I had been taking my car to Brentwood for years as my parents also use them. They have always been pleasant and I never had any problems. However, when my 15-year old car started making a screaching noise and I took it in, they informed me that it would be $2800 worth of 'necessary' work. It was only when I said that I wanted a second opinion because that was more money then the value of the car at this point, that the 'necessary' price started coming down (I believe to around $2300). What really got me to leave was when he then also started bullying me, along the lines of 'Well, if you don't fix this one, then what will you do for a car? $2800 isn't enough for you to buy a NEW car, so what are you going to do?, etc.' (yes, I am a woman, sadly perhaps this matters to this story) Worst part- after finally telling him that that wasn't really his business and I would be coming to pick up the car, I did take it for a second opinion, and got the screaching noise completely fixed for $250. I specifically asked about all the other 'necessary' fixes that Brentwood had recommended and finally got an honest answer- yes, they would be good to do, but not necessary from a safety perspective, and particularly on an older car. So I don't know what to think, would like to give them the benefit of the doubt, but am pretty sure I'm not going back.
more