Meineke Car Care Ctr

I took my car in last year after a diagnosis (from another auto place in NJ) stated I needed a right rear axle seal. Meineke on Lafayette was a convenient location, so I left my car there. By the end of the day, after the car had been put on a lift and tire removed, I was informed that they had to order the seal (vintage car). After a few days, the part still had not come in...I told them that I had a trip planned for the following day and if the part did not come in, I'd have to just take the car and come back to fix it another time. The manager (Joe) said ""you can come get your car if you bring $200 cash""; I stated that they hadn't done any work on the car; after going back and forth for awhile he said ""you're really starting to pi*s me off, bring the $200, cash, and you'll get your car back"". Boiling mad, I walked over and called the police...after they listened to our story, the cop said something like 'he did take the tire off and that accounts for some labor' (thanks NYPD). This is what I agreed to, I'd have to give him $200, if the part didn't come in by the time I had to leave, they would repair it when I came back from my trip. The part ended up coming in and was fixed in time. Mind you I had to call them to see if the car was ready, Joe never called me. DO NOT GO HERE. YOU have been warned. Pros: convenient location for city dwellers Cons: NO INTEGRITY, SCAMMERS more

Found Meineke between great jones and bond on city search and needed to go in for my check engine light. Every time my check engine light would come on it always seemed to be a a difficult task.But in no time they diagnosed and fixed the problem. The man that was helping me explained everything very clearly. Very happy customer . Pros: Car Exhaust Services, Automotive Oil Change, Truck Repair, Car Radiators, ... more

So I looked for an auto repair shop for thirty minutes on city search, yelp, the yellow pages, etc. and most of the numbers I tried either did not connect or landed me at an auto body shop in Harlem even though the listing indicated it was in the East Village. I finally found the Meineke shop on Lafayette and not only did the number work but they were actually able to fix my car. They were efficient and not absurdly expensive. Call them. It's fine. Pros: available, efficient more

I dropped my car off for a NY state inspection - the manager called back saying I needed new brakes and rotors for $460. He said I needed the work in order to pass inspection. It sounded a bit questionable but I told him to do the work. Through a twist of luck it turned out that I didn't have the wheel lock in the car - so he couldn't take the wheels off. So I went down to pick up my car and he told me he couldn't give it back to me - with a nonsense explanation about how he had already passed me for the inspection and he was liable if my brakes gave out. We argued for a while - he said he was calling the cops - I told him to ask if they could hurry up so I could get my car back. It got contentious - while we were arguing 2 police cars drove by - neither one stopped. Finally he went in the office and said he called Albany and they said it was ok for him to give my car back. The next day I had the inspection done at the dealer - it was 37$ - with no mention of the brakes. I just want people to know about this so they can avoid what I went through. Cons: thieving scam artist more

I brought my car here to get a NYS inspection. I was told that all four brakes needed to be completely replaced, and that it would cost $1500. I told them I would take the car somewhere else, and they demanded I pay in cash for the inspection. At the other auto shop, I was told that they could find no problem with the brakes, and I passed inspection with no issue. Avoid these scam artists at all costs! Cons: Scam artists, took 5 hours to do ""inspection"" more

Went in to get full maintenance @ around 9 a.m. spoke with Jonathan ( who was very educated car enthusiast) and was told I needed air conditioning recharge and a couple other services. Was greatly pleased with the overall price. more

Went to Meineke for a timing belt and was done authentically and professionally, unlike other shops that i've been to, especially in Manhattan. The manager/owner was very helpful nad honest. The job was done right and i felt very satisfied. more

Nice to know New York's not getting completely gentrified; Meineke ripped me off in old-fashioned New York style. Cons: Very rude and dishonest more

Pros: Immediate service, super fast, Cons: They don't take Amex, as advertised. more