Since moving to Columbus in mid-2017, I hadn't taken my car to an actual garage, preferring to just…read moreget my regular oil changes at the usual drive-thru chains. But with an aging car that is starting to get leaks and other wear and tear, I knew it was high time to finally get an inspection. Fortunately, Yelp recommended Tom & Jerry's, and after taking it in and getting some substantial service done, I couldn't be happier with my experience.
One of the great things about T&J's is that they text you a link to your inspection report, which lists urgent, not-so-urgent, and recommended items to address...and pictures of all of the problem areas. I was actually quite relieved that my car's main leak was from cracked transmission lines and not an actual failing transmission. Even if I didn't have some basic mechanical knowledge, it would have been obvious from the pictures that the lines needed to be replaced. Likewise, images of battery life, ride quality, and other factors all helped me opt to fix the more urgent service items. When talking to the technician over the phone, he never tried to sell me on the less urgent items (such as a loose sway bar), and the prices quoted were very reasonable. Ultimately, I spent $1200 on four tires, a new battery, a replaced passenger mirror (labor only -- I'd brought in the part), an oil change, the inspection itself, and the replacement transmission lines. It would be an exaggeration to say my car feels new, but there's something to be said for the peace of mind that it's been thoroughly inspected, and the key issues have been addressed. Given that I was dreading having to potentially shop for a new car, I'm especially glad for T&J's service.
One minor negative that is nonetheless worth mentioning is that they don't have much of a waiting area, and there aren't any decent places to sit for awhile nearby (the Starbucks, five blocks away, is drive-thru only!). After wandering around the area for awhile, I wound up just getting a Lyft home. Not a big deal at all, but just be prepared to drop off your car and have a pick-up option ready.