Good shop mechanic SW Metro Denver

[Jitterbug]

Hi all

New member here, I've looked around and hope this is the right place for this post.

I have a 2002 Sports Edition with 107,000 miles, due to severe financial setbacks, I've neglected the maintenance for the past 25,000 and need to get back with the program, probably starting with a timing belt and fluid flush.

Question, I've been to Burt and Toy Doctor on South Broadway, ok experiences, but not overly impressed with either especially regarding price.

Any other recommendations for service and honest mechanics in the SW Metro area?

 

[Burt]

I have not needed to have a mechanic look at my 4Runner yet. But my previous Expedition I would take to Alpine Auto in Castle Rock. Never had a problem with them and they work on highway patrol and county sheriff vehicles there. Trust their work and is done in a timely manner.

 

[Jitterbug]

Thanks Burt

They sound reputable and I wish I was closer, I live in SW Littleton. I'll probably give the Toyota Doctor on S. Broadway another try, they have a special on timing belts which is my biggest concern right now.

I had some issues with them a couple of years ago regarding a brake job and the specific mechanic they had work on it at the time. They made the situation more or less right, but only after much unnecessary espense on my part.

Burt on Broadway has always been good but incredibly expensive.

 

[Co.Ag.2005]

This place is a bit far from SW Littleton, but a buddy of mine who buys nothing but Toyota recommends them. However, I have no personal experience using them:

Toyexus LLC - Denver, CO - Auto Repair - Home

They are on S. Broadway (@I-25 just south of downtown), but much further north than you.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

It's worth the drive to find a guy you can trust

Toy Car Care-Arapahoe Road and Potomac. They do outstanding work. A bit far from me also, but you can trust these guys. Not cheap but honest guys and they stay with the company which means they like working there.

Quality Auto Repair-this is owned and operated by Slava who worked for IRBIS Off Road. Timing belt and water pump much cheaper here than the stealerships.
Knows the Runners inside and out.

Tell 'em I sent ya.

Perhaps consider finding a place closer to where you work than where you live.

TCC offers shuttle service within reasonable distance.

An independent shop I also trust is BUCHTEL MOTORS-essentially I25 and Washington Park area. They have my 1988 4x4 van from years ago and they still use it as a shuttle vehicle. Very honest guys and I know the owner.

 

[serial88]

For guys looking for the same information, I found some auto repair shop from a site called AutoMD. The shops are verified and are well established so you guys are assured of their credibility.

 

[MikesToy]

The only shop my 4R has been to is @ one dealership. (*knocking on wood) Nothing major or critical has been done yet. But if something out of the ordinary breaks, i know who to blame.

 

[noiwontsmile]

Figured I'd bring this back to life instead of creating a new thread...

Couldn't get to the Toyexus LLC website so they may no longer be in business...?

Any new reputable shops or mechanics which can be added to the list? I'm looking for basic things which I either don't have the time or tools to take care of i.e. CV boots, suspension work, etc...

Cheers

 

[RonMAIDEN]

ACS Automotive over off of Oxford and Santa Fe.

It's a smaller shop but have been going tom them since '98 when thyey sponsored (and fixed some ouches) my Eclipse.
They've replaced my TB and water pump, axle seals,starter and a new coil pack on my Toyota and have never had a return trip with them and since it's a Toyota I fortunatly rarely have to go there.

 

[noiwontsmile]

I've decided to try out a local shop called Hotchkiss Auto Repair (link). They came recommended by a co-worked who uses them for everything from his classic cars to his lifted SUVs. Stopped in and chatted with them today and they came in at least 20% lower then Toyota and other shops for a CV boot/ axel replacement.

Yeah, I'll be stoked if this works out and I end up with a solid mechanic again.

arty:

 

[Gerdo]

Comprehensive Car Care is a good place.

 

[jirehn]

Hi Welcome most to 4runner, This is a great post, Thanks for posting this one.

 

[boondoggle]

I've heard good things about Affordable Toyota and Lexus Repair:

Welcome to ATLR: Affordable Toyota and Lexus Repair

But have not had an opportunity to use their services yet (hopefully never for anything major).

He's in Golden near where I work. His timing belt prices seem pretty righteous.


4 Cylinder timing belt replacement $305.95
6 Cylinder timing belt replacement $360.95
8 Cylinder timing belt replacement $454.95

 

[Jitterbug]

I'm glad this has been a valuable thread to some.

In the spirit of finding small independents, I'm now looking for a shop on the North End of Metro Denver.

We move up north to Arvada a few months ago.

My 2002 Sports Edition with 130k on is going to need some brake work and I'm thinking of purchasing some shocks online and see if I cant find a small shop to install them.

Also, the engine started sputtering on start up a few thousand miles ago, it seems to be worse with the a/c running.

I tried installing new plugs as well as running some Techron (sp) through it, currently I'm running higher octane Shell and Conoco gas through it instead of the cheapest I could find, this seems to help, although occasionally it still "shudders" especially on start up.

From my reading this could be anything from a simple sensor to who knows what, I'm hoping on my next oil change maybe I can have someone with a computer diagnostic hook up (for a reasonable price) to and see if anything comes out of that.

 

[asabs6]

I'm glad this has been a valuable thread to some.

In the spirit of finding small independents, I'm now looking for a shop on the North End of Metro Denver.

We move up north to Arvada a few months ago.

My 2002 Sports Edition with 130k on is going to need some brake work and I'm thinking of purchasing some shocks online and see if I cant find a small shop to install them.

Also, the engine started sputtering on start up a few thousand miles ago, it seems to be worse with the a/c running.

I tried installing new plugs as well as running some Techron (sp) through it, currently I'm running higher octane Shell and Conoco gas through it instead of the cheapest I could find, this seems to help, although occasionally it still "shudders" especially on start up.

From my reading this could be anything from a simple sensor to who knows what, I'm hoping on my next oil change maybe I can have someone with a computer diagnostic hook up (for a reasonable price) to and see if anything comes out of that.

Hate to resurrect this thread once again but I just got my hands on an '04 SR5 4WD, first vehicle other than Volvo sedans, and so far I'm loving it. However, since purchasing it 4 weeks ago the CEL and VSC Trac lights have been on and I'm coming up on the required emissions testing to reg. the truck in CO. I'm curious who you've been using as your mechanic/ if you know any local guys who do their own work that could help me with the CEL issue so I can pass emissions. I have read up a ton on it and believe it's in the O2 sensors, not the CAT, but the only shop I've been to so far insisted I need to replace both CATs and all sensors. Talk about a quick $2k.

Any help would be appreciated!
Adam

PS - I'm over on the West side of Lakewood but willing to travel to any Denver Metro area to work with reputable people.