Dave's Auto Repair

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Dan Shapiro
3 months ago
Honest mechanic. Felt very comfortable having them fix my cars. A bit out of the way for us, but is worth it. Prices seemed reasonable. Were very blunt about what was highly recommended vs what could be delayed or needed more information. Stayed open a few minutes longer to allow me to come pick up the car which was nice.

  Philip Glotzer
a month ago
I had a complicated problem with sensors malfunctioning. They quickly diagnosed the problem and repaired. They have a state of the art diagnostic system which found my oil drain plug was leaking and replaced.Professional, competent and friendly service.Outstanding auto repair service facility.Highly recommend!

  Michelle H
a week ago
BEWARE... BEWARE..... BEWARE .. 4 1 2024 Went in for a estimate and replacement of serpentine belt.. was told the power steering pump needed to be replaced.. was given a $761.88 estimate for a "re-maufactured" pump and a serpentine belt... when I checked on price of parts myself .. I was given a $200.00ish total for parts with lifetime warranty on the pump and 3 yr on the belt.... soooooo by the estimate given I'm being charged $512.88 for labor or a very INFLATED price for parts..I declined OBVIOUSLY.... THEN was told about the $34.98 fee for the estimate.. this fix took my son in law less than 2 hours to complete... for $249 total cost in parts.. ABSOLUTE ridiculous to charge those prices in my opinion.. maybe it's too cover the cost of the food/drink orders being delivered there on a daily.... being charged over $200 an hour for LABOR is ridiculous.. in my opinion... I'm just sooo so thankful to have trusted mechanics in my family and chose to drive the 775 miles home for the repair..

  Brennan Wakey
a month ago
Very helpful people! Although they didn t do the type of work I needed, they were knowledgeable and able to provide referrals of people that could. I would trust them to work on my vehicles in the future.

  brooke lomonte
7 months ago
I called Dave s Auto after some research for a good local mechanic, for a possible brake job - Jessica was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. She got me in the next day, was honest about what was and wasn t necessarily needed to keep me safe and on the road. The honest opinion shows how much they care about their company, customers, and the all around morale of the business. While I didn t need the brake repair at this time, I ll be back when they re due! Kindness and honesty go a very long way. Thank you!Service: Vehicle safety inspection

  Steven Pajevic
7 months ago
After some complications with a long time mechanic, I was referred to visit Dave s Auto, by community members.I am so glad they did.The team went above and beyond to take care of my issues in a timely and professional manner.I was up to date at each step, and while the repair ended up being minor - they treated me as if I have been a regular for years - which I believe I will be.Thank you! Would highly recommend!

  Devlin Doyle
a year ago
Service was wonderful, went in for a charge of an a/c system I installed. Blew cold and told me I had a small leak (fault on my end) they told me what part to buy and told me it would be cheaper if I replaced it myself as it was a simple screw off screw on install, instead of trying to charge me for them to do it. I also went in for a second opinion on a noise my engine was making and they assured me it was nothing to worry about. excellent service, spoke with Jessica as well as mike and Paul, all of them were wonderful. I would recommend Dave s auto to anyone in need of auto repairs.Service: Auto A/C recharge

  Heidi Swartz
a week ago
Great experience! Jessica & Mike were both so friendly and informative. Thankyou!

  Beau Foster
10 months ago
I am so impressed by Dave s Auto and the folks that run it, that when I moved away, I drove nearly 800 MILES back to have them work on my Prius! Their professionalism both in the office and in the shop is something I haven t experienced in many years and many experiences with different shops. I happened to mention the couple of poor reviews on here- somewhat surprised that people had those bad things to say, and they said that one of them was for a completely different shop(as this person wasn t a customer of theirs) and the other person was just determined to complain about anything and everything. I recommend these folks very highly!

