I met Marco in September 2013. I had recently purchased a 1969 Road Runner from an out of state…read moreonline vendor. My first venture with an online car purchase. Needless to say, when the car was delivered it didn't look like the pictured version, and needed oh so much deferred maintenance. I firtst took the car to a local classic car restoration shop in Torrance. In less than three weeks, I was taken for over $4,000. Anywhere there could have been a fluid leak, there was and then some.
After the final "OK now you need this" from that restoration shop, I visited Marco the owner of Lomita Transmission. The diagnosis (each diagnosis at the first shop cost $185, and not applied to the suggested repair), was for a repair that would not have resolved the concern ( suggested dome light switch replacement).
When Marco diagnosed what he believed to be a connection issue, having nothing to do with the dome light, I asked him how much the diagnosis would cost. He smiled and said there is no charge to diagnosis the problem.
I then asked Marco the cost to repair the starter motor. The first shop told me the repair would be $1300. When Marco told me $400, I almost passed out. That repair ended up being $410 (with tax). I left the car with Marco on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, 2013 to look into the "connection" issue.
The next afternoon, at Thanksgiving dinner with my family, Marco sent me multiple pictures of the engine compartment wiring harness that was literally a fire hazard; several wires had melted together. Marco went on to completely re-wire the engine compartment and under the dash. He then systematically brought a car needing 44 years of deferred maintenance back to life for me.
In the process, I learned how technical restoring a classic car was. Each step of the way, Marco updated me during each repair what the issue was, and what really needed to be done to correct the problem, while mindfully parntering with me on cost. He would explain the needed component, and the labor cost to complete the repair which I really appreciated. Marco doesn't just repair or replace parts. He puts his heart and soul into everything he touches. For Marco, it's never about the cost of the repair. For Marco, it's about doing the right thing, for the car and for the customer.
Marco now over sees the maintenance for my two daily driver's also. Most recently, my 2004 PT Cruiser needed a water pump replacement. Marco felt bad that the repair would be just about $2,000 because of what is involved to get to the water pump. That is because to get to the water pump, half of the front end of the engine would need to be removed to complete the repair.
While doing this repair, he suggested replacing the 20 year old timing belt ($54.00) also, due to the age of the car. He suggested that I call the Chrysler dealer to see if maybe the repair would cost less. As instructed, I did call the dealership that has been handling the warranty work for my other car. The Service Director I've been working with for several years, who I also trust and has taken very good care of me told me the same repair would be over $4,000, and suggested that Marco would be the way to go.
Don't you just love honest caring people?
