Best and worst mechanics shops in Hilo

[tawyna]

We like Clint's - Lex Brodies by Blains not so much. 
How about the rest of you .

['elepaio]

We maintain and fix our own. All good and no reason for complain

[AaronM]

Chikas keeps my 30 year old Nissan ticking, the whole crew down there are miracle workers.

[terracore]

Avoid Firestone and Lex Brodies.

I don't know a good mechanic in Hilo. When car broke down in town I had it towed to Curlees in HPP.

Free airport parking hack: Take car to Kama'aina Nissan (they service other brands) for an oil change, take free courtesy shuttle to airport. When you get back, call for free shuttle to pick you up. I asked the driver how long people have left their cars there, he said he didn't know but probably about two weeks. Of course, your flight has to be returning when they are open.

[tawyna]

Lex Brodies wanted to charge us 80 plus tax for a simple oil change - would not allow us to bring our own oil or filter - we use WIX oil and air filters from ASC , LB uses Fram .
Clint's lets us use our own filters and oil at 25 dollars which includes the tax ,

[Durian Fiend]

Avoid Firestone and Lex Brodies.

I don't know a good mechanic in Hilo.  When car broke down in town I had it towed to Curlees in HPP.

Free airport parking hack:  Take car to Kama'aina Nissan (they service other brands) for an oil change, take free courtesy shuttle to airport.  When you get back, call for free shuttle to pick you up.  I asked the driver how long people have left their cars there, he said he didn't know but probably about two weeks.  Of course, your flight has to be returning when they are open.

How much do they charge for oil change?

I also don't care for Brodies.  Bought some tires from them a few years back, figured might as well have them do the safety check while there.  They failed my truck, said a TRE was a bit sloppy or something like that.  There may have been a bit of play, certainly nothing excessive.  I got the impression they were trying to drum up even more business, like new tires isn't quite enough?

That said, no doubt there are some vehicles out there driving about on our rough Puna roads with front end components beaten into a rather sketchy condition.  If you wait until they break, it's too late!

[terracore]

I don't remember how much it cost, but it was a lot by my standards because I change my own oil. Came with a free car wash.

I just saw this on their web site:

$24.95
TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE*

Tires Rotation & Balance
Rotate and balance 4 tires. Check and adjust tire pressure. Complimentary multi-point inspection.

*Certain restrictions apply. See dealer for details. Price and offer availability may vary by model. Taxes and fees additional. No cash value. Must present offer to redeem. May not be combined with other offers. Nissan vehicles only. Void where prohibited. Ends March 14, 2022.

As far as Lex Brodies goes, their affordable tires are from Indonesia. I looked up their specs one time and remember not liking them. I quit going there after I went there to get a tire repaired (had a nail in it) and they told me not only could they not repair it, it was such a "liability" they couldn't let me drive away with it (tire was still holding air, very slow leak) and tried to talk me into buying a replacement. They reluctantly agreed to let me drive away on the donut, which was only half full of air, which they couldn't inflate because it was their "policy" that they only put air into tires they sell or service (I'm not making this up). Fortunately I had a portable inflator in my trunk so I was able to inflate it enough to drive home and repaired the tire myself, and then drove it until it was nearly bald.

They told the guy before me the same thing, liability, blah blah blah but he didn't have a spare, and they literally told him they couldn't release the car to him unless he produced a tire their "technicians" deemed safe, or bought one from them. I've never been back. I'll never go back. The last two times I needed tires I bought them from Amazon, though Costco would be my first choice.