miata shops in atlanta

[miata5620]

just wondering what some good miata shops in atlanta are. i know GTE is great for alignments and suspension work but what about places for maintance and other work? my friend told me about rspeed in marietta has anyone done business with them? since i moved into an apt dont have access to my tools, all of them are in storage, so need to find some good places to get work done at.

[CaveRacing]

I use Jim Ellis Marietta for both my 6 and my NC. They are always fair, honest, and I've built a great relationship with them. If you go, ask for Eddie and tell him Lee sent you.

Other than the dealership, I've used Mazcare in Marietta. They've been around a long time and are always very fair and reputable. A buddy of mine new the owner so I started going there with my NA several years ago.

I've heard good things about RSpeed, but have never had any work done there before.

Good luck!

[miata5620]

thanks for the input i really dont trust dealers anymore seems like they all have young guys working there who do basic warranty work on the new cars and dont have a clue about the older ones. not saying all dealers are like it but with my 2001 mustang i had i was talking to there tech and he didnt know anything about the car and same has happen to a few other friends of mine with different cars. i am just picky and want high end servce and knowlege on my low end budget.

[metalman]

RSpeed is a great outfit, nice people. Depending on what you need are in the market for they may be able to help...it never hurts to talk to them. Give Joe, Taylor, or Sonja a call.

[Oblio]

try mazcare in Marietta if you would prefer an independent,they really know there stuff

[dbright007]

I am a big fan of Mazcare. Charlie (owner -operator) has become a good friend since I started taking my cars there. And when u go there, it's Charlie, Alan who handles the admin, and Clint. (well, and Boo the dog)
You will basically be speaking face to face with the owner and person working on your car.

If you get a chance when you are there, ask if one of the RxV8's is in the building. Charlie builds a super mean second gen Rx7 with an LS1 Vette engine in it. He has done a few, and man - a 400 hp 2nd gen is some kind fun to ride in! :D

[amaff]

Another one for Mazcare, they'll do you right :)

[thx712517]

I think I'll be heading to Mazcare once my car's clicking noise gets to me. They're literally right up the street from me. I was less than enthused with R Speed after they refused to install my swaybar mounts.

[metalman]

I was less than enthused with R Speed after they refused to install my swaybar mounts.


In fairness...
Shops have the right to pick whatever type work suits them.
RSpeed is a 'specialty' shop, they only do certain types of work...and selling imported aftermarket items is a mainstay for them. At this point, in terms of their 'shop', I think general service work for their long time customers is what they primarily do. They also do alot of wheel/tire packages and tire mounting.
Refusing to take your job isnt something you should be upset about...effing it up would be. To be perfectly honest, installing nickel dime items you supply wouldnt be high on my list of priorities either. :)

Joe is a person I would trust implicitly with my car. His reputation in the Miata community is long standing.

For typical general mechanical nonsense Mazcare is not a bad choice.

[miata5620]

yeah i wouldnt blame them for not intalling them for you even though i can understand it made you mad. i have talked to both shops rspeed and mazcare both are in the same price range on there work so who knows. i just know i need to visit one soon to get a timing belt done. i hate not having a garage and my tools around apt living isnt so wonderful when yoru a car guy.

[metalman]

Either of those shops should be well able to take care of your timing belt service.
One may have a more open schedule that suits your needs.

You dont need a garage to do your belt...just some tools. :D

[miata5620]

yeah i know and i have the tools i need but they are all in storage plus right now i dont really have the time. tools are easy to come by i work for harbor freight so i get tools for stupidly cheap. plus i also have some good tools for things i use all the time and that i know the ones i sell at work suck.

[CaveRacing]

tools are easy to come by i work for harbor freight so i get tools for stupidly cheap.


Harbor Freight, ay? The one in Kennesaw? Speaking of, I need to come by and pick up one of those aluminum low profile jacks. A buddy of mine has one and it is awesome. Lightweight, rolls nicely, and works well.

:clap:

[metalman]

I have one of those jacks...been using it for a few years. They rock! :D

[thx712517]

If they did the stuff they used to, I wouldn't have an issue with it. When I first went by there after picking up my car, the dude pretty much did what he could to talk me out of buying anything from him. I've got my opinion, you can have yours.

