A-Dayton Automotive & Transmission Services

Jessica Hartshorn

★☆☆☆☆

8 months ago

TL,DR: had my car more than 2 weeks with no communication or update and did no work on it. Eventually took it elsewhere. Long version: I dropped my car off on a Monday for a clutch replacement. By Wednesday the parts were there and I was told they would try to have it done by the end of the week. It is not done and I get no call or update. The following Monday rolls around (1 week) and I call to say I need my car to drive to the airport Wednesday. Simon says he will try to have it done by Wednesday and will call me Tuesday with an update regardless of the status - he never calls. I find a ride to and from the airport for my trip, again with no clue as to the status of my car. The following Monday (week 2) I call and not only was it not done but he hadn't even started on it. By this point I had called probably 3 times and never got a return call or update. I was then told it was on the docket for that same day. No call or update the rest of the day. Called Tuesday and again did not get an answer or a return call. I called a second time Tuesday and finally got the owner who informed me that his technician was not coming in, and hadn't been, for weeks. It was then that he told me he had "no idea" when he would be able to get to my car. The tech was supposed to show up and do my car but did not. I then picked my car up the next day and took it to another shop who will get my clutch done in 3 days. The owner has a hard time taking responsibility. This technician had been out for weeks, before I ever took my car in. The owner knew that this might happen yet continued to tell me each time that they were "about to get to it". If he had been upfront at first I could have rented a car or figured something else out, but when you are told that it's "getting done today" over and over, you don't know you need to make those arrangements. So I've been asking for rides and to borrow cars for weeks now. He was much more concerned about making himself the victim than being apologetic or caring about my situation. The whole conversation was like "so that's how MY week started" with zero acknowledgement that our family of 4 had been down a car for more than 2 weeks with zero communication. I'm certain if I hadn't called over and over to get him on the line, he would have kept my car indefinitely without ever contacting me with an update. He is trying to make this a situation where he is being screwed over, and maybe he is, but he's also not being a good shop owner. Even if they do get their technician situation figured out, I wouldn't go back bc he has demonstrated that he will not call when he says he will, that he will make promises he can't keep, and that he won't even be contrite when things go wrong. I feel for his situation but that's not an excuse to promise work you can't complete and then throw blame around elsewhere. Bottom line I would not trust his word.

Melissa Fowler

★★★★★

a year ago

Was recommended by the place I've taken my car to for a long time; I had a transmission line leak in a molded part of the radiator. Called on a Monday, brought my car in on Tuesday, by Wednesday I had an explanation and an estimate that was way less than I had expected. Car was finished on Thursday and it runs great. The peace of mind I have with a functioning car cannot be underestimated. Am impressed with my experience here and will recommend to anyone seeking a local transmission shop.

Ta Grz

★☆☆☆☆

4 years ago

Horrible service. Our car has been trashed by these guys. It was “broken into” even though they swore it was locked and there was no broken windows on the vehicle, we suspect one of the guys who worked there did this

Adam Smith

★★★★★

a year ago

Simon is a very friendly guy , they replaced the front rotors and brake pads and they also replaced the CV axle on my Subaru outback and so far everything is doing great on it. The one thing I notice is attention to detail. I’ve been missing Valve stem cap and he put new ones on. It’s a little stuff like that. That’ll probably make me a regular customer.

Brad Powell

★★★★★

a year ago

I have been going to Simon since he was working out of his home garage, more than 10 years now. He has always been extremely courteous and attentive, the only thing better than his customer service is the work he does. He is honest and I would highly recommend.

Ralph Isaac

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

I do not recommend this shop at all. Took my van in so he could tell me what's wrong and then told me the transmission needs replaced it will be 5100. I decided the price was to much and called another shop who said half the price. So I went to get my vehicle and the battery was dead. He threatened to call the cops on me and everything because I decided to go with a different shop. I asked the owner for a jump of the battery and he had the worst attitude. The whole staff watching me laughing. BTW I've had multiple transmissions replaced by brownies was better service for a wayyy better price. And they way your talked to has alot to do with why I moved my van.

Eric Hamm

★★★★★

a year ago

This shop has come through for me over and over again for 10+ years. I have trusted them with 2 (yes 2 😡) engine replacements, alternators, brakes, ac repairs, tires, oil changes, and everything in between. They care about doing it right. If I could give them 10 stars I would.

Gregory Derus

★★★★★

3 years ago

Simon is the best! The service, price, and workmanship is second to none. We have two older luxury suvs and there is no where, including the dealership, I would ever take my cars other then Simon and his guys. These guys are professional, never try to over charge, and make sure the issue is taken care of right the first time. Take your car needs to Simon and A-Dayton Automotive once, and you will never look back to any other shop to trust your car needs with ever again!

Austin Womack

★★★★★

a year ago

Had my transmission go out a month ago and couldn’t figure out why because I’ve previously had it replaced a year ago by brownies transmission on dorthy lane and they sold me a lemon transmission, Simon (owner of a-Dayton transmission) took care of me, listened to all my problems and took action right away to get me back on the road for work. Truly one of the best experiences and shops around the Dayton area, if I had to recommend any shop it would be this one. Thank you Simon !

