mechanic for new VW inspection - sq. hill, oakland, Shadyside (Pittsburgh: inspections, maintenance)

[profslacker]

another post on an old favorite topic - I'm new to town and need to get the car inspected. This should be a no-brainer. The car is new - less than 7K miles. Anyone who tries to tell me what's wrong with it is clearly trying to sell a bill of goods. Live in Squirrel Hill, work in Oakland (spouse), Shadyside (me). Any suggestions? Considering (based on past posts) Homer's. Bellesario's is down the block in Oakland from spouse's work - any experiences? Other suggestions? thanks.

[greg42]

Since you know nothing's wrong with that car that would make it fail, just go wherever is cheapest and convenient. This list from the state is all the stations in Allegheny County. http://www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us/drivecleanpa/stations/sw_allegheny.pdf (broken link) If you don't want to click directly on the PDF, start here and click on Allegheny: http://www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us/drivecleanpa/stations/stations_sw.htm (broken link)

Unfortunately the ones you want will be in the big group that says just Pittsburgh, so you'll have to dig into your zip codes (15213 I know is one you might look for), etc.

They used to have a price list on there too, at least for emissions, but I've been looking and looking and don't see it. Perhaps that was just supposed to be temporary as it was only several years ago that emissions testing was taken off a fixed pricing system. Or else the stations just whined about it and they stopped. Who knows.

It's one thing if you have a car with problems and need a good shop, but in the case of an inspection on such a new car, you just need the cheapest inspection possible in a good location. Call around and get prices, or just pick one. Prices can vary widely, though. I think in some shops you may still get out for around $40, but many will be $60 or more total after the two tests (a safety inspection and emissions inspection).

[profslacker]

Originally Posted by greg42

It's one thing if you have a car with problems and need a good shop, but in the case of an inspection on such a new car, you just need the cheapest inspection possible in a good location. Call around and get prices, or just pick one. Prices can vary widely, though. I think in some shops you may still get out for around $40, but many will be $60 or more total after the two tests (a safety inspection and emissions inspection).

Thanks. I saw those lists and wasn't sure if the places listed did safety or just emissions. Frankly, I'm not looking for the lowest bidder. I'd be wiling to pay a few dollars extra for the peace of mind of knowing that my car wasn't about to be butchered... Thanks for the feedback..

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by profslacker

Thanks. I saw those lists and wasn't sure if the places listed did safety or just emissions. Frankly, I'm not looking for the lowest bidder. I'd be wiling to pay a few dollars extra for the peace of mind of knowing that my car wasn't about to be butchered... Thanks for the feedback..

If you are picky where you take your car, there is a good shop in the Strip District called German Motor Werks on Penn Avenue.

[greg42]

Eh, what's the worst they could do, get the seat dirty? Seriously, nothing significant gets taken apart for the inspections. The emissions is now done by plugging into the OBD connector (instead of the old tailpipe way), so they rip you off about 30 bucks for plugging in a machine for a few minutes. Safety inspection requires putting it on a lift to look at some things and removing wheels, so I guess those are where the worst things could happen, but still, pretty routine stuff. I guess the really worst they could do is wreck the car somehow, but anyone could have a bad luck day and do that.

German Motor Werks is probably a good idea if you want to check out a place where you might take the car again for other stuff, but it won't be as convenient to your home/work. I really don't know any specific shops to suggest in those areas. I just wouldn't go to Joga's (which apparently still exists) or Baum Blvd Auto (across the street, which is where Joga's used to be), although my bad experience with those folks was a dozen years ago.

Are you covered under VW free maintenance program? It won't cover the inspection, but typically the dealers offer the inspection too if you want to try out dealer experiences. Maybe you're close to one of the service intervals and can kill two birds. Unfortunately there aren't any convenient dealers. The only one in the city is Rohrich, which is on West Liberty Ave south of the Liberty Tubes. The rest are all way out (Monroeville, Wexford, Moon, etc.)

[profslacker]

Originally Posted by greg42

Eh, what's the worst they could do, get the seat dirty? Seriously, nothing significant gets taken apart for the inspections. The emissions is now done by plugging into the OBD connector (instead of the old tailpipe way), so they rip you off about 30 bucks for plugging in a machine for a few minutes. Safety inspection requires putting it on a lift to look at some things and removing wheels, so I guess those are where the worst things could happen, but still, pretty routine stuff. I guess the really worst they could do is wreck the car somehow, but anyone could have a bad luck day and do that.
Sure. But why take the chance of someone who other folks have had bad experiences with?
German Motor Werks is probably a good idea if you want to check out a place where you might take the car again for other stuff, but it won't be as convenient to your home/work. I really don't know any specific shops to suggest in those areas. I just wouldn't go to Joga's (which apparently still exists) or Baum Blvd Auto (across the street, which is where Joga's used to be), although my bad experience with those folks was a dozen years ago.
Great - this is helpful feedback, thanks.
Are you covered under VW free maintenance program? It won't cover the inspection, but typically the dealers offer the inspection too if you want to try out dealer experiences. Maybe you're close to one of the service intervals and can kill two birds. Unfortunately there aren't any convenient dealers. The only one in the city is Rohrich, which is on West Liberty Ave south of the Liberty Tubes. The rest are all way out (Monroeville, Wexford, Moon, etc.)

I am covered, and will make the trek out to the dealers when I hit that point, but since I'm not near a service interval, I'd like to do it close by and easy. thanks for the feedback