Wow! All the great reviews are no coincidence. Steve is amazing! Yesterday we had the lovely experience of having our car booted 10 minutes into staying parked in a 15 minute parking spot. It was awesome. After paying a ridiculous amount to get the boot off the wheel was grinding like crazy. Also, awesome. I called Transtastic this morning and was hoping to get it taken care of. We figured it was a minor thing but it definitely needed attention quickly. Steve basically diagnosed the problem over the phone and told me to bring it in. If I had a few minutes he said he could probably fix it right on the spot. I got there a few minutes later and Steve could not have been nicer. I explained about the guard plate that often gets bent, and took care of it in 10 minutes. When he was done he said I should take a quick drive and if anything else was acting up to come right back. I asked Steve, assuming all is fixed, how much I owed him for the quick fix. He told me not to worry about it. If something more substantial is needed on the car to bring it back in. I was stunned! And I will follow his advice. I will be back for sure. What a pro and what a great guy. In the middle of a crazy day in a crazy week, Steve really came to our rescue in more ways than he realized. I can guarantee that I will be back with any car issues in the future. I can't recommend this place more. Thank you Steve! read more

i don't like to write Yelp reviews (I typically avoid Yelp altogether), but this place has blown me away with the highest level of service. Steve is honest, fair, and totally trustworthy. If you check out the other 50+ reviews about him, these messages will be repeated very often (and for good reason). don't waste your time with dealerships or chains. in fact, don't waste your time anywhere else. the man is a saint. read more

I really hate to have to write a bad review, but it has to happen. I took my foreign car into this shop less than two years ago. My battery was basically dying as I was driving my car(music going in and out, lights dimming, etc). Alternator, easy fix. I called around to get several estimates and got the best feel from this shop, and it had great reviews, so I decided to bring it here. He agreed that the alternator needed to be replaced, so we went with it. Less than three weeks after getting my car fixed, the same problem kept happening. At first, he was very defensive that his work was done correctly. After finally threatening to take my business elsewhere, he offered to try putting a new battery in the car(shouldn't this be done automatically with a new alternator?). By this point, I decided to take my car to the dealership to let a specialist look at it. Long story short, after basically tearing my car apart and putting it back together again searching for the big problem for about 20 months, the verdict is that the work done when my alternator was put it was done so poorly, that now less than two years later, I get to pay for another new alternator. Maybe this shop does great on American cars, but he did not seem too familiar with my car(Lexus) and hearing the news that I now have to replace my alternator AGAIN, I just had to share my experience. So much for trying to save a few bucks by not going to the dealership! read more

Steve is awesome. I have never trusted a mechanic, but I trust Steve. He explains everything thoroughly so you know exactly what's going on with your car. He is always friendly and willing to go the extra mile. He even lends an empathetic ear when you complain about insurance companies and dealer shops. We have a 7 year old and 11 year old car, and we will continue to go to Steve until our cars die. read more

I've already reviewed Transtastic, but I feel it's necessary to reiterate how great the work done here is. I've brought my A4 here a few times now and every time, it gets taken care of quickly and efficiently. The owner Steve is a really nice guy and very knowledgeable. He puts in the extra time to make sure the problem gets fixed and always explains in laymen's terms what the problem is and how to fix it. This guy's the real deal and I recommend him 100%. read more

Steve is an anomaly and rarity of the first degree: he is the only honest auto mechanic I know. (I'm saying this after having given most of the area auto shops a shot to varying degrees of dissapointment or disgust). Steve talked me out of spending money on him too may times I care to remember. For work that's not covered by my warranty, he's my ONLY go-to-guy in all of Chicagoland. read more

I've been taking my cars to Steve for over five years now, and I've been consistently impressed. Steve's approach is refreshing--he takes time to listen to symptoms, volunteers to explain everything, assesses your options, etc. Most importantly, Steve always LISTENS to what you have to say. Steve's also impeccably honest. If he thinks he can't do the job as quickly or cheaply as the dealer, he'll say so. I also should mention that he's thoroughly knowledgeable, and he can prove it by taking the time to explain the problem to you in understandable terms. I try to "go local" whenever possible, so I like to use Transtastic for that reason alone. However, I can say definitively that Steve is the most thorough and trustworthy mechanic I've used--local or not, independent or dealership. There are other good local shops, but no one takes the time Steve does to make sure the job's done right. read more

