34th Street Garage

This shop is extraordinary, and owner Gene Mayer and his staff were amazingly patient, diligent and professional in producing a satisfactory outcome. I had a special problem when I approached them in July 2013. My beloved limited-production 1954 Packard, which has been featured in a national magazine, on the cover of a Griot's Garage car-care catalog and in an upcoming book on late-model Packards, conked out on a very steep hill on Queen Anne. I had remembered seeing the 34th Street Garage on a stroll through Magnolia Village (during a car show, no less) and got the impression they really cared about cars and customer service. I called them as AAA was loading my car onto a flatbed tow truck. What followed was a complicated and frustrating project to get the car running again. Gene and chief mechanic, Kai, worked tirelessly to bring the car back to life and repair a myriad of unanticipated problems. Most shops would have given up. It now runs better than ever, and I am grateful for Gene's perseverance. Many thanks for a job well done. I'm looking forward to working with them again. more

My wife brought my car in to have the battery replaced and oil changed. The technician must not have tightened the drain plug enough though, because on the return trip from Snoqualmie Pass two days later, we lost it entirely and the engine died a few minutes later. This is really just a forgetful mistake, not evidence of a general ineptness. Pros: null Cons: null more

Our friends raved about 34th Street Garage and we are too! My husband started taking his "baby" there and was very pleased. My Mercedes has always been serviced at the dealer but recently needed significant work and 34th was several hundred dollars less. The work was done beautifully and they stayed open late to finish it up. We're raving about them now too! more

The first time I went into 34th Street Garage to make an appointment, a few years ago, my turn signals on my VW Passat were blinking fast and i thought the car would need major electrical repair. Gene, the owner, knew exactly what was wrong. Even though they were really busy Gene went out to the car and immediatly found a bad rear bulb in my left turn signal light. He quickly renewed the bulb and...bingo, fixed. I asked him what i owed him and he said "nothing, we dont nickel and dime our customers" Wow...exceptional...especially in this day and age. I dont have to explain to anybody how hard it is to find a good mechanic!! more

I've never, ever, ever, had a mechanic manhandle my car the way it was done during initial diagnosis, and I've never had a car returned to me dirty. The steering wheel was greasy, the gear shift knob was greasy, the keys were greasy, the door handle was greasy and the floor mat was filthy. We scrubbed the hard surfaces with a cleanser and then with glass cleaner AND then I used a baby wipe that came away dirty from the remaining grime. Didn't like the customer service guy, either. Very defensive when I expressed concern. Oh, and no storage lot, so your car sits on the street before and after it's serviced. more

My girlfriend needed an oil change and found a Valpack coupon for a $19.95 oil change at the 34th St. Garage. She dropped the car off while I waited in the other car. She confirmed that she was in for the $19.95 oil change, discussed the need for synthetic oil, and then we left. more

Gene and company are first rate. They have gone above and beyond duty in helping me keep my car in top running condition. Twice they have intervened for me - first with the Toyota Dealer in Seattle and then with a tire manufacturer, saving me hundreds of dollars. They never push services I don't need and their work is guaranteed. They even helped a friend visiting that had trouble with her Ford Bronco. She just had her car serviced at the Ford dealership and 34st St corrected a problem the dealer overlooked, and she was able to go on her way back to Oregon. Convenient location, reasonable prices ,and the best customer service I've ever experienced with car repairs. more

This is the first review I have written. I have always been a high performance automotive gal on a budget. Have been to so many shops/dealers over the years. Was quite loyal to a local shop for the last four years-no more. Kudo's to my buddy who, referred me to them. Pros: Everything! Cons: Live in West Seattle-Actually bused it over-Worth it! more

I have two experiences to relate about the 34th Street Garage. First, I thought I would take my car there for an oil change since I live very close to their location and had found a Val-Pak Coupon. I called several days in advance to ask about their oil change and was told that they only do oil changes between 8 and 10AM. I told them I had a coupon and asked if I should make an appointment. They said that yes, they only took appointments, so I made an appointment for a day that I happened to have off. My appointment was for 9 AM, and I showed up to their very tiny garage about 5 minutes early. I walked in and wasn?t even greeted by the man behind the counter. I told him I was there for my oil change appointment and he said, ?I just need a key.? He never showed me any paperwork and when I presented him with my coupon he seemed put-out to take it even though I had told them on the phone when I made my appointment that I had a coupon. He took my cell phone number to call when my car was done. In the meantime, an older man came into the office. I asked if they could give me an estimate of how long it would take to finish with my car, since I?d just be wandering around the neighborhood. Both men looked at each other puzzled. They shrugged their shoulders as if they couldn?t answer, and then told me it would be a couple of hours. I was more than surprised, and I asked why it would take so long. They said they had to take care of the people who got there before me. They apparently had 5-6 other cars ahead of me. I asked what the point was of me making an ?appointment? when it seemed to be first come first served. The older man was very defensive and said that they weren?t just an in-and-out place and it took time to do a safety inspection. I told him that even when I take my car to the dealership it only takes an hour and they do all of the same things the 34th Street Garage had said it would to. I said that?s the point of having an appointment?so they know you are coming. The older man said to the younger man, ?Just give her back her keys. We?re obviously not going to be able to get her car done in time for her.? He was very rude. I left feeling very deceived and that they had completely wasted my time. Had they told me when I made my so-called appointment that it would take hours for my oil to be changed, I could have planned for it, but to spring it on me after having me make an appointment felt like a really bad deal. Pros: close to my house Cons: Expensive repair, Bad customer service, takes too long more

