Honesty and integrity are the hallmarks of the Foreign Car Hospital. We had a front end inspection and front brake pads replaced. Phil was amazing, no upsell at all, and very honest about the status of our car. Highly recommend! Only dilemma is that it can be hard to get hold of him as he is one man shop. Worth it! read more

Horrible experience. They waste time and expect full payment even before a technician even arrives. They told me not to put any words in the Zelle payment so "it processes faster." Avoid this scam read more

Pleasant experience considering the reason for visit. Owner appeared very genuine and truthful. Presented photo of work done while in his care. read more

Owner never answers his phone and will not accept your car outside of the one hour window he gives. He used duck tape to fix a leaking tube in my car. Then as I'm picking up my car he told me he ONLY ACCEPTS CASH. The auto shop I had to take my car after told me that he did not fix the problem and removed the duct tape. Bad prices, bad service, sub par work. read more

Great service, quality work at a reasonable price. The owner explains everything and gives you your old parts and will show you the new ones that he installed. We have used them for over a decade and found them after my elderly mother-in-law was ripped off at another shop. Foreign Car Hospital won our entire family's business and our hearts. read more

Very honest and professional service. I've been coming here for over 30 years. Phil always lets me know if services are due in near future. read more

I recommend Phil to everyone. We have been taking our 2005 Honda to him for the last 5 years, and we keep coming back because of the great work that Phil does, and his professionalism, honesty, and integrity. He's fixed/replaced our axles, brakes, ball joints, and additional smaller repairs. He has never done unnecessary repairs, and we have always been more than pleased with the work he has done. Phil is the type of mechanic you can form a trusting relationship with: he knows us, our car, the issues it has had in the past (it's an old car!) and takes all of that into consideration when fixing the car. For an example of his character, our last visit was about a month ago: we heard a sound coming from the back wheel. He examined it thoroughly, told us that it was corrosion on the rotors and assured us it wasn't an issue, and didn't charge us at all for his time. Phil is also extremely knowledgeable and personable. I am always very curious to learn more about how the car works, and he always takes the time to show me everything he's done, explaining how things work. We can't recommend him enough, especially if you live near the Hyde Park area, it is so convenient. We are moving to another city soon and we will miss Phil so much! read more

I've been to FCH twice now, and I've had a great experience both times. I've taken my Civic in for routine inspections, break fluid changes, and oil changes. Nothing too crazy. Phil, the owner, is great. He's super knowledgeable and was evening willing to show me how to do some minor touchups that I needed. The prices are ok--- Not the best, not the worst. Here's the thing though, he doesn't try to upsell you on a bunch of stuff you don't need yet, which I've found annoying with some other mechanics, and all dealerships I've been to. read more

We had our Lexus headlamps replaced this week and decided to have them both done since we knew the 2nd light would not be far behind. They got us in and out in a couple of hours. He noticed that the air filter was shot and replaced it, topped off all fluids, checked all lights and put air in the tires. We have been with Foreign Car Hospital for over 15 years. They've services all of our cars and earned our loyalty. They are a Hyde Park treasure that we can highly recommend. read more

I laughed out loudly at somebody else's comments above "honest service... fair price..." First, overpriced. I am not the first one who complained about the over pricing of a task as simple as oil change. $50! Second, DISHONEST. I would simply call it a liar. I caught the shop not filling the fluids as it had claimed to do as part of the oil change service. The owner probably thought that I didn't know car, even simple things as oil change. When I opened the hook and double checked each fluid, he turned speechless. Even at the moment I asked why window shield washer liquid was only less than half full pointing at the measurement, he lied shamelessly in my face, saying "that is full already". Mechanic is indeed one of the most condemned and dishonest business, but I caught this shop lying in my face. God bless every innocent customer who has been here. Will never come back. read more

