Gary's Automotive

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Blixx
2 months ago
Gary's is awesome. Never let down. I've been coming to Gary's for years for my VW and they get you in fast as well as do a great job with very fair prices. Honest mechanics.

  R JL
4 months ago
Have been a customer of Gary s for 20+ years. Only mechanic I trust with my VW s and Audi s. If you want honest work from VW experts there is no other place to take yourvehicle.

  John VanSpronsen
4 years ago
Let me start by saying I have purchased 3 vehicles from Gary's Automotive in the last 3 years, and I bring every vehicle I own to him anytime I need repairs.I bought a 2008 VW rabbit, 4 door, 2.5 (black), a 2002 VW Passat fully loaded 1.8T (silver), and a 2005 VW GTI 1.8T (silver)... Pictures attached. Every single vehicle has been trustworthy, clean, and ran very smooth. You can tell he takes care of the vehicles he plans on selling!He has also done work on our vehicles and has footed the cost a number of times.. which is rare for mechanics! I've been a customer of Gary's for over 10 years.. so if you want to know what to expect from him, this review is for you!I love Gary. He's an genuine antique of a man, full of passion for European automobiles and a passion for keeping it real as ever.If you don't have thick skin.. you should consider buying a Honda.Gary will keep it very real with you. He will never rip you off. He will do everything he can to help, whether it's financing a new car, expensive repair work repayment plans, etc.At least he does for my wife and I because we've shown him that we are loyal valuable customers, who cherish European automobiles just as he does.You're my guy Gary!

  Roxy Vernon
2 years ago
Gary tried to charge me $300 for a part that is $150 straight from VW. He then told me he disabled the window unit so it wouldn t get stuck in a rolled down position. 20 dollars later, I found out the real cause, a faulty switch. This guy is a careless liar, and I would avoid him at all costs.Service: ElectricalService: Electrical

  Camilo Delarosa
9 months ago
Used to really like the spot, but after confronting Gary about an inaccurate labor estimate he wanted to call me silly for wanting a legitimate one. While Gary s might have the cheaper labor rates in the area, there s shops with labor rates just under $100 not too far out of the way. I had been going to Gary s for repairs and oil changes for just over 2 1/2 years and I m more than happy to have found a new shop with an HONEST owner. Good bye and good riddance, sir.

  Dave Kraak
7 months ago
Brought my lowered VW here 3 times for oil changes. Made an appointment, drove all the way out to the shop, and now they are saying that they can't lift the car to do the oil change. They've done it multiple times and know the vehicle. Would have been nice to have been told this before driving to the shop. Never going here again and I would recommend others avoid the shop also. Very poor customer serviceServices: General repairs & maintenance, Oil change

  Tim Kuzma
5 years ago
Great place to get VW work done. Gary and other guys are nice. I usually call ahead and they get me in quick. Sometimes I just show up and they can often help me out. It's always good to be able to to leave my car there for auto work. Luckily, I work one mile away. Thx, Tim.

  Aaron Johnson
11 months ago
My parents and i have been going to him for years, with multiple vws. Never had a problem after leave his shop, very straight forward with me, and I wouldn't drive from G.R. just to have him/them work on my car. I trust their work very much.

  Phillip waugh
a year ago
I can t give Gary and his staff enough of a positive review. I brought my vehicle in today for front/rear brakes and an oil change. They competed all before the deadline they had set, and we re super helpful. 10/10 would recommend and I ll tell anyone with a VW/Audi to bring their vehicles to Gary AutomotiveServices: Brakes, Oil changeServices: Brakes, Oil change

  Carini Realtors
a year ago
Gary s does a great job at a reasonable price.I stopped going to the Audi dealership and have never looked back. Keep up the good work.

  Gray Warner
a year ago
Very honest and highly professional mechanics. Best VW prices for pe-owned Passats and Jettas, and their condition is brought up to date mechanically, making them very reliable.

  Jaden Sosa
a year ago
Came in for the first and last time and I was quoted $800-1000 for a COOLANT LEAK. Granted it was in the intake manifold and it's a Volkswagen so I expected it to be expensive but I guarantee you I could take it ANYWHERE else and get it done for less. Looking at other reviews it looks like Gary has a tendency to be greedy. Won't be coming back again.

