Automotive Solutions

Honest & knowledgeable… wouldn’t even consider taking my precious vehicles any where else, recommend to anyone!

Tioga has worked on a few of my cars and always does a great job. He knows what he is doing and you can tell he takes pride in his work.

I don’t live particularly close to Tioga’s shop, but it’s worth the drive. I have been getting my oil changed there for about a year and recently had to get a fuel line replaced (I have a ’98 c280). I just know that if I’d taken it anywhere else I would have gotten completely ripped off. I think it’s a rare thing to find a mechanic that is trustworthy, but I really do trust Tioga and as long as I live in NC, I will not let anyone else touch my car.

Automotive Solutions is the only place to take your European or (most) Japanese cars if you live in the Chapel Hill/​Carrboro area. I’ll go farther, and say that I’d drive from Raleigh or Greensboro for service here.
For Diesel work, a knowledgeable pro is essential, and Automotive Solutions delivers.
Calling Tioga a «mechanic» doesn’t really do justice to his service.
Like others before me, I try to be a DIY guy, and often get myself into situations where I need help. (Tioga gives me more credit than he should)
Thank the car gods for Automotive Solutions.
Tioga is the type of practitioner who will never «throw parts» at a problem. He always takes the time to figure out *why* something is misbehaving, and is willing to explain it to us laypeople, if we are interested (I always am).
Sure, you can simply drop your car off and come back to pick it up, pay your bill, and know that it will be in tip-​top shape. He won’t judge you.
However, if you really get your jollies out of messing around with your car, and appreciate the half-​grin, half-​eye-​roll that you get when you roll up in a 45-yr.-old Karmann Ghia, this is the place for you.
The only problem with Automotive Solutions is that Tioga is the only one providing the solutions. If he can figure out a way to clone himself, he can really grow his business.
…but I’ve never had to wait more than a few days for service, and usually not that long.
If you’re looking for the best, look no further.

I have a Honda and Tioga saved me so much time and money! He’s my go-​go-​guy for any repair on my car. My mother brings her Mercades to Automotive Solutions as well and she swears by his work.

I don’t think I will ever buy anything but a European car again, just because I know I have the most honest, reliable competent mechanic I’ve ever met. I second everything in the previous posts. He is the best, simple as that.

Tioga is the ONLY mechanic in the area I will let touch my cars. I prefer to do all the work myself, as it’s nearly impossible to find someone who will treat your car with the same care and respect that you do (assuming you’re a gearhead like me). Tioga knows his european cars (Audi and Porsche in my case) and approaches them with pure logic and an Adrian Monk like desire for perfection. I can appreciate this level of OCD. He will also gladly take the time to explain exactly what’s going on for those of us who are trying to improve our DIY skills and the steps to reach resolution. It’s rare to be able to interface directly with someone who has this much knowledge and is willing to share it, especially in the automotive repair industry.

Tioga is an honest mechanic (that’s not an oxymoron), helpful to the DIY-​er (he’s given me many technical explanations of the work done as well as useful tips if I DIY), and somewhere between reasonably priced and cheap for that quality of work. Then again, I’ve had enough European cars (mostly Mercedes, but also a Rolls and a Ferrari) now that my idea of reasonably priced may not be yours. Best yet, he’s rare among mechanics in that he doesn’t talk down to me even though I’m a blonde female; he knows I know my car. Awesome!

I like to think of myself as a functional/​handy DIY guy when it comes to working on cars, but there are such occasional rare scenarios when you strip a bolt, lack Thor’s wrench to loosen a hub, or just don’t have the space/​lift to get the job done. I despise the idea of leaving my car with someone whom I can’t trust to work on my car; there are a plethora of mechanics out there who will talk up a sh*t storm to take your money for a job half-​ass done.
If I can’t fix something on my car, this is where I take it, period. Tioga (owner/​operator), is truly a venerable mechanic. Mind you, the location is out there for most people. You’ll have arrange your own transportation after dropping off yours. He knows his Euros (specializes in them, doesn’t mean he can’t fix others), and charges somewhat of a premium for his expertise. But he gets the job done well. Knock on wood; so far every aspect of his work has held up brilliantly.
Although his rates may seem higher than others, if you surmise that a 3 hour job at a useless shop at a more economical rate can offset the slightly higher premium of a properly executed 2 hour job, then I guess that choice is left to you.