The promise of this place is great for those who live in Hyde Park -- bring your car to the shop without having family or friends follow you in a second car. You can drop off your car and walk home while it's being fixed! This is the one thing I love about the Foreign Car Hospital. I wish it were enough to make this my auto repair go-to shop. I'll echo what others have said: their prices are ridiculously high. I've owned used cars for the last 20 years, so I'm familiar with car repairs. The FCH charges the most of any auto shop I've visited, north or south side. They'll also fail to call you with an estimate and go ahead and perform repairs without your approval! This is unacceptable. What if you want to get a second opinion somewhere else? Too bad, they've already done the work and now you owe them the money. Also, lots of people like the owner, but I've always found him to be dismissive, smug, and lacking in customer service. I took my 2001 Toyota Corolla to the FCH in 2010 for a new exhaust system. They took several days to rebuild it completely and charged me an arm and a leg. Three months later, my car FAILED the state emissions test because the (NEW) exhaust system was faulty, and I ended up taking it to another shop who fixed it in one day. Today I had to take the same car to my new favorite shop to replace the muffler that FCH installed four years ago. I'm still irritated by that whole experience. Stay away from the Foreign Car Hospital! read more

I have utilized FCH for my general repairs for over 10 years. Phil - The new owner is wonderful. He is honest, provides high quality work, and gives great advice. He has worked on our BMW, Lexus, Mitsubishi, and Infinity. I'm shocked at prior reviews stating their prices are high. I consistently find FCH's prices to be at least 35-40% cheaper than the dealership. I would give them 5 stars if they took debit/credit cards. read more

The doctors at Foreign Car Hospital know what they're doing. I sent my baby (a 1989 Honda Accord) to the hospital this past winter after a painful front-end suspension break-down. The car-doc in charge new immediately what was wrong just from hearing my description over the phone. He told it to me straight--there was little hope of survival, unless I paid much more than the car was probably worth. I was ready to give up, but my dad stepped in with sentimental motivations and laid down the cash. Now that I live in the city, I have little need for a vehicle thanks to joy of public transit. But if I ever again have a car (and it would be a foreign one), I would trust its life in their hands. Make an appointment for your Honda, Toyota, Volkswagon, etc. for a tune-up. Get to know these folks 'cause they'll treat you well. Note: They work with a small staff and have a lot of loyal customers, so you'll wait a few days if not weeks before the doctor will see you. read more

Although I didn't know it at the time, I was parked right across the street from this place when my springs finally gave out. It's the most improbable location for a garage, hidden past a tiny driveway on a residential street. Good thing it was there, because that was about as far as the minivan could limp. I also didn't know that these were some of the nicest, most knowledgeable, and dare I say nerdiest mechanics around. They did a great job, called me promptly and explained everything to me. True, their shop was a mess and looked ancient, but I loved walking in their cavernous garage hidden behind rows of apartment buildings. The price was fair, and they took a check (but only after I proved my affiliation with the University of Chicago). The only knock against them is that it can take a while for the work to get done because it's such a small shop, and the only good one in the neighborhood. read more

Overall, a great place to go, particularly if you live in Hyde Park. If any of the cons I list are deal breakers for you though, you probably won't share my high opinion of the place. Pros: Competent workers. Great service. Quick turnaround. I once had a part replaced, but they took a quick look without an appointment so they could order the part and call me so I wouldn't have no car while the part came in. Great memory for customers and repair history. Cons: Takes some time to get an appointment (1-2 weeks), so if you have a "needs-fixed-now" issue, this place probably isn't right. Fairly inflexible hours: 8:30-5 M-F, which might be a problem if those times aren't easy for you to work around. They only accept cash or checks. Their location is hard to find (though if you call, they'll give you directions). Could go either way: Their facilities are some of the untidiest I've ever seen. There are random car parts and periodicals everywhere. I think it's charming, but I can see how some people would be turned off. It's not an accurate signal of work ethic or quality though. read more

I literally ended up having to just buy a new car after my 02 Honda had to get brakes fixed here because the day after I brought it back home the first time, smoke started coming from under the hood, and a week or so after I brought it home the second time, the car's check engine light came on, the car was like vibrating underneath me, and the repair was going to cost like $1k. This happened around this time last year. Not accusing Phil of anything, just stating what happened as I'm finally removed enough from the situation not to be upset. read more