  Alex Salas
2 years ago
So compared to $250+ per hour at the Audi Dealership in GR this place is a saint! Went in for drive front rear curtain airbag replacement and head light on an AUDI and were super responsive. Let me know ETA on parts and also ETA on completion times. They even installed parts i already had purchased online. GREAT PLACE been there for service mulitple times already!!!

  John Vande Vusse
3 years ago
Great place, very knowledgeable and they treat me like I'm one of their own . Gary' has alot of insight and helps his customers decide what needs to be fixed rt away and what items you can safely let go for the time being. Gary's a legend around west Michigan for VW maintenance and quality work.

  Bryan Stutzman
7 years ago
Love this place! Gary is the friendliest guy you will ever meet. They honestly care about there customers there. I had my break light on, so I took it into them and instead of lying and saying that the breaks needed changing they told me that they are not sure why the break light is on, but my breaks are still good for a while. I definitely trust Gary's Automotive over any other mechanic.

  Gin Licker
5 years ago
Gary and his mechanics are amazingly knowledgeable about all things Volkswagen, have been bringing my Jetta here for 12 years and she's still on the road! These guys are always friendly and always fairly priced. I love my Volkswagen and my mechanics.

  Dan Mich
5 years ago
It s a mixed bag here. First with the good & decent. They been around awhile and usually know more about VW & Audi cars than most shops around town. They usually offer competitive rates much lower than others. And they offer Free inspections. They also don t mind giving you a rough estimate over the phone if you know what your car needs. That was my biggest attraction as I hate shops that won t give you any pricing. They always Force you to come in first.Now the bad part is the owner himself. I have done business with him for over 6 years now and have tolerated a lot of his attitude. He s a very rude old man and has always been very negative to me up until I pay my big bill at the end of the service. The shop itself it not so bad, but be aware Gary will probably give you a bad taste in your mouth.Also don t let Gary check your car out, he has missed a lot of what my car needed After I pointed it out to him. That s when he starts to get upset saying I m undermining his knowledge. Sadly I had to go back soon after & spend more money after my car broke down at what I already pointed out to Gary. At times I think he does this on purpose to make me comeback to make more money.

  Rachel Gonzalez
5 years ago
Quick and friendly service! Reasonable prices! I stopped to ask about what could be causing a noise in my Jetta. I expected to make an appointment. But they took a look at it then. Within 20 minutes I was all set with a quiet car again. Then at the last minute I asked about a new side mirror. I expected to have to order one. Seriously, they had one in stock. I bought it, they snapped it in there, I'm happy. Thanks, guys!

  Ryan Bailey
4 years ago
We have been using Gary's on and off for over 10 years. Back in the day Gary was pretty blunt with me and a little off putting. However, I kept coming back due to how he treated my wife. He always treated her with the utmost respect. Never tried to over sell her. Was always fair on time and labor hours. Now that his son has taken over, they are even better. They took care of my new to me 2014 VW CC, even after I did the brakes myself. Offered encouraging advice even when I made a mistake on the DIY job. Which I really appreciate. Thank you so much guys!

  Henning Bote
3 years ago
This has been my go-to place for my Audis for 8 years. They provide great service, honesty and integrity. Their prices are fair and their work is solid. If you drive a VW/Audi or Mazda, this is the best place in the area for service and repairs.

  Alex Lutz
3 years ago
Very trustworthy, affordable shop. it's the only place I would consider taking any car in the VW/Audi group in the area and that's including dealerships. I do a lot of work on cars myself but still take my daily driver there for all its repairs and maintenance.

  Joshua Groenhof
6 years ago
I'd give this place a zero if I could. Extremely unethical company! I purchased a Jetta there and paid for a vehicle that I thought was in "excellent" condition. In about a month I have been having troubles with it. (Won't start, Radio died, etc). I have put an additional $700 plus dollars into a car that I purchased for $8K in a little over a month, and of course there is nothing they will do to help out even though I paid a premium on it..... Seem to me like a slimy dealership. I'd highly recommend any other dealership. Not some place that is looking for a quick buck.

