so I had an oil change done there and I was so impressed by their service and prices that I've went there…

jamminjeff

Source: CSEAR

03/12/2015

Vern is the first mechanic who hasn't tried to use cheap fixed to make me come back and fix the same problems over and over. Instead, he gets it done the first time and is very honest about it. I really appreciate these guys.

Justine Walker

Source: GPLAC

21/03/2016

Been going here for 5 years. With same car Vern and his guys over at drive auto been keeping me on the road the whole time. I would never take my car or suggest to my friends to take there car anywhere else in Dekalb

joe moss

Source: GPLAC

05/12/2013

I have a 1998 Honda Prelude it's always in need of a repair, and being a single woman I feel like repair shops take advantage of me because I don't always know exactly what they are talking about. My car needed a new Transmission and the 2 shops I took it to said junk my car it's not worth it. That wasn't an option for me. I took it to Drive Automotive, I spoke with Vern he was so upfront and honest with me and explained everything thoroughly. Not only did they repair my transmission but on my budget they also managed to get some other repairs done for me too. I received excellent work on my car at a fair price and it was done in record time. I don't want to have anyone else work on my car except the mechanics at Drive! You guys have a life long customer here!! Thank you again

Pamela Brooks

Source: GPLAC

05/12/2013

Great place. I have a Nissan Xterra that have had serviced there a few times. Very reasonable especially since parts are hard to come by for my vehicle. Friendly, knowledgable and go above and beyond to accomodate my schedule. I live an hour away and still drive out for service because I trust it will be done right.

julie s

Source: GPLAC

10/12/2013

I recently moved to Sycamore from Seattle, so I didn't know much about town and where to get services for my Honda Odyssey. I found here from Google and its review and I got alignment done, oil changed, brake and power steering fluids replaced. They did really good job at a good price, much less expensive than dealerships. Quality? Comparable to dealers if not superior!! Drive Automotive will be my home for my Odyssey and Civic from now.

Jeong Ho Kim

Source: GPLAC

02/07/2013

After just over 5 years of experience with the expertise and integrity of my mechanic at DRIVE Automotive, I am compelled to write this professional recommendation for Vern Kuhlman. His shop's motto of being "committed to quality and committed to you" is true in every sense of the word. Let his over 30 years of experience work for you, giving your family the same peace of mind he's given ours. Once again he's tackled a very complicated repair problem and didn't break our bank in the process.
Vern's initiative is very impressive. He listens carefully to my explanation of what is happening, scans the gamut of what the problem could be, and with his years of experience zeroes in on the underlying problem. Vern is not just willing to get dirty sticking his head inside of cars all day. He seems to actually enjoy the mental analysis and problem-solving challenge of his work, and is confident in his ability to decide on a course of action to keep the engine running and the car on the road.
Vern never forces me into a repair by using fear. He is flexible to adjust his direction based on my input and my budget. I have honestly never felt that he was out to make a buck, because he is always thinking of the customer first. He does his best to surpass customer expectations and to deliver on time, at a price that is right, and with high value. Vern builds solid, long-term relationships with his customers. We have grown to rely on him to handle our requests personally and to deliver on time.
Everyone knows that Vern as a direct and truthful person. He never hedges to make himself look better or hand off responsibility, even when the previous mistake was my problem. He willingly puts in long hours even on short notice, taking on as many cars as he can with the same precision and accuracy, doing whatever it takes to get vehicles in top-performing condition, regardless of age or mileage. My oldest car is my best-performing car, just because of his TLC.
Though he has a stack of certifications including Master Technician and ASE Certification, Vern has the sharp mind of top university student whose education is ongoing, is always open-minded and exploring every possibility of what could be going wrong. Once decided, his course is straight and has always been spot on. Vern is always thinking, easy to communicate with, and takes the pains to apply his vast automotive knowledge and experience to hit the nail on the head and solve the right problem at the right time.
Though I am a DeKalb resident, I've been a suburban commuter for over 10 years and we take international road trips regularly. Our cars get a lot of wear and tear, but I've learned to cooperate and get oil changes on time, while Vern takes care of the rest. Though I should be considered the customer from hell, he always welcomes us, listens to us and gets us the most mileage out of every car we've entrusted to him.
Hats off to the Pro! Keep up the good work, and I can tell that your son is learning from the best and will be good and ready to take over the shop when the time is right.

Julie J.

Source: YELP

21/05/2015

Above and beyond service!!! I'm a full time National Guard Member that ran into tire trouble while traveling home (which is an hour and a half away) so I stopped in Dekalb out of necessity to get a repair done. It was after hours at the store but Vern the owner said he would look at my tire. Once we identified that the side wall had a puncture ! He didn't hesitate to stop what he was doing to assist me in my dilemma. He had me pull up to the over head door and proceeded to swap my tire out w a spare tire he had in the back. He spent his own time to help me out and after all was said and done Vern didn't charge me!!! I was fully prepared to pay and he said he takes care of his service members! Needless to say faith in humanity was restored and I'll be back for that other tire Vern said he had for me. I'm gonna ensure I pay Vern for his help when I was in a tight situation! God bless America and God Bless Vern!

Ted S.

Source: YELP

24/06/2014

My mother-in-law was visiting and had a transmission problem. They fixed it quickly, did a good job, and a couple days even later called her to make sure she made it home okay.

Nick B.

Source: YELP

02/07/2011

They do Good work ever time

Fred C.

Source: YELP

06/10/2011

I have checked into this place more then I wanted but DA each time has done a good job and at a fair price. My car is 17yrs old but I plan on driving it into the ground. These past few months my car has been in the shop multiple times but it has been time for things to be fixed, updated, whatever. I have gone to multiple places and I always find Drive Automotive to cost less.

Missy L.

Source: YELP

We work with these brands

Audi
GMC
Genesis
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Land Rover
Lexus
Mazda
Subaru
Volkswagen

We perform these services

Electrical Systems

  • Battery testing and replacement
  • Alternator repair
  • Starter repair and replacement
  • Electrical diagnostics and repairs

Engine Services

  • Engine repair and rebuilds
  • Cooling system service and repair
  • Exhaust system repair

Fleet Services

  • Maintenance contracts for business fleets
  • Priority service and scheduling

Oil Changes

  • Standard and synthetic oil changes
  • Oil filter replacement
  • Fluid level checks and top-ups

Vehicle Detailing

  • Interior and exterior cleaning
  • Waxing and polishing
  • Engine cleaning