Initial Z
01-31-2012, 02:21 AM
Hey guys,
My car, 2005 Mazda3, is approaching the 60K mile mark and I am looking to do some probably overdue maintenance. So far, the maintenance I've done on my car is oil change every 5K miles, 1 ATF flush around 35K, replaced all 4 tires around 50K, and 2 air filter changes. There are probably a lot of stuff that needs maintenance, but I don't have the time nor knowledge to do this stuff on my own, so I need a mechanic. It would be great if someone here can recommend a mechanic or place to bring my car to in the San Francisco area. I mainly just don't want to get ripped off, so I am looking for a reasonably priced, reliable, and friendly person/place to bring my car to. Any help or advice would be truly appreciated. Thanks.
Here's a short list of stuff I've been meaning to do, but haven't had a chance to get around to it:
- Change brakes
- Align wheels
- Oil change (I haven't driven my car much since I started working, the last time I had an oil change was about a year ago, and about 5,000 miles)
- ATF flush
- Engine coolant flush
- Brake fluid flush
- Power steering fluid flush
- Various inspections
Note: I am willing to learn/do some basic/easy DIY stuff, but since this is a major milestone for my car, I figured I'd bring it to some place that knows what they are doing. I am not very car-savvy, but I was able to do my own ATF flush a couple years back.
Any advice will definitely be appreciated. I don't know whether it's a better idea to bring it to a dealership (stealership?) or a mechanic. How much am I looking to spend would you estimate? What should I watch out for when I bring my car in? Thanks guys!
PS: I've been taking my car to Quality Tune Shops for my oil changes.
My car, 2005 Mazda3, is approaching the 60K mile mark and I am looking to do some probably overdue maintenance. So far, the maintenance I've done on my car is oil change every 5K miles, 1 ATF flush around 35K, replaced all 4 tires around 50K, and 2 air filter changes. There are probably a lot of stuff that needs maintenance, but I don't have the time nor knowledge to do this stuff on my own, so I need a mechanic. It would be great if someone here can recommend a mechanic or place to bring my car to in the San Francisco area. I mainly just don't want to get ripped off, so I am looking for a reasonably priced, reliable, and friendly person/place to bring my car to. Any help or advice would be truly appreciated. Thanks.
Here's a short list of stuff I've been meaning to do, but haven't had a chance to get around to it:
- Change brakes
- Align wheels
- Oil change (I haven't driven my car much since I started working, the last time I had an oil change was about a year ago, and about 5,000 miles)
- ATF flush
- Engine coolant flush
- Brake fluid flush
- Power steering fluid flush
- Various inspections
Note: I am willing to learn/do some basic/easy DIY stuff, but since this is a major milestone for my car, I figured I'd bring it to some place that knows what they are doing. I am not very car-savvy, but I was able to do my own ATF flush a couple years back.
Any advice will definitely be appreciated. I don't know whether it's a better idea to bring it to a dealership (stealership?) or a mechanic. How much am I looking to spend would you estimate? What should I watch out for when I bring my car in? Thanks guys!
PS: I've been taking my car to Quality Tune Shops for my oil changes.