Steve is great. I've taken my car there a number of times and always felt I was fairly treated and that he did a good job. Definitely will go back. read more

I originally found Transtastic through Yelp. Being somewhat new to the city, and knowing that mechanics are notorious for rip offs, i wanted to be extra cautious when getting my car fixed. As usual, Yelp pulled through. Steve at Transtastic does a great job of explaining problems in terms that don't make you feel like an idiot and he doesn't try to sell you on services or parts that don't make sense or apply to your cars needs. All in all, I've been to Transtastic twice and other than it being a little pricey, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm willing to pay a bit more to have my car in good hands and not know that I'm not getting schemed. Good find, Yelp. read more

Steve is a very knowledgeable and honest mechanic. I've had a couple of emergencies and he's always available without any notice (although an appointment is probably ideal). He explains the problem without talking down to you and charges a fair price. I totally recommend Transtastic and will confidently continue to go back. read more

Trust. There is a reason this word repeated comes up in the reviews for Steve and Transtastic. Steve truly has his client's best interests in whenever presented with a problem. He takes time to listen and understand the problem completely before explaining his thoughts to the cause and his solutions to the problem. This type of performance very quickly builds the #1 factor in any service-related relationship: trust. And to go even a step further, Steve does all of his work at a very reasonable cost. You will not find anyone better. He is an example of greatness and a beacon in his community. I will never go anywhere else and will always gladly recommend him to everyone. Thank you, Steve! read more

This is the first car place where I didn't feel like I was dealing with shady people. The work cost exactly what was estimated, even though he had to do some extra work. Steve was very upfront and informative about my car's needs. My car runs great now, and I will never go to a different mechanic. Highly recommended! read more

After the phone call I had yesterday I had to break my review writing seal. I spoke with the infamous "Steve" from Transtastic. I only called them because of the good ratings the shop has here on Yelp. Steve lived up to his reputation that all of the other reviewers spoke about. This guy knows his stuff, he is cool as heck, and he even gave me tips on fixing my car prob myself to save me a few bucks. Keep on keepin' on Transtastic. I highly recommend them! read more

I continue to stand by my great review from a year ago. I drive a 1996 Buick Station Wagon, and I drive it into the ground for work. Steve always gives me honest opinions even if it isn't in his most profitable favor. Steve is a great teacher (because he's a great dad), and really helps me understand what is wrong with my car instead of trying to throw a bunch of car jargon at me or Even Worse: to patronize me with "look, sweet heart, your car is broken" like one other mechanic said. No, the service is not as cheap as it is in Wisconsin, but we do live in a very expensive city and everyone needs to put food on the table. Thank you Steve for being a reliable part of our community. read more

I have a ten year old car that Steve tenderly helps me keep alive and well. You won't find a more trustworthy place to take your car, and the service is outstanding. Go there! read more

I have a 2001 Suzuki Vitara and the tailpipe was falling off due to rusting out. Steve at Transtastic examined my car, told me the muffler was in good shape and that a custom tailpipe was all that was needed. He referred me to a different shop (Velasquez and Sons on Belmont) to get the repair done because they had the equipment on-site to make a custom pipe for my vehicle. I completely appreciate his honesty and the referral to the other shop which was the right option for this particular repair. In the past I used Transtastic for replacing my brakes and they do great work. read more

Steve at Transtastic is as cool as they come. Never have I been to an auto repair shop that seems as honest as this place. Steve takes the time to explain EXACTLY what the problem is and ALWAYS gives you an estimate and asks before he proceeds with the repair. In an industry known for being a bit shady, Transtastic proves to be anything but. Take your automobile to a mechanic you can trust. Steve and Transtastic is the way to go! Thanks Steve! read more