As one who doesn't write yelp reviews (this is my second), it is very difficult for a service to be so good that I actually overcome my laziness and login and write one. But, Phil did exactly that. I'm quite sure most people who have owned a car for more than a year know the pain of finding maintenance servicemen, and also usually know how an "oil change" can lead to dozens of exaggerated and, in the worst scenarios, imaginary issues. Having read some reviews myself, I was skeptical to come to a small business to get car maintenance done, and even more skeptical because the car I brought for repairs (my wife's), has been overdue for service for quite a bit. Expecting the worst, I was quite sure I'd need those dozen repairs. But, many reviews mention "Phil" as the new owner. So, I decided it's worth giving it a shot. Phil exceeded our expectations. Phil not only did the service honestly, he checked and gave honest feedback on the condition of the car (filters are good, brakes are at 50%, etc.) (note: almost every service I've done before this have had to change my "trashy" filter). Then, when I offered him a tip for an honest job, he wouldn't accept it. It seemed like he would only accept money for work that he did. This goes to show not only a well done job, but a honest working individual who earns his way in life. That integrity gives me the confidence that his work on my vehicle is of the best quality he could deliver. Very professional, ethical, and pleasing experience at this place. Would recommend 100%, as long as Phil is still working there. read more

I worked with these guys for the first time recently. I tried them out based on positive reviews on yelp. I have to say I'm VERY HAPPY with the results. They're cost estimates were open and fair, and they're work was timely and professional. It's a small outfit in Hyde Park that's somewhat difficult to find-- but the guys are kind, honest, and fair. The main drawback so far is that they don't service domestic makes. My Toyota is nearly 20 years old with 200k + miles on it. They were able to provide quality work on it and get it to pass the emissions test--- huge plus. It's such a relief if you can find one go-to auto repair shop that's close by--- I'd say these guys are it. read more

Sorely disappointed in this place. Believing in all the good reviews, I took my 94 Altima in for a checkup/tuneup before a long drive to Texas. I ended up with a ~$900 bill for new brakes and belts (they charge a ridiculous markup for parts, even for mechanics). In addition to this being vastly overpriced (I've since learned how to do some basic repairs so I don't get screwed over again), these guys did a horrible job. They didn't sufficiently tighten the new belts, and so now the car squeaks whenever I start it and make sharp turns (like into/out of parking spots). My new brakes are still emitting high pitched screeches whenever I break, even though I've driven well over 2k miles w/ them. If you're going to overcharge for service, at least do it well. And Julie, the fact that your dad started the place isn't sufficient reason to give it five stars. read more

I really wanted this place to be my go-to car repair shop. They're very close to where I live, so it's an easy walk over and back during repairs. However, two experiences left a bad taste in my mouth. The first time I went in because there was a loud sound coming from the AC/fan vent. I took the car in, and they told me they found a tangle of dried grass/plant matter that was caught in there. That doesn't seem to me like a huge fix, but they charged me an hour's work. But what do I know? The second time I brought my car in for a simple oil change. When I came in to pick up the car, they informed me that my brake fluid was leaking (my brake light indicator was not on, so this was news to me), and that I needed to get my brake caliper replaced. I said fine, and paid for the part and services. Not even a month later, my brake light indicator actually went on--this time I went to a different car repair shop further away from Hyde Park (recommended by a friend), and they told me that in fact, now both my brake calipers were leaking. This is surprising since I paid the people at Foreign Car Hospital to replace at least one of them just a few months ago. I want to go to them to complain, but I feel like I would be a fool to take my car back there. Having absolutely no knowledge or experience with cars, I'm not making any accusations--I really don't know better. I'm simply relaying my experience with this business. read more

Shady operation, as evidenced by the "cash only" requirement, hidden costs, sky-high prices, sketchy answers to questions, bill padding, and hidden location. I waited patiently for nearly 30 minutes, while Pat took phone calls from customers, then watched him smoothly attempt to charge me extra "labor costs" for the time he'd just spent talking on the phone to others. Don't enable these practices by coming here. Pat is shrewd about which customers he'll deal with. He turns away those who ask questions or know something about cars. He wants only the ignorant and gullible. Don't be one of them. Go a few extra blocks for peace of mind and pocketbook. read more

Fixed my car when he said he would. He explained everything and didn't do more than was necessary. Not condescending at all. I'm glad I went here because I got a fair price! read more

Have you ever heard of an auto repair shop charging more than a certified dealer? Once I requested a quote to replace the breaks and rotors of my car. The quoted price sounded insanely high. I called the dealer to double check the price. I assumed the dealer would be always higher than any given repair shop. It turned out that these guys quoted 50% more than the dealer price. These people will rip you off. Stay away from the Foreign Car Hospital. read more

