Wasp Automotive

GREAT automotive shop. I started using them 5 years ago when I moved to NC, and after a lot of my co-workers recommended this place. It has been ""peace of mind"" all the time, so much that I just have my wife take the car in, get the work done and bring it back. and never have had to think about an alternative place for my servicing and a couple of repairs. They are very honest and trustworthy, and have given me advice/suggestions over the phone. The fact that they are hidden from the street, and have no sign boards or visibility, yet they run their business also says a lot about their quality of work. more

I went to this place because a couple of my friends recommended, but after I used it once, I've made my mind to use it only. To be honest, it's really the best place I've ever been to, with fast and quality service, and very fair price. Last weekend, the shifter cable in my car is broken down. I called aaa and it towed my car to a place called chapel hill tire car care center, which is extremely expensive. They called me and said the problem would cost more than 1000 and took more than one day to repair!! I don't trust them, So I called aaa again to tow my car to wasp. There they only charged me less than 200 and took less than half day. I'm just so surprised. And also, the worker there are very nice and friendly. Before I went there, my friend told me that if wasp gave you one price, it's hard for you to find somewhere else with a cheaper price. I doubted it. Now I believe and also trust the quality of their service. I think I'll go there only in future with my little mazda and recommend this place to other people because it's really good! more

Driving an old car with over 300,000, you get your fair share of moments in which a mechanic is needed. Bring new to Durham, I had heard great things about WASP from my neighborhood listserv, and let me just say, they are all true! \r I am so happy I found them - the mechanics are the friendliest mechanics I've ever met, and they even took the time to get to know us and then, upon picking the car up a few days later, remembered to ask how school was going... absolutely amazing! The waiting room is clean and has WIFI (a big plus!), and my mechanic mentioned that in the spring they plant a garden each year and that it is wonderful place to sit and watch hummingbirds- yes, they are no ordinary garage, to be sure! To top it all off, they do great work on your car at a good price! more

I just started going to Wasp in the last year or two. I had been burned too many times at the local Honda dealership (ugh) and was looking for recommendations, when I heard about Wasp from a friend (and also on the Car Talk website!). I've been really happy with them so far. The first time I went in was when one of the heat shields underneath my car came loose. They actually took me right away, reattached the heat shield, and didn't charge me a penny! Huh?? I almost fell over. I also went in when I had some mysterious problem/check engine light. They read the computer and told me I should take it into the dealer to get it fixed under warranty. Again, no charge. I went to the Honda dealer then - they charge you, like, $100 (actually I can't remember the exact price - may have been $50) just to read your computer! You know, I expect mechanics to OVERCHARGE me, not this. They've earned my business for as long as I live here, and I recommend them to everyone.\r \r They specialize in Japanese more

These guys are the best! I have been using them for over 15 years and would not consider going anywhere else. I won't even buy a brand of car that they don't work on.\r \r They explain in everyday words what the problem is, what the options are for fixing the problem, the safety risks of the various options, the cost etc. In figuring out what to do for any unexpected problems that come up with my vehicles, I feel like I am a partner with them in the decision making process. \r \r I have never felt any pressure from them to perform any recommended repairs. The only time there was even subtle pressure was the one time they tried to talk me OUT of something. I wanted to replace an engine in a vehicle with over 200,000 miles whose life expectancy for other systems (like the clutch and transmission) was unknown.\r \r You can depend on them to be honest, to do good work and to charge a fair price. It doesn't get any better than that! Pros: Honest, do excellent work, communicate effectively Cons: I really don't have any cons. more

I never let on that I know anything about cars when I take them for service. Playing dumb gives me a better chance to sniff out honesty in a mechanic. I'm not a mechanic, but I've worked on and understand cars enough that I usually have a pretty good idea of what the problem is before they've taken a look.\r \r I found Wasp based on several positive reviews here and elsewhere. I can verify that the reviews are indeed true - these guys are as honest as they come. I gave ample opportunity to be upsold, and it just never happened. They'll fix what's wrong and nothing more unless they honestly believe it's a safety issue - and I appreciate that.\r \r Plus the waiting area! Couches, lots of different magazines, soothing fountain, wireless internet, classical music, good art on the walls, a couple iMacs, good coffee - what IS this place?\r \r My mechanic was female this time around - said she was new, forget the name, maybe Emilly? Very sharp, very well spoken, very polite. Wouldn't hesitate to have her work on my car again. \r \r I read another review here that they aren't the fastest - and that may be true, but think about it - would you want work on your car rushed? I wouldn't. And there's a reason they're so busy - they're a small shop that's honest and good! Pros: Honesty, quality work, fair prices, fabulous waiting area Cons: They're small, always busy - could use another 5 bays, so repairs can take awhile more

I went there to check the condition of my car. They provided friendly and quick service, even if we did not make any appointment. I like the way they do business, supporting customers with candid options. Unlike the other mechanics who boasts in an area you are unfamiliar with, WASP's priice was much less than expected. I will definitely go back for any service in the future. Pros: Care about your concern more

We've been coming to WASP with our cars for over 13 years and have always been more than satisfied. Their prices are more than fair, they are great with offering options and explaining them clearly, and they are all so nice!! Even the waiting room is pleasant -- it has a soothing fountain, views of their outside butterfly garden (complete with porch swing), gourmet coffee and tee (free) and NO TV, but with free internet connections instead. Furthermore, oil changes are even faster than those so-called quickie places (and at about half the price). WASP is super! Pros: Skilled repairs at excellent prices, ambience (!), service, pleasant waiting room more

I'm very happy with my experience at WASP. They will do some diagnostic beforehand and offer me different options. More than once I've aggreed to one price and then have them come back with another--even lower. I refer friends and family. Pros: pick up/drop off; nice waiting room; friendly and trustworthy more

WASP is a mechanic-owned garage that assigns a specific mechanic to your type of vehicle (Honda, Mazda, Subaru & Toyota) so you know who is working on your vehicle all the time. They are honest, and have solved several quirky problems for us in the past 13 years with Mazda and Honda vehicles. I'd never go anywhere else. Their prices are extremely fair. Old fashioned service and high speed connection. That's awesome! more

The people are great, the service is ok. But they will take 8 hours just to fix a thermostat. The convenience of them driving you hoem is nice. But if you work full time or have kids, dont expect to have your car done fast. The speediness of their service is horrible. When you make an appointment, add on about 5 hours to it before they even look at your car to begin with. I never in my life have dealt with such slow turnaround time on auto repairs. Great service, cruddy timeliness. more

Nice people working, helped me a lot settling damage done to my car by an oil change company. They were also a huge help while I tried to select a used vehicle replacement. Always friendly and gave me honest opinions: I felt like they gave the right solution for me rather than the solution that could drum up more business for themselves. more

WASP is an incredible garage. It's a little hard to find and it's not fancy, but these guys are the best. They are friendly, honest, and do the job right. They don't oversell and they will discuss options with you about what can wait and what shouldn't if you're trying to keep the cost down. I highly recommend them and wish that we could take all of our cars there. They specialize in Japanese imports but might (not sure) do some American cars on occasion. No Euro cars, unfortunately. Pros: Honest, Friendly, Dependable more

We've had consistently good experiences at Wasp. They're very good about letting you know your options - what the cost will be, what needs to be done, what you can put off if you're strapped for cash... Their work is consistently good; everything they've fixed has stayed fixed. Cons: hard toind more