  Ben Dora
9 years ago
The Good: They do good service for a reasonable price.The Bad: If you are unfortunate enough to talk to Gary, you will be criticized for everything. Here are just a few...I let Valvoline change my oil and even though I use a full synthetic it is apparently "crap"I bank with a bank and not a credit union.I use the Credit Card option on my debit card.In his opinion, I must not change my oil regularly and always let it run low (because, you know... cars don't break on their own.)He literally said "you only have yourself to blame." when I told him I'm the only one who drives my car.So if you don't mind rude treatment and drive a VW, they do a nice job, but with several other options in the area who are also experience with VWs I will be taking my business elsewhere.

  Philip
12 years ago
Great service! Is always willing to explain each suggestion before making the repair. Explained in great detail a few concerns he found while replacing my ignition coil. Topped off the coolant ect. and tightened my power steering belt w/o a charge. Just by having a 5 minute conversation you can tell he has great knowledge and takes pride in his work.

  Andrew Bazan
8 years ago
I went into Gary's to reprogram my extra key fob for my 2001 VW Jetta. The two employees I interacted with were very friendly and knowledgeable. I was in and out in and out in 10-15 minutes with a working key fob! They didn't even charge me for it although I would not expect this to happen every time.

  Audrey Vandevusse
6 years ago
Looked them up on Google where they are listed as an auto store. Called to see if this was correct as I needed a mechanic. After telling Gary himself that Google lists his business incorrectly he responds by saying, "Ask me if I care. What do you need?" I said "nevermind" and he hangs up on me. Unbelievably rude. And you want me to trust you with my vehicle and money? I think not.

  Gus O
a year ago
Horrible place. DO NOT BRING YOUR CAR HERE!!! My friend made that mistake and now has to pay 12k for proper repairs after Gary s absolutely destroyed his car. DO NOT COME HERE.

  Justin Hill
8 years ago
I had brought 2003 audi a4 to Gary probably half a dozen times and overall was happy with the service and price. It was until my last visit to gary's that I decided to take my business elsewhere. I brought my car there to make sure that everything was tip top before I sold it because thats how I do business. Came across a couple of things, Gary fixed them. I picked up my car stopped for fuel on the way home, not 5 minutes down the road and when I went to start my car after re fueling my car was COMPLETELY dead. No dash lights nothing. I have NEVER had any troubles starting my car before never did it have any hesitation even during the week prior with single digit temperatures. Called Gary who very kindly came and saved me. However when I tried to ask him if maybe one of the mechanics had left the key in the ignition, or lights on during the time the worked on my vehicle he quickly and rudely pointed it back at me saying that his mechanics would never do that and that it was my original battery, that I probably needed to replace it. I then asked why after being at his shop for one day my battery suddenly dies when having zero problems all winter. Long story short after Gary jumped my vehicle for me I drove back to Grand Rapids and parked my car for the night started perfect the next day ( and everyday since then). I noticed the next morning a dent in my hood caused from something under the hood. I popped my hood to see and found a plastic battery cover around the spot where the dent was. I called Gary he said bring it in he will look at it, I did and he then said there was no way it was him and that it was me trying to get him to pay for my hood. Mind you my car was in near mint condition and fairly rare, and I take immaculate care of my vehicles. I was unhappy to say the least and noticed the dent right away the next day. Anyways long story not very short, he refused to take fault for what was obviously caused by him and his mechanics. Both with my battery mysteriously being dead after being at his shop for a day, as well as Gary being at fault for the dent in my hood. Up until my experience was good, would not use again due to his stubbornness and unwillingness to take fault for damage caused by his mechanics and himself.

  John Stack
8 months ago
Very knowledgeable and very helpful. Fair pricing and able to complete repairs in a reasonable time frame.

  Joshua Watkin
10 years ago
As long as I am living in this area, I will always buy a volkswagen just so I can take it to them. They are efficient, and always call and ask before doing anything that will cost you more money. I have had two different jettas, and am so grateful to have Gary's to take them to.