Elder Auto on Evans, Denver (Parker, Firestone: insurance, maintenance, shop)

['M']

How would you rate Elder Auto - currently, today - for a good auto garage? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Are they able to respond fairly quickly for repairs/service? They seem to lack experienced people, too.

Any suggestions for any other good garages in Denver? Many garages have been in business for 40-50 years. My thoughts are that in the past couple years, auto garages have gotten so backed up it's very difficult to get service without waiting a week, longer for more complex issues. Any ideas about how to approach getting service with less lag time? If a garage must keep your car for most of the week - I still work - makes it tough to have transportation during the time a garage needs to keep your car before they work on it. Maybe I'm not being assertive enough about how long I can leave my car there. Not used to that.

Have never had this type of problem before. Maybe I need to interview 4 or 5 places to see how they respond to giving good service.

BTW, someone on another thread recommended Firestone near Arapahoe Rd and Parker Rd. Said they were good mechanics. That garage only has a 3 star rating now, and others commented about that.

Starting in 2019-2020, one place I went to had an experienced, master mechanic they used for my car. He always came out and chatted for a few minutes. Suddenly, during 2020, I never saw that guy again. This place seemed understaffed at that point. Lots of inexperienced too young, immature kids, prolly not even 18-20 years old - doing things I would never have approved them doing. No mechanic training at all. I think they taught these kids on each job they gave them. Took me a while to catch on to that one.

Since I also need some fairly minor body work, I've been waiting to find a good body shop because I figure those employees have been shaken up in the past couple years, too. My concern is that there may no longer be experienced body shop people either. Any ideas about that? Could use a referral for a good SE Denver body shop to use with my insurance.

Thanks - I needed to vent about this because it seems having car work done these days takes a very long time. Maybe this is just the New Normal?

My car is at the stage where it needs a lot of ongoing maintenance. Not complaining about that, I have a nice, lower mileage older car. Just that when I have maintenance work done, I want them to do a good job.

[cowboyxjon]

I can’t comment on Elder Auto now, but have used them in the past (about 10 years ago) and it was fine.

Did they explain why they need to keep the car there? I have a feeling it might be related to supply chain issues, i.e., they have to wait for a part so they can resolve the issue.

[himain]

What do you need done on your vehicle?