Just wanted to update my review because I am still taking my car to Steve at Transtastic 3+ years later and he continues to provide incredibly prompt, friendly, and honest service. I recommend him to everyone who mentions needing a mechanic! read more

Steve came highly recommended to me by a close friend, and I am so grateful for the recommendation. I have taken my '98 Buick to Transtastic for emissions problems, power steering breakdowns, oil changes, and other mechanical issues. Steve has always gone out of his way to identify the most economical solution to my problem, and would make a point of explaining the cause (in lay-terms) as well as the recommended solution. I have always felt well informed. In addition to being an honest and reliable mechanic, Steve has always been extremely generous with discounts on the labor charges for the work he has done on my car from the time I was a new customer up to the present. I recently purchased a "new-to-me" auto after passing on my Buick to a friend, and Steve was kind enough to take time out of his day to give me some advice (at no charge) on what to look for and be wary of while I was car shopping. Thanks to his advice I was able to avoid some potential car-buying pitfalls. I was even more assured that I'd made a good choice when I brought the auto in for an oil change and full inspection, and got the Steve's Transtastic Seal of Approval (not an actual seal to my knowledge, but there should probably be one). I'd also like to refute a previous Yelper's claim that Steve does not accept credit cards. I have used a credit card at Transtastic on all but one occasion (when I had lost my card and a new one had not yet arrived in the mail), and have never had any problems. Take your car to Transtastic; you and your wallet will be happy you did. read more

Steve is the best mechanic that I have ever dealt with! I have taken my Audi to him for a new turbo, fixing my passenger side window, replacing my power steering pump, replacing my coil packs, New O2 sensor, oil changes, new battery, etc. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable and able to fix pretty much anything, but he goes out of his way to describe the problem to you and discuss all alternatives to getting the problem resolved. From the first time I called him, it felt like I was discussing my car with a friend, not a mechanic I had never met. What stands out most about Steve is that he does an excellent job of taking as much time as needed to make you feel comfortable with the work that needs to be done. He doesn't talk down to you, and enjoys explaining not only what the problem is, but why the problem exists and how it can be fixed. You actually will learn more about your car. I have been going to Steve for a few years now, and not only have I never had any issues with the work he has done, he has also saved me a lot of money compared to other mechanics or a dealership. His work is fast and excellent! I will continue to go to Steve for any issues that I have with my car and will try and convince anyone I know to use his expertise as well. Bottom line - Steve is knowledgeable, polite, friendly, professional, fair and HONEST! Finding a mechanic that you trust is difficult, you don't have to look any further than Steve. read more

Gary rocks ... he came to my house and jumped my dead battery. Quick repairs and the right price. I'll be coming back for for oil changes and anything else I need read more

Brought my car in for an oil change/tire rotation. They were quick and affordable. They were very easy to work with and would come back for any other car service need. Thank you! read more

Very friendly service. Price seems fair. I only picked up my car recently but everything seems to be in order and of quality work. My only complaint is that when I arrived to pay it took over 30 minutes to get help, pay and have my car pulled around. Maybe Steve just needs to hire 1 more guy to help ring people up but I will definately be back and would recommend him for sure. read more

Finally found a great mechanic in the city! In general, you get a great honest vibe from the guy, Steve. He provided great detail, gave options and was very upfront, and I can easily say I trust him. Steve was also just very nice and quite accommodating actually - he ordered a part for me which I was going to install myself - so he saved me money, while not making any money on it himself, he also let me store my scooter in his shop for a day when came back for my car. I am not sure what the few negative reviews were referring to. I found the prices to be reasonable for the city. Had no problems paying with a credit card. Definitely going back to Steve at Transtastic. Finally, a great honest mechanic within the city limits. read more

