College Street Motors

I have no idea how this place gets good reviews based on the experiences I had with them. I had a flat tire that needed a new TMI sensor — they wanted to overcharge for the piece because they were picking it up (10min down the road), so I said I would get myself and they pretended to be surprised by the cheaper price I got from the store. When they went to install, they left the broken piece in the tire and I had to come back a week later because of the constant noise I was hearing after braking. To top it all off, they didn’t even get a compatible sensor for my car so I had the TMI sensor light on forever until I replaced the dumb piece they put in with the proper one. I also had them replace my rear brakes and rotors which had to be adjusted a week later because they forgot to take off some piece and I’m pretty sure they broke one of my windshield wipers because it came off completely the minute I picked up the car, even though it was perfectly fine before dropping it off. They’re pretty rude to top it all off. I would stay away from this place!

Had a very good experience with these guys. Some did tell me they can be rude, but I honestly prefer that over getting some kiss-​up any day.
They were very straight forward and worked with me about everything I needed. Most importantly, these guys are the cheapest place to go to out of any other place.
Advice: do not be afraid to ask questions, they will not bite your head off if you ask them to look at something extra.

Had a really good experience here. Just moved to the area and was missing my old auto shop, but now I have a new place to go. Friendly service and no hidden charges or made-​up problems. I brought my car in for a 60k service and when I picked it up my car was running 10 times better! They even managed to get rid of the horrible squealing noises my car had been making for years (and which I went to multiple shops to try to find a fix). I didn’t even go in looking for that issue to be fixed, so it was a pleasant surprise. Basically, I was thinking my car might not be running so great before I came in for the service, and now I feel like my car has a lot more life to it. Very happy!
One thing though: this isn’t a quick in and out kind of shop. You drop your car off in the morning and expect to pick it up later in the day. They’re pretty busy I guess. So if you need your car within an hour, maybe this isn’t the shop for you. But the wait is worth it. Quality work here.

Went to College Street to have my intake manifold gasket replaced as my oil and coolant were mixing. Firestone quoted me $ 750+ for this repair, while College Street Motors was able to complete it for less than half — $ 352. I have always gone to College Street for major repairs. They’re always fair and even include a write up of their repair process on your bill. A big thumbs up

Love these guys – honest, thorough, prompt. I trust them with all our family vehicles. They have rescued me so many times and never treated me like a dumb woman. Truly – these guys have integrity

The people here are so kind and understanding and do such good work! In January, my battery stopped working, and AAA told me that I needed to get it charged before turning off the car in case it died again. I called a few other places first, and they were all very rude and said that they couldn’t possibly take my car in on such short notice. When I called College Street, they said to come on by and my battery was charged within an hour and it cost me less than $ 10.
Now my window won’t roll back up, and they said that I can bring it by and they’ll see if they can get the window to go up. They said it wouldn’t take more than an hour but that if I need a ride back into town or something, they’d try to find someone to drive me.
They’re also close to town and while they lack a waiting area, there is a Dunkin Donuts within 5 minutes and a few restaurants nearby. It’s walking distance from Amherst College.
As someone with her first car and not a lot of experience, I feel taken care of by College Street Motors. I was worried that as a young woman with no knowledge whatsoever of cars, auto places would try to take advantage of my ignorance, but CSM has been 100% helpful, kind, and trustworthy.

My car failed inspection for a leaking exhaust and worn front tires. I dropped my car off later in the afternoon around 5PM and they got back to me by noon the next day. They took the time to go over the options I had instead. These guys are truly ethical and don’t try to sell you things you don’t need. The repair was done by noon the following day. Another auto shop had quoted me ~$ 1200 for the exhaust alone. College Street Motors did the repair for ~$ 800 with two brand new tires as well.
Highly recommended for anyone in the area. You just don’t see too many ethical repair shops around these days, it was a refreshing experience.

As a grad student who knows a lot about the social sciences but not much about cars, College Street Motors was a godsend. I called the shop first thing in the morning about a problem with my car door and they agreed to see me right away (and offered a lift home if I needed one). Turns out it was a quick fix – some de-​icer and a lubricant with a catalyst – and the man I saw helped me out with good humor and for no charge.
This place is ideal for college and grad students who, like me, only have basic car knowledge and are away from home and their trusted family mechanic. College Street Motors is patient, friendly, and willing to help answer questions and perform quick fixes. I’ll be taking my business there next time my car needs something!

Horrific. I went in to see what was going on with my car stopping randomly on the highway. Took it in, 5 days later when they finally got to it they told me it was the battery. I said, well change it! I’m not stingy. They did. Relatively simple.
Two days later the car breaks down, lights flashing on and off. I got there at noon and told them, they replied they were eating. Waited for 3 hours, and at 3 they «got to it.» Around 430 however they said they couldn’t diagnose the problem and to come back next week.
Next week comes and the car is going pretty steady and I have to drive to Boston. I’m going only 40 mph because I’m skeptical. The lights start flashing on and off and sparks are coming out of my hood on a rainy night. Horrific. When I got home my dad took it to a friend mechanic and I found that College Street Motors but my battery in wrong and had the wires sticking out, such that it burned a hole in my hood. Thanks CSM, I really really really really appreciate it.

Had to get replacement spark plugs and air filter a while back, did the job quickly and without a hitch. Very reasonable pricing, to boot!
Will be going back here for my car needs while I’m out at UMass.
Officially recommended by a stingy student.

If i moved somewhere else this place would be top 5 most missed. I’ve had all my car repairs done here since my first car and i cant complain. prices are as reasonable as they can be for repairs and they are very efficient. I highly recommend getting oil changes here versus any of those express lube places.
Gas is full service so expect a few more cents per gallon.
Go here and you’ll be taken care of.

I thought I wrote a review about this place somewhere else but since I went there again yesterday, I’ll write another. I get my gas here almost three times a week. It’s easy in and easy out and I can pump it if I want.
More important though is their tech service. I just brought my truck in yesterday for front brakes and the final price was right about where they said it was and it was done on time. The prices are very fair when compared to a manufactures garage (GM, Ford etc.,) and the job is done right. I’ve also had a window regulator done here and saved over a hundred bucks by doing so.
I will continue to use them for all of my non-​warranted automotive items.