  Joshua Greene
a year ago
Brought my car here to get looked at. They were quick and had me in and out in no time. Their honesty is unmatched and will be straight forward with what needs to be done to your vehicle. Best experience I've had taking my car in to a mechanic. I will be returning if I ever have any issues with my vehicle. 10/10 would recommend this shop to anyone who needs work done on their car.Services: Engine repair, Auto maintenance

  Lady Larkdale
a year ago
I have a 2012 Ford Fusion that needed a new A/C. Saved money for 5 months to be able to afford the $1200 to fix it. After the work was done, it stopped working a week later. I've had the car back to them 3 times and it still doesn't work properly. It blows cold sometimes and hot when it wants to. They say they have no clue what is wrong and now I will have to save some more money to have it fixed by someone else. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

  Darren Blum
3 months ago
Best automotive shop around. We travel from Central Florida to Dave s in Sarasota for our vehicle service.

  SC231
6 months ago
The office staff were very nice and accommodating. The prepurchase inspections seemed accurate and clear. They were very clear and provided additional information on how the inspection was performed.

  Richard Kline
2 years ago
An excellent experience at Dave's Auto Repair. I had a problem with the air conditioning system in my vehicle. The problem was found in a timely manner. Then it was repaired quickly at what I thought was a reasonable cost. Tim and Jessica who were the folks that I dealt with. They were both very professional and knowledgeable.Thanks for the great service.Service: Air conditioning

  Will Rangel
a year ago
I really wish Dave's had been my first choice. After being jerked around by a certain Hyundai dealership for weeks and spending several hundreds of dollars on repairs that didn't solve the problem I brought the car in for, still not even really understanding what was wrong, we turned to Dave's. The first day they had my car, I was provided with a detailed inspection report with photos and descriptions clearly outlining what was wrong with my car. They ordered the parts and had my car good as new within three days. The price was fair and the service was prompt and courteous. I was kinda starting to think auto repair was just a shady industry, and that I was gonna have a hard time finding an honest, professional technician. Look no further than Dave's.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Vehicle Inspection

  Margaret Forbes
a year ago
Words cannot express the gratefulness I have for this business.I was traveling down for Christmas from Memphis and I broke down. After a unfruitful night of trying to fix my Jeep I called Dave s because they mentioned Jeep repair on their website.Mind you I called them on Dec 23rd not only did the tell me to bring it in they literally started diagnosing it right away and gave me an idea of the damage.The entire time they had my car I was communicated to by Paul , Jessica, and Michael they treated me with respect and even remembered my name.They were able to fix it in under a week and get me back on the road in time to make it back to work.The team made my crummy situation infinitely better and I could not be more thankful. In a situation where you expect to be taken advantage of due to the holiday season and the urgency of the matter I was treated like family.Service: Engine repair

  Kline kauramaki
a year ago
Not reliable. Don't do what they say......I called them on 11/30/2022 for a quote on rear brakes for a 2017 Lexus RX350. I talked to Jessica, one of the owners..she wanted the VIN number of the vehicle... so I called her back in 7 minutes and gave her the VIN number.... She said she had two other quotes to do and would call me back...... I said how long did she think it would be because I needed a quote today. she said oh yes today for sure!!! probably in an hour or hour in a half.... I said that would be great!! 3 hours later, no call..... so I called them back.... its before 5, but nobody answers.... I leave a message..... no return phone call.... interesting way to do business. I owned a business for 38 years. I always called people back if I said I was going to even if I didn't have an answer... I did what I promised!! I got two others quotes after it appeared she wasn't going to respond.... nobody asked for a VIN and both gave me quotes over the phone in 3 minutes...

