Car repair recommendation in Burke area (Woodbridge, Springfield: appointed, inspection, maintenance)

[csstxex]

We have just recently moved to Burke. Last week when we tried to get to work, our Honda Accord would not start. We've tried to jump the battery - but that did not work. Could anyone give us a good recommendation for a place to have our car repaired near Burke?

Thanks for any advice/recommendation!

[bangorme]

If you can find an honest mechanic ANYWHERE here, please post it. I've got three vehicles and tried a dealership (Honda), a national franchise (Midas) and two local mechanics. And with one exception, all tried to cheat me by claiming I needed work done that I knew I didn't (e.g. brake job when it had just been done in Maine). I even had the experience of watching a service manager explain to a gal why she was being charged almost $100 for a fuel and oil additive. WHAT A RIPOFF! Although I'm not an expert mechanic, I used to service my own vehicles, including engine rebuilding, and I've never seen anything like it.

Advice: Don't have any work done at a shop that says you need it. Take your car to another shop, get the second opinion without telling them about the first one, and get it done there if they find the same problem. Never have work done at a shop that "finds" other unrelated problems unless you can see them with you own eyes.

[lindy112]

I've never used them but quite a few of my neighbors swear by the Shell station at the corner of Old Keene Mill and Rolling Road.

[csstxex]

Thank you for your feedback. I'll let you know what our experience once we get the car looked at/worked on.

[dkf747]

I used to deliver auto parts to all of the shops in the Burke area, but I couldn't begin to tell you which one to go to.

[navy699]

I live in Burke, and I have been taking my Accord to Hendrick Honda in Woodbridge for years. They do a pretty good job. I took my car to Fairfax Honda once - never again. The management was rude and the service was poor. I have not had a problem with Hendrick; when it came time to get a new car, I went back to them because of the quality of service. It's worth the drive. If you are looking for simple maintenance like a new battery, an oil change or to fix a tire, Craven Tire and Auto just north of the intersection of Burke Lake and Ox Road (123) seems to do OK. I have taken cars there for small stuff and not been disappointed. I think Craven might have been bought out recently, however. No data on how that might have changed things.

[Flamingo13]

We absolutely love and trust the Shell at Duke & Pickett, took an older car there that another place had said needed a ton of work - it didn't, got some minimal work that was needed and had the car for yrs. more before donating it (it was 20 yrs. old then). The owner, Bob is always very friendly and accommodating.

I have no financial interest or anything in the facility, just saying I trust them.

[springfieldva]

We've used Kings Park Exxon (Int Braddock Rd and Rolling Rd).

Cardinal Plaza Shell (Int Rolling Rd and Old Keene Mill) is also good, but very busy.

[johnjay]

I bought my Honda Civic from Fairfax Honda in 2003 and had good experience. But its service shop stinks, especially since it's taken over by Rothenthal. When I brought it in last month for tire replacement and safety inspection, the service manager, Jay Wasserman, claimed that my rear brake shoes were about too thin to pass the inspection and asked for $500 to replace them. I refused and took the car to my trusted shop, Merrifield Auto, a bit far for me. Merrifield Auto was about to replace the shoes but was stunt that Rothenthal lied so shamelessly: they showed me that the shoes were like new. I was about to complaint to the Better Business Bureau. But since I did not let them succeed in cheating me, I'd have no claim as far as BBB is concerned.

[Shabba Doo]

Not sure if it was the Shell others are referring to but I used to go to "West Springfield Auto" on Rolling Rd & Old Keene Mill and they were fantastic!