RACE AUTOMOTIVE LLC

Description of Work: I'm a retired Army guy and I've been taking two vehicles to Ernie and his staff for about two years. I recently had them do rust repair on my 98 Toyota Tacoma pickup, which was unsafe to operate the vehicle.

Description of Work: .

Description of Work: .

Description of Work: .

Description of Work: Tune up, top clean, cv joint

Description of Work: new wiring and plugs.

Description of Work: Replacement of catalytic converter for a Suzuki Forenza and a front light bulb.

Description of Work: The best mechanic and staff that you will ever come across. I have been a customer of Race Automotive for about 11 years now and would never consider changing. They are always there when I need them and take care of me and my entire family. Melissia Harrison

Description of Work: I used them to change a fuel injector and the gauges.

Description of Work: Time Line for Car Repair on 2002 Kia Sedona - Race Automotive, Lexington, SC 07/31/12 2002 Kia Sedona towed to Race Automotive, mileage 126,206; problem unknown; engine died while driving and would not start. 08/07/12 Called by Race Auto; spoke with man who did not identify himself, but I assumed it was owned, Ernie Russell. Said they had to replace a sensor and I understood it would be ready to pick up the following day. Estimated cost $300. Also stated battery had to be jumped and offered to sell me one for $100 and that I needed front brake pads, and serpentine belt replaced. I declined battery and additional work (my husband said not urgent, and this could be done by self-employed mechanics at a later date at a lower cost). 08/08/12 To Lexington to pick up vehicle around 11:00am; told by other employee that Mr. Russell had gone to get a part; had found other problem with vehicle; they will call back. 08/08/12 6:15pm; Mr. Russell (I again assume) called back and stated the car needed to have timing belt replaced and a tensioner; labor would be the same because had to remove timing belt to replace the sensor; would be only additional charges for parts. I OK’d. 08/14/12 Called to say car was ready; cost $582.30. 08/15/08 To Lexington to pick up vehicle 11:30am; had Angieslist 10% coupon and received $58.23 discount on labor; cost $524.07 - paid cash. Invoice showed parts to include crank position sensor ((71-44953) $88.32, Tensioner, hydraulic (24410-39001) $116.41 , Timing belt-powergrip premium OE, interference engine application (T323) $133.65, shop supplies $9.56, and labor $210.00. 8/15/12 5:45pm - Going to Wednesday night church, engine died while driving and would not start. Called Race Automotive; they will come to tow back to shop tomorrow or try to fix at site between 10:00 and 11:00am. 8/16/12 I called Race Auto at 11:30; he asked me to try to start car, which I did, but it wouldn’t start. Said they would be here with wrecker within one hour. Called back to say it would be later and to leave key in car (I had an appointment to keep). I was leaving at 1:15pm and passed the tow truck coming in. 8/17/12 I called Race Auto to check on problem at 3:45pm; they were to call back; no return call. 8/20/12 I called Race Auto to check on car at 12 noon; secretary said she would have them call me back; no call back at 2:15pm, so I called again and secretary said she thought it was ready except needed to do test drive to make sure all was fixed. She would ask them to call back after they returned; no call back. 8/21/12 Mr. Russell (I again assume) called to explain that there was an electrical problem and that a short kept blowing the fuse that goes to the sensor they had replaced. They have to find the short to fix the problem; the tech has ordered a new machine that will help identify the short, but they have to get information off the internet to find out how to operate the new machine. 8/22/12 No news 8/23/12 I called Race Auto - still searching for wire that shorts out. 8/24/12 No news 8/27/12 My husband called to check and secretary said she would have them call back. He told them "If they can’t fix it, please let us know". No call back. 8/28/12 I called Kia dealer and spoke with service department. Told them what I knew; they felt they could fix but would cost $100 diagnostic fee to see exactly what the problem was. No call back by noon, so I called Race Auto. Still working on problem, but felt it should be ready by next day; to call back around 10:00am. 8/29/12 No call back by 11:00am, so I called Race Auto. Secretary said they were still working and would have to test drive after finished; should be ready and call back around 10:00am, next day. 8/30/12 No call by 10:00am; I called at 10:35; Mr. Russell (I again assume) explained that now the car showed no compression in 1, 3, & 5. I asked for further info and he said when they test drive the car that the check engine light comes on and their tests show the lack of compression and also that it is not running properly when it is idling. They are trying to identify the problem and are still working on it. They will call back when ready. 8/31/12 Secretary called at 5:00pm to say that car was ready and invoice was $587. She said that it showed a $400 discount on labor and I didn’t think to ask about parts, etc., so I'm not sure if anything else was replaced. They closed at 6:00pm, so I stated I would have to wait until after Labor Day to pick and also have to find the money somewhere. My concerns are: (1) They did not call back when they said they would, which I consider to be poor customer relations; a call should have been made (by secretary) even if just to say that they were still working. (2) Trying to sell me a battery, when apparently the one I have is OK. The car started fine when I picked it up the first time and drove it home, even making a stop at the grocery store. (3) The length of time it took to find and fix the multiple problems. First time 11 work days from 7/31/12 to 8/14/12; Second time 11 work days from 8/16/12 to 8/31/12. The labor on the invoice doesn’t show the number of hours, only the total cost. I might have been better off to take it to the dealer, pay more per hour for labor, but have it fixed in a shorter amount of time. I sort of feel like they used my car as a guinea pig to learn to work on problems, and I’m paying the bill. (4) This was a used car purchased for only $3800, is 10 years old, and has 126,208 + miles, so I wonder if this is a good use of my money - total repair cost $1,111. That’s a considerable amount of money from my budget, being that I am retired and on a fixed income, and the chance that there will be future problems that will have to be fixed.

