Manners Motors

They got the job done on short notice, followed up with me, didn’t have any major problems.

Awesome repair shop. Honest and reasonably priced. Been bring my cars there for 5 years now without a problem.

I’ve been here a few times with my boyfriend for maintenance/​repairs/​etc. They are generally very busy with cars all throughout their garage. However, they do make it a priority to get you in and out fast. They are also very honest; they did not make you change/​do repairs unless it’s definitely necessary. That’s a trait I definitely appreciate in a mechanic. The price is also affordable compared to other places. I would recommend this place to anyone.
ps: pay cash. They charge tax when you put in on plastic.

Honest, straight-​to-​the-​point auto repair shop. The mechanics are knowledgeable and try to keep your car in safe, running condition. I decided this was my shop when I came here for a second opinion and they steered me away from costly, unnecessary work.

My ball joint (cv joints) is clicking after Manner replaced my boot just 10 months ago. Bet you they forgot to pack the grease in. Then when the parts turn bad they change you for damages they created. Great business.

The good: Have you ever heard the old adage «fast, cheap, good. Pick two.»? This place embodies cheap and fast. My best mate referred me to Manners and I don’t know how but they’ll do major work like a timing belt/​water pump job and have it done by the end of the day.
I had a debacle with an AC compressor a few summers ago where I gave them a compressor and after installation they said it didn’t work. They gave me the choice of leave it as is and just pay for labor, or bring them a working compressor and they would swap it free of charge. They could have torn me to pieces but they were actually really nice about it and worked with me. They’re very good at keeping in close contact with you on the phone to give you frequent updates.
You can read the other reviews about the ringleader Sidney and how she’s a blunt tough cookie. The reality is after patronizing them several times she softened up to me and used to crack little jokes. I guess I’d warm up to you too if you spent good money in my shop and were a repeat customer.
The bad: I’m not sure why they call this place Manners. It’s false advertising. Regrettably, I feel like this place is the Fay-​Da bakery of mechanics. You’re going to get quick, down and dirty cheap Chinese parts/​labor which is totally fine if you’re ok with that. That being said, much like Fay-​Da you have to accept the fact that non Americanized Asian establishments in Queens (like this one) typically offer cold customer service at best. Until she knows you, the woman behind the counter will glare at you and be very curt until you flash cash. Then she’s your best friend. It’s nothing personal, it’s just down to cultural differences and anyone who lives in Queens knows it’s just the way it is.
The ugly: I had a kerfluffle with them a few winters ago. I brought in my VW for a timing belt/​water pump change. They were fine with me bringing in a big box of very specific parts I wanted them to install. Any of you with VW’s will know that the timing belt/​water pump is a big deal on these cars and it isn’t plug and play. You need special tools and need to be extremely careful with lubricating and installing the seals because if you’re off by a hair you’ll rip the seal and a 25 cent seal buried deep in the engine will leak until the next time you change the timing belt/​water pump. I gave them the manufacturer’s instructions which were crystal clear on said installation procedure. I didn’t know if they used them but I figure it’s a busy shop. This can’t be the first German car they’ve seen. That aside, they had the car done by the end of the day for a great price.
A few months later during the polar vortex I was checking my fluids and noticed something shocking. I was dangerously low on oil. Like noisy lifters and lack of power low. After freaking out about it, I topped it off and scolded myself for not being more on top of fluid checks. I figured it was because old motors will use up to a quart every 3k miles and that’s ok. The engine gods were looking out for me because I didn’t fry the motor. You can’t kill an old VW! The problem was the oil level kept dropping after every top up and I couldn’t figure out where it was going. The car didn’t blow blue smoke which was good but I kept finding puddles of oil under it. I asked Manners to take a look and the woman behind the counter said «your crank seal is leaking. $ 300 to fix. Not worth it.» I said «wait a minute, I JUST had the timing belt/​water pump changed last month and the crank seal was part of the kit». She shot back «then take it back to whoever install it because they did it wrong». I said «you’re the shop who did it». She looked at me vexed, opened the computer, and looked up my repair history. I will never forget the look on her face. Her face dropped. When I asked for an answer she went from spitfire to a whimper. She went from 65 to 0 in half a second. She couldn’t even look me in the eyes so she nervously stared at the floor, mumbled something about «contact the manufacturer. Your part probably defective» and then literally showed me the door.
We all make happy little accidents and that wasn’t what turned me off. It was the fact that they refused to fess up and shooed me out the door without so much as a cursory apology and offer to make it right somehow. Is that a good way to do business? How about «let’s make this right»? Had they not chased me out I would have accepted store credit or even met them halfway and paid $ 150 to fix it because I’ve worked in small business and I understand that everyone’s time is valuable in this city.
In conclusion: I suppose if you have a beater or a very common beater at that, this place is a good way to save a happy buck or two. If you have a car that requires more than half a brain cell to work on, such as anything German, or some car you deeply care about, don’t bring it here. The friend who referred me was mortified and refuses to ever go there again. Needless to say I won’t be back.