I own an '89 Ford Festiva, which is very hard to find parts for since they're obsolete!! These guys will hunt down the cheapest part & do a great job!!! This is the second time I've brought my car to them & both times I've been pleased. Also, they have great customer service!!! Pros: Will search until they find the part at the cheapest price! Cons: There isn't any!!! more

I've been going to 34th Street Garage for over 7 years now since I got my license. He sold me 2 great cars and always handles them as if they were his own. He's not like any other mechanic I've been to because he also likes to talk and get to know you. He knows whats best for you and your car and that's why I'm grateful to Gene and the crew over at 34th street garage. Pros: Very knowledgable and has great prices more

Gene and his team seem to know every make, model, year of car. Gene is completely honest, and has saved me tons of money over the dealership. Recently had an experience that saved me from being ripped off by $1,000 by the dealership, no less! I highly recommend taking your car to Gene for any mechanical problems, or even if you need new tires, etc. Fair prices. Brilliant diagnosis. Honesty. How can you beat that? He is a true partner is keeping your car in great shape. Pros: Best mechanic in town Cons: Worth the trip over to Magnolia more

Moved to QA about 4 months ago. When my wife's car got a flat I took it there for repair and remounting. They were polite and It was free, so I figured I'd go back and give them a shot when her car needed an oil change. Bad decision. About 3-4 hours after I dropped it off, I got a call from a smooth, fast-talking guy who said there were four additional (major $$) things wrong that needed attention. After questioning him at length, I gave him the go ahead on one item. I got the old part back and it is clear it was not at all urgent. I paid the bill but we are never going back. Too bad because I really wanted to like them after they helped me out with the flat tire. Buyer beware. Pros: Great first impression Cons: Not trustworthy more

My van's engine blew up when my fiancee was driving it down the Express Lanes on I-5! We had it towed to Gene's 34th St. Garage (my girlfriend and her family have been going there for years) and was given prompt service. Gene got back to me very quickly with a couple of alternatives and prices so I could make an informed decision. Once I gave him the go-ahead, the work was completed exactly as promised and on time for the price quoted. Two days later, I was driving my van again like it was brand-new. Pros: Honest, efficient service more

My truck needed some serious love, so based on a recommendation I took my truck to 34th Street. The owner was very friendly and took a look at my truck and he ordered the parts asap and got my baby fixed up before closing time. On a Saturday too! The pricing was more then reasonable. I will definitely come here anytime I need work done on my baby. Pros: Knowledgable, Efficiant, Dilligent Cons: What are the drawbacks? more

My old Jeep Pros: quick, neat window sticker reminder Cons: hidden driveway more

I went to the 34th street garage with a nice coupon I found in Val-Pak for an oil change and tire rotation. The coupon was for 19.99 plus a dollar oil disposal fee. This was very nice for me because my apartment frowns apon changing my oil in the parking lot and I really don't want to spend a lot when I am used to doing it myself. I dropped off my car, walked down to Tully's for some hot chocolate and came back to pick up. It was quick, cheap, and they didn't even get greasy foot prints on my floor. I'll go back again. Pros: Good value, nice coupon, professional Cons: parking, a little far from my house more

I don't know why people have marked this place down at all. I also think it is suspicious that both reviews were written so alike and seem to almost be an advertisement for the other places they mention. Those people should read the User Review Guidelines about reviews posted by competitors before they post. Pros: Expert, competent, respectful, lowered labor rate to help in a suffering economy. Cons: Parking, Small shop so limited appointments availiable. more

Gene at 34th Street Garage has the rare combination of skill, integrity, and knowledge that just cannot be found in the world of automotive service. In many years of having my vehicles serviced by Gene, I cannot remember a bad incident, running a fleet of 5 to 13 trucks plus personal cars, when we have a problem Gene has always done a superior job of keeping us on the road. I recommend 34th Street Garage to anyone with any automotive issues, in fact, if your present mechanic can't solve it, Gene and his crew at 34th Street will. If it's performance you want this is the place. Pros: Incredible knowledge of the trade more

After my car and I being treated like we were hardly worth the time and not taken seriously because I'm a woman ( A woman with her own car a thing of myth I know!) God blessed me by finding the 34th street garage. The labor rate is a wee bit higher than other 'cookie cutter' places but you definatly get more than what you pay for. Here I am always greeted by the owner himself Gene. A family run business when Gene was missing I was more than helped by his lovely and charming daughter Vanessa. All my experiences have been quick, professional, curtious and most importantly done right the first time! Excellent customer service, Vanessa gave me a ride home, even stopping at the store on the way to pick up a perscription I had forgotten to pick up before I dropped off my car all at no extra charge. It's obvious that to gene and his family customers are more than just dollar signs. They even help out the community by donating to the Jaymie moyer foundation and sponsoring a local baseball team. Don't put up with other places B.S. this place is a great choice. Pros: quick, efficent, respectful, customer service Cons: Parking is a little hard more