The Civic Center
BOSTON HONDA and TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER |
617-539-4460 |
These are
"Car Talk" Testimonials.
They were copied unedited
from the "CarTalk" website:
http://cartalk.cars.com/Tools/mech2/ask-rec.pl
The reviews were found by typing 02152 for a zip code and selecting
"The Civic Center".
Reviewers Comments:
Len Mariano is a Toyota and Honda specialist who uses factory parts only and is simply superior to dealer repair shops. Len has just gone into his own business after many years of experience at other Honda/Toyota shops and will handle repairs on other makes until he gets his shop full off the ground. He handles my Dodge vehicle expertly and I'll make the 1/2 hour drive from my house to his shop because he is one of those mechanics you can trust totally. I live across the street from an auto repair shop but still head to Winthrop to see Len. If you are anywhere in the Boston area he is worth traveling to Winthrop to see. If you are driving a Honda or a Toyota--you shouldn't even think twice.
I just moved to Winthrop and don't know too many people yet, but I want to assure you that one of the finest professionals in the Greater Boston area is The Civic Center's owner and lead mechanic, Lenny Mariano. My beloved 1988 Honda has serious geriatric problems. When it wouldn't start up one afternoon, I walked into the Civic Center garage with a short list of things I thought I needed done expecting the folks there to add to that list considerably. That didn't happen. Lenny heard me out and then suggested that we reserve judgement. He called me at work later that afternoon with a prioritized list of needed repairs, and the work was completed by the following afternoon. He needed to get parts. This was fast and meticulous work! When I went to pick up my Honda, he showed my all the parts removed and, then, put her up on the lift. He walked me around to see all new work. It was extensive, finely carried out and the price was very, very reasonable. If this were all, I'd probably just write a couple sentences of praise here and let it go at that. But here's what I want to emphasize (it even deserves its own paragraph): Lenny Mariano took the time to discuss my car's needs in detail and was very, very clear in telling me that much of the work I want to have done shouldn't be done. It would cost much money and not effectively extend the lifetime of the vehicle. A mechanic that is top-drawer skilled in diagnostics and repairs, willing to talk *and* is interested in the health of your car more than he is in the depth of your pockets? It's a proud profession and this man is among the best of the best.
First of all, Lenny Mariano is an honest mechanic, that's right I said honest. I know most people think of the words honest mechanic as an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp and military intelligence, but it's true. The Civic Center is the only place I will take my car to be serviced. Actually, I am considering a new car for my wife and will only buy something that The Civic Center will service, he's that good. When I had a major service done there a few weeks ago, he actually gave me my old parts back in the original boxes that the new parts came in and these were genuine Honda parts I might add. Next time you go to another shop that swears up and down that they use genuine parts, ask to see them before they go into your car or to see the empty boxes when you pick up your car, I promise you that this is very, very rare. If the mechanic makes an excuse as to why he can't, be suspicious. Lenny is a great mechanic and a genuinely nice guy. Visit the Civic Center and I promise you will not be disappointed.
I first saw the shop just driving by and owning a Honda I was glad we had the shop so close to home. My first experience was having a broken spring replaced and knew I had to replace both and the job was completed with remarkable speed and the work was done perfect. Just talking with Len I knew he was a very honest compedent person and have had other work done there as well. I would recomend him to anyone and I am sure they will approve of his work and prices also. I am sincere with this statement. Yours truly, Ed Santamaria Winthrop, Ma.
After a referral from someone in town (and a double check on cars.com-cartalk),I phoned Lenny and told him of my mishap. The night before, I had misjudged the distance between my 98 Honda Civic EX and the post at the T stop that surrounds the ticket-taker booth and sheared my electric sideview mirror right off! I told him I had an appointment with my insurance the company the following day, but wanted to speak to him about his availability to do the repairs, would he have to order the part, and how long would this take. He said just stop by when its convenient and he would be happy to discuss it with me. I did, and his estimate came in $100 under the deductible. I made an appoitment with him for the next day for him to do the repairs, (he offered to drive me home while they repaired the car)and cancelled my claim with my insurance company. The repairs, including an oil change, took less than an hour. And, the part was a genuine Honda part--he opened the sealed box in front of me to be sure it was the correct mirror. Lenny is a soft-spoken, easy going, honest and humble man who obviously loves his work. The shop is clean and well maintained, and very easy to get to, location-wise. I highly recommend this shop for any make of car. He is eager to do business with you--and you should be happy he is going to work on your car!