Since I just reviewed the local bike shop (D.J.'s Bike Doctor), it only seems fair to turn my attention to my other favorite transportation-related place in Hyde Park: Foreign Car Hospital. Yes, with names like that, those two could be kindred spirits, right? What can you expect from this well-hidden jewel, then? Certainly not anything fancy. What you get is nuts and bolts and grease (like a true garage should be), and a friendly and competent crew led by Pat, the head guy, and this is one sharp dude! He seems to know everything there is to know about mechanics, but he still manages to explain it to you in understandable English. And that's good because I only speak very rudimentary pidgin mechanics. It usually comes out like: "the exhaust pipe goes poot-poot, the belt makes a squeaky sound, there's a clonk-clonk coming from somewhere, etc". Anyway, he is good at giving you a fair diagnostic and he always double-checks with you before fixing anything. That way, no surprises when you pay! As Philip K. mentions, they are a small operation and that means you may have to wait a little for a non-emergency appointment. However, if it's urgent, they are really good about trying to squeeze you in. read more

I asked friends and colleagues, point-blank, if there was *any* mechanic in Hyde Park who was reputable and competent. Every person recommended this shop. And fellow Yelpers do as well. I was a tiny bit skeptical going in. After all, I don't think of Hyde Parkers when I think of individuals blessed with mechanical knowledge. I was wondering if this place was as good as purported. The simple answer is a resounding, "Yes!" They tell it to you straight. If you've got an issue that needs attention, but isn't as high a priority as something else, they'll say so. They'll take the time to explain just what is wrong, what it will take to get it fixed, what it means if you ignore it (including, "Not much will happen. It'll just be annoying"). Most importantly, especially if you've got a car with a grocery list of things wrong, they won't try to milk you out of every dollar you own. They'll help you take care of the most serious things, and help you keep moving down the list. The shop is what people say it is -- a mess. But what counts isn't a clean waiting area or some cheap coffee next to a television with nothing on. It's getting your car fixed right, the first time, and feeling like you aren't getting fleeced in the process. It's having a neighborhood mechanic you can trust. And that's exactly what this place is. read more

Bummed because the name is misleading. They don't work on all foreign cars which unfortunately means they won't work on mine (a smart car)

This is a great place to have your car brought back up to snuff, or for a tune up. Call ahead for an appointment and don't expect voicemail, or email or any other form of communication with them outside of their Mon-Fri hours. Pat, the head guy, is frank, professional and a great wit. They will treat you and your car well and fairly. A solid choice who's dealing with owning a car for the first time or any other car owner. read more

Make sure you ask what the "parts and extras" are going to cost... an advertised "$17.50 plus parts" oil change turned into $44.75! $11.60 for oil and $10.95 for a filter, a huge mark up! I expected around $25 total, maybe $30 tops. Lesson, ask about the incidentals... the "unsaid" will kill your wallet, and the garage sure isn't going to help you. read more

Honest service at a fair price. It's the real deal. Give them your business, you will not regret it!

On the plus side, these guys are local if you live in HP, generally know what they are doing, and stand behind their work (I've brought my car back with issues with the repair, and they took care of it, no questions asked). On the negative side, while they were once a way for me to save money, they now cost about the same as my dealer for the same repair, and don't do as good work since they don't specialize in one brand, as the dealer does. Further, they only take cash which is ridiculously inconvenient nowadays for something as expensive as a typical auto repair (although they will take a check if they know you), and they are also very inconvenient in terms of available appointment times. I would use them again in a pinch, e.g. if I was stuck in the neighborhood and couldn't' get my car to the dealer easily, but otherwise I would just as soon have the specialists at my dealer do the work and pay with a credit card so I don't have to extract hundreds of dollars in cash from a bank - not an easy thing to do these days. read more

As a college prof, I've lived in a lot of cities and have dragged my car to a lot of people. I know of what I seek: I used to get my Volvo worked at Say Ray (!if you know you know). Foreign Car Hospital is _even better_ than Say Ray. Pat is a total wizard. My understanding is that Pat is retiring, but no worries: Phil is THE MAN. I care about mechanical things, and Phil is a wizard. Some people might be turned away by the fact they work on creeper boards rather than lifts, but I would say, if I had one person I needed to trust, it would be Phil. He's the best mechanic in Chicago. read more

