Engine Menders - an Honest Take.
If you're reading this right now, there's a 99.9% chance something has gone wrong with your car - most people don't spend their free time perusing "mechanic" on YELP for the hell of it. There's probably a "glug, glug, glug" coming from the hood of your car, or a "squeak, ba-da squeak" in the tires, or maybe even a "swug, swvoom" in the engine. If, like me, your method of describing your car's malady involves borrowing onomatopoeia from Dr. Seuss books, don't panic! Engine Menders is for you.
I know virtually nothing about cars, but Ryan (my coworker) is a bit of an amateur mechanic. So naturally, when my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan began to leak coolant, I started "talking car" with him in hopes of obtaining the know-how needed to perform a quick (and cheap) DIY fix. Unfortunately, I didn't understand a thing he said (though occasionally I'd throw around words like "heater core", "transmission", and "RPM" to feign a baseline competency of automobiles (thanks Wikihow).
It wasn't long before I decided I needed to take my vehicle to a mechanic. Ryan was quick to suggest Engine Menders, and so I dropped the dad-mobile off after work. I was not disappointed. I spoke directly to Shane (the owner) and told him about the leaking coolant. His employees diagnosed my car in 15 minutes and informed me it was necessary to leave the van overnight so they could work on it. At 11:00 a.m. (the next day) my van was completely repaired...11:00 a.m.! That's typically when mechanics call you to say "we think we know what's wrong with your car" (before they call you in another hour or so to say "we found something else").
Engine Menders replaced my radiator, water pump, hosing, and fixed some electrical features in record time for a fair price. I have paid franchised mechanics more to fudge with some spark plugs and replace a battery! Shane's staff was friendly, honest, professional and (perhaps most importantly) genuinely happy to be there. Generally, when I don't know much about a particular business, I resort to reading the faces of those in its employ. Do they look as if the only reason they're not killing me is because they've misplaced the wrench? Do they resemble a beat dog on one of those ASPCA commercials (Sarah Mclachlan playing "Arms of an Angel" softly in the background)? Or do they want to be there? One can tell working on engines isn't their plan C, it's their passion; and if the chef is happy, he probably won't spit in your food.
I have since driven my van to VA and back with no issues, and hope to be the proud owner of a bad-ass minivan for a couple more years (disclaimer: a dodge 2005 minivan is a chick-repellant, but I'm married, so who cares?). I cannot recommend Engine Menders enough. It is, bar none, the best experience I've ever had with any mechanic thus far. If you have any inhibitions, don't hesitate to shoot me a message via YELP.
***By the way, if you're reading this and your car doesn't work at all, Engine Menders has its own tow trucks - give them a call. read more