Re: oil change and first impression I was very pleased with the service, even though I had to deal with a couple of personal pet peeves. I went there for an oil change. But my real intention was to meet and compare them to prior experiences, after being motivated by the positive reviews here. They were busy, and gave me an appointment for within an hour and a half, which I appreciated because I'd rather stick around while the job is done instead of leaving my car behind. They started the work on time. They didn't try to sell me on anything I didn't need, except one mechanic did ask if I wanted "full service," meaning checking fluids, which I declined. He should have known better not to assume that I was such an easy prey, but I won't hold it against the shop or him: we are all sellers in one way or another, and I don't mind playing the game as long as it is not ill-intentioned. I didn't ask him how much the "supersizing" would cost me; maybe he was offering to do it for free, but I doubt it. I was glad to notice that while the oil was draining, the mechanic checked tire pressure and inflated as needed, which was a nice little add-on, for which I wasn't charged. The sticker they put on my windshield is a standard reminder of the next 3 month/5000 km recommended oil change, which I always ignore-or rather use only as a reminder to check the oil after 10,000 km. No need to waste perfectly good oil so often (my car's manual recommends 12,000 km). There's an idea for the shop if they want to stand out: discuss with the customer when the next oil change should be, depending on the customer's actual use of the vehicle, based on the manufacturer's recommendations. If the customer doesn't really care, only then recommend the standard. I will be definitely going back, most likely for breaks, and I hope the service will be just as good when more serious work is needed. read more

My boyfriend and I recently took a weekend trip to Toronto from the States, and we ended up having quite the adventure when our Jeep's alternator died on the highway just outside of the city, leaving us stranded on a strip mall parking lot at 11:30 PM on a freezing night. We were eventually able to get a tow, and out of sheer desperation had our car taken to Spadina Auto, with plans to come by in the morning and beg the owner to take our baby in and fix her before the weekend was over. Truthfully, we didn't have much hope, and feared that we would be stuck in Canada well into the following week, but the kindness and attention we received from the professionals at Spadina completely blew us away. Not only did Wayne and Chi take our car in without an appointment, but they did everything in their power to get us back on the road in time to get home. Even though the shop closes at 4:00 PM on Saturdays, Wayne ended up staying and working until 10:00 PM to find a replacement alternator (apparently Jeep alternators are exceedingly difficult to find in Canada!) and get it installed and working. All of this ended up costing us a very fair and reasonable price for the amount of work and hassle on their part. Wayne really went above and beyond the call of duty for us (two strangers who dumped their broken car on his doorstep in the middle of the night!), and he was also incredibly nice, fun to talk to, and empathetic to our situation. All in all, him and Chi saved us from a less-than-awesome time, and we owe it to them that we made it home in one piece. Would recommend this place without hesitation. Thanks guys!! read more

Wayne - the only man you need to know in Auto Repair. I've been going to him for fair priced and fast expert service for over 5 years now. Expect a personal touch and to NOT be extorted for work; regardless of the size of the job. He's worked on my BMW, Audi, and Nissan so in my opinion, he is well-equipped to wok on a wide variety of models and makes. I see him 2-3 times a year for the typical oil/fluid changes, tire changes, and whenever I've got an upsetting 'light' that goes off on my dash. I've never felt anything less than special; even though by no means am I a 'high-end' client. Always personable, approachable and willing to bend over backwards to accommodate you the best he can. Right after the 'first' big snow of the year in Toronto, I panicked realizing I only had my summer tires on, and (like thousands of others), decided to get my winter tires on that very day. As PACKED and as busy as he was, he found a space for me and got the job done same day. I have little doubt that had I gone anywhere else that day they would politely (or not) send me on my way as they were too full. Also, when looking out for a friend of mine who didn't know much about winter tires, my first thought was to get on the line with Wayne and see what he suggested. He's literally my 'go-to' guy with anything auto-related. Even if it's beyond his area of expertise, I trust his judgment to send me somewhere reliable! That is why I say that Wayne, and Spadina Auto Repair, is the person/place you should think of first when you've got any auto repair needs. Don't walk, drive to Spadina Auto today! read more

