[UPDATE] YACT: Any good mechanic shop in seattle?

[luvya]

Allright, so I am relatively new in this city. I went to Honda dealer for oil change, they charge me $30..I thought that was kind of expensive. I can get it done in Los Angeles for $20...so, you know where I come from.

Now that I don't know any shop in Seattle, can any of you local people give me a recommendation? Preferably near Downtown Seattle, and the price MUST be reasonable!

Btw, just another somewhat technical question. What can a transmission flush do? Does it smooth out the abruptiness in shifting? Cause that's how I feel on my car right now...also, it's shifting kinda slow...like it doesn't want to go to the next gear. Anyway, hope you guys get the idea.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: I have a 98 Honda Accord V6 (auto tranny)

UPDATE:

Well, just came back from one of the shop, they said my transmission needs to be rebuilt and it will cost me around $3200!!! Ouch! I've heard transmission work cost around this price range, but this is only a rebuilt...do you guys think the price is fair? Also, since I never replace the timing belt, I ask them how much it would cost to replace it...they quote me around $500..is this in the price range that you guys are familiar with?

Thanks for any inputs!

 

[Eli]

A transmission flush might help, but if there is actual mechanical wear/fatigue, it won't do much.

No clue on the shop thing.

You can generally tell the quality of a shop by its appearance and the employees. Is it neat and clean? Are they curteous?

Also, don't be afraid to say "Thanks," and walk out, to check the price of the next place on the list.

A transmission flush isn't generally something you can screw up, though.. so any local mom& pop shop would be good.

Stay away from the big names like Pep Boys. They're much more likely to have inexperienced asshats working there.

 

[Ameesh]

omg you are in seattle now?

 

[luvya]

Ameesh, I have nothing to do with you. Leave the thread if you are not intended to help.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Do you have an auto-tranny? What car?

You could do a tranny flush and then put in synthetic tranny oil. It does smooth out shifts, especially in cold weather (where the tranny would normally have hard shifts).

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Do you have an auto-tranny? What car?

You could do a tranny flush and then put in synthetic tranny oil. It does smooth out shifts, especially in cold weather (where the tranny would normally have hard shifts).

We're going to be putting synthetic tranny fluid in the Camry, but it's expensive! :Q

Well, for AMSOil at least. $7.20/quart, and we need 6 quarts.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Hard shifts aren't necessarily bad, in fact it can be good. Honda does suggest an additive on some of their older trannies if they shift hard. Personally, my 92 shifts pretty hard, but this works really well when accellerating quickly and it has almost 170k miles on it now. You should be changing your transmission fluid every 30k, so if you haven't, do it. Honda's don't use filters, it's easier to change than your oil.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Do you have an auto-tranny? What car?

You could do a tranny flush and then put in synthetic tranny oil. It does smooth out shifts, especially in cold weather (where the tranny would normally have hard shifts).

We're going to be putting synthetic tranny fluid in the Camry, but it's expensive! :Q

Well, for AMSOil at least. $7.20/quart, and we need 6 quarts.

Amsoil syn tranny oil is magic. Seriously.

We put that in our 5-spd 240SX and it totally changed the shifting nature in the cold. It was much easier to get into 2nd & 3rd while the car was cold, and general shifting was much smoother. The griding went away too.

But then the throw-out bearing made itself heard.

 

[IndieSnob]

Originally posted by: luvya
Allright, so I am relatively new in this city. I went to Honda dealer for oil change, they charge me $30..I thought that was kind of expensive. I can get it done in Los Angeles for $20...so, you know where I come from.

Now that I don't know any shop in Seattle, can any of you local people give me a recommendation? Preferably near Downtown Seattle, and the price MUST be reasonable!

Btw, just another somewhat technical question. What can a transmission flush do? Does it smooth out the abruptiness in shifting? Cause that's how I feel on my car right now...also, it's shifting kinda slow...like it doesn't want to go to the next gear. Anyway, hope you guys get the idea.

Thanks in advance.

There's one down the block from me that everyone swears by. It's on the montlake neighborhood side of the montlake bridge, next to the small grocery store, it's a Texaco Station. It's Montlake Texaco, and it's at 2625 Montlake Place East, 206-323-1191. Try giving them a call for a quote!

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: IndieSnob

Originally posted by: luvya
Allright, so I am relatively new in this city. I went to Honda dealer for oil change, they charge me $30..I thought that was kind of expensive. I can get it done in Los Angeles for $20...so, you know where I come from.

Now that I don't know any shop in Seattle, can any of you local people give me a recommendation? Preferably near Downtown Seattle, and the price MUST be reasonable!

Btw, just another somewhat technical question. What can a transmission flush do? Does it smooth out the abruptiness in shifting? Cause that's how I feel on my car right now...also, it's shifting kinda slow...like it doesn't want to go to the next gear. Anyway, hope you guys get the idea.

Thanks in advance.

There's one down the block from me that everyone swears by. It's on the montlake neighborhood side of the montlake bridge, next to the small grocery store, it's a Texaco Station. It's Montlake Texaco, and it's at 2625 Montlake Place East, 206-323-1191. Try giving them a call for a quote!

Wow! Great! Exactly the information I am looking for! Btw...you are not affiliated with that shop in any way, are u? :Q

 

[IndieSnob]

Originally posted by: luvya

Originally posted by: IndieSnob

Originally posted by: luvya
Allright, so I am relatively new in this city. I went to Honda dealer for oil change, they charge me $30..I thought that was kind of expensive. I can get it done in Los Angeles for $20...so, you know where I come from.

Now that I don't know any shop in Seattle, can any of you local people give me a recommendation? Preferably near Downtown Seattle, and the price MUST be reasonable!

