Jake’s Automotive

I was at Jake’s for my first time this week. My car was in for an oil change. I will say the staff was very friendly. The business is very clean and comfortable. The price was fair and the oil change was finished in the time frame promised. I’m very happy and I will be a customer. I recommend.

Over over inflated pricing. Battery exchange quote $ 280, got it done at Sears for $ 170 and they included a 3 year warranty. Same pricing craziness on other quotes from them, on average they are 40% higher for no reason whatsoever. Save your money and go some other place.

I went to this shop after having great experiences at the Auburn Hills location, but could not drop my vehicle off on a Saturday there like I needed to do. At the Troy location, I received an estimate for repair that included many other items that I thought I did not need relative to the age of the vehicle. I was skeptical enough to pay the diagnostic fee and take it some where else. I ended up getting it repaired for ¹⁄₃^rd of the cost that Jake’s wanted to charge. It was money well spent to go to another shop. I would continue to think highly of the Auburn Hills location, but will not be going back to the Troy location.

We have been going to Jake’s for years. Why? Because in our experience, they have been nothing but honest and helfpul! On many occassions, i have gotten quotes/​diagnoses from other places (e.g. the dealership) first and then call to see what the guys at Jake think! And they will say, «That sounds good» or, more likely, I can get the car fixed a lot cheaper at Jake’s. One time, i had my car towed FROM the dealership to Jakes and saved A LOT of money even with the tow fee.
I just dont feel comfortable taking my car anywhere else — you just dont know what you’re going to get.
I read these negative reviews on here and while i understand that some people had a bad experience that i sympathize with, who is to say they would have been charged less or had a better/​faster experience somewhere else? The problem is: You never know. That’s the fear and agony of auto repair: You’re at the mercy of the repair guys and your life kind of hangs in the balance! (Who can survive without a car in metro Detroit??)
BUT, I really do think these guys are tuly good guys who do their very best by their customers. I’d refer anyone to Jake’s with utter confidence. I dont think you can do better anywhere else. This goes for the Auburn Hills store too.

Felt like they were dishonest. Mis-​diagnosed a problem and charged for a repair which was not the cause of the problem. They then tried to charge me for the actual problem on top of what I had already paid. I declined and took the vehicle to a more reputable shop.

Wow. Brought my car in here because of the 5 star reviews to get a leak fixed. I was losing antifreeze every time I refilled, so I assumed the problem was in my radiator hoses or clamps, but I couldn’t find it. They told me over the phone they could do it while I waited, but when I arrived Monday afternoon, they told me bluntly and without apology I’d have to leave it over night. Fair enough. I walked the mile home in the cold and waited for the verdict.
In the morning, I woke up to a voicemail that said the repair would cost $ 565, far, far more than I had expected/​hoped to have to pay. Apparently my thermostat housing had a crack, and they’d have to repair that. Not knowing much about that kind of repair, I told them we just couldn’t afford that right now and to hold off until I figured something out.
They called back two hours later to tell me they could «work things out» so that the cost of the repair would only be $ 400. Confused at how so much money came off the bill once I refused the repair, and sensing a negotiated scam, I told them to wait still while I checked with my wife. She smelled a scam too, and I began researching online.
Turns out the Thermostat Housing part itself only cost $ 20 online!!! Surely labor costs money, but that difference seemed ridiculous. I called back and told them I’d pick it up, and they explained that if I decided not to do the coolant flush, it would only cost $ 230 to fix the broken part. I had never asked for a coolant flush, they had added it on assuming I wouldn’t ask about it.
When I asked if the coolant flush had anything to do with the leak I had asked to be repaired, they said no (SERIOUSLY.), but it needed to be done. After researching that a bit with in-​laws and grandparents and the trusty internet, I realized $ 300 for a coolant flush is indeed a total scam, and $ 230 for the thermostat housing repair is also ridiculous.
I wanted the leak repaired, and they found it, but instead of offering to fix it and explaining all of the additional costs and why they needed to be done, they told me to be able to drive my car safely over the impending holidays, I’d need nearly $ 600 worth of repairs. Turns out it drove just fine for the four hours to Columbus, OH for Thanksgiving, and then with a drive to AutoZone and two hours of (relatively) easy work, the car is good as new. The father-​in-​law helped me replace the thermostat housing (for $ 30!!!). I’ll be getting a cooling system flush elsewhere for under $ 100.
From $ 565 to $ 30 (and maybe, optionally the $ 100). So upset. This place sucks.

This is the only place I will take my car. At 120,000 miles, it needs a lot of TLC, and the guys at Jake’s are professional and polite. They are also honest, and won’t charge you for anything you don’t actually need. They call you very quickly after taking your car in. I love this place!

The guys at Jake’s are very professional. Their work is honest and of a high quality nature. Best of all, they will let you bring in your own parts if you like (they do not guarantee the parts in this case.) This has allowed me to save a bundle on car repair over the past four years. They stand behind what they do and they also provide complimentary transport to your home or place of business. Once again, let me stress how honest these guys are; I brought my car in last month for a check up and because my suspension was giving me trouble. I told them that we «would probably need to replace the struts and shocks.» I was fully prepared mentally to fork over the dough for this expensive overhaul. After looking at the car, they recommended I replace the sway bars and a bushing… repairs that were waaay less expensive. Problem solved. I am a loyal customer.

Excellent customer service. Very straightforward and prices are reasonable. I will always be thankful to a friend who recommended this place to me. They also usually have your car ready on time.
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Updating to 5 stars. Over 4 years, this place consistently delivered top quality service. It’s one of those places where you can relax and be sure that you’re not going to be ripped off.
All the staff is very professional (special mention for Chris) and Joe the owner is a very nice person to deal with as well.

I’m upgrading my four-​star rating to five stars because we’ve gone to Jake’s multiple times and have been extremely happy with the service each and every time.
The most recent visit was actually today, when I took my car in for a 95,000 mile checkup. They called within an hour of dropping it off to tell me what they found and what needed to be done, explaining everything in detail – not just giving me a total. I even asked to have something extra done (check my A/​C) and his first question was «Is it working?» I said it was working fine – so they told me «If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.» And went on to tell me that they COULD check it but it’s best not to mess with it unless something was obviously wrong. Kudos to them for being honest. I can imagine other places just going ahead with the service without a second thought.
It’s honest service like that that keeps us coming back with both of our cars!