Great people working HARD to provide GREAT SERVICE while making it look easy. Emphatically, it's not easy to do the kind of work they do at Santa Rosa Hydramatic. In fact, there are a lot of what I call "imposters" out there, but Steve and Brandon aren't in that category. They're honest and they know what they're doing. It's a simple formula lacking in a lot of auto service providers. (Did I mention that they're honest....?)
My story is as follows: Not someone who needs the newest coat of paint or the latest gizmo, yet unproven (what I call "flash and dash"), I own an 11-year old Ford Escape (2013) that I just love to drive. I've "tricked" it out with signal-activated side cameras and high speed tires (not that I speed, but for the handling). It's got high-end brake pads, competent front-end alignment and recommended periodic maintenance. It meets all my needs and I've meticulously maintained it, proactively replacing what I know will eventually fail, as with all vehicles, before it fails, and doing all the routine at appropriate intervals.
At 150,000 miles, the transmission began to shift abruptly and hard on occasion, and then a "shutter" between 1,500 and 2,000 rpms started. By 160K, I knew that a rebuilt transmission wasn't far away. Rather than wait for an inconvenient, catastrophic transmission failure, I took it to a Ford dealer to have it analyzed, confirming what I had already concluded. The transmission was beginning to fail. When the dealer dropped a sum larger than my social security number on me that was headed in the direction of my wallet, I consulted the nice folks at Hydramatic.
I was given several options for a rebuilt transmission and torque converter with comments about their prior experience with each supplier, and a recommendation, which I chose to follow. Hydramatic has a demand for its services twice as long as anyone's arm, yet they managed to schedule me well within the time parameters my busy life required. My vehicle was up on the rack in a relatively short time, and, two days later, it came out of the shop all set up.
Except Brandon immediately acknowledged that there was a "problem." Turns out, the torque converter supplied with the transmission by the rebuilder had an obscure balance problem. My vehicle did fine on the road, however there was a serious vibration that would shake my teeth when sitting in drive or reverse. Steve said that he had a similar experience on two other occasions, one with a Ford Fusion, which shares the same transmission, and the other, a Chevy. I think it's important to add that Hydramatic should NOT be held responsible for a faulty torque converter sent by their supplier... Things happen to all of us, and it just happened to happen to them. NOT their fault!
Brandon and Steve were immediately "on it," assuring me that they would order a replacement from the supplier and then schedule my vehicle back for the final install as soon as possible. In the meantime, I was able to drive it by shifting into neutral or park while stopped. It never vibrated while in motion. Though he said that it wouldn't be problematic beyond the vibration, Steve also provided me with several numbers with which to reach them if anything did happen - nothing did. Again, these people KNOW what they're doing!
In short, they hustled to get the replacement torque converter into my vehicle when it came in, even starting the "tear down" on the delivery day before it arrived. A little over 24 hours later, my Escape was back in my possession and, after driving it over 500 miles since then, I can say that it runs like a top - maybe even better than when it was new!
Oh, and, as I've heard said, "The best surprise is NO SURPRISE!" I wasn't charged a dime over the original quote. Not a cent! Additionally, the total I paid was $2,000 LESS than the dealer quoted. (Disclaimer, NOT the Ford dealer in Santa Rosa. I don't know if they would have charged near or equal to what I was originally quoted in the East Bay. I didn't ask them for a quote.)
What I do know is this - The service I received in the hands of Santa Rosa Hydramatic was courteous, clearly explained, economical and expertly accomplished. Everyone, from Steve and Brandon to the technician who did the test drive with me, and others in the shop, were straight-up front with me and always helpful and friendly. Brandon always makes eye contact and speaks authoritatively reflecting his character and commitment. Steve (his father) is a "trip," as is said, and, I hasten to add, "a trip" in the very best tradition. These folks and the people they employ are the genuine article.
If you want great, competent service done with integrity, you won't go wrong putting your vehicle in the hands of the folks at Santa Rosa Hydramatic. If ever I need transmission service again, I'll head right there, skipping all the slick talk and hype found elsewhere. I'm back on the road makin' tracks!
"Happy trails to you," as Roy and Dale sang... read more