Foreign Auto Specialties

Gregory G

★★★★★

4 years ago

I have both of my cars serviced by Jerry and it is always a pleasure to deal with him. If you don't care about pleasantries much (all these insincere: "we appreciate your business" and "sorry for inconvenience"), Jerry is a mechanic for you. Knowledgeable, honest, reliable and very direct! He'll take your car and just make it run again.

sara clemons

★★★★★

3 years ago

Jerry is a brilliant mechanic. He used to fix my domestic brand cars back in the day but now he just works on Saab, BMW and Mercedes Benz I believe. I wouldn't hesitate to bring my car to him.

Carson Sprock (csprock)

★★★★★

Edited 3 years ago

Jerry is one of the finest mechanics around. The man is an mechanical genius and a honest businessman. His communication style is direct and no-nonsense, so just roll with it and don't let that bother you. He is also extremely helpful, and will try and walk you through a diagnosis over the phone and then try and help you understand how the system/part works or how a problem can arise. He really knows his stuff and I can't recommend him enough.

Edward Todd

★★★★★

6 years ago

I am really grateful for Jerry's skill, knowledge, and integrity. He fixed my 2007 Saab 93. He gave me a probable diagnosis over the phone and confirmed it in his shop. I place the highest priority on competence and integrity. Jerry demonstrates both. I appreciate the reference in other reviews to the directness of his communication style. Glad to have my Saab back. Thanks, Jerry.

Ian Canovi

★★★★★

5 years ago

I live in Milwaukee and saw a great deal in Minneapolis on a used Volvo model I've always liked. I had the seller take it to Jerry for a pre-purchase inspection before I made the trip. Jerry was prompt, professional, frank, and reasonable. I could tell from our interactions that he was honest, experienced, and to-the-point, and the vehicle is exactly as he described. I highly recommend this shop.

Joe Mount

★★★★★

a year ago

Worked wonders on my 94 Saab 900. Did a couple of minor fixes at no cost. If you own a Saab he’s the one to work on it. Very reasonable. Nobody can diagnose and repair like he can.

Todd Frostad

★★★★★

a year ago

Jerry took on my Saab project that few others would. Not only did he fix it, he was very communicative during the process and very reasonable on his rates. I will 100% use him again.

Hannah McClatchey

★★★★★

8 years ago

My car broke down within a month of moving to Minneapolis. Brought it to Jerry and he fixed my car within a week and it ran better than it did for years. Prices are so good that my parents would rather drive 4 hours to have their car fixed by Jerry than any other car mechanic around them. Gets right to the point with what's wrong with your car. No nonsense. No BS. Jerry is the man.

Norman Freytag

★★★★★

10 years ago

Jerry knows foreign cars. I have had a very favorable experience for both times I have used his shop on Pleasant Street. Excellent prices too! I would not take my older SAAB anywhere else. You can trust him.

Adam Hasanee

★★★★★

3 years ago

This Jerry guy is unreal. I never met the guy, but he spoke to me on the phone for 10 minutes and solved my problem. He could have easily told me to come in and charged me just to look at it. So much integrity. So much honesty. I will definitely use him in the future

Reed Osell

★★★★★

9 years ago

I have a Volvo S60 and the AWD went out on it. I took it to Jerry after spending months getting diagnosed by various other shops including dealers. Every shop quoted me $1500 - $2000 for repair, claiming that both my DEM (computer module that powers AWD pump) and the AWD pump itself went out. Meaning that I would have to get my module rebuilt and a new pump put in. I brought my Volvo to Jerry and explained what I was told by other sources. In less than 24 hours, Jerry had my AWD working again. It turned out that the car did NOT need a rebuilt DEM and that the only problem was a failed pump. All in all, Jerry's diagnosis, and work cut my costs in half compared to if I would have gone to a dealer or other mechanic. Jerry is a non nonsense guy. He wont fix whats not needed just to make an extra buck like some places. He tells you like it is. I now know that any future issues will be looked at by Jerry first. And if you are thinking about buying a Volvo or Sabb from someone, bring it to Jerry to have it looked at.

Chad B

★★★★★

10 years ago

I drive a Saab 9-3 that I turned over to my high school daughter. To get it ready, I had a local garage put on new tires, brakes all around, tie rods & alignment, new a/c blower & assembly, rack & pinion. All told, I put in about 4k but since most of it was wear and tear after 120k miles and to make the car safe for our kid, I could live with it. And then it died. Local garage said the code points to ECM engine computer and they can't program it. I was about to cut my losses and look for something else when I decided to do an internet search for Saab repair Mpls. Foreign Auto Specialties popped up with a couple others so I called and Jerry answered. He struck me as a laid back no BS kind of guy as I ran down the history of the car. I told him I was about ready to cut my losses after all I'd put into the car and he basically said, "forget about all that. Money you spend on cars is gone. The only question now is if you spend $1,500 to get that Saab fixed, is the car worth that much to you?" I had the Saab towed over to Jerry's shop without ever seeing it or him. He did the diagnostics that same afternoon and called to walk me through why he believed it was likely the computer and that he can order, program and install a new one. Next day he called to say it was ready to go. He's got an awesome shop in a cool neighborhood. Jerry mainly works on Saabs which is clear when you pull up and see them scattered around. He has all the necessary equipment to diagnose and repair pretty much any problem. The bill was about $150 less than he quoted over the phone. So far, the car runs perfectly again. Qualified, experienced, straight shooter. Only wish I had found this shop sooner!

Ryan Sinn

★★★★★

15 years ago

As a repeat customer for over a decade; I can say that Jerry (the owner / mechanic) is one of a kind. He can fix your SAAB or foreign car... don't expect a lot of dancing around the issues or the cost with your car.

Yassin Noor

★★☆☆☆

2 years ago

He didn’t want to call back to let us know that he will not work on our car after numerous voicemails ! As long term customer is lil concerning. We had to go there and find out our self although it could have been done over the phone. Other then that he’s good guy!

Brittney Paige Hansen

★☆☆☆☆

6 years ago

RUDE. I called and they picked up the phone in a rude way, no "Thanks for calling Foreign Auto Specialties" or anything like that. I live across the street, so they were my first call when I had a key stuck in my ignition. He asked what make/model I had, and when I mentioned I had a Ford Focus, he said "I don't work on Fords" and just hung up. I get that they specialize in foreign vehicles, but figured since I literally live across the street it was worth asking, the attitude was BEYOND rude, there's no reason to hang up or treat potential customers that way. Should I ever get a foreign vehicle, you can believe I won't take it here.

Andrew Peterson

★★★★★

4 years ago

He knew exactly what was wrong with my car and how to fix it. Dropped off my car and it was done within 24 hours. I would recommend Foreign Auto to anyone with a Volvo. Very knowledgeable!

CooLeo Coo Leo

★☆☆☆☆

6 years ago

The Business is called "Foreign" Auto Specialties. Along with other reviews before mine, he was short and cut me off in any greeting and asked what kind of car. Right after I said Toyota he cut me off again and said "I Dont work on Japanese Cars" and then hung up on me. Doesn't sound like Foreign Auto Specialities to me? Go ahead and call him and then right your review in your own objectiveness.