If you want honest and reliable maintenance check for your car around Queens New York this is the place to be.

This is a review for a NY state inspection. Couldn’t be easier. Called on a saturday morning. Very efficient woman asked what kind of car and what time i wanted to come (before 11:30 or after 1:30). I came at the appointed time, drove in… was waived into a bay. Walked to the desk, confirmed i was there for an inspection. Sat in the waiting area for 10 minutes. Woman called me up to pay my $ 37.00. 5 minutes later, the car was ready to roll. I have no complaints whatsoever. nice people.

We came here based on the Unilocal reviews when our check engine light came on. They ran the diagnostic tests ($ 30) and then told us what was wrong (catalytic converter, womp) and were kind enough to even print out a diagram of what part of our car was broken (obviously we looked like we had no clue). They were incredibly helpful and kind and we didn’t feel taken advantage of. We will definitely be back for repairs.
They also changed out our oil and the back wiper, the cost of which was comparable to what we’ve found elsewhere in the city.

I went to check my Check Engine Light and couldn’t repair a simple catalytic converter. They wanted to charge me $ 2000 for the repair with a new converter from my dealer. I went to another shop on 21^st street and suggested the pipe just needed welding. And the new shop even told me why the piece was broken. Won’t go there anymore, neither will I recommend anybody to go there.

I’ve been going to Manner Motors for over fifteen years and have nothing but positive things to say about them. Jimmy is honest and never does more than totally necessary. He keeps my 2000 Xterra in tip top shape. Love Jimmy and Cyndy!

Been going to jimmy for over twenty years. He is reliable and honest. I take his advice on all my car related things.

These people are honest. I came here because I thought I needed an engine and air conditioner filter change, and straight up they were like «nope, you don’t need it.» Next question, I think I need new brakes, we will check. Minutes later, only the pads the rotor is rusty but good. In an hour, giyo, was ready. Bless to be around honest people.

Asian Female Driver, Clueless About Mechanics and Auto Parts.
But I feel comfortable with talking to Cyndi, who is in charge of the front desk and ordering the parts; asking the mechanic questions; and the price they charge me (approximately half of what the dealer quoted me for 3 driver belts).
One star off only because there is always room for improvements, as you can see other feedbacks from other Unilocalers.
They do NOT do body works, and it is my only complaint.

I only went here for the N. Y. State inspection, so I can only address that. I have to report that I am very happy with these guys. They did it quickly and for only ten dollars as my car is only about a year old. A couple of other places in my area quoted a price of nearly 50 dollars. Another place was ready to do it, but ran out of stickers for the windshield. Manner took me and got it done with no upselling and pressure to buy new tires etc. to pass inspection. Those with newer cars needing inspection should come here.

So the other day I drove my 12 year old car when my center pipe broke in the middle and the car became very noisy.
Following morning I brought it over to manners motors, after reading about them here, without making an appointment.
They were nice, friendly and professional the whole time, gave me a very reasonable price and fixed the car in no time.
When I called to verify if the car was ready to be picked up they told me they discovered a nail stuck in one of my tires and fixed it for me, and refused to charge me for that fix!
They also agreed to park it in the street for me in case I come to pick it up after their closing time.
Thanks a lot and will definitely do business again!

Despite the fact that they’re relatively mannerless, they are honest, haven’t BSed, haven’t tried to up sell me, and frankly, are the least expensive mechanics I’ve been to in NYC. Oh. And they don’t talk down to me because I’m female. So that always counts for a lot.
I completely trust them with my car, and if I go in there and tell them I have a problem, they’ll look at it, do their darnedest to figure it out, and make it right if they’ve missed something and I still have the issue.
So yeah. I’m pleased.

