Joyce Motors

Honesty is not the 1st thing you'd think of when dealing with auto mechanics but I've not had any trouble with Joyce Motors and as recent as yesterday I left there glad that I went to them instead of someone else.

Posted 09/25/09 | Report Abuse

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Went there four times, left four times with a broken car. They were rude and could care less about helping me out. Each time there was an excuse about why they could help out. dont waste the time, drive on by

Posted 09/03/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I have taken my car to Joyce Motors twice and will continue to do so as long as I live in the area.

The first time, my car was towed to them when it wouldn't start. They fixed it quickly and inexpensively. It turned out only to be a loose wire connected to the battery.

The second time, the right front suspension was clicking when turning. I took the car in to have it evaluated. The Joyce mechanic called me, explained the problem, and suggested that I not get it fixed since I was driving an old car anyway.

In both cases, they had the opportunity to charge me more or push unnecessary services. Instead, they were mindful of my best interest and they communicated it to me clearly. I trust Joyce for future repairs and maintenance.

Posted 04/06/09 | Report Abuse

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I was driving to work and my car stopped working--wheel locked up and all the warning lights came on as it rolled to a stop. It was towed to Joyce Motors, the closest AAA-approved shop. After a few days, the front office worker told me there was a crack in the engine block, and it needed a new engine, which cost almost as much as the car was worth($5300-$5700). I know nothing about cars and am new to the area, so when they told me there was a crack, I assumed that they actually saw a crack in the engine block. I should have asked more questions but took their diagnosis as definitive. After they told me this, I debated for a while whether to replace the engine or sell the car to one of their mechanics who offered to buy it from me.

When I decided just to tow it away from their lot to my house, they later told me there probably was a crack, but they didn't know for sure because they didn't actually take apart the engine. I would have appreciated that information up front, but then again I didn't ask any questions. I don't think they were being misleading, but they didn't provide me with any other alternatives besides replacing the engine. They are also busy, so taking apart an engine to make a diagnosis would take time and they would have to charge for it. They didn't charge me for a diagnosis.

I had the car towed to my hometown mechanic who is 200 miles away. He found that there was no crack, and it needed a new water pump and timing belt. Total cost for repairs: ~$300.

The people at Joyce did help to price new engines for me and let me keep the car on their lot for a week while I decided what to do. I just think I could've gotten better information/diagnosis. My hometown mechanic could tell there probably wasn't a crack initially because there was no water mixed in with the oil when he checked it.

From this experience, I don't plan to go to Joyce Motors in the future.

Posted 09/23/08 | Report Abuse

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I've brought several cars to Joyce motors. In general, they have always given me honest assessments, some of which I've gone out of my way to verify, and to the best of my knowledge I can say that Mike has always provided me with straightforward guidance and fair pricing.

Since I'm quite mechanically inclined myself, there've even been times where they've sent me packing with a do-it-yourself solution without charging me a dime--very helpful and straight-up people.

In general, I give the big labor items out to mechanics though, and on the ones where I've needed a mechanic's help, Joyce Motors has always been straightforward about the estimated costs. In the one scenario that pops in my head at the moment, I needed the exhaust header bolts to be extracted (cracked bolts) and re-tapped to stop exhaust leaks. Mike had been very up front about the nature of the fix, and the time and variables that might go wrong in such a fix. Being familiar with this stuff, I can say that his assessment was spot on, and that the hours charged were reasonable. In the end, the diagnosis of cause was also spot on, which is really where the mechanic's skill pays off.

Posted 05/06/08 | Report Abuse

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I took my car to Joyce Motor because a friend recomended them. I was told at another shop that my car needed the computer replaced and it would cost over $1400.00. When I brought my car to Joyce Motors they said the oxygen sensor needed replaced for under $300.00 and it runs like a top. I would recomend them to anyone.

Posted 04/30/08 | Report Abuse

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I am lucky enough to be an informed car owner and I brought my vehicle to Joyce because of the convenience and the good reviews. I wouldn't even mind if their prices were a little high given the location, etc...

BUT...I told them my horn wasn't working and I believed it due to something electrical. Two days later they call me to let me know that they replaced the horn pack (which they didn't even do). Turns out they charged me $200 just to say that. Horn still doesn't work, found out it was an electrical thing - a blown fuse.

TALK ABOUT RIP OFF!

Posted 04/23/08 | Report Abuse

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i took my car in for a safety inspection and other work. Got a call from a mechanic named mike. He said there was an exhaust leak and that would fail the inspection and would cost 500-600$ to repair. I asked if the exhaust system was stainless steel and he said yes. I also asked for the old parts to be returned to me.

WRONG WRONG WRONG

The price was nearly 1000$ The parts were aluminized steel. The old exhuast parts had no obvious leaks :(

I priced out the same parts retail and it turns out that there is over a 100% markup from retail. I am sure that becuase Joyce Motors is a business that get the parts at wholesale which makes their markup nearly 150%.

To review: sold a repair I didnt need, used cheaper parts, and was overcharged.

