Tuffy Auto Service Center Iowa City

Reviews 7

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Anonymous User

My buddy came to me about a problem he was having with his Dodge Durango, he said he had been driving around for about a year without any power steering and I asked him what was wrong with it. He said Tuffys told him the power steering pump and steering box had to be replaced and that they could also order the parts for him for cheaper at a local salvage yard. I then asked him what year it was and he said it was a 2001. I said "what???" "you mean youre steering rack" and he said "no the steering box." I told him that that model year Durango has no such part, it has rack and pinion steering there is no steering box, and he said "well they did order the parts for me and I bought them" I told him to bring the parts to me, I looked at the parts and said yeah the power steering pump is the right part but this steering box is off of a fullsize Dodge Ram and it does not go in your vehicle. Tuffys quoted him $1,800 for the total cost because they told him it would take around 12hours of labor because they would almost have to pull the engine out. I told him that I could fix it for him and it would take me no longer than 2 hrs. He brought it to me and it took me just alittle over an hour, I even made a trip to the parts store in that hour! So not only did Tuffys 1) give him a false evaluation but 2) order the parts for him from a salavage yard and charged him $120 for a used powersteering pump, when one from the parts store is only $68!!! I understand they have to allow for markup but cmon! Its almost like they didnt even evaluate the vehicle or even pulled it into the shop

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A

Anonymous User

I went in for a routine oil change and after the oil change they came out and tried to scare me into playing $800 for new brakes by saying my brakes were so far gone that it was a miracle I was even able to drive there at all and that it was extremely unsafe for me to even leave the shop. They then told me that my car would be next in line to fix and that it would only take three hours and they were driving the courtesy car around to the front of the store as we spoke so it could take me home so I didnt have to wait there. This all happened in about a 3 minute time frame and they tried to overwhelm me with details so that I would be all flustered and panicked and sign off on something that didnt need fixed. If it wasnt for the fact that I had new brakes put on last year and there have been no problems with them, I might have believed them. Instead, I took the car to another place for a second opinion and they said my brakes still looked brand new and there were not any problems with them at all. I will never go back to the horrible people at Tuffy who tried to frighten me into spending an obscene amount of money before I even had time to process what they were saying. They are unethical, immoral, jerks.

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Uzair Saqlain

I have a Suzuki sx4 which needed ac repair. Suzuki dealers closed in US in Dec.2012 so my option was to find a good mechanic locally. Called Tuffys and they gave me appointment next morning. They performed a free checkup and advised me to get blower motor . I did my own research as the owner knows best about problem and after some discussions on Suzuki forums , figured that I needed three parts other than blower. Ordered online and got parts in 3 days. Went to Tuffys again. They initially gave me an estimate of >$700 but called me again in a hour that they can finish in less time and estimate around 500 but on completion it took even less time so charged me 380. I dont know if its plain honesty or business tactic but felt good paying less amount when I had no choice but to agree to higher :) I think they are honest people and never misguided me during my experience. Diagnosis : Although free it was not complete and if I hadnt done my research that would require three more trips. Workmanship: Good and everything works. Charges: Reasonable and were honest to tell the exact time taken for job. Conclusion: I would recommend Tuffys atleast for AC jobs.

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Quinlan Syfert

Had trouble identifying the issue with my A/C. I went to carousel Nissan and they could not identify my issue, wanted me to pay ~$1,400 for possible repairs, and wouldnt properly explain to me what was going on. After seeing a free A/C check at Tuffys, a second opinion is exactly what I was looking for. I talked to Ernie, the manager, and he was able to tell me exactly what was wrong with my car, gave me fair estimates for parts and labor, and even worked with my college student budget. Everyone there was extremely helpful, took time to explain things, and worked with my budget. As a plus, they even fixed a malfunctioning tire pressure display without me having to tell them about it. For those who dont know much about cars and parts, these guys are good people to trust. Keep up the good work Tuffys employees.

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Anonymous User

I have been this place for last 2 years and never checked prices from the competition and also recommended my friends to go there. Recently one of my friends whom I had recommended this place said that they are overcharging, which was very surprising to me as I never checked the prices with competition. So this time with some car problem I asked them to give me estimate and first they gave me estimate of $900 and he made it sound as if everything was required then they said $380 things was not necessary and it will still cost $420. Now I got my car repaired at the company showroom for only $380. My understanding that company showroom repairers charge more is wrong, definitely Tuffy is overcharging. I will never go there again.

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Anonymous User

They tried once again to sell me on tires. It happened once before where they said the tires were made by a well-known manufacturer. They werent, but worked OK. This time they tried to sell me Radar Tires. Made by Cooper, according to the GM. Only they arent made by Cooper, theyre made in Sinapore by Omni Tires. I hate it when people lie to me and I can quickly find out the truth in 2 minutes on the web. Lost me for good because they couldnt tell me the truth. Dont trust a word they say. Go somewhere else. Tuffys is a place for people with no money and cant afford a proper mechanic. Perhaps good for an oil change, but thats about it.

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Ron Speltz

My daughter is going to school at the U of I and her car broke down in Iowa City but I couldnt get there to fix it. She called Tuffys and they were fantastic. They helped her get the car towed to the shop, got it in right away, let us know what the problem was, gave us a very affordable estimate and after our approval got the job done fast with no additional charges. When she came home I looked at the work they did and wow what a nice job. I do most of my own work and wouldnt have tackled that one but they did it fast and at a very reasonable price. It is a place I can trust & know that they will take care of us at a very fair price. Thanks

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