Took my Toyota Sienna there last November for what seemed to be transmission problems slowly developing over the preceding year. Steve confirmed the diagnosis with a check of the error messages (the computer hookup), a test drive and a check of the transmission fluid. Unfortunately, I had to have the transmission rebuilt, but he was upfront regarding the cost and the time-line for doing the repairs (in on Monday, out on Friday - I think). I know he stuck to the time-line and was very informative at the beginning and through the process. I've put 6K miles on since then, including a road trip to S. Carolina, and have had no troubles. I believe the warranty is 8 months/18K miles, but don't quote me. I know it was better than the many other shops I checked. Thanks Steve. read more

I went here because of the praise Steve received here on Yelp. From my experience, I would say believe it all. He's kind, easy to talk to, and seems very knowledgeable. For most car issues, every shop will fix it, so the decision is based more on cost and customer service. After having bad experiences at several other shops in Chicago, I can finally stop driving our cars out to the suburbs to get work done. When guys have a loyal following, there's usually a reason. My advice is to check him out. read more

Like many on here, Steve was very helpful and tried to describe to me what was going on with the car. Steve gave up the chance to get a $1,000 brake job by informing me that the car was not serviced by the dealership before selling it to me and that I needed to talk to them. The dealership fixed all the problems for free and Steve lost out on a $1,000 in revenue. But he won a long-time customer out of his honesty and I will make any attempt to send anyone with car troubles his way. This goes to show that there are still good people out there who will help others. read more

WOW! Steve is truly AMAZING! I brought my car in today and within 30 minutes I was on my way!!! If you have problems with your car bring it in to Steve @ Transtastic...you WON'T be sorry!!!!!! Thanks Steve :-) read more

Since forever, I've been a dealership guy. I'd always take my car to dealerships for repairs or maintenance. But this year when my car broke down I didn't have the money to go to one. I checked all over the place and I found Steve's place on YELP and read all the good reviews. I was really nervous because I'd never gone to a mechanic before. In my mind, I thought mechanics were about as trustworthy as lawyers. That changed when I towed my car to Steve. The bad news was, I blew an engine. The good news was, Steve examined my car and performed diagnostics without charging me. And he kept it in storage for 3 days with no cost. Because of that, I wanted to give him future business. So when my new car had wiper motor troubles and electrical issues, I took it back to him. And I couldn't be happier with the results. He was open. He explained in simple terms what needed to be done. And he fixed it for almost $500 less than the dealership. Both things he fixed are still as good as the day he fixed them. He's living proof that an honest mechanic is not an oxymoron. As long as I live in Chicago, he will have my business. He is quite simply top notch in terms of service, honesty, quality and sincerity. So if you're like me and nervous about using mechanic, you have nothing to fear with Transtastic. If only everyone did business their way. read more

Get it right the first time. Transtastic is not your typical auto repair shop. Steve takes the time to go through exactly what the problem might be with your car, in regular person terms which is a big plus for me, and presents the best options. I've taken my car to Steve several times over the past few years and have had excellent care every time. No bait and switch, no scripted add-ons, the job is done right, as quoted the first time. An honest mechanic is worth his weight in gold read more

Steve is absolutely the best and most honest auto repair mechanic I've ever met. He's fixed cars for our entire family and never missed a beat once! If there's something he can't fix, he always refers you to someone who can (and they're good too.) read more

I live in the neighborhood and this place is amazing. Steve's just a great guy. He knows what he's doing and he's always fair. I've even come to him with other car problems and he's always helped me out, doing what he can or recommending other great businesses who do good work and don't charge a fortune. He's a great neighbor and a businessman worthy of trust. A true rarity these days. read more

Really like this place! I am new to Chicago and needed an oil change and 60K mile maintenance. Steve was awesome! He provided outstanding service by actually looking up what my car needed, asking me about its previous servicing, and then giving me his honest recommendation, which to my surprise was that it DID NOT need everything I thought it did. I am very pleased to have found someone I can trust. read more

So thankful for Steve's quick and efficient work on my car. The alternator quit working and Steve was the one mechanic willing to get it done the next day for me. He was very good about communicating with me to let me know what was going on and pricing on new parts for the car. Mechanics hate working on alternators in my type of car but Steve moved his schedule around and managed to get it done in one day. I was thoroughly impressed with Steve's work and will go back to him if anything else happens to my car. Thank you! read more