It's all in the name... Now that I've found this shop I will not take my car anywhere else. Once you visit Lenny you'll feel the same. He is truly a civic-minded individual who aims to please his customers. As soon as you talk to him you'll see that he is a reputable mechanic. Specializing in both major and minor servicing, Lenny's years of experience are displayed through his expert workmanship and his strict commitment to using only genuine Honda and Toyota parts. The Civic Center opens fairly early and is accessible by public transportation, so you can drop off your car and commute to work with ease. The bottom line? Honest opinions and high quality service at an affordable rate.
If your looking for honesty, quality, commitment and reassurance that you are getting the best. The Civic Center is were you should be taking you honda or toyota.....Lenny brings his experience to a level that you don't get at other repair specialists. If you have a question about your vehicle your not sure about, Lenny explains it clearly in a manor that you can understand. A good example of Lenny's honesty to his costumers; this is my own personal experience...I needed work on my honda and ask Lenny to take a look at it, come to find out the problem was still cover under the warranty...now in most cases another mechanic would have fixed it and charged more money .... but in this case Lenny called me and asked to check if this problem was covered under the warrenty.. and it was so and the problem was solved...which brings me back to the begining of my comment..honesty, quality, commitment and reassurance ...equals solutions. march 2002
Being a female, I have been ripped off way too many times by mechanics claiming to be honest. One day my battery light came on and I panicked. We happened to be in Winthrop and my friend suggested I take it to Lenny at the Civic Center. He told me he was the most honest person he knew. Lenny was a pleasure to deal with. He was so understanding of my fears. He told me he would check the car out and give me a quote before he did any work. He called sooner than I expected and told me exactly what was wrong. He even gave me the option of fixing the important stuff now and waiting a couple of months for the rest. I was contemplating selling the car but he told me it was a good solid car and would last at least another ten years. I decided to let him fix everything at once feeling confident that the car was worth it. When I picked up the car the next day, he charged me $100.00 less than his quote. Lenny is kind, considerate and totally honest. I have finally found my honest mechanic! When I do decide to buy my next car, it will definitely be another Toyota or Honda because Lenny specializes in those makes. Thanks Lenny for making me feel safe and secure when I drive my car.
Len is an extremely competent mechanic and an excellent diagnostician. He does complete service on my newer truck and my child's older vehicle. He never does work unless checking with me first, and on the older car, always gives the option of value of work vs. age/value of car. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for service on their Honda/Toyota vehicle. He has never been anything other than honest and reliable, and reasonable in rates.
I've recently moved to Seattle, and one of the biggest things I miss is my trusted mechanic and owner of The Civic Center, Lenny Mariano. I was introduced to Lenny by my fiance (I miss her too, but it's a close between her and Lenny!), who still lives in Winthrop....As a matter of fact, she jokes that she just may want to stay in Winthrop because of Lenny! Anway, she drives a Honda and I drive a Toyota, so Lenny is the perfect mechanic for the both of us. I've found Lenny to be very competent. He only uses authorized Toyota/Honda parts, and he saves the old parts and shows them to you when he is done with a job. He will tell you what is necessary, and leave out the hub-bub. In addition to being a great mechanic, he is good-natured and easy to joke around with. So, if you're looking for good customer service and a high-quality Honda/Toyota certified mechanic, check out the Civic Center! I highly recommend Lenny to anyone who is driving a Honda or Toyota. He will fix it right! Sincerely, Patrick Nevers
Lenny Mariano is honest, knowledgable, friendly, and takes time to make sure you really understand what's going on with your car. We have a '93 Honda Civic with 200,000 miles on it and he helped us to prioritize and decide what work was worth putting into it, and was considerate of our limited budget. The work he did was excellent and we would recommend him to anyone. We looked his shop up on this web site a couple of months ago and we have found all of the glowing reviews to be true! We are moving out of state and are going to miss having him as our mechanic; he is great.
Lenny has worked on my car and my wife's since we moved to Winthrop we have Honda Accords a 92 and 93 and that we have move twice to Boston and now to Randolph I will always bring my cars to The Civic Center they are great. Lenny always asure us that he uses factory Honda parts. I wouldn't trust ANYONE to work on my cars but The Civic Center.
Areas Serviced: Boston, Allston, Arlington, Brighton, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Chelsea, Danvers, Dorchester, East Boston, Everett, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Marblehead, Medford, Melrose, Nahant, Newton, Peabody. Quincy, Reading, Revere, Saugus, Sommerville, Stoneham, Swampscott, Wakefield and Winthrop
Easy to get to just North of Boston
96 Pauline Street - Winthrop, MA 02152
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Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Payment Options: MasterCard, VISA, Cash, Money Orders
Business Categories: Honda Service and Repair
Toyota Service and Auto Repair Boston
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Copyright: 2004-2009 The Civic Center 617-539-4460