Carl’s 66 Serv Station

I went in there to get my oil changed, and they decided to do a full service check up instead, giving me new filters that I didn’t ask for, and running up the bill to be over $ 75.

Sitting at Jiffy Lube getting an oil change making me think of my car… Which makes me think of Carl’s.
The owner’s name is Mike and him and I go way back. One of the few people I still like after giving them about $ 5k.
This man will tell you like it is. What you can wait to fix, what you need to fix, and when it might be time to throw in the towel (he told me if I need another big repair I should part ways with my VW).
He truly has done all the major repairs on my car.
And he is a really nice guy. He once did a free oil change because I had just spent so much. Last time? I had him replace the wires, coils, and shock plugs in my car and it was raining outside. I live about a couple miles away and Mike offered me a ride. When I turned him down he gave me his own umbrella.
Which is pretty fabulous service. Service you probably wouldn’t get anywhere else.

I have been a customer of Mike for over 10 years. He has always been helpful and attentive to my situation and needs. He’s honest about what he sees and what he does. If it turns out to be a real simple fix, he doesn’t try to beef up the problem and get more out of you. When he talks about what he’s done or needs to do, he lays it out in easy to understand terms with no tech babble or flourish.
He’s also upfront about any other issue he finds. If I took my car in for repair, he would sometimes point out things that don’t need to be fixed now but might need to be eventually, whether it was serious or not really a big deal (brakes, tires, etc), and about how long I could go before it became a real issue. In every case he was right, said item would get to be a problem later. Usually though there’s nothing extra he points out that needs attention, so I know he’s he’s doing it because he understands cars and legitimately wants them to work best for you.
After several moves I now live over 10 miles away, and I still will take my car to him every time, even for simple oil changes. He’s the most honest mechanic I’ve ever come across and has always treated me right. I’ll be seeing him in about an hour for a strange electrical problem in my car and I have every confidence the issue will be resolved when it leaves his lot.

They have completed various work on two of my cars. The prices aren’t the cheapest, but they are not that much more if you compare to other shops. Either way, it’s worth it to me. I get good work for a fair price. They are also very honest about what needs to be done and what doesn’t. Something rare these days in the world of automotive repair. They also talk to you like a human being and not some schmo.

Great south city neighbor hood garage. These guys are honest and give it to you straight. I have been to other places that have tried to take advantage, because I appear to be a clueless girl when it comes to cars. Mike, Gary and Skip never once tried to dumb it down for me. They’ve got my business.

I always appreciate the service I get from this place. I’ve been here twice and Mike is a genuine, all around great person. Okay. being a female needing repairs can be tricky. I know how that sounded but I’m talking about my car. You’ve got so many mechanics waiting for a sucker to come along so they can take advantage. Both visits here Mike was able to work me in and repair my car. He keeps it real and he’s very knowledgeable. One Unilocaler mentioned he was a bit pricey. I don’t mind paying a few extra bucks for quality service.

Though they were quite busy today they were very accommodating and squeezed in an emissions inspection for my car on the last day of the month. Mike was very friendly to me on the phone and when picking up the car… definitely recommend this independent neighborhood shop to anyone!

My husband and I have been going to Carls 66 for a little over a year now (we live just down the street!) Mike, the main mechanic, is one of the friendliest, most honest people around. He’ll give you the straight up story with your vehicle and nothing else — won’t try to nickle and dime, coax, or confuse you into services you aren’t sure about.
Just this week, I had the fuel pump quit on my 2006 Cobalt (I’m slowly finding out why this model was discontinued.). Mike told me about a service recall bulletin for this exact problem and told me to take it to the dealer to get it fixed. Sure enough, the VIN# for my make and model qualified under the manufacturer’s warranty and I got it fixed at the dealer for no charge. This fixjob could’ve cost around $ 700 he told me, but Mike’s honesty is priceless. Would highly recommend!

Carl’s is the kind of mechanic you never expect to find but feel lucky to when you do. They’re quick, fairly priced, and above all, honest. They’ve always given us several options, from what really needs to be fixed right now to what we’re going to need to look at down the road, and they’ve never pressured us into anything.
I strongly suggest taking your car there at least once just to give them a chance.

Loved them a lot ’til Mike charged me $ 400 for a wiper motor and $ 18 for an antifreeze refill. And Mike was rude to my husband. And the mechanic smoked in my car while he was fixing it and stank it all up. Something’s not right.

I’ll preface this by saying I didnt have any work done here, but appreciate a good business and think this deserves mentioning. I was in a strange predicament that I’m road tripping old route 66 across country when the AC went out… In mid august… We found out in New Mexico what part we needed but no one had it, so we began calling around in cities we would be passing through. Mike helped us out looking for the part and was very honest and helpful when letting us know he wouldn’t have the part by the time we would be coming through STL. He gave great advice and explanation. We have spoken to some sketchy places so far that gave some shady advice and said they could fix it for tons of money without ever seeing it and promising they could get the part without checking. It was nice to speak to a good honest shop!

Expect to pay a little more than your strip-​mall Iffy Lube, but know this: your car will be taken care of by guys who know what they’re doing. This is an old-​fashioned, locally owned garage and places like this deserve your support.
This may be the only garage I have ever been to that told me they were not going to do work I requested because they felt it was unnecessary. Saved me several hundred dollars — but they now have a loyal customer.

I’ve always been pleased with the work done by these guys, especially considering the fact that they’ve been incredibly patient with my old car (1965 Plymouth). Mike, the owner, is very friendly and will tell you straight-​out what’s going on with your car. They’re also fast and affordable. Great neighborhood repair shop that I’d recommend to anyone, especially to those living in Tower Grove South.