Btw, just another somewhat technical question. What can a transmission flush do? Does it smooth out the abruptiness in shifting? Cause that's how I feel on my car right now...also, it's shifting kinda slow...like it doesn't want to go to the next gear. Anyway, hope you guys get the idea.

Thanks in advance.

There's one down the block from me that everyone swears by. It's on the montlake neighborhood side of the montlake bridge, next to the small grocery store, it's a Texaco Station. It's Montlake Texaco, and it's at 2625 Montlake Place East, 206-323-1191. Try giving them a call for a quote!

Wow! Great! Exactly the information I am looking for! Btw...you are not affiliated with that shop in any way, are u? :Q

Haha no. Actually I just made a post about this shop today, I had problems with my car the last few days. I had locked my keys in the car, with the power left on and drained the battery. Got a key made at GMC dealership today, and then noticed the guidewire to pop my hood was broken, so I had to take the grille off to get it open. The guy at the shop said he'd get the part and pretty much fix that and my e-brake guidewire for nothing. My aunt and uncle also swear by him. Said he changes their winter/summer tires all the time for them for free, and does great oil changes for the price.

 

[luvya]

Bump for morning crew More more!

 

[azazyel]

The shop I use is in North Seattle, Earl's Garage 206-364-7400 14515 15th ave NE. I don't think they are that cheap but I trust them so it makes it worth it for me. I have been going there regularly for a few years. They are also approved by AAA.

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: IndieSnob

Originally posted by: luvya

Originally posted by: IndieSnob

Originally posted by: luvya
Allright, so I am relatively new in this city. I went to Honda dealer for oil change, they charge me $30..I thought that was kind of expensive. I can get it done in Los Angeles for $20...so, you know where I come from.

Now that I don't know any shop in Seattle, can any of you local people give me a recommendation? Preferably near Downtown Seattle, and the price MUST be reasonable!

Btw, just another somewhat technical question. What can a transmission flush do? Does it smooth out the abruptiness in shifting? Cause that's how I feel on my car right now...also, it's shifting kinda slow...like it doesn't want to go to the next gear. Anyway, hope you guys get the idea.

Thanks in advance.

There's one down the block from me that everyone swears by. It's on the montlake neighborhood side of the montlake bridge, next to the small grocery store, it's a Texaco Station. It's Montlake Texaco, and it's at 2625 Montlake Place East, 206-323-1191. Try giving them a call for a quote!

Wow! Great! Exactly the information I am looking for! Btw...you are not affiliated with that shop in any way, are u? :Q

Haha no. Actually I just made a post about this shop today, I had problems with my car the last few days. I had locked my keys in the car, with the power left on and drained the battery. Got a key made at GMC dealership today, and then noticed the guidewire to pop my hood was broken, so I had to take the grille off to get it open. The guy at the shop said he'd get the part and pretty much fix that and my e-brake guidewire for nothing. My aunt and uncle also swear by him. Said he changes their winter/summer tires all the time for them for free, and does great oil changes for the price.

I just gave them a call. They said they don't deal too much with transmission, but he can take a look at it. I guess I will give them a visit tomorrow then. Anyone else want to make a recommendation?

 

[GroundZero]

for your transmission work i would suggest a shop south of seattle.
sea-tac transmission, it is in midway just off of pacific hwy south
a flush will help, but you might also need your bands adjusted.

Seatac Transmission
Address: 2628 S 248th St, Kent, WA 98032
Phone: (253) 839-4862

 

[luvya]

Any experience with this transmission shop? Is their pricing fair? It's a bit far from me..so I need to make sure before I go.

 

[Mill]

HAHAHAHAHA better run and hide Ameesh!

 

[shopbruin]

all i know about transmission flushes is that i'm never letting jiffy lube do it ever again.

all my work is now being done by either honda or my dad's friend who is a mechanic.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Mill
HAHAHAHAHA better run and hide Ameesh!

please dont molest me luvya! please!

 

[GroundZero]

Originally posted by: luvya
Any experience with this transmission shop? Is their pricing fair? It's a bit far from me..so I need to make sure before I go.

they have been around for at least 20 years, do great work and the last time i went to them the prices were very reasonable.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
Hard shifts aren't necessarily bad, in fact it can be good.

I LIKE hard shifts...makes it feel like the tranny is actually transmitting power to the wheels and not just heating up the ATF. Of course, manual is even better

I suggest you do your own oil changes if you can, save a lot of money once you get a jack and drain pan. However, otherwise that Texaco shop sounds good...

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: GroundZero

Originally posted by: luvya
Any experience with this transmission shop? Is their pricing fair? It's a bit far from me..so I need to make sure before I go.

they have been around for at least 20 years, do great work and the last time i went to them the prices were very reasonable.

Allright, I guess they deserve a call from me then.

 

[azazyel]

I just gave them a call. They said they don't deal too much with transmission, but he can take a look at it. I guess I will give them a visit tomorrow then. Anyone else want to make a recommendation?

was north seattle too far? I would seriously call them, real nice people and they probably would recommend someone closer to you if you ask.

 

[GroundZero]

Originally posted by: luvya

Originally posted by: GroundZero

Originally posted by: luvya
Any experience with this transmission shop? Is their pricing fair? It's a bit far from me..so I need to make sure before I go.

they have been around for at least 20 years, do great work and the last time i went to them the prices were very reasonable.

Allright, I guess they deserve a call from me then.

never hurts to call.

the owner is the person who originally came to my school in the 80's and taught us tranny rebuild.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I hate to say it but a tranny flush isn't going to do anything in your case. Those 6th Gen Accord trannies, especially the V6's, are notorious for being crap.