M B

★☆☆☆☆

Edited a year ago

My latest experience for brake pads and rotors has turned into an ordeal that has gotten Simon bent out of shape. Probably over them not being able to give me the car back without the scraping that I initially brought it in to have the brakes and rotors replaced because of. Also I had a ball joint fixed for another $250- during the second go. I called him and said I’m still hearing the scraping. He said I’d need to bring it back of course( pretty standard). I told him I can’t- before I could even get 2 sentences out he started saying he doesn’t know what I want from him then. YIKES! SIR ,ARE YOU SERIOUS!? He said we had been on the phone for 6 minutes in a super disgusting way towards the end of our chat. I guess that is an eternity to him and I’m out of line for discussing the car for a few minutes. I have always been understanding with them. I never said anything unprofessional like “hey man you guys screwed up” or anything along the lines. ONLY that it’s still making the noise! I wanted to ask what was even warranted with their brake pad and rotor replacement if anything- since he never mentioned it to begin with when he quoted me. There is no mention verbally or on receipt either that there would be a warranty on their work or the parts after the work was completed. So I’m on the phone getting him telling me out of line unprofessional nonsense that he wants to work with me but my attitude is putting him off. I haven’t said anything besides I’ve already left it there a few days and it’s my only means of transportation. I told him I’d have to call off work to pick the car up the second time because he didn’t fulfill his original quote to have it done by end of day (5pm) and he just said” ok”! That’s not ok. I’m expressing the inconvenience so that I can figure out a better time. He says “Mechanic work isn’t linear, we need more time to get in and see what’s going on” “ I don’t know what’s going on with your car” I not once said anything like you guys screwed up this is awful- He used to say things like I can look into the suspension components or things like we already looked at these things I suggest we look at this part next. I pointed out a broken upper stabilizer link and he said it will need fixed but it wasn’t a big concern 🙁 🛞🤦🏻‍♀️ He said they didn’t even charge me for the second brake and rotor set labor and I’m thinking- he suggested it be brought back on account of bad parts and to get it taken care of. He told me they have A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR PARTS DISTRIBUTER AND THAT THEY HAVE SEEN IT WITH OTHER CARS AND WERE THINKING OF STOPPING USE BUYING PARTS THROUGH THAT VENDOR SO, I’m being told they knowingly keep getting bad parts since other vehicles they worked on have also seen issues and they are very frustrated. I didn’t even criticize him then. This guy used to care but he clearly cannot handle his establishment like he used to. I’ve had all types of work done here over 7 years and I no longer recommend!

Jesseca Simmons

★★★★★

3 years ago

I can't speak highly enough about A-Dayton! Simon is a true professional and is great to work with. I've brought in a couple vehicles over the years and they've been such an amazing help no matter the issue. I truly appreciate their expertise and friendly attitude. Highly recommend.

Chris Ranly

★★★★★

6 years ago

Simon took very good care of me. I heard about them through word of mouth. He did quality fast work for a reasonable price. That's hard to find these days. There were a few parts that I thought I needed but apparently didn't and they told me instead of just putting them on and charging me. Very pleased with their service.

Danielle Roark

★★★★★

5 years ago

I was pleasantly surprised at how efficient this shop was. 30 minutes after I dropped my car off Simon called me to tell me what the problems were & how much everything was going to cost. They replaced my thermostat housing & spark plugs & also repaired an oil leak, all for a price way below what I expected! I will definitely be returning for any future repairs & referring friends/family to this shop.

John K

★★★★★

6 years ago

I got 1000 into the area and was looking for a place to get some work done. They were very good at communicating the issues as well as the estimated cost. There was a quick turnaround and my car is running fantastic. I’m grateful for the honesty and the value that I found here and look forward to bringing my car back hopefully not too often! ;)

Cody Hughes

★★★★★

6 years ago

Needed to get my headlight bulbs replaced. I would have done it myself, but didn't have the tools to remove my entire front bumper to get to them. So I took it to Simon and the crew at A-Dayton Automotive. Quoted me an hour and a half. Had it done in an hour. Fast and friendly. Will definitely be coming back to see them for my car needs.

Rebecca Paessun

★★★★★

5 years ago

Simon and his staff are the real deal. This automotive shop is honest. Simon is an expert diagnostician. He has a staff of excellent mechanics. They don't con you with showing you a filter or whatever and telling you that you need hundreds of dollars of unnecessary work. But most importantly, they find out what is wrong and they fix it. Simon might inform you that since they are doing something, they could also perform some preventive maintenance that might be due soon, since your care is there. But it is information. Not a hard sell. The guy eats and sleeps cars. He not only attends auto races, but races himself. The shop used to be a transmission shop owned by a guy named Mike, but Simon bought it several years ago and Simon's shop does general automotive maintenance and repair with all the modern diagnostic equipment. One time my car needed a tow and A-Dayton arranged it through another tow business. Couldn't beat the price and service. The last time I was there, they took meticulous care with COVID-19 precautions. Masks, gloves, social distancing and cleaning door handles and any part of the interior they might touch. Made me feel safe. I am a physician and I was impressed with the health precautions. They pay attention to detail.

Nelson Steinke

★★★★★

4 years ago

I'm extremely cautious of car repair shops, because I hate feeling like I'm being upsold or over charged for repairs. This place does great work, they're fast, friendly and VERY reasonably priced. Super honest guys too, I felt very comfortable having my car fixed here. I will be a customer of theirs for the foreseeable future.