I've been going to Wayne at Spadina Auto for a few years now and I don't bother going anywhere else. I have a 2003 jeep so its getting up there and problems are starting to arise. I've had my Jeep towed to Spadina Auto twice this year through CAA - first time was for a dead battery that I thought might have been something more so I was prepared to hear anything, but Wayne isolated the problem to just the battery and he replaced it with a quality battery instead of the crappy tire one I had in there and he guaranteed me it would last, haven't had a problem with the battery since. 2nd time I had my Jeep towed for a clutch issue, I knew it was specifically that. Wayne assessed it and the gear box was actually broken, after he fixed it he showed me the broken part and he had taken pictures to show me progress of the work so that I understood what work he and his team had done. He fixed only what had to be done and didn't push for more. Its an 8 year old Jeep, I'm sure more things could be fixed but he got me back on the road for as little money as possible. And the clutch felt better than when I first drove it out of the lot when I bought it. I trust Wayne and he has a lifelong customer in me as its inevitable that my vehicle will need repair, so if I'm going to take it to anybody its him at Spadina Auto. Excellent customer service and trust. Nuff said. Ryan read more

We phoned to tell them we needed help with our car the same day (Saturday, when they were working shorter hours). Wayne and staff stayed open later specifically to help us and take in our car, even though they didn't know who we were. When we were sitting in the waiting room, I watched how Wayne provided help to others and stayed open later to help others. He was also very upfront to everyone regarding all evaluation costs. He specifically said to all customers (4 other customers who seemed to not know anything about vehicles) that he would not go any further / start to fix things, without their express permission to ensure they were happy with everything he was doing, each step of way. This gave the customers time to reflect, understand, and even consult friends by phone before going further. He also suggested to us and others that some things would need maintenance at some point, but not for a few more thousand kms. Also provided excellent advice on other mechanical matters. Seemed evident he cares about the state of people's cars as well as taking care of owners' own wallet. Very good qualities you want in a mechanic... someone who has your interest at heart, knowing that if they've earned your trust, that you'll be back. I'll certainly be back. read more

I moved downtown about 8 months ago and immediately was having car trouble. I found Spadina Auto from positive online reviews and it's very close to my condo. I've now brought my car there 3 separate times and have been very very pleased with the service and customer satisfaction that Wayne and his team provide. My last time there, I needed an expensive transmission module for my Mazda 3. I was fortunate enough to have alternate transportation during this time, reason being, Wayne and his team worked for 2 weeks to find me the cheapest possible price (they knew I had another car so they were able to try and find me the best possible price). I saved over $500 because of their hard work. I highly recommend bringing your car here. Wayne takes the time to explain every possible option with you, never doing any work without your approval, there are never any hidden fees. They even noticed I was due for my oil change and called to ask me if I wanted to get it done, I had completely forgotten. I trust Spadina Auto and will continue to go back. Great business with the right values at their core. read more

I have been a loyal female customer of Spadina Auto for about 6 years now. Wayne and his crew are totally awesome and always go above and beyond in the service they provide. They will try very hard to accommodate both your budget and your schedule. Excellence in service in most businesses these days is rare - in an auto shop - unheard of. The service they provide is truly exceptional and honest. For all the times I have been ripped off or pissed off by supposedly "reputable" auto shops - I've never had anything but positive experiences with Spadina. They always give you options for what really needs to be done and what can wait if necessary. I have complete confidence in them. All the mechanics are upbeat, helpful and honest. While no one likes having to have their car in the shop - I always truly enjoy any interaction I've had with Wayne. He runs a decent, honest shop, has a great work ethic and a really positive attitude. I never write reviews but these guys provide exceptional service...seriously, if you need an auto repair shop, you should try them.... read more

