No garage, Where to Repair?

Knedroscik

New member
I've got no garage. I was hoping the car would hold together until i got a house and fix it myself... but it's leaking pretty bad.
Rear main seal, power steering, and lots more. There's a good sized puddle every time i park it.

My question is. Should i pay out my nose at a Toyota Dealership? Take it to some random mechanic?
I just moved to Dallas TX 7 months ago and don't know anyone reputable enough, what should i do?

i was quoted $5500 by toyota dealership to fix everything, obviously they are maniacs.
I was thinking about just buying a $5000 car until I can fix it myself. What do you guys think it the best option?
 

underscore

Well-known member
How long until you can fix it yourself? Personally I'd park it and buy a $1000 beater until you can either fix it yourself or find a reputable shop you're confident in.
 

___Scott___

Active member
Don't take it to some random mechanic when http://www.atsracing.net/ is in the greater Dallas area and they know All-Tracs.

Buying another car as a driver and stalling on the All-Trac fix until you get a place with a garage is not a bad plan, but only if that garage is going to happen in the foreseeable future. Otherwise the All-Trac will just sit and rot and that's not good.
 

lumbercis

Moderator
^Try getting an estimate from ATS. They may be significantly more reasonable than your previous quote.

Search online for DIY auto shops...you go in and pay a fee and they let you work on your car yourself. Not super common but they do exist.

You can search or put an ad on craigslist for someone willing to rent out a barn or shop space for a while. More likely the more rural the area you live in. Can be expensive depending how long you think it will take you.

I live in the city and go through this myself. I honestly haven't found a good solution yet other than just using an empty parking pad near an condemned house for jobs I can get done in a day. Anything significant and I have to take it to a shop.

Good luck.
J
 

Akihero

New member
When I first got my alltrac I took it to a Toyota dealership for a check up and for a power steering leak.
An old mechanic took the keys from a younger mechanic and said " I got this car " .... he walked up to me with paper work...... it was a parts list.... he then turned to me handed me the parts list and said "get this car out of here no one here other than me can work on this car and they will mess up your car and if I work on the car the dealership will rape you for labor. Go to a specialist " handed me the keys and told me to drive it out the lot.

After this experience i have realized just how rare this car is. That most dealerships haven't messed with one, and most new mechanics don't even know this car existed. So my suggestion is to learn and do it yourself or find a specialist and even if it costs more at the specialist they at least have the knowledge in handling the car and engine.
 

Knedroscik

New member
Thanks for all the Replies! I'm gonna try and get with the ATS guys. I contacted them a few weeks ago and didn't get a response, BUT I sent another email and I got a reply today. We'll see how this goes! Thanks for all the great advice.
 
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