  Sophie Dritsas
2 years ago
Dave's Auto Repair, specifically Jessica, went above and beyond by locating wheel hub covers on EBay for me. Existing ones were brittle and cracked on 2007 Toyota 4Runner. Their service is always prompt and efficient. Communication about automotive issues also very good. Service is honest and friendly. I have a real level of trust and confidence in this establishment for all my automotive needs. Highly Recommend!Services: Tires, Brakes, Battery

  Shannon Munn
3 years ago
I dropped in to Dave s without an appointment based on their stellar reviews for an ac repair. Jessica was immediately friendly, professional and attentive. Based on the diagnosis, they definitely could have overcharged me and taken advantage, but Eric went the extra mile and was able to get my ac working and blowing cold again without even having to replace any parts. In a business where honesty and integrity may not always be the priority, I found that to be the priority at Dave s. Highly recommended.Service: Air conditioning

  Kathleen Mess
2 years ago
After a horrendous experience at Sunset Fiat involving air conditioning repair, I found Dave's Auto . Jessica the owner is amazing . She kept me informed of the estimated cost, progress of the repair, and final result. My air has never been colder! Dave's diagnosed the problem differently than Sunset, saving me a great deal of cost. I own a 2013 Fiat Abarth, not always an easy auto to deal with. Dave's not only does excellent work, they also excel at customer service. I will not hesitate to recommend them to others.Service: Air conditioning

  Eleazar Belsito
a year ago
They are professionals like I have never seen before, when they make the report to detect car failures they send you a link with (Photos and videos) with descriptions and parts that need to be replaced whit prices and everything. They also have an excellent atmosphere that makes you feel at home and safe. Jessica and Paul thanks for the help God bless you guys!!

  D K
3 years ago
I was very happy with Dave's Auto Repair. They did excellent work in a timely manner. The price was reasonable for the amount of work that had to be done that match the estimate. The mechanic stayed late on a Friday night to get the job done. I appreciated the service. Thank you JessicaService: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  April Tosch-Jamjoom
5 years ago
Wish I could make it 10 stars!I took in my 1987 Camino to have the AC repaired. Dave was spot on and fixed it to where my AC is ice cold. He was very honest and the charges were extremely reasonable for the work he did. Plus, I have a 90 day warranty which was a pleasant surprise! The next time I took my car in I asked him to check out the wiring to my horn. He had a look and didn't charge me. I am very skeptical of car mechanics as I have had bad experiences in the past. Not so with Dave. He and his staff are wonderful people. I will be a loyal customer from here on out. Highly recommended!

  Karen Fogarty
5 years ago
We were so tired of dealing with overpriced and rip-off dealership service centers. We were recommended to Dave's by our son s auto tech teacher and we are so glad we tried Dave's. From the first time we used them for my daughter s car they were fair and honest and even told us not to put any more money into this car.We have had all three of our vehicles to Dave's and each time we receive a fair and complete estimate up front with no shady numbers thrown in last minute. Karen is such a pleasure to work with in the office she is quick to respond and the overall timing of the service is so unbelievably fast we were so impressed.I recommended a friend to use Dave s and we received a handwritten thank you card with a gas gift card for our referral and that is just unheard of anymore. We love giving our business to a company that treats clients with such respect! Highly recommend Dave s!

  Jami Gee
a year ago
I have to say Dave's crew rocks ! My car is more amazing than when I bought it. I brought my car to other places and it wasn't done right even after replacing everything. My air wasn't working properly but Dave found the problem. Air was fixed then I was sent pictures of other problems that would happen down the road. They sent pictures and explained what was going on. Wow I can't believe how tight the steering is. The air freezes me out, the pick up is amazing ans now I give the boys a run for their money. I am thrilled how they took care of me . Love you guys .... ps when I picked up my car there was a note on my steering wheel signed by the mechanic that worked on it, wow.Services: Air & cabin filter replacement, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Steering & suspension replacement, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto brake repair, Engine repair, Wheel alignment, Brakes, Air conditioning

  Ken Goebel
11 years ago
Can't say enough good things, worth every penny!! Real Hometown feeling!! I have brought my vehicles to Dave's Auto Repair since 2002 and their work far exceeds my expectations! Always friendly and courteous, their shop is clean and yes they have great coffee! Door to door service is so helpful and convenient. They give great attention to detail and will let you know about any issues that need attention so that you don't wind up on the roadside later on.