I have been consistently impressed with the service from Spadina Auto. I have a company car and getting any service on the car requires that the mechanic spend a long time describing the scenario to my employer, so that the service can be approved. Wayne and the boys at Spadina Auto always take impeccable care of me and my company vehicle. They take the time to work with my employer to make sure everything is done properly and efficiently. In my experience, they never suggest work on the car that is not 100% necessary. They are conservative, reasonable and honest with their approach. Wayne (the owner) even took the time to drive my car on city streets and the highway to make sure it was "up to snuff" for me to drive away in after I had some repairs. Wayne and the team at Spadina Auto are a group of hard-working, trustworthy folks. I seldom take the time to write reviews but I feel that they deserve five stars. They are fast, they are honest and they do great mechanical work. Keep up the awesome work, Spadina Auto! read more

Being a female with a classic, 'gently-used' sports car, I am a walking ATM to many mechanics. Luckily this is not the case with Wayne and Spadina Auto who have always taken proper care of both my car and my auto-repair budget. I understand that pretty much every year my 'baby' will need some TLC at the begining of the driving season to get it ready for the road. Wayne and his team have been able to work with me in keeping all options open - organizing a timely/end of day tow when it was needed; allowing me the time to source my own replacement parts and understanding my crazy schedule might mean the car is there over the weekend. Because of their economical and caring approach to my auto-maintenance needs, I return to Spadina Auto every year for both my summer car and the regular family car maintenance. Lucky for me, they are in the neighbourhood but I would drive out of my way for this type of service in the city. read more

Living in downtown Toronto and not having a trusted mechanic can be an issue when things come up with your car. I, like so many others, took to the web to see what I could find. I came across Spadina Auto and seeing that it was so close to home gave it a try. Wayne and the team at Spadina Auto are very up front and communicate the issues to you very clearly...They provide different price options to fix your issue and allow you to choose the repair level that fits your budget. I brought my Lincoln to the team with issues around hesitation during acceleration. The team took the time to diagnose the issue correctly and fixed the problem in a timely manor. Understanding parts for my car can be pricy I felt Wayne was honest and didn't try to sell me anything I didn't need. I'm a happy customer and will be back if/when things come up again and would recommend them to anyone that needs to find someone they trust. Eric read more

Wow what a salesman the owner is! He the fast talking loud smiley type that will sell you any service he can. He took every opportunity to put fear in my mind and that my car needed an entire new brake system because it's 10 years old. Take it easy! I just need new drums and pads and anti-seize oil on the back plate of the drum brakes because it was squeaking when I release the brake pedal. He starts going off about you need to leave your car here for the entire weekend to I can examine the brake system completely. You might need new calipers, brake lines, etc. WOW!!!!! he wanted me to sell me on crap that I didn't go there in the first place and keep my car!? WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!?! I only went there and to other mechanic shops based on the positive reviews. After this experience I will proceed with caution and continue to be dumb with these mechanic to test how honest they really are. read more

I have always been suspicious of mechanics but the guys at Spadina Auto have changed my opinion. Wayne was a huge help and saw me without appointment and ran the tests immediately so get the ball rolling quickly. He offered me two choices of what to do with the car and explained thoroughly the cost and specifics of each option. Wayne also helped me out in a huge way as I didn't have enough money to cover the repairs until later that week and Wayne said no problem and accepted a small deposit and trusted me to go back in a pay the balance. He said it was because he wanted to be know as a friendly neighbourhood mechanic who looks after people n the area and that really stood out to me. Most importantly my new exhaust pipe has the car running way more smoothly, quieter and without all the smoke that was billowing out of my old one. Great job by the mechanics and I will be taking my business there from now on. read more

A few weeks back, I was in Toronto on business, having driven in from Michigan. Unfortunately, my car started making a horrible grinding noise on the way. By the time I made to the city, I knew there was no way it could safely make it back to the US. I called around to every local dealer (since my car is under warranty), but every single one had a waiting list several days long. Now, this all happened a couple days before (American) Thanksgiving, and I needed to get home for the holiday. After striking out with the dealers, I gave Spadina Auto a call. Unfortunately, they had a similar backlog. Unlike the dealers, however, after explaining my situation, the owner, Wayne, shuffled around some appointments and was thankfully able to fit me in. They got my car patched up within the day, and I was able to make it home in time for Thanksgiving. Thanks, Wayne! Amazing customer service! read more

