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| - Cars. Haven't owned many of them. I've ridden subway cars for most of my life. When a car did need some work there was always a man around (Dad! My brother!) to handle the fixin'.
Yes. That's the sexist truth. So after hearing a number that made me gasp from a Ford dealer I turned to a dude. He recommended Spitfire Automotive. Actually, who he recommended was "Mike Carlton on Indian and near you."
Can I tell you next to useless this bit of information is on Google? (Still shaking my head on that one.) Anyhoo, I finally found the owner. With such a glowing referral (the dude had used him to fix his off road racing bikes many, many times) I figured, "Eh. Ok. Besides, what do I know?" And it was conveniently close.
After speaking to Mike to confirm his hours of operation I dropped my car off. His team was able to look at my car the next day of operation. They confirmed the diagnosis the dealer made lickity split. I was shocked, there's no way to emphasize the level here, but SHOCKED when Mike called with his estimate. The difference was substantially less *and* my car was going to be ready the very next day.
Let me say that last part again:
My car was going to be ready THE NEXT DAY.
I don't know the location of the magical unicorn tree where Mike grows Ford dealer parts. But my car, Bear, is so very happy. No need for a rental car, so I was happy too!
Spitfire Automotive is family owned and operated. It was opened in 1958 by Mike's grandfather when Indian School was a two-way dirt road. Currently the shop handles automobiles and motorbikes. There are plans to move motorbike repair to a northern Scottsdale location (74th St & Butherus Dr.) where it will be called "Dirt Riders West". Motorbikes can be purchased at Spitfire Automotive. While there I got my first up close and personal look at something called an off-road Beta Motorcycle 300.
The next part will make men groan. (Ok. Maybe some women too!) I'm looking at the bike and I think. "Hmm. It's ...red." I don't know! These are things that go thru my head. That, and, you better gosh darn write a review for this place. It's girl friendly. Manly place, but girl friendly.
Oh! And efficiently fast!
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