Tires? Oil Change?

[watercolorblue.livejournal.com]

Hey folks,

I need to buy new tires and get an oil change. Where in the Somerville/Cambridge/Medford area would you recommend? I drive a '90 Civic.

Thanks!

Comments

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

Hondar House on Prospect. The ONLY place I'll take my car.

[watchamacallit.livejournal.com]

Me too! Expensive but they do great work.

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

I disagree about 'expensive'. Not rock-bottom cheap, but WAY cheaper than any Honda dealership in the area, for example.

[watchamacallit.livejournal.com]

I've yet to walk out without spending $1000. But yes, cheaper than a dealership, for sure. But they do not use cheap-ass after market parts, which mkes it more expensive than many other places. From now on I'll be purchasing my own parts online through a wholesaler though, after seeing a friend do that and save hundreds.

[jwinter.livejournal.com]

Will they install parts that they didn't buy? And is there a particular wholesaler that you recommend?

For tires, tirerack.com is the way to go. They'll "drop-ship" the tires to whatever mechanic you want and you can have them installed there. Way cheaper and you can get much nicer tires than buying them locally.

[watchamacallit.livejournal.com]

Most mechanics will install parts if you bring them in but it's best to ask them first and request a detailed parts list. My boyfriend did this at the Honda place in Newton and just searched online for honda parts.

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

(Of course, I'm not actually sure that they DO tire sales, but I'd go wherever they send me…)

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

For oil changes, I"d absolutely avoid the "quick lube" type chains. I've heard a bunch of horror stories about them.

[joylewis.livejournal.com]

I always go to Munro Muffler (also in Union Square, right next to the Gulf station mentioned above.) Fitz takes good care of me--showing me parts that are wearing out and estimating how long I have left and how much it would cost to repair/replace. He's even told me to buy tires elsewhere and offered to install them for me because I'd get a better deal that way.

[gildersleeve.livejournal.com]

Ideal Engine on Day Street is very good, especially on foreign cars - family owned and personalized service.

[twe.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend & I both like Century Tire on Beacon Street.

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned Direct Tire in Watertown yet. They're stellar. Not cheap, but I wouldn't go anywhere else for tires. (And yes, they do oil changes too).