Posted 03/12/08 | Report Abuse

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I originally brought my car to Joyce Motors because Cherrydale Motors was closed and recommended them. Three years in a row I brought my car in for a tune up only to be told that one wasn't needed. I think that speaks to their honesty, integrity and professionalism. I have no doubt other garages would have taken the car, maybe done nothing to it and still charged me and they would have gotten away with it because as the average car owner, I know very little about cars and their maintenance. Since then I've had other work done and while they may be a little more expensive then some, I have full faith that the car is being repaired as promised.I've recommend several other friends and all have had nothing but good experiences with Joyce motors.

Posted 10/11/07 | Report Abuse

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I highly recommend Joyce Motors and heres why

My truck had left me stranded in Arlington and I live in Stafford I needed the rear end of my 99 Silverado rebuilt. I know a thing or 2 about mechanics but I couldnt exactly repair my truck on the middle of Arlington Blvd! So I had it towed to the nearest shop (Joyce Motors). That as well over 15,000 miles and a couple of years ago. The work was done as promised and completed sooner than expected. The cost was actually less due to the fact that some of the parts in question did not need replacement! This was my first experience with the company and I couldnt have asked for more!

I am writing this because I was looking for their number on line (I lost it from the first repair) and noticed a little bad press I usually dont write these things but I have been back just recently for some unrelated repairs and again, no complaints here! Everything done as promised! And next repair, I WILL be driving/towing/pushing to Joyce Motors!

Posted 09/26/07 | Report Abuse

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Chose them because of the good reviews, but got ripped off. Very overpriced. Will not be using them again. It started out well, they found a problem but convinced us they need to look further. We agreed to a price for the further work. When they came back with a second problem that might be related we decided it was not severe enough to fix and asked them to fix the first problem only. When the car was ready we paid not only for the first problem, and the investigating take apart that we agreed to, but then we paid for them to put it back together which was not a price that was mentioned.

Posted 06/17/07 | Report Abuse

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Despite all the positive reviews, I had a different experience with Mike at Joyce Motors. I had my Honda Civic towed there because it wouldn't start. He gave me a call the next day and said I need a new rotor and ignition coil. He said it would be "about $200." First of all I am skeptical when mechanics name two things that are preventing my car from starting. I suspect there was nothing wrong with the rotor. Maybe it was a little worn but nothing that would prevent the car from starting. That's just my assumption though so I won't hold that against him. I told him to fix it. When I went to pickup and pay for the car the bill was $344, nearly 75% more than what he quoted me. There was extreme markup on the parts and $184 in labor to change a rotor and ignition coil! Also they tacked on $10 in "garage supplies." I confronted him about it and he dropped it down to $270; so we split the difference. The work seems good but I won't return just because I truly believe he was trying to slide one by me. If you do go, request a written estimate. I should have.

Posted 04/22/07 | Report Abuse

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I've used Mike at Joyce Motors for a few years now. He has ALLWAYS been honest, up front and professional.

He doesn't work for free, but his prices are MUCH more realistic than any other mechanic I've used, and his work is world class

PROS: Great Service
CONS: None

Posted 10/13/06 | Report Abuse

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This is the place you should consider for car repairs. They will not suggest unnecessary stuff to perform on the car. They are very reasonable people and excellent service.

Posted 09/07/06 | Report Abuse

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Unless my car has a major malfunction that requires extensive repairs, I would take my car (VW Passat) to Joyce Motors rather than to a dealer or specialty shop.

PROS: Very professional customer service, rapid turn-around, very reasonable pric
CONS: Place looks pretty beat, but it's a very solid shop.

Posted 05/08/06 | Report Abuse

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Joyce Motors is a great place to take a vehicle if you dont know a lot about cars. You can trust that the professional staff will give you an honest and fair assessment when you bring your vehicle in for a quote. I was very pleased with the entire process. My car was in and out in no time. The next time my car is need of service Im heading to Joyces.

PROS: Service and price
CONS: Nothing

Posted 02/01/06 | Report Abuse

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My brothers, dad, and I have taken our cars to Joyce Motors and the job they do is excellent. You may not think of it when standing in front of their garage, but this is a top-notch operation. Just to give you an example, my dad had been taking his van to other places for repairs, always having to go back 'cause the problem wasn't completely fixed. One visit to Joyce and the problem(s) were fixed and my dad couldn't be happier. Also, my brother's car was crashed into a short time ago, and he took it to Joyce to repair the mechanical damage. My brother (who knows a thing or two about auto mechanics) was very pleased with Joyce's work. Highly recommended.

PROS: Excellent automotive mechanical work; fast service
CONS:

Posted 12/01/05 | Report Abuse

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I have been taking my cars to Joyce Motors for many years. They are a small family business, located in an easy-to-access part of Arlington, VA. They have always done good work and have always been honest in their dealings with me. As a single woman who knows little about cars, I appreciate knowing that I can trust them. My only complaint about them is that they are not open on weekends.

Posted 05/04/05 | Report Abuse

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