Aamco transmission repair shops trustworthy ?

Question

I need to have my tranny fluid and filter changed, and was wondering if you guys had any experience with Aamco. Are they a good place to take my car, or should I take it else where ? please let me know. thanks !

Answer 1

In 1994 I took my truck to Aamco to get the transmission fluid and filter changed. They took it for a test drive and came back and told me I needed a complete rebuild job and it would cost around $800. They refused to change my fluid and filter. I drove the truck for 2 more years with no problems. That was my one and only experience with Aamco.AAMCO-
Absolutely-All-Must-Come-Out.

Answer 2

You should go somewhere else if you have the time. Only go to Aamco if you need something in a hurry. You are paying for convenience and so they can put commercials on TV. Go to the yahoo yellow pages and call around for prices and then drive to the place with the best price. If a mechanics shop looks clean and well maintained, then it will be fine. If the cheapest place look shabby, drive to the next cheapest place. Especially for something as standard as a filter and fluid change. You never know you might find a great mechanic on a simple thing like this that later you'll trust if something major happens. PS - A fluid and filter change is not rocket science, nor is it a liver transplant. Its a simple thing that like others stated will be an opportunity for Aamco to try to upsell you a bunch of things you don't need. Take this as an opportunity to try someone out. When it comes to mechanics inexpensive doesn't always mean bad, it often means low overhead costs.

Answer 3

My experience with AAMCO has been up and down. There is a long story which you can write me if you are curious but here is the summary. I have owned the same car since 1977 (it is restored and now a classic). AAMCO has replaced the transmission about 12 times on a guarantee they 'upsold' me back in 1980. The cost has been minimal because it is a 'lifetime' warranty, but that works out that their tranny's last about 2 + years. My suggestion... take the car to another transmission place and get a second opinion and estimate. You didn't mention the model car, but often you can get a good transmission from a recycler (from a car that had a head on or something like that) and have it installed for a lot less then AAMCO will charge you for a rebuilt one. That is about the bottom line approach (my 2 cents....) .

Answer 4

The Aamco shops are a franchise, and supposedly they all follow a high standard. Some are better then others, check around to see if there any complaints about the one you are considering.
You can check with the Better Business Bureau and you can also check out Aamco's web site.
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Get everything in writing.
If you don't understand the tech talk, ask them to repeat in English.
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I have to be careful when I talk to people that I don't get too technical or start talking over their head. (sheepish grin)
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Aamo has a good warranty but be sure to go over it with them.
If you find anything wrong, don't wait until the next day, go right back and explain what you think is wrong.

Answer 5

Call AAA and see who they recommend........Aamco or any other national repair chains are sometimes under pressure to upsell services or repairs when people bring in a vehicle for a basic service---it's a lowball tactic to get you to come in and once you're in, they can find all sorts of stuff wrong with your car and get you to spend more money, sometimes not always necessary. I would be a little wary of going to one of them but it's possible that they do good enough work to justify people coming back and use good people. Only way to know is get some advice from local mechanics or shops that may have heard good or bad things about them....call around.

Answer 6

They are a franchise so it depends on the owner. Better off going to your local shop at least it it easier to get to the owner if you have problems later

Answer 7

The only tranny shop/ repair I trust is my own.