This shop offers amazing customer service! I originally called over a week ago and the service advisor, Wayne was very flexible on getting me in to get my winter tires on. I cancelled my first appt and there was no issue. I called tonight during the snow storm and was literally able to get in a half hour later. They're working almost around the clock to get their customers in. I picked my car up after 10:30pm. It cost $60 originally but they noticed I had rust on my hubcap so they resurfaced that for better contact. Everything came to $77. They even put my all seasons in plastic bags which I love because my back seat would have been a mess. Wayne was pleasant and efficient. He had a lot on the go when I dropped it off but I was in and out under 5 minutes. I would recommend this service to anyone from Spadina Auto Service. Thank you and see you in the spring, Grace read more

Two years ago I took my Cobalt in for a faulty O2 sensor that the dealer replaced several times, but would just fail again after a few months. Wayne fixed it once and it's been working great ever since! I took my cobalt in two weeks ago for a hole in the exhaust pipe near the catalytic converter. Replacing the whole unit was the only option at the dealer, at $700 plus labour! I took it to Wayne, and he ordered a kit from the US and fabricated a replacement part for me for a fraction of what the full replacement would have cost. The repair is perfect, and saved me a ton of money! It's tough to find a mechanic that doesn't mess with you, and that actually cares about the work they do. I can safely say Wayne is fantastic, explains everything up front, and is honest about what you need done and getting it done the best way possible. read more

We have an 18-year old import. Spadina Auto has looked after it for the last five of those years. It still runs perfectly, In all that time, Wayne has never tried to upsell, or do unnecessary work. His advice is as valuable as his mechanical skills. His prices are always very competitive. Any work he recommends is explained thoroughly. If he says "It will be ready at 4:00pm", it will be ready at 3:45. My wife (the driver) is reluctant to buy a new car because she "knows where everything is" in this one. Wayne is currently suggesting options about replacing the relic. or keeping it for another few years. We read the very positive reviews on this site and I told Wayne that he was widely recommended. He seemed to be unaware that he has a very loyal customer base. This guy is the genuine article! He enjoys his work. GOOD LUCK. Wayne. read more

I've been to my fair share of mechanic's before and these guys are by far the most honest and helpful. They went out of their way to come up with a custom solution for my fan belt issue knowing I didn't want to spend the money for a new one as I was buying a new car in the coming weeks. I had brought it to a mechanic up the street from them earlier that day and they told me their was no way to fix the problem other than ordering a new belt. After bringing it to Spadina Auto and voicing my frustrations, Wayne told me not to worry about it and that he'd do whatever he could to figure out a cheaper solution. They tried 8 variations of custom belts until they found they figured out the right fit. My bill was over 70% cheaper than the other auto garage had originally quoted me! Your the best Wayne! Thanks again! John Z read more

Wayne's garage is right down the street from Queen's Park and 15 mins from the 427. He is fantastic- my car completely broke down in TO from a rusted exhaust system. Not only did he extend Saturday hours on a beautiful and busy sunny day to deal witgh my out of town status but also waited after closing hours when I had to commute into the city to pick it up. He had the car up and running in under two days. He is dedicated and thorough about educating you on what/how went wrong, what they'll do to fix it, and by when. Fair costs and hands-on customer service. Owner is friendly and knowlegeable and all about letting you make an informed decision. If I lived in TO, I'd be taking my car to no other mechanic. As such, anyone close to Strachan or Queens is lucky to have such a local treasure. read more

Amazing customer service, Wayne will be completely honest with you and will never try to overprice you. I have been taking my car there for the past years and have been extremely satisfied with prices, timing and workmanship performed to my vehicle. I made the stupid choice of going to Canadian Tire once and they were charging me $40 to change one tail light + wanted to charge me $340 because my engine light was on and this weird "part in the engine" had to be replaced. I then left and brought it to Wayne, he changed my light for $6 and fixed the "Engine check problem" for $60. Totally recommended, including the new young guy who works there (I forget his name), very knowledgeable. Truly recommend this place to everyone. On several times he even waits for me afterhours to pick up my car. read more