WEDNESDAY, 6 JULY 2016 I’m a 74-year old disabled vet whose 2007 Chry... read more WEDNESDAY, 6 JULY 2016 I’m a 74-year old disabled vet whose 2007 Chrysler Town & Country Touring van (my sole source of transportation) was having cooling issues. The temperature gauge had recently gone up to the top & back down again on several occasions. I checked my radiator for fluid leaks (found none) & levels (added 50-50 anti-freeze). The problem continued. After checking the internet for the best auto repair businesses and, with all their excellent reviews, contacted Champions of Chesapeake Auto Repair who said they give 20% off to seniors! I told them I would have AAA tow my van to their place of business. While waiting for the tow truck, I received a call from Dennis (?) telling me that Mike (?) said to have it towed to their secondary shop (Great Bridge Auto & Transmission Repair); so I did. Later, I received a call from Ryan (?) telling me that my van had a blown head-gasket and needed an engine replacement (estimated cost: $3400 used to $5500 new); plus, there might be issues that hadn’t been determined because this was the primary one! I’ve been retired since June 2006, receive my monthly income @ the 1st of each month, have very limited savings, and could not possibly pay for an engine replacement. I told Ryan I’d have to have AAA tow it from their shop & requested their bill for service ($79). Faced with this awful dilemma, I called the place of business from whom I’d purchased my van, explained my problem & was referred to another repair shop with whom they did business. The next afternoon that repair shop’s service manager (Joe) called & told me I did NOT have a blown head-gasket but a cooling fan failure & my van was ready for pick-up (cost: $408)! WOW, what a difference! As a result of this fiasco, MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH THIS SHOP!!! Their faulty & costly diagnosis is INEXCUSABLE! An auto repair business without integrity & trust in analyzing a problem is totally OFF-LIMITS to me and should be for anyone! TOM BOWLES, Lifetime Chesapeake Resident