Description of Work: I used Race Automotive repaired my car's air conditioner.

Description of Work: Installed timing belt, water pump & tune-up.

Description of Work: Oil change; tire rotation; fluid levels and refill; routine maintenance.

Description of Work: This is my second report on this fine establishment, but not the second time I've used their services. Once again, Mr. Russell, the owner, has graciously come to my rescue and fixed a radiator and air conditioning problem for me. Over the years he's fixed the fan motor, catalytic convertor problems, and various other things that have kept my 10 year old Saturn with over 150K miles safely on the road. For a woman alone, it's hard to know who to trust. I can say without any hesitation that Race Automotive is an auto repair shop that is honest and trustworthy. They are reasonable in their prices and promptly do the repairs necessary. I highly recommend this company.

Description of Work: Removed and replaced a electronic window motor for my 2004 Volvo...

Description of Work: fixed something to do with crank shaft

Description of Work: This is not the first time I have used their services, and it will not be the last time. The people are Race Automotive are very friendly and professional. Their work has been excellent and their recommendations for future care and service of my 10 year old car has been appropriate and affordable. I trust Race Automotive's knowledge and appreciate their respect of my financial concerns.

Description of Work: Repaired 3rd door; repaired driver's door; unclogged drain line; lubed chassis; balance tires; r/r disc rotors and drums

Description of Work: I put in a report over the phone but I wanted to stress the fact this guy helped me save money. He took my problem and help me think about how i could save money. By asking me questions like they had me check the receipt where I bought the clutch a few year back and sure enough he was right it had a life time replace on the part. Then when the part store tried to charge me 119.00 the difference in the price now I called Ernie and he said no way and when I told them that I knew that this way not right . they made the exchange with out cost ,Never in all my life have I had help like this from such a young person. Older people have but this guy really did me right. I saved 419.00 on the clutch . He found a bolt missing fixed it. Turned out my fly could not be turn replaced it because he wanted me to have a car that was fixed. and the price was below what i could find. Then there is the big fact that the guy that did replace the clutch two years ago maybe if I found Race then I would not have had to go through this.. A honest mechanic is the same as a pound of gold I kid you not.

Description of Work: A friend was supposed to install the fan blower motor on my Saturn but never got around to it. I called Race and told them I had the part and what would they charge in labor, and they were very competitive and affordable. When I got there, my car was worked on right away and completed within 1.5 hours. They also found the resistor switch was bad. Race soldered and repaired that for free.

Description of Work: Acura dealer wanted $1400 to replace timing belt, water pump and other related parts recommended at 100K miles on my RL. Ernie gave three estimates by email for just belt, belt and pump and everything. I went with everything. Car runs fine and I was impressed with the shop as they seem to be professional mechanics, not just grease monkeys.

Description of Work: Brake job for Camry - front and back - replace rear calipers

Description of Work: These folks were totally honest, knowledgeable, and professional. I recommend them without reservation. Be careful, there are lots of crooks out there but his is not one of them. The person my son went to originally to were charging him double and sending the work to Race Auto. Jarrell Smith

Description of Work: Race diagnosed and repaired what I thought was a gasoline leak. They diagnosed the problem, told me what was required to fix it, quoted me a price, and I authorized the repair - all while I waited. They replaced the rubber seal around the gas tank filler pipe, which had split and was allowing fumes to escape both inside and outside the car. It was labor-intensive, but the problem is solved - and in somewhat less time then they estimated.

Description of Work: They've done thousand of dollars of work for me over the years. They are my regular automotive company. I've been going for probably 10 years.