Auto Mechanic - Highly Recommended

A few weeks ago I took my Ford Explorer in for service. I tried out this mechanic in West Ajijic that I can highly recommend. Call to make an appointment. His prices are excellent.
PABLO’S GARAGE - Excellent Work - Most Reasonably Priced
PABLO (Speaks English)
Carretera near Arroyo Alto
Tel: 766 4347

Escalera, in San Juan Cosala, formerly Riberas. Juan Carlos is a gem and in our experience very reasonable. Super professional service. North side of the carretera. He speaks english and has maintained both of our cars for years. We're pretty happy he moved here from Riberas.

01 387-761-0582.

E Raq - Sorry to disagree, but his prices are much higher than Pablo. He has good mechanics. For me Pablo is closer. Escalera screwed me on the price of an oil change. 850 pesos for an oil change that I can get done ANYWHERE for 400 pesos. Never again. He lost the business of 2 people. These people never learn.

Get some prices next time you have some work done.

E-raq wrote:Escalera, in San Juan Cosala, formerly Riberas. Juan Carlos is a gem and in our experience very reasonable. Super professional service. North side of the carretera. He speaks english and has maintained both of our cars for years. We're pretty happy he moved here from Riberas.

01 387-761-0582.

He wanted to tear my engine apart to find a strange little noise. Pablo correctly diagnosed a loose spark plug. No more Juan Carlos for me. Pablo is "the man."

David wrote:

E-raq wrote:Escalera, in San Juan Cosala, formerly Riberas. Juan Carlos is a gem and in our experience very reasonable. Super professional service. North side of the carretera. He speaks english and has maintained both of our cars for years. We're pretty happy he moved here from Riberas.

01 387-761-0582.

He wanted to tear my engine apart to find a strange little noise. Pablo correctly diagnosed a loose spark plug. No more Juan Carlos for me. Pablo is "the man."

OMG, David you and I agree on something!!! What next.

When we came here 11 years ago to visit friends who had already lived here 4 years and knew where to go, they recommended Pablo.

I used to use Francisco in Riberas until in front of me after asking for PENNZOIL 10 W - 40 oil for my car, he put in CHEVRON 20 W 40, that cheapo crap he buys at Costco. I washed my hands of him. Now his son (mr. no personality) runs it and the business is not as good.

Escalera is waaay overpriced so I switched to Llantera Hernandez, Roberto, next to Tony's restaurant. He always got the right oil and quality US made filter for me. He did a brake job on my neighbors car last year for 1,500 pesos, discs in front and drums in rear.

I had a quote from Roberto for 2,500 pesos to do my brakes (4 wheel discs). I had my car at Pablo's garage. He did my brakes for 1,700 pesos with the "best" brake pads, Raybestos Professional, Made in the USA, 800 pesos less than Roberto. He said Raybestos in Mexico was crap.

Yes John, on this we agree. We also both like good food although our tastes and preferences may be different.

Well, to each his own. For our Nissan's we prefer Juan Carlos. Of course if he messes us about we'll have to rethink. So far no problems.

I always had good experience with him until the strange noise problem. I think for routine maintenance he's fine.

David wrote:I always had good experience with him until the strange noise problem. I think for routine maintenance he's fine.

Not for oil changes. For oil changes go to Llantera Hernandez (Roberto), next to Tony's restaurant or Pablo's garage in West Ajijic near Arroyo Alto. You can specify what oil you want.

OK, I need to get the front end inspected on my van as it feels kind of loose. It probably needs ball joints and tie rod ends. I could also use two new tires. Who would be the best to perform this work?

CanuckBob wrote:OK, I need to get the front end inspected on my van as it feels kind of loose. It probably needs ball joints and tie rod ends. I could also use two new tires. Who would be the best to perform this work?

Talk to Pablo. Ask for an estimate, although his prices are the best in the area. He's extremely honest. I'll show you what he did for me and his prices. He worked on our friends 25 year old Mercedes.

You could choose tires at a tire dealer yourself including Costco. If you are keeping the van, put on a couple of Michelin All Terrains from Albarran Tire in GDL. That's what I have on all 4 wheels.

Does Pablo have a shop complete with hoist, wheel alignment machine, etc?

CanuckBob wrote:Does Pablo have a shop complete with hoist, wheel alignment machine, etc?

No alignment machine that I know of, I wouldn't bother aligning a car with these streets. My car hasn't been aligned in 10 years and shows no wear on tires. You can go to Car City for alignment after you have Pablo replace rod ends and ball joints. I don't trust them for anything else.

Just a girl brain question, what causes tires to wear down? I always thought mis alignment on the wheel shafts or whatever they are called was the cause. In the states we had it done every so many miles. Here it would seem it would need to be done more, or is that rotating the tires?

Yes, poor wheel alignment and under/over inflated tires cause premature tire wear. They can also cause potentially dangerous situations. I wouldn't even consider getting ball joints/tie rod ends replaced without a proper alignment afterwards.

CanuckBob wrote:Yes, poor wheel alignment and under/over inflated tires cause premature tire wear. They can also cause potentially dangerous situations. I wouldn't even consider getting ball joints/tie rod ends replaced without a proper alignment afterwards.

You can have it done, but how long do you think it will hold the alignment when you hit a few deep potholes, of which there are many on these crappy Mexican roads.

An FYI for John:

Back when we were making 2500 to 3500 mile round trip drives from New Mexico, prior to each trip I would have all my struts, steering mechanism, tires inspected prior to doing an alignment. Upon our return, I would have the same done. It was rare that the alignment was out of whack when we returned. Certainly cobblestone streets, potholes and topes can be hard on a vehicle but I would submit it is all in how one drives. An alert driver can avoid probably 95% of the potholes or at the very least slow down so as not to stress the suspension. Surprise topes are probably the biggest killer of suspensions?

As I have stated in the past, I tend to drive very fast, especially on the cuotas! YMMV!

Potholes and topes won't throw your alignment out nearly as quickly as turning against/hitting curbs while parallel parking and such. Potholes and topes are harder on the shocks and struts especially if one doesn't slow down for them.

Thank you

Go see Oscar at Grupo Olmesa, the "Michelin Store" on the Libramiento. Tires, alignment, front-end work, and brakes are his business. He has good equipment, he knows what he's doing, and his prices are excellent. I've been doing business with him for 7 years. He doesn't speak much english but I've not found that to be a problema.

Thanks David. That sounds like what I am looking for. A complete suspension and tire shop.

He's a good guy. Drop in around 9:30/10 before he gets too busy.

John, Where is your guy exactly please? It sounds convenient for me in SJC. I use Francisco - son mostly but dad was there the last time. I watch them put the oil in and they use the 10W40 as I ask. But your guy is much closer so will give him a try.

simpsca wrote:John, Where is your guy exactly please? It sounds convenient for me in SJC. I use Francisco - son mostly but dad was there the last time. I watch them put the oil in and they use the 10W40 as I ask. But your guy is much closer so will give him a try.

Coming from SJC you'll see the Pemex/OXXO on your left, go really slow, a 4 door strip mall on the left has ILLUMINA + DECORA in it, and you'll see huge gates with cars parked in front. No sign. The small gate will be open. Call first after 9:00 PM. 766 4347. I think you'll find Pablo is cheaper. Speaks great English.

Ask him any questions. He'll explain it to you.

Probably best to call after 9 AM.