  Arnold Holden
5 years ago
I have taken our vehicles to Dave's since 2011. Repairs and service, big and small--always happy with the result. My Yukon has 235,000 miles and runs like new. People I've referred to Dave's have also been pleased with their work. It's so good to find a skilled capable shop so worthy of trust.

  E Pickle
11 years ago
I am so thrilled to have landed at Dave's Auto Repair! Dave and his crew have been working on my cars for the last year, and in that time they have treated me like family; even giving me a ride back home while my car was being worked on. They have always been honest and upfront about their pricing, they have never once done any work without first seeking my approval, and they always take the time to explain (even show me) what is going on with my car.I don't think it would be possible to find a more honest, and trustworthy mechanic, and they've got great coffee as well!!

  Chris Elliott
3 years ago
I went to Dave's after seeing their reviews on Google as there are many choices in Sarasota. My 2002 Toyota Tacoma has 275,000 miles and a bad oil leak so I asked for a diagnostic check ($22.50). I was at a stage of do I put money into this vehicle or try and sell to buy another truck. They knew for sure that the valve covers were leaking so they suggested to start their as it is very hard to tell if other areas were leaking with alll of the oil on my engine. In an effort to save me from spending a lot of money, it was a great suggestion. When I checked under my car the next day there was NO OIL WHATSOEVER! What I didn't tell them was I spent $140.00 at the Toyota dealership the day before and they told me the engine needed to pulled and it was going to cost around $4100.00. They also gave me no written document out of what they found and when I talked to a mechanic at the dealership, he admitted that he didn't really know where the leak was coming from. I spent a total of $655.00 at Dave's to fix the problem. I received a detailed list of what shape my truck was in. (and all the things that didn't need repair as well!) Jessica was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable . Their (Dave's crew) level of professionalism made the Toyota dealership look like a bunch of amateurs. I highly recommend Dave's Auto Repair in the midst of a lot of auto repair shops that I could have ended up with. Reviews are important as they really don't lie after you get past 50 or 60 reviews. Most shops were rated 5 Star with only having 3 or 4 reviews. I will go back to Dave's for all of my future repairs as they are truly an example of how to run an exceptional business. Hats off to Jessica and Gary (the mechanic) as they really made my day and inevitably saved me a ton of money. Thank you!!!!Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Dan Barwick
2 years ago
Be wary of reviews for this company for at least two reasons: First is the matter of ownership and management. The current group gained control of Dave s in mid 2020. Any reviews or claims to community standing based on activity before that time are irrelevant. Second a large number of reviews with hyperbolic statements since that time are indicative of ghost authorship or strong solicitation of reviews certainly not indicative of the population of customers.In my case, I was a long-established customer of the company going back at least 25 years. When I had occasion to visit the new group (thankfully delayed by low-mileage cars and brands that are number one in reliability and service), I found a dramatic difference in knowledge, customer service, scheduling and status communication.My car was delivered to the shop at 8:30 in the morning based on an appointment for that time. A detailed list of requested service was provided. First, the appointment was not apparently located easily and may not have been in the system. Second, two of the five items requested were not understood even though they were described in standard automotive terminology. Third, no status was forthcoming until I called five hours later to be told they are still working on it . Fourth, when I called again at 4:00 PM the same day, I was connected to a robotic message that advised that I should call back the next business day. Fifth, after receiving the same message after repeated calls, at 4:30 PM I went to the dealership and picked up my car. Only then did I receive a link to an off-site-system-produced inspection report that was incomplete, incorrect as to scope and not on point as to time or pricing of any item.If you expect timely service, don t go here. If you expect honesty, don t go here. If you expect reasonable status reporting, don t go here. If you expect understandable reporting, don t go here. If you expect courtesy in customer service, don t go here.Services: Electrical repair, General repairs & maintenance, Battery