We all know what shysters auto mechanics can be. We approach mechanics with a healthy and deserving dose of skepticism. Well, I'm happy to say Steve is, by far, that OTHER kind of mechanic: the rare kind you can actually trust. I've taken a few cars to him -- my own and my BF's (who is now a Steve convert, too). He is very patient with my (no doubt, annoying) tendency to show up unannounced. He'll always stop what he's doing and take a look, if he can. More than once, he has sent me on my way saying there's nothing actually wrong with my car. Or, he took the car around the block, made a quick tweak and gave the car back to me, saying "Nah, no charge. Just think of me next time." Who does this any more?! Steve does, that's who. Mind you, I'm not suggesting Steve will work on your car for free; that's not fair to expect. But the fact he EVER does this is an indication of his honesty and integrity. And as for the repairs he has made? I'm always pleasantly surprised by how quickly he gets the work done, how little he charges, and how restrained he is about suggesting additional work. Again, what mechanic exercises restraint like this any more? Steve does, that's who. Steve knows what he's doing. He's extremely knowledgeable about cars; it becomes evident as soon as he starts talking. He always explains in detail what he sees, what needs to be done, and whether or not it's urgent. And again, his prices are more than fair. Trust me (and the other reviewers here), take your car to Steve. You'll be glad you did. As another reviewer mentioned, his new(ish) location on Ravenswood can confuse if you don't know the area. Ravenswood has separate north and southbound stretches, on the east and west side of the Metra tracks. Steve is on the west/southbound Ravenswood, in the same building as EuroTech auto. read more

The guys at the shop were terrific and experienced. Quick service made it easy and convenient. Anthony took great care of me. Thanks gents!

On October 2011, I took my Honda Accord in to get the oil changed. It took about 25 minutes and everything seemed fine. However, a few weeks later, my mom borrowed my car and got full service gas. According to the attendant, there was too much oil in my engine, so she went to the dealer and they agreed. They ended up draining about 1.5 quarts of oil. I'm lucky nothing happened since having too much oil can damage the engine. Needless to say, I won't be returning to Transtastic for any type of service. The main reason I went there in the first place is because of all the excellent yelp reviews. I suppose anyone can have a bad day, but how can an auto shop mess up an oil change? Does it get anymore basic than that!?! Beware! read more

Couldn't have asked for a better experience - Steve was great. He knew exactly what the problem was when I described it to him over the phone. He gave me a very reasonable estimate, the repair work was done perfectly, and there was a quick turn around. I come from a family of mechanics, and working with Steve felt like I was talking to a friend. No sales pushes - just honest info. I learned a little about my car, as well. I will absolutely be returning to this shop should the need arise. Highly recommend! read more

So Steve isn't doing transmission rebuilds anymore, but he was able to refer me to another shop that he refers all his clients to. He was very helpful, lived up to his reputation. The other shop was very fair on price and prompt on service. Steve has since worked on two of my vehicles a 2000 Honda and 2001 Tacoma. On the Honda he did a timing belt, water pump, and seal job. On the Tacoma he replaced an O2 sensor, ball joint, and cleaned out my cabin air ducts. I found him to very thorough and fair. He is not the cheapest in town, but he is honest as the day is long. If you want someone you can trust and deliver the best value, Steve is your guy. read more

I can't write a glowing enough review for the service I got at Transtastic. My car broke down in the middle of a roadtrip while I was staying with a friend in Chicago. I called around on Saturday night, and Steve answered his phone and talked me through checking out my problem on the phone for about 30 minutes. Then he came in on Sunday just to look at my car because he knew I was just passing through. The best thing about Steve is he was totally honest with me and laid out all my options. He didn't try to sell me the most expensive service like most mechanics do. He was really willing to work with me and find the best option for my situation. He's friendly and a true expert when it comes to cars. I actually wish I lived in Chicago so I could always take my car there and not have to worry about getting ripped off by a mechanic ever again. And he is also hot. read more