Good News Garage

I cannot say enough great things about the team at Good News Garage. I brought in my 2006 Honda Civic with a serious issue and walked out with what feels like a completely different car. The scope of work these guys tackled was enormous. We are talking a full engine replacement due to a cracked block, a new A/C compressor and condenser, rear brakes and rotors, stabilizer links, compliance bushings, thermostat, spark plugs, drive belt, all oil seals, a four wheel alignment, and a state inspection. The fact that they coordinated all of this seamlessly and got it done in one shot is a testament to how well this shop is run. Casey at the front desk was fantastic from start to finish. He kept the communication clear, the process transparent, and made sure there were no surprises along the way. That kind of customer service is rare and genuinely appreciated. Ryan and his father Craig are the real deal. Ryan's expertise is on another level. Diagnosing a cracked engine block, sourcing a quality used engine, and executing a job this complex requires someone who truly knows what they are doing, and Ryan delivered. You can tell this is a guy who takes enormous pride in his craft. Craig brings the kind of seasoned experience that only comes from decades in the business, and together they are an incredible team. The car is running like an absolute top. Smooth, quiet, and responsive in a way it has not been in years. Honestly could not be happier. Good News Garage has a customer for life.

If you're searching for an amazing auto repair shop, look no further than Good News Garage. From the incredible skill of their mechanics to their phenomenal pricing, this place is truly a gem. The team at Good News Garage is top-notch. The mechanics are fantastic and their abilities are truly amazing. They're able to quickly and accurately diagnose issues, and their work is always done with incredible precision and care. They don't just fix the problem; they ensure your car is running in its best possible condition. What's even better is their pricing. It's truly phenomenal and incredibly fair, especially for the high quality of work you receive. They're transparent about costs and won't try to sell you on unnecessary repairs. A huge part of what makes this garage so special is the owner and manager, who are one and the same person. This individual is absolutely spectacular—kind, honest, and truly dedicated to their customers. They go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience, and their positive attitude and professionalism make you feel confident that you're in good hands. Good News Garage is more than just a repair shop; it's a place you can trust. I highly recommend them for all your auto repair needs.

To cut to the chase: be very careful. I took my car here for a burning smell; they looked at the issue but were unable to diagnose a cause despite there being 3 potential sources including the engine running out of oil, the engine being overfilled with oil (documented on their invoice) and the timing cover reportedly leaking oil. We were then told not to drive it on the interstate, suggesting a safety concern but they did not indicate a reason or any urgent recommendations. They also recommended $7400 of additional work for 10 issues they discovered. Given the extraodinary cost, I took it to our usual mechanic at Fresh Pond Gas (we had tried GNG on the strong recommendation of a friend), who had no idea what they were talking about aside from 1-2 of their listed issues. One of the more concerning details was Good News flagged the AC compressor (and we had never complained about issues with our AC) as seized but the AC works-- this is impossible if the AC compressor is seized. The only explanation for this is they never ran the AC or they fabricated the entire issue. Of note, the replacement they quoted was $1500. The other issues they claimed involved different components of the car that were reportedly leaking and rusting out; my trusted mechanic assured us any rust was due to normal wear and tear(superficial rust is ubiquitous to vehicles in NE due to the salt and weather)-- not issues that needed attention or even monitoring; nothing was leaking. The quotes on these issues were significantly greater than the average cost, some times 2-3x's. However, the most concerning fact was they flagged a rusted subframe but never alerted me to this issue. The subframe is a structural metal frame that supports the engine, suspension, and steering systems — it's fundamental to the car's safety and handling. Damage to it is one of the most serious findings a mechanic can make. If the subframe is in any way rusted to the point where it is flagged by a mechanic, the owner needs to be aware of it because it is a huge safety issue. Either GNG neglected what could have been a wildly dangerous situation or the rust was not an issue. Interestingly, while diagnosing numerous issues as noted above, GNG seemed to miss a number of items that ultimately needed to be addressed including a failing battery, clutch, flywheel, and rotors-- all which needed replacement. The failing battery became problematic because it died suddenly on me while I was driving, requiring me to have it towed to my mechanic. My understanding is that a battery that suddenly fails can be dangerous since the steering is often electrically powered (as my system is). In their defense, they did diagnose 2 issues correctly-- front control arms and brake pads (which they overquoted). I also found the invoice intriguing-- it was professionally printed out with my information, VIN, license plate, what was done, the charges, etc. On the bottom, the list of recommendations was listed. However, the estimates for these recommendations were all handwritten in pen and not itemized with estimates for labor, parts, etc. I was under the impression that for any modern computerized system for a garage, which GNG presumably has, an itemized estimate for a proposed recommendation would be printed out with the rest of the document. I could not identify any legitimate explanation for this practice at a modernized garage. In the end, thank god we got the second opinion, because it saved us at least $5000. 6/11: had a call with Casey, who admitted a seized compressor could not blow cold air. Stated the diagnosis was due to a miscommunication between him and his tech, who reportedly "smelled something that smelled like a seized compressor." When asked how often he diagnosed issues based on smell, he said, “there is no standard anything in this business—every situation is different.” Asked if there was documentation to describe details of what happened, he replied, "nothing gets logged into a computer." Lots more happened during this call that I'm still trying to wrap my head around.

Good News Garage’s transparency, accountability, and warm customer reception build trust and confidence even before a service date is set. That’s the lasting impact of their service.

I love the guys at Good News when I drive my 2012 Sequoia. It’s an older vehicle but is still a beast bc of Good News Garage. It’s really comforting to me knowing I am in good hands.