It pains me to write the type of review that I am about to write to warn people not to do business with this shop. In my 43 years on earth I have never had such an awful experience with any business of any kind or been afraid a business owner would get violent, and I would urge anyone who would listen not to do business with this guy. I'm not sure how he has such good reviews but please be warned. The short version is I paid him $2,000 deposit to get a sandrail motor running and he gave me the run around for more than a year, never did any of the work and then threw an absolute tantrum and refused to give me a refund when I decided to pull the plug on the project. He told me it would be finished in May 2023. I showed up, and not only was it not done, he hadn't started it. Months went by and he would tell me the same thing, next month ... next month I promise it will be done. I would show up again and again, and half the time his shop wouldn't be open on weekdays. I'd call, and nobody would pick up the phone or return my phone calls. He said he had a hard time finding parts, but then got some parts in August (he never told me specifics about which parts, or what the cost was). Summer turned to fall, turned to winter, and after more than a year with zero work being done and stopping by his shop dozens of times after repeated promises of the work being finished, I showed up and asked him for my motor back on March 22, 2024. He said "well I don't have your money, so you're not getting a refund". I came back 3 days later to pick up the motor which was in pieces in two big buckets, along with a bucket of unexplained parts. I had typed up a letter with the Oregon statutes about auto repair shops and what they are required by law to do with regard to estimates, and written descriptions of work to be performed etc, and asking for $1500 of my $2000 back. He tore the letter up, screamed at me GO AWAY WE'RE CLOSED and aggressively slammed the garage door and then closed and locked his office door. He then heard me recording outside as I was in complete disbelief of what was happening and came out, saw me filming him, and agreed to give me HALF of my $2000 deposit back after performing zero work aside from disassembling the motor, which is now in pieces in rubbermaid containers, not organized at all. I relented and agreed at getting half of my deposit back just to be done with this guy. In all my life, I have never experienced a business acting as unhinged as this man did. This was over the top, beyond the pale behavior that was downright scary. I hope this man never treats another customer like this, and if you do decide to do business with this shop, be warned. read more

Thramer's Auto - This was the pile he tried to dump on me after not doing the work. - Auto Repair Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

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I have found Thramer's Auto to be very fair, honest and respectful. He has had his share of limited good help and despite this, still puts the customer first. I recently purchased a classic car and needed a specialized hot rod mechanic. Since he has been in business so long, and knows many of the other area mechanics he reccomended another shop that I have been very happy with. I highly recommend Thramer's Auto. read more

I've been going to Thramer's Automotive since I was 16 when I got my first car -- a Jetta. Darin has always been kind and honest with me about my cars. His expertise was always delivered with patience. It's been more than a decade since that first VW, and I now drive all the way from Washington with my Tiguan when I need service, because he's reliable and respectful. His one-man operation might not be fast, but I know that I can trust his work. read more

I dropped my VW trike off with Daren about a month ago. I told him that if fixing it is over $1,000, he should call me first so we can discuss a plan. He said he couldn't see it being over $700 and that it shouldn't take more than a week to fix. Two weeks went by and I heard nothing, so I decided to call him. He said it's a little over $1,000 and if I could come pay before he's done, he would appreciate it. So I went in and the bill was $2,500. I paid, and he said it would be done within the next week. Another two weeks went by and he said his worker is out sick. I understand, but he promised it would be done by the end of that week. I called, and it was another excuse. The weld they did was too high, so the body couldn't mount back on. They have to fix it, but he assured me that I shouldn't be concerned because he's getting hosed and he has put way more than $2,500 into it. I called every day for the next week, but he said he has other things to do first, and other people are getting mad because they haven't received their work yet. I called on Wednesday the following week, and he responded with, "Jesus Christ, are you going to fucking call me every fucking day? What the fuck do you want?" I told him that I absolutely am going to call him every day, and I want him to finish the job. A one-week job has turned into 2 months. He ended up apologizing and said he doesn't know what happened. He mentioned that it could be that he's just old and grumpy. He also mentioned that he only has one hand because of an injured finger By the time I got it back, it broke down before I could even get it on the freeway, and it still has a leak. read more

Came to Darin through friends of ours in Eugene when we were there in July 2021. Drove our Prius V up there from AZ. Darin was knowledgeable, friendly. Gave me a realistic estimate of when he could get to the oil change and check out car for my trip back to AZ. Brought him the car, he was thorough and gave great service. He has the sweetest big elder dog that goes to work at the shop and loves her job there as well as Darin! How can you go wrong with a mechanic with skills AND a dog lover? I recommend him because he will be honest and skilled at what he does for your vehicle. Thanks Darin Thramer!! read more

I was recommended this shop and was looking forward to having my truck fixed and back to normal. First they lost my number and didn't hear from them so I called the following week. I finally heard from them and told me it'd be done and fixed by the end of the week. When I called they didn't answer. 3rd week goes by and I finally hear from them. I expected it to be fixed properly and back to normal. The clutch was really loose towards the end of the drive back home and started to grind gears again anytime I'd go to shift. I parked my truck for a while just cus it was more convenient for me to drive my motorcycle. I needed my truck recently for an important situation and it was acting exactly like when I sent it in to be fixed. $700 gone out of my pocket, just don't go there unless you enjoy your time & money wasted. They give mechanics a bad rep. read more

I had my window button break on my vw beetle.. The owner wanted to charge me $250 for the piece and labor. Just because I'm a young female doesn't mean I don't know anything. Got the piece from the DEALER (which is always more expensive) for $10 and popped it out like a Lego in less than 10 seconds it was changed. Do yourself a favor and buy a vw book, use YouTube, or go on the internet and learn something. read more

Darren talked knowledgeable but was very disappointing. He did not provide the repair on time or on budget and did extra work without talking to me. He said he would get it done on a specific day and understood the great impact it had on me if he did not deliver. Well he did not get it done! He gave me a verbal price and said he would call if the work became more involved. He never called. Bill ended up being nearly double! Part prices were double when I called local parts houses. When I reviewed the bill he became upset at me. He said he would treat my car like he owned it. Well, he did and did not consult me or listen to my needs. I'll never go back and suggest others don't either. read more

I highly recommend Thramer's Auto. I have taken my vehicles to this mechanic for over 25 years and have been amazed at how pretty much any problem for any car is remedied at a fair price. Toyota Sienna van, a Toyota Prius, Subaru Outback and Crosstrek, a Volkswagen, Chevy Vans and a Dodge Truck are most but not all of the vehicles that have come into the shop with some sort of issue to which said issue is fixed in a timely fashion. I am appreciative of the friendly, fair and always faithful service I get every time I bring my car in. read more

Love Darrin. He's honest, timely and dependable. He takes good care of our 84 Volvo 240. :)

Darren has worked on all of the cars in our family. He is friendly, helpful, an gets the job done right. The shop is modest, and located in an industrial area, but is easy to find. read more