I was looking for some info on auto repair shops for a school project, and Pat was nice enough to take a few minutes out of his day to answer my questions. Thanks! read more

I have only been in Chicago a couple of years, but have taken my Volvo wagon there 3-4 times, mostly routine maintenance, with a couple repairs. These guys are honest & capable mechanics. Not for nothing--I used to do my own work on cars (back before everything was computerized) so I have fair clue of what needs doing & how complicated it is. These guys are fair--they have told me "no you don't need new rotors yet on the brakes, but probably next time"--trust me a dealership would've sold me the new rotors now. And, on a transmission issue--they freely said--Better take that to the dealership. Turning away work is always a good sign. I noted some of the really antagonistic & unrealistic earlier reviews. Some people can't be pleased, but I can tell you on the pricing issue--never trust what a dealership says over the phone--they can't possibly know how involved the job might turn out to be. And so how do I know--I spent many years representing Teamster mechanics in Detroit & I am very familiar with how the dealerships charge, how they mark up, and how they pressure mechanics to "up-sell" extra services. You won't get any of that crap here. Pat is a little casual about writing up the estimate in advance--I've never felt cheated & he has always called if an item might cause sticker shock. If that makes you nervous, ask for a written estimate up front or a phone call before works starts. read more

I love this place. Every single time I have taken my car to them, I have left tremendously pleased. Each time, if my car needed repairs that they I was not aware of, they've called, explained the problem, explained the costs, and asked me how I wanted to proceed. More than once they have told me that something did not need to replaced just yet, but might need to be changed the following time. That kind of honesty makes me feel very comfortable. I've found their prices to be very fair and their work is excellent. I only have great things to say about both Pat and Phil! I would recommend them without hesitation. read more

These folks are the best! We've been coming here for decades, always with Hondas. They not only make repairs as requested, but track our general maintenance schedule and needs. And when a car gets old, they have given us great end-of-life care advice. Go Pat! Go Phil! read more

This is an honest and honorable business. I was told by other mechanics before I moved here that I needed a full break job with rotors on all four wheels. I made an appointment with Foreign Car Hospital to get that work done since the other mechanics made it seem dire. After I brought my car in Pat told me I did not need the work and showed me my rotors and break pads. I have never worked with such an honorable mechanic and highly recommend his service! read more

Make it three times. Same honest and fair service I wrote the review about two years ago.

So grateful to have found these guys! Took my '99 Subaru in because the check engine light came on. Had told the guy who checked the car in that we might be looking to get a new car in a year or so. He diagnosed the problem, told me I didn't need to make any major repairs, especially if I was going to sell the car at some point, so he did a modest fix to tide is over, and he only charged us $84 for labor. I am very, very grateful and impressed that he didn't try to pressure me into making more repairs! Nice to know he listened and did what was best for me in my situation. read more

A Hyde Park classic - Don't be fooled by the quirky exterior (and interior). Although the Foreign Car Hospital is a no frills shop, the are honest and do good work. They can do regular scheduled service, oil changes, brake work, etc. We had a check engine light on, that they fixed by changing our gas cap, no charge, because the old cap didn't seal any more. I was particularly delighted by the candor with which they answered my questions about work recommended by the dealership. The FCH was able to pull up our service records quickly and let me know what work they had recently done, so that I was able to politely decline the dealership's "recommended" work. I really appreciate straight talk from my mechanic! read more

was impressed at first. great phone manner, professional and seemingly knowledgeable counter staff/mechanics. for small jobs, probably not too bad (i.e. oil changes, etc.). but these guys had 3 opportunities to fix my car and could not figure out what was wrong. after spending about $150 for diagnostics and 'superficial' work to temporarily get rid of my fix, i had enough after experiencing the same problem again. accelerator/engine idle problem. i finally took my car to a yelp-favorite of a mechanic about half an hour from my house, and those guys fixed it within half an hour for $40 with parts/labor. guys are nice here, but i don't think they really know how to diagnose and thus end up inconveniencing, overcharging, and ultimately disappointing customers. ONLY reason why i went here was because it's about 3 minutes from my house. i now gladly drive a half hour away to get stuff done professionally, accurately, and for a fair/honest price. read more