It is with great pleasure that I write this testimonial for Jay and his truly capable staff. I had moved to Rochester in 1971 for my residency, and quite rapidly became very much under-whelmed with both the dealers and the private repair shops in the area. Repairs were generally shoddy, and often had to be redone.
I have always had an interest in all things automotive, generally from a performance standpoint, and have owned a variety of cars. I currently still continue to drive my first car, a 1963 Olds Cutlass, which I bought in 1962. I rallied a bit in the 60’s, (not in the Cutlass), autocrossed a bit in the 80’s and began SCCA racing in the 90’s. No, I never came close to winning, or even finishing some times, but would have had a much more reliable and competitive car if I had known Jay back then! Fortunately, I became aware of Jay several years back, and he has taken care of my three vehicles, as well as my daughter’s wheelchair van since.
Recently, the engine in my SUB “blew” coming back from New York City, 50 some miles out of warranty! Although the dealer refused to cover the job completely, they were ‘forced’ to give me a new engine at substantially reduced cost because Jay had been aware of a recall which caused the problem. After the repair, I had Jay check out the work. Predictably, I had to return to the dealer to correct various poorly done repairs, as well as replace several bearings which were damaged be the mechanic doing the repair. This scenario was to go on for three more return trips to the dealer! Even then, the front fender, which had to be removed for access during these repairs, continued to become ‘unhinged’. Jay simply replaced several missing and/or broken clips at not cost to me. Incidentally, Jay was obviously willing to install a used engine for me, but as the vehicle had fairly low mileage, he felt I should get a new engine with a full warranty.
In all honestly there is one additional repair I like, and have sent friends to, but they only work on foreign, generally German cars. However, my Audi S4 (set up for track) has also been serviced, along with my American cars at Jay’s shop, since I met him. The Audi too has been with Jay exclusively now-even before it was out of warranty in 2006. Yes it cost a bit, but I knew it would be done right the first time.
I have never had a question on any of these cars that Jay has either known the answer to, outright, or has leapt onto his computer to research immediately. He once came all the way to my house instead of going home for dinner to help with a power top misalignment on the Olds- at no charge!
My daughter, who is in a wheelchair, has been with me many times at the track. Once, when she came in to change from the ‘snows’ to summer tires, Jay and his staff preplanned, to her delight, a scenario whereby as she pulled in the whole ‘crew’ ran out with 4 jacks, raised the entire large van and did a ‘record time’ tire change for her so she wouldn’t have to get out.
Jay forges a right personal relationship with all of his customers, as I have observed many times while sitting in the waiting room of his shop. He generally will offer me, (and I have overheard him offer to others), less costly yet safe alternative ways to effect repairs. For example, my daughter’s right front door blew open from a sudden gust of wind, which bent the metal to which the hinges attached. This van is 8 years old and in need of replacement. Her insurance would have covered much of the $1400 dollar repair estimated by a bodywork shop, but Jay simply rebent the slight bowing of the door jam, allowing the door to latch securely and to open easily, all for about $80. This repair has worked perfectly well for almost a year now.
I’m sure I can go on with compliments. Jay and his staff, to the man, are personable, efficient, honest and always eager to inform and please a customer. I do not expect you would ever be disappointed.
Stan Orbach