View Poll Results: Does 757 need a good performance shop?
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Does 757 need a good performance shop??
semicolonD.net
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,190
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From: Raleigh, NC
Re: Does 757 need a good performance shop??
Depends on the prices, and what job needs done. I think most people do the work themselves, but depending on how big a pain in the ass the job is, I'd be willing to pay to have someone do it if the price was right.
Like the longtube install on my car. Most places wanted $400+ for the labor because it is a sever PITA. I did it myself, but for a better price would have gladly paid someone to do it for me.
Like the longtube install on my car. Most places wanted $400+ for the labor because it is a sever PITA. I did it myself, but for a better price would have gladly paid someone to do it for me.
yea, my timing belt needs to be channged people keep saying 500-700 to change it... it's a 45 dollar belt people.. come on. After shopping around Im getting it done for about 200 by another shop.
Thread Starter
Not Yet
Joined: Aug 2003
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Re: Does 757 need a good performance shop??
First of all, there are quite a few good shops around here. Just because you don't see their name plastered throughout this site doesn't mean they don't exist.
Could the area use a really good performance shop, sure. But a 'one stop shop that does everything'...... I don't see it happening. I'd rather take my time and go to a place that does the one specific thing exceptional, rather than a place that does it on the side every now and then. You want a roll cage? Go to Matt Wert. You want machine work? Go to Abacus. Audio? Go to Audiocrafters. etc....
Are these places the cheapest? Nope. They're not cheap because they are the best around at what they do, and can charge for it. But you know what you'll get before you even walk in the door. The big problem is that most young people on here (and into cars in general) don't want to pay for a professional to do a job when 'their boy' can 'hook it up for them'. And then sometimes 'their boy' opens up a shop and starts doing things off the books. This is where everything becomes shifty and all of the bullshit comes spewing out.
And some say that some places are not as performance oriented. Realize that the performance part of a shop is just for shits and giggles. Shops around here keep their lights on by putting brakes on 95 Buicks and replacing blown motors in mid 90s Isuzu Troopers. It’s not always fun and it’s not always easy because if it was, then everyone would do it.
Could the area use a really good performance shop, sure. But a 'one stop shop that does everything'...... I don't see it happening. I'd rather take my time and go to a place that does the one specific thing exceptional, rather than a place that does it on the side every now and then. You want a roll cage? Go to Matt Wert. You want machine work? Go to Abacus. Audio? Go to Audiocrafters. etc....
Are these places the cheapest? Nope. They're not cheap because they are the best around at what they do, and can charge for it. But you know what you'll get before you even walk in the door. The big problem is that most young people on here (and into cars in general) don't want to pay for a professional to do a job when 'their boy' can 'hook it up for them'. And then sometimes 'their boy' opens up a shop and starts doing things off the books. This is where everything becomes shifty and all of the bullshit comes spewing out.
And some say that some places are not as performance oriented. Realize that the performance part of a shop is just for shits and giggles. Shops around here keep their lights on by putting brakes on 95 Buicks and replacing blown motors in mid 90s Isuzu Troopers. It’s not always fun and it’s not always easy because if it was, then everyone would do it.
There is no way I would ever open up a shop that does everything at one place, unless I could do my best at every single part of it.
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Not Yet
Joined: Aug 2003
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Re: Does 757 need a good performance shop??
My thoughts are that the peninsula would be a great place to open a trustworthy shop, as there are not many on this side. Also if a shop was that good, I would travel 30 minutes to get to it. Shoot, I take all my machine work to Seth at Abacus because I know the HE will do it right for me and I have no problem driving my truck to bring the stuff to him.
semicolonD.net
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,190
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: Does 757 need a good performance shop??
well.. you should only get people who know what they are doing if ya run a shop. get people who are skills at one thing, and let them do what they do... like the engine guy works on the motors and should not be painting cars in the paint booth. get a guy who knows how to paint to do that job. and etc.
Do You Want More?
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,197
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, Va
Re: Does 757 need a good performance shop??
if you know youre going to put out reliable product, somewhere in norfolk would be best due to its central location as a city IMO. good luck
Thread Starter
Not Yet
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,021
Likes: 0
Re: Does 757 need a good performance shop??
well.. you should only get people who know what they are doing if ya run a shop. get people who are skills at one thing, and let them do what they do... like the engine guy works on the motors and should not be painting cars in the paint booth. get a guy who knows how to paint to do that job. and etc.
git down on it
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
Re: Does 757 need a good performance shop??
Depends on the prices, and what job needs done. I think most people do the work themselves, but depending on how big a pain in the ass the job is, I'd be willing to pay to have someone do it if the price was right.
Like the longtube install on my car. Most places wanted $400+ for the labor because it is a sever PITA. I did it myself, but for a better price would have gladly paid someone to do it for me.
Like the longtube install on my car. Most places wanted $400+ for the labor because it is a sever PITA. I did it myself, but for a better price would have gladly paid someone to do it for me.
VR-4ever
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,708
Likes: 0
From: not in russia.
Re: Does 757 need a good performance shop??
The big problem is that most young people on here (and into cars in general) don't want to pay for a professional to do a job when 'their boy' can 'hook it up for them'. And then sometimes 'their boy' opens up a shop and starts doing things off the books. This is where everything becomes shifty and all of the bullshit comes spewing out.
First and foremost, a shop needs three VITAL things:
professionalism. (generally keeping a tight ship, finances, checks and balances in order. Always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS write a work order and have it signed before taking in a job.)
communication. (yes, during working hours you HAVE TO drop your wrench and answer the damn phone.)
customer service. (Make them feel as though they are number one. Answer all questions. Go into detail. Be polite. Ask them if they have any other questions. Tell them to call you at any time during working hours for anything. Did you fuck something up on a customer car? Be a responsible business and make it right. Is there something that you didn't touch that could be a potential problem? Notify the customer. You cater to THEM. Not the other way around.)
Next in priority comes the shop's direction. I would rather a shop do one specific thing well than be a "jack" of all trades. Work relationships with other shops to trade work referrals between your different specialties. (one side note, it should not be import or domestic. Cars are cars, engines are engines. Open up your market to both.)
Next comes the qualities of the technicians. Personally, I'd take skill over speed. Someone that has OCD preferrably. Someone with the correct specialty tools that could be needed. Someone that can be counted on, when he says something is going to be done, you don't have to second guess. You KNOW it will be done.
On a personal note, if I won the lottery, I'd open a shop. (Or work for Ray Pampena in Long Island.) As it stands, my day job pays the bills reliably. There are too few people in this area that I see meeting these requirements to open a successful shop with me, so I will continue to work out of my garage/travel.
btw, VR-4ever Auto-electronics has been established for one year on the 22nd. Thanks for allowing me to modify/troubleshoot/install your cars. I'm happy to continue offering top notch work.
/shameless plug.
- Jay
Last edited by Jay; Jan 19, 2007 at 02:04 PM.