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Albany Park Auto Clinic
Rating Details »
Categories: Tires, Auto Repair [Edit]
Neighborhood: Albany Park3848 W Lawrence Ave
(between Avers Ave & Springfield Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 588-5218
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
12 reviews for Albany Park Auto Clinic
This garage is the best I've found in Chicago and I've been to a number of places. Being the daughter of a former mechanic I know a thing or two about cars. I've had mechanics try to scam me and I've had mechanics do work on my car that was not authorized. I always tried new garages because nobody ever impressed me until Albany Auto.
A couple years back a garage told me my engine was not worth saving in my '89 Ford Probe. I was attached to my car for no real logical reason (plus I couldn't afford a new one). My dad rescued my car that time and it was back on the road. The next time something needed repairs I found Wally's from a friend's recommendation.
I then kept coming back because Wally was honest and truthful about a lot of issues in my car. He explained things to me and reminded me of the kind of mechanic my dad would trust. The last time I took it to Wally he couldn't find a part for my car and he said if I could find the part he would do the service.
My dad found a part on eBay and we had it shipped. I've since retired this car but I strongly recommend this garage for all your auto needs. My dad had talked to Wally a couple times about things in my car and even he says they seem reputable and I should stick with them. I couldn't agree more.
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Wally is the proprietor of Albany Auto Clinic. When he picks up the phone, he says, "ALBANY" and waits for you to speak. What can I say? It is how the man does business. Short, and to the point. Honest. No more and no less than what you need to hear.
When he gives you quotes, they are round numbers and usually off the top of his head. He does not give you a ten page itemized quote. He gives you good advice about the tradeoffs of doing one thing or another (or nothing).
His clientele are not people that have a lot of money to burn on unnecessary repairs. If you have money to burn on maintaining your new hybrid Lexus, then by all means go to the dealer. But if you have a car you want to keep running well but that you don't want to let a dealer or national chain touch, then Albany is the perfect place.
I had a flat. I went to Albany Park Auto Clinic and they found the leak, told me my options (patch vs. new tire), told me that they couldn't guarantee the patch and why, which made sense, and then fixed it. This place rocks. I felt like they were honest, up front, and presented all my options. What more could you ask for. All businesses should run like this.
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Wally is a great mechanic and I have been taking my cars to him for almost 10 years now. He certainly does seem to be an honest guy and his work has always been great. He has a dry sense of humor though so don't be surprised if makes a joke about the bill or the condition of your vehicle. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Wally is an honest guy--he could have told me I needed expensive transmission work, but he fixed the problem for under $50, even taking time out of his lunch break.
Another time that I had a small oil leak, he told me to try thicker motor oil rather than pay for a costly engine repair. It worked.
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The fact that this place not only has warranties on their parts, but honors them w/o complaint is great.
I have been taking the different cars that I have owed to Albany Park since about 1996. I used to drive from the suburbs to drop off my car for repairs. They have always given me the best advice and cost I could imagine from any other place. It's so rare to have a mechanic that you can trust. I will never take my car anywhere else.
I took my car to so so many mechanics to figure out how to get rid of my stupid "check engine" light so that I could pass my emissions test (curse you, City of Chicago emissions test!!!!) All these other mechanics either lied to me or hosed me, and, as a result, my "check engine" light stayed on for months. Months, I tell you! Finally, someone's uncle's cousin's friend told me to go to an auto shop up on Lawrence Ave., which I *thought* was Albany Park. I later learned that Albany Park Auto Clinic was actually NOT the place recommended to me, but it must have been divine intervention because in mistakenly going to this shop, I think I stumbled upon one of the best and most honest mechanics in Chicago. As other reviewers have noted, Wally is a super nice and approachable guy. He's also apparently a great mechanic because he was the only one who was able fix my Co2 sensor(s) in my car and allow me to successfully pass the emission tests before the city went after me. Score! I also recall that the shop is pretty close to a Brown Line stop, so it is easy to get to if you are car-less. This is a long way of saying this is the only place I would ever take my car in Chicago. And...scene.
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When I moved to the neighborhood I was unsure of where I should take my car. Wally put my car up on the lift (fixing a small problem for almost nothing while he was at it) and gave me an estimate on my faulty tie rod. I wasn't sure if I could trust these guys yet, so on my next road trip I stopped by an old mechanic friend of mine. He told me the same thing Wally had told me, only he charged my $5 more to fix it! Every time my car has something go wrong, which is more often than I'd like, I take it here. I'm glad I found a trustworthy place, and now I won't take my car anywhere else.
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Wally served me up well. I needed a new transmission, and the price he quoted me on day one, was the price he charged me once the work was done. The work took maybe a day longer than I expected, but the car works perfectly. Plus, Wally told me that I had way too much in my truck which was taking a toll on my transmission. So I unloaded the trunk and now I am good to go!
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Although I've heard Wally say unkind things about Ford products, he's cheerfully met every challenge in keeping my '78 F250 on the road for 10 years. Electrical problems a specialty.
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i agree with all of the other comments, Wally is a great mechanic who is honest and tells you the truth. You can feel safe that he won't rip you off and will do a good job on your car. Highly recommend them. This is the only place I'll take my car in the city!
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