The Garage in Northwest Albuquerque

I had a terrific experience at "The Garage" in Northwest Albuquerque. Finding a good garage and a good mechanic you can trust is something you should not take for granted, and when you find one you should tell others. Well here's my story:

About a month ago I took my car to a garage to get an estimate. My old Ford (I love this car) was overheating. The mechanic took a quick look and announced his diagnosis "There are hydrocarbons in your coolant." I must have looked like a deer in the headlights, because I had no idea what that meant. Then he said "you need a new head gasket." Now I may not be the most mechanical guy you'll ever meet, but I know bad news when I hear it. They quoted me about $1,500 for the repair, but offered to do it for $1,200 because they were "slow that day."

I decided maybe it was time to put this car out to pasture, so I drove it the very short distance home and let it sit for several weeks while I decided what to do.

You know what I love about this old car? It has a big-you know what American made engine and a sticker on it that says built in Chicago, my hometown. Oh yeah, plus I love the way it blows all the little foreign cars away as I cruise up the rather steep La Vajada on the way to Santa Fe (exceeding the posted speed limit by not more than 5 MPH of course). Ya right!

Anyway, I thought maybe I'd better get a second opinion. Boy am I glad that I did. Not only did James at the Garage tell me I did not need a new head gasket, he told me he could replace the ruptured coolant reservoir for only about $350.

My old Ford had a new lease on life!

But wait I said, please double check the coolant for hydro-carbons (pretending to be a little less ignorant this time), they found some at that other place. He said nope, it was clean.

So if you're looking for a garage in Northwest Albuquerque, I would highly recommend The Garage on Western Trail and Unser. They did right by me! And now I know why that other garage was slow...