Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center

Went in to have a tire alignment and asked to get my battery changed too since 2 different places told me it was bad.
Got a call back later in the day — Hey, we don’t think its your battery, we think its the fuel pump. We want to change that, the fuel pump modulator, give you new spark plugs, and oh, its only about $ 1200.
The worst is they wanted authorization over the phone for all this work. I said, I can’t do it now, that’s too much. Let me look into it. Their reply: Well, you really need to have this done or you risk serious damage to your engine. We also offer a credit card you can sign up for to use to pay for the work.
Luckily, I realized things seemed off and called a close friend who works as a mechanic back home for more information. In the end, I went to a mechanic I trust here in Iowa City and had my battery changed as planned. My fuel pump was tested and is fine and my engine hasn’t had catastrophic failure.
I will never give Tuffy my service again and have told my friends about this story.
Best part was getting a letter in the mail a few weeks later reminding me to come in to Tuffy’s to have all this fixed and offered $ 50 off the work. I laughed and threw it away.

I have a Suzuki sx4 which needed ac repair. Suzuki dealers closed in US in Dec.2012 so my option was to find a good mechanic locally. Called Tuffys and they gave me appointment next morning. They performed a free checkup and advised me to get blower motor. I did my own research as the owner knows best about problem and after some discussions on Suzuki forums, figured that I needed three parts other than blower. Ordered online and got parts in 3 days. Went to Tuffys again. They initially gave me an estimate of $ 700 but called me again in a hour that they can finish in less time and estimate around 500 but on completion it took even less time so charged me 380. I don’t know if its plain honesty or business tactic but felt good paying less amount when I had no choice but to agree to higher :) I think they are honest people and never misguided me during my experience. Diagnosis: Although free it was not complete and if I hadn’t done my research that would require three more trips. Workmanship: Good and everything works. Charges: Reasonable and were honest to tell the exact time taken for job. Conclusion: I would recommend Tuffys atleast for AC jobs.

I was in the midst of a cross-​country trip in my 30-​year-​old RV, when my water pump blew out 10 miles from Iowa City on I-​80. While waiting for the tow truck, I called a few repair places in town to decide who to fix it, and they were all extremely non-​committal, telling me it could be days before they could get me the part.
I called Tuffy’s and while I was on the phone, the manager sourced my water pump (at his third vendor) and said that while they closed at 4pm (it was 1:30 and I was still waiting on the tow truck) he’d do his best to get it in.
When I got to Tuffy’s it was just after 2pm, and he had already ordered the water pump and had a mechanic waiting to install it. They did the job in less than two hours, also replaced a messed up belt, topped off my fluids, and had me on the road about 3 hours from me pulling over on I-​80 and calling the tow truck.
This was on a Saturday and nobody else was willing to do more than let me park the thing in their lot until Monday. Tuffy’s not only got me back on the road, but saved me a ton in hotels, etc. I was able to make a stop in Des Moines that evening and won nearly enough on the Craps table to pay for the repairs!
Thanks Tuffy’s!

I used to go here for my oil changes. (used to … because I recently purchased a new car and my dealership gives free oil changes). The workers are pretty friendly and are always able to answer my questions in a polite and educated manner. They always had a decent amount of openings for me to easily make an appointment over the phone. When I arrived there, I waited for my car in the store, and it usually took quicker than the informed waiting time.
Don’t forget to print out the $ 5 off coupon for oil changes, which is posted on their website.
Last time I went, after I paid, the lady behind the counter gave me a carnation as I left. At first I was confused, but saw the whole pile of them behind the counter and realized it was just a simple customer appreciation gesture. A simple carnation from an auto service shop was a bit refreshing (considering it was an auto shop) and definitely won me over.

I had Tuffy check out a wheel on my car. I was stupid and hit one of those real low curbs in that damn Walmart parking lot.
They were incredibly nice to me there. I appreciate their patience with my abrasive personality. I am also pretty ditsy and they were very nice about it.
The gentleman that worked on my car was soo handsome. If he’s single, I might have to go back and ask him on a date…

They were fairly polite and had quite fast service. The price was around average for a front break job with ceramic pads. Two complaints, they up sell a lot of services like fuel system cleanings (which I might of fell for :/​), and they don’t offer to show you what needs fixed in the shop. Overall, pretty decent, and I might use again. The payment plan options are pretty nice for those on a budget.

Don’t go here. I came here once because it was close to my house and my regular guy (Iowa City Tire) couldn’t get me in right away. They told me I needed a $ 1500 repair. I bolted and waited to get seen at IC Tire and it only cost me $ 300. Scary!

Tuffy is an auto repair shop that seems to have a grasp on most auto repairs. I’ve taken my car there for basic stuff such as an oil change to bigger stuff like brakes, air conditioner work, general auto problems and more.
The staff is always friendly and seems to be very quick in their service. They do free estimates and will take you into the garage to see what they are talking about and what needs fixed. They have a shuttle so you can drop off your car and get a ride to work and back again. Or you can sit in their waiting room and watch TV, read a magazine or have some coffee. It is near several restaurants you could walk to while you wait as well.
The only problem I’ve had is that their labor cost is «per job» so the last time I wound up spending $ 92.43 per hour for two hours, and it wasn’t negotiable.