Hi:
I recently joined the Scotty Kilmer family! I came across his video recently and have been watching A LOT. I have a 2013 Honda Insight, 2010 Toyota Yaris, and 2015 Kia Rio. I try my best to do a little bit of research here and there but I'm also still not knowledgeable enough and could use some help and guidance. So, I bought my 2015 Kia Rio and it was made in Korea vs here (yay), but are there any trusted mechanics in the Greater Los Angeles Area? I live in the valley, so I don't want to travel as far as Huntington Beach for reference.
I've also heard and watched the videos of how Kias suck, but I was desperate this past February when I bought the 2013 Honda Insight that misfired with only 57k miles in December after I had bought it in July. I read about the excessive oil consumption for the Insights (which sounds like what happened to me when I drove because I changed the oil about 2k miles with full synthetic). I also did pick up a 97 Honda Accord off of Craigslist and it actually could drive for at least half-hour with no issues, no funky sounds, new battery, but I did not trust myself enough with the vehicle. One mechanic who I did go normally lectured me about getting a newer vehicle and lectured me about fixing up the Insight and not trusting the internet because my generation is the type to believe anything (mechanic is older dude and AAA approved if that matters). The Accord had a rack and pinion leak; I also constantly go back and forth regretting selling it for $1300 pre-Scotty education as I probably could have paid for it to be replaced $600-900 and not worry about a $300/mo payment for years.
anyways, back to the original intention of the post, any trusted mechanics closer to the valley?
Pls hlp.
are there any trusted mechanics in the Greater Los Angeles Area? ... I don't want to travel as far as Huntington Beach
According to a map, the "Los Angeles Metropolitan Area" stretches all the way from San Fernando to Mission Viejo, which includes Huntington Beach and several other mechanics we have listed. I'm not from California and I don't know what you mean by "valley". San Fernando valley? North Hollywood is in that valley.
Maybe you can include your rough location and a mile radius you're willing to go?
10-15 miles from North Hollywood
So what about the mechanic in North Hollywood in the FAQ?
Does it matter if they're AAA approved? Does being approved by AAA mean anything?
It means that they are authorized to perform repairs for AAA members. If you are not an AAA member, then it doesn't matter.
I have checked the FAQ and went through this link but it doesn't have a lot of information from mechanics in LA.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/mechanics/
According to a map, the "Los Angeles Metropolitan Area" stretches all the way from San Fernando to Mission Viejo, which includes Huntington Beach and several other mechanics we have listed. I'm not from California and I don't know what you mean by "valley". San Fernando valley? North Hollywood is in that valley.
Maybe you can include your rough location and a mile radius you're willing to go?
Understood. I think within 10-15 miles from North Hollywood. Sorry for not clarifying earlier! I'm going to check out Art's Auto Care and maybe Olive Auto Center in Burbank this week. Does it matter if they're AAA approved? Does being approved by AAA mean anything?
So what about the mechanic in North Hollywood in the FAQ?
Based on searching the forums, I think the only one mentioned in North Hollywood is Japanese Auto Tech Services. I can give them a call tomorrow about servicing my Kia or if they work on cars outside of Japanese makes.
That's what I would do. It's unlikely he would turn you away because you own a Kia. It's not like it's alien technology or something. If he does exclusively work on Jap cars, then he should at least be able to point you to someone. A referral from an honest mechanic should be considered very valuable.