RE: mechanic in central NY?

[Frank Martin <fmartin@mr.oa.ithaca.edu>]

>From: SCHMIDT@LNS577.LNS.CORNELL.EDU
>Date: Wed, 6 Mar 1996 17:01:31 -0500 (EST)
>Subject: mechanic in central NY?
>
>To the collective (regional) wisdom:

>        Can anyone recommend, in good conscience, a reputable
>        independent Audi mechanic in the Finger Lakes area
>        of central New York?
>
>       I just don't get the warm fuzzies from the dealerships
>        I've tried so far...
>
>thanks
>
>jos1@cornell.edu

I've had pretty good luck with a business located in Corning, NY, called 
Craig's Auto (phone 607-962-3060). A relatively small operation, they sell and 
service a variety of Northern  European cars (used), though at least 50% of 
their business looks to be in Audis (usually have 2-5 for sale at any given 
time).  These are "car guys," not sales-types.  This is one of the rare/few 
auto-places where the hair on the back of my neck *doesn't* stand up upon 
walking on the lot.  I bought my wife's 89 100Q there last summer; they've 
serviced it since.  Some recent work included replacing our alternator with a 
rebuilt unit (car had 102K miles) for, I believe (don't have papers with me) 
$307, inclusive. An estimate from local Ithaca Audi dealer for same was about 
$575. Note: this is only repair I've sent back; the alt. needed a different 
pulley (or end-piece?) to bring it in line with drive pulley, so, caveat 
emptor 
mechanicus, or whatever.  I doublecheck *any* auto work for me.  These guys, 
however, I feel I can trust 97%, as opposed to the industry average of 30% (a 
guess).

Note, usual disclaimer: I have no financial interest in the place, it's just 
that it's so rare to find a place one can recommend. 

Frank Martin (right next door to you, at Ithaca College) 
89 100Q
88 Mazda 323 GTX
84 H Accord
- budgetary considerations have not allowed me to leave the '80s yet.  All you 
people out there buying new Audis: please treat your car well; I may be buying 
it in six or seven years!