This was my first time here; I got there a few minutes after 8AM and their mechanics are meandering in the front, eating their breakfast. I park right in front because the street is pretty empty (this is on a Tuesday morning, but by the time I got my car again at 10:30– the street was packed). I walk to the front desk where a woman is working, who I think is Syndi and she says «Yes?» in an abrupt kind of way, but it’s not really rude at all either. So I tell her the car is overheating and I think it may be the thermostat. Before she takes down my phone number and info, she asks me if she wants them to change the thermostat or to check it out first– and bluntly said «We do what you want, you let us know.» I told them to please check it out and let me know. I barely finished talking to her before the mechanic was getting into my car and driving it into the garage. So I left, but then walked back in a few minutes later to see how long it would take. I believe I spoke with Jimmy this time, and he said it would be about an hour, it was definitely the thermostat, and that he needed my registration.
Me and my friend grab breakfast across the street. Across the street, right on 34^th Avenue, there are plenty of places to eat to kill some time while waiting. Not too far there are other stores like Old Navy, Stop/​Shop, etc. After breakfast, an hour later, the car still isn’t ready. She said another half hour because they are working on the car at the moment. I even asked if I should come back, but she said not to waste time going back and forth, they will be done shortly. I wasn’t annoyed with the additional time because I could see they were super busy– right after I dropped off my car, several people began showing up. I did notice that my car moved around the garage as more time passed as if going through stages before completion. I went for a short walk/​got some groceries and when I got back, I sat inside and waited. I heard and saw Syndi ask about my car, and sure enough, it was ready. It was all the way in the back, off the main line of cars being looked at, and they reversed several cars that were done before reversing mine out. I got an invoice, and paid. No fuss, no muss.
HOWEVER, I had to give this place 3 stars for what happened shortly after I got my car repaired. Literally 5 days later, I drove home and was about to park in the space behind my house when the car started to overheat and FAST. When I got out of the car, I saw fresh drip marks and when I moved to the front of the car, on the driver’s side, green liquid was spraying out, like a squirt gun type of spray, and it was a huge pooling of the anti-​freeze that Manners Motors had just refilled for me. I had a feeling it was my radiator or the hose. But I didn’t feel comfortable going back there, because this is something they should have found out when they were checking the car out. Instead, they spotted the one and only initial problem without digging deeper. While I merely suggested it was the thermostat, I had given them the go ahead to look further into it as I am so far from being an expert, and since they didn’t, it made it seem as if they valued volume of customers than the individual customer itself.
In terms of their actual customer service style, no, they aren’t smiles and laughs and shitting rainbows. They are curt and no-​nonsense, which turns off some people because maybe they expect someone to act like their friend, but I personally appreciate that. I just wish they had been more thorough so I didn’t have to waste more time finding a new garage, going there, waiting around, praying I would make it there without the car overheating/​potentially causing more engine damage. I wanted it to be taken care of all in one shot, so I was definitely disappointed.

If you want honest work done on your car this is the place to go. I have always found Cindy to be extremely nice and honest about what she believed was worthwhile fixing on my old 2001 Focus. Just picked it up from the shop and it drives like a champ!

I took my car in for a front brake change. They informed me that one of the screw is seized onto the right front wheel hub. Okay, that’s a common problem sometimes so i let them bang away to get the stud off which they did eventually, although they had to take off the wheel hub to replace the studs. Once i drove the car out the shop, i can hear a intermittent vibrating noise coming from the right front wheel. Like a «thump, thump, thump». So i quickly drove back to the shop and they suggested that i needed a new wheel bearing. Okay whatever, just fix the noise. So I waited another hour to replace the wheel bearing and once i drove off the lot, it was still making the same thumping noise. #$%#@$%. The mechanic kept on insisting that there’s something wrong with my tire which i know it is not the case because there was absolutely no noise before i came to this shop.
So the owner told me to come back to the shop in a week or two to test my car with a different set of tires from another similar car. Okay, whatever I’m a patient guy. So I had to drive my car with this awful thumping noise until Manners called me which took almost two weeks.
Once upon my arrival back to the shop, the owner slapped different set of tires on it and test drove it around the block. Okay! So it’s still making the same noise confirming that I wasn’t crazy.
We probably spent a few more hours until one of the mechanics noticed that the right inner rod is loose and presumably defective. They replaced the rod and the noise disappeared. Hallelujah!
Okay, when I’m about to leave and am some what satisfied that this ordeal is over; after spending countless hours and purchasing a wheel bearing ($ 100) for no reason. Right when i’m about to leave, the owner have the audacity to ask to pay for the inner rod which was $ 150. What the #@$#. I told him that your mechanics broke my inner rod. He responds «You might of had this rod problem before you came to the shop and you never knew it.» Okay, I didn’t want to argue and spend any more time in that shop so i gave him $ 75 which is half of the value of the rod and bounced.
So. to sum it all up, i basically paid a whomping $ 300 for a break job and about 10 hours waiting in that shop.