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Charlotte, NC mechanics?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Gaujo, Sep 26, 2009.

  1. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    43
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    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Looking for an independent mechanic in our around Charlotte, NC who is good and trustworthy. Anyone have help? I can't find anything on google or on forums (I searched before asking :))
     
  2. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    43
    6
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    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ok, different approach. Is there any kind of registry or online lookup of Independent Prius Mechanics?
     
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
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    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    From time to time posters ask whether there's a Prius independent tech in their city. I'm only aware of the existence of this rare species in San Francisco (Luscious Garage) and Berkeley, CA (Art's Automotive).
     
  4. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    43
    6
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Wow, so does that mean everyone goes to the dealership for service?
     
  5. massman

    massman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2009
    21
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    Location:
    Dallas
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Or DIY!:rockon:
     
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Or sell their Prius before the warranty expires so that any failures become the next owner's problem...
     
  7. CBarr31

    CBarr31 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2007
    434
    225
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Gaujo,

    Most independant mechanics around here still won't touch anything hybrid. There were a couple of early cases of engine destruction due to local shops thinking the car was off when it actually wasn't at an oil change. Battery got low, engine came on and ooopppsss your independant mechanic just bought a new engine.

    I have also had a couple of them tell me there are to many state regs for hybrids so they aren't doing anything with them until they become more "mainstream". Granted that was a couple of years ago so that might have changed by now.

    I have 167,000 miles on and still use the Stealership for most things. I bought mine in Hickory so still go there because I get a discount on most things. If not then Toyota of Lake Norman I think has the best techs and most experience. I would avoid Toyota West (Statesville) like the plague. They dented my 4-Runner years ago after having installed various parts wrong, charging for tire rotations that weren't done, etc... etc...

    I hope this helps.

    Chris
     
  8. CMonster

    CMonster Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2006
    115
    0
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I've taken mine to Town & Country Toyota on South Blvd. for the last three years. They haven't screwed anything up or tried to run any major scams on me yet.
     
  9. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    43
    6
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks guys. We should see if one of the dealers in our area will give us a group discount for PriusChat members. BTW I sucessfully got 10% off parts at the Gastonia Dealership, just by asking
     
  10. Grateful11

    Grateful11 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    107
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    Location:
    Central, NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    I've bought three vehicles from Scott Clark's Toyota and other than fixing the iPod connector on my former Scion xA that's the only repair I've needed, the rest has just been oil changes when I don't have time to do them myself.
     
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