Shorty & Fred's Garage

I wish i could give them NO STARS ! the only good thing about this place is GEORGE! \r \r I dropped my car off to have a diagnostic test ran. When Nelson, the owner, called me and told me i needed to replace the alternator and the battery, I told him not to do any work and that I would have the car towed. Later that day, they called and told me my car was finished. Confused, i asked what they meant, and they had replaced the alternator. I was frustrated and told them I did not want that service and they told me they would put my old one back in and have it ready on Monday 1/13. I did not receive any call on Monday, so on Tuesday 1/14, I called right when they opened. The owner Nelson, answered and began arguing with me telling me that he had been in the business for 42 years, and that I was wrong, not him. I told him I did not authorize the work to be done and he kept arguing, and eventually he called me a drunk, and went on to tell me I had no idea what I was talking about. Other names called include: crazy, dumb, and insane. As if the name calling and yelling weren't enough, when I went to another mechanic, it turns out the problem wasn't even the alternator at all, it was just the battery. They were trying to charge me 600$ for something that did not even need to be done! This place is a joke, just because you are the owner doesn't give anyone the right to talk to their guests in that way. I ended up just paying for the diagnostic test, which i shouldn't have had to do, considering they claimed something was wrong with my car when it wasn't. NEVER GOING BACK ! AND TELLING EVERYONE I KNOW ! more

It's rare that one finds an auto repair business that does outstanding work and stands behind their work at the level Shorty's and Fred's does. If you have a problem with your car and live anywhere in Miami, it's worth your time to drive over to the beach and have it repaired here. Fair prices for their work that will beat anything done by a dealer is only one reason to come. They're fair, honest and totally reliable too. While growing up on Miami Beach in the 60's, the original Shorty and Fred serviced my family's cars. When I returned to live on the Beach 10 years ago I was surprised and delighted to find Shorty and Fred's still in operation. Only now being run by the descendants of the founders. The quality of their work enabled me to drive a 740IL BMW long after my dealer warrantee expired. My neighbor recently took their car their to check a tire with low air pressure. They fixed the tire, replaced a broken tail light and wouldn't take payment. You can't go wrong bringing your car to them. more

I have been using Shorty & Freds for 10 years, they are professional and always able to do things that the dealer wants to charge me an arm and a leg to fix. I have an 89 Landrover Discovery, and I must say they break often and parts are expensive, but Shorty & Freds offers alternative repair. The rear window would not go up. A new motor costed about $200 plus labor, instead they offered to freeze the window in the up position, I hardly ever use it anyway, and they saved me $200, and only charged me $50 in labor. I highly reccomned them, but I suggest you call to make an appointment, as they are very busy, and have been in business since 1952 !! more