J C Auto Bahn

Carlos. Is, an angel! My car was falling apart. I thought for certain I was going to pay an arm and a leg for electric work. Also had body work done and was shocked at how great the finished work was. When I picked up my car this time, Carlos had found some holes tearing in the convertible top and took it upon himself to repair it and offer to find a good replacement. Last time I stopped in, several people were there looking for him as well saying he’s the best around. His colleagues all seemed nice as well but my experience is with the famous Carlos. Please let him know «Shelley» the nutritionist with the Miata sent you.

Not being someone who works or lives in VA, it is either by fate or destiny or mere coincidence that I have needed the services of a mechanic both times (the only two times) I have driven to VA this month.
The first time was by chance when my engine overheated and I pulled into the first gas station I could find. The owner of the Shell Station, which happens to be one block from JC Auto Bahn, recommended I go there and ask for Carlos.
*I would advise that unless you are fluent in Spanish you also ask for Carlos. Or just look confused and start speaking in English and someone will immediately point to him.
Despite the fact that I showed up 5 minutes before closing on a Friday, Carlos took his time and never seemed rushed to diagnose the problem. My car was ready the next day and all for a very fair price. He charged $ 350 for water pump, thermostat, new tubes and coolant replacement which could easily have been a $ 500+ repair.
*The only downside, and reason I personally can’t give it 5 stars, is because you can only pay with cash or check. And I rarely keep a large balance in my checking account or carry cash.
On my very next trip into VA (the next weekend) my ancient car battery decides it’s ready to die while I shop at Costco. Thankfully I was able to buy a new battery there but, without any tools and it feeling like 1,000 degrees in the parking lot, I walked over to the Costco tire center hoping for some good sameritan kind of help (or at least a tool.) After being asked to wait for 20 minutes and some negotiation one of them begrudgingly agreed to lend me a pair of pliers and demanded I leave collateral. Maybe they’ve had problems with heat-​exhausted twenty-​somethings scamming them for tools, I don’t know. I replaced the battery myself in the parking lot but because the connector cables had been so corroded to the old battery the small bolt that holds the negative cable to the battery snapped.
Still in my recent call log, I called JC Auto Bahn, again right before close, and they encouraged me to come by. When I got there they were all intensely standing around a small tv in the shop watching the end of the US world cup game. Despite the fact that I showed up at close and during the last 10 minutes of a world cup game, Carlos wasted no time grabbing the part he needed and fixed the cable. He charged $ 10 which was weirdly fortunate because the ONLY cash I had on me was $ 9 and change from the used battery return at Costco and some change in my cup holder.
Not sure why my car has taken a liking to breaking down in VA, and I hope it never happens again, but at least I guess now I can say that I «have a car guy» in VA.