Some people here in town were thinking about opening one, and I've thought about it in the past, but it's a liability nightmare. I hope they do well. It's definitely something people can use.
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12:50 PM
FriendGregory Member
Posts: 4833 From: Palo Alto, CA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
The movie Christine...that was one of those places.
My Dad purchased a old car from one of these in San Francisco, it was neat that there was a place where guys could show up and work of cars where garages are rare.
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01:01 PM
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
Some people here in town were thinking about opening one, and I've thought about it in the past, but it's a liability nightmare. I hope they do well. It's definitely something people can use.
We had one when we lived in Worcester, MA but like you said it was a liability nightmare and didn’t last long because of it.
Well that and the stupidity of the people who used it. Like these ricer guys know it all but can’t do anything right.
Hope it works out for you guys, I tend to call a friend who has a big shop and lift when I have something I don’t want to do something here or need his help. Like trany work.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
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02:08 PM
Uaana Member
Posts: 6570 From: Robbinsdale MN US Registered: Dec 1999
Stopped in to visit during lunch. Not a bad layout.. Get the vibe this might be a rich guys hobby business. Two "company" vehicles outside. One was a Porsche GT3..
Overall, for basic stuff to probably an engine pull has just about everything.. Minus tuning gear/analytic tools.
I've got a headlight swap I'll probably be doing after work and have decided to do it there instead of screwing around in the driveway.
Edit to correct.. They've got tuning gear and diagnostic tools, they just weren't readily visible when I took the .5c tour. So if anything sounded negative, don't take it that way. Really a great place and a nice bunch of guys.
[This message has been edited by Uaana (edited 04-08-2011).]
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03:20 PM
SonataInFSharp Member
Posts: 882 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: Aug 2003
I took the tour a couple of Fridays ago as I only live about 2 miles from them. I was impressed. Very clean and nice array of basic and dianogistic tools available. They can also help with having parts ordered and waiting for you. May use them when I need a lift for small project and PR's bays are full.
I drove the Formula over so we got into the whole Fiero talk. One of the attendants owned one at one time. They asked me if I was involved in the Tyler Build.
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11:41 PM
Apr 9th, 2011
joshh44 Member
Posts: 2166 From: Nanaimo, B.C, Canada Registered: Aug 2007
dang i wish where i live had something like that. all the tools you can think of to make the job easy and faster i hate modifying tools or rigging something up just to get at a bolt
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03:03 AM
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Patrick Member
Posts: 36401 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
BTW from what I got from the guys, the Liability issue died after the first year of running a safe business. Ins rate dropped like 50% Didn't get too into details.. but ya, the first year sounds like liability ins is a bear, but after that if you run a safe shop rates drop quite a bit ?50%?
I'm honestly interested in this, like many of you always paranoid about the liability issue.. but going to talk to a few ppl.. might be an opportunity to open a second location. (about the only thing I see as an issue for them currently.. they're in an outer burb.) But love the biz model.. focus on the savings of do it yourself. Gear heads always know where to go.. Working parent who just got nailed with a $500 estimate.. that's who you want
[This message has been edited by Uaana (edited 04-09-2011).]
dang i wish where i live had something like that. all the tools you can think of to make the job easy and faster i hate modifying tools or rigging something up just to get at a bolt
Id be willing to bring my own tools if they would just offer a roof, electricity and a lift. My garage is too small to work in so I'm banished to the driveway.
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10:02 AM
Doug85GT Member
Posts: 9471 From: Sacramento CA USA Registered: May 2003
We had those when I was in the Army. They were great! Mechanics were on staff to give advice as needed. All the tools and supplies were on hand to be rented or bought. You rented a bay by the hour or day and you could do anything on the car except weld.
I think that such a concept should work well in urban areas where a lot of people don't have garages or they have home owner associations that prevent them from working on their cars.
A few years back, Voytek and Flashy had their cars painted here. They did all their own prep at home, bought their paint, and had an experienced sprayer shoot their cars for $300. Both of them bought Corvettes (yellow of course) and have left the Fiero family.
Well for now just for the MN Metro crowd :P From what the guy said there has already been a couple of Fiero's sniffing around.. Someone with a Vett motor?
Well for now just for the MN Metro crowd :P From what the guy said there has already been a couple of Fiero's sniffing around.. Someone with a Vett motor?
That would be me and the Stinger. Haven't taken it in yet, but need to work on the remote oil filter leak.