[metalman]

As always...I am positive there is another side to the story. :D
There always is.

[thx712517]

Not a whole lot to it. Showed up, wanted to buy a Torsen, was told it'd take a couple months to get one. Didn't want to talk about other stuff, referred me to the website. Said they were giving up on supercharger installs and other big stuff because the money wasn't in it like it was for oil changes and simple maintenance. Shot Ben at Mazmart an email, had a Torsen in the car in under a week. Maybe my expectations are screwy but I figure if a guy wants to sell you something, he'd take the time to talk about it. Answer your questions, or is there more you'd like to know?

[metalman]

Mazmart = junkyard/salvaged used parts business
RSpeed = specialty import NEW parts and NEW wheel vendor with service/repair capabilities
Mazcare = general auto repair catering to Mazda

Blaming any one for not filling the shoes of the other would not make any sense.
Theyre all completely different business models.

Here's my point...you really shouldnt post random 'negative insinuation' opinions about Miata sellers/vendors/enthusiasts unless they actually screwed you somehow. Obviously thats not the case here. You went to the wrong vendor for your torsen, I could have told that up front. I would be more likely to have a torsen in stock then RSpeed. Apparantly your other needs didnt fall into their business model either. There would be no sense in talking to you about items/service they do not supply or do not wish to.

The fact that RSpeed (or ANY small cottage industry vendor) changes their business model to fit needs/economics/demands etc should be no surprise at all. In fact it should be expected.
Peoples lives and families depend on that business to earn their living/food.

I have been in the Miata thing for a long time. I have done business with thousands, yes thousands of Miata owners, including many famous ones. I have also done biz with many vendors including the ones discussed here. I have a few general random negative opinions about some out there in Miataland...BUT I dont post them...UNLESS it serves others to know about specific details where a vendor/enthusiast was clearly trying to screw me. There is wayyyyy too much negative nonsense on forums....much of which is one sided, half truths, or without any real just cause. Sadly many often jump on these bandwagons without any real knowlege of the situation or consideration.

Hope this makes clear where I am coming from.

[thx712517]

That's fine. I posted what I experienced. Now someone else will know where to go for what.

[Oblio]

I think the both of you have valid points. In my personal experience Joe at Rspeed can be, lets just say "fiercely opinionated". He is honest and sells quality products but is not really a service shop although its easy for a new person walking in to think otherwise. I have spent money at Rspeed and would again.

[Oblio]

Oh, Ben at mazmart I love my new seats!!!

[miata5620]

tools are easy to come by i work for harbor freight so i get tools for stupidly cheap.


Harbor Freight, ay? The one in Kennesaw? Speaking of, I need to come by and pick up one of those aluminum low profile jacks. A buddy of mine has one and it is awesome. Lightweight, rolls nicely, and works well.

:clap:



no i work at the one in lilburn, georgia not the kennesaw. the jacks arent bad but stay away from the two ton aluminum jack go with the 3000lbs ones. been there 5 yrs so i know what is good and what isnt so good. if you want stop by my location if i am there ill try to hook you up with some deals. just ask for Robert

[CaveRacing]

That's cool. Thanks for the information. The Kennesaw store is really convenient to my house so I'll probably just go there. But I'm definitely gonna get the one you suggested....the 3,000 lbs one.

Thanks!

[miata5620]

glad i could help with the suggestion. working there for as long as i have i figured out what is good and what sucks.

[CaveRacing]

glad i could help with the suggestion. working there for as long as i have i figured out what is good and what sucks.


Ok...so I picked up the aluminum jack yesterday at Harbor Freight. I purchased this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91039

It was on sale for $79.99 Not bad! I hope that is one of the good ones. It is still in the box, so if this is not the one you recommend, please let me know. I also picked up a 1/2" drive breaker bar and a 1/2" drive torque wrench.

The new wheels are set to arrive tomorrow! There will be new pics posted soon!! banana

[Sawyer]

The new wheels are set to arrive tomorrow! There will be new pics posted soon!! banana


Oh yay!! I can't wait to see! :clap:

[Oblio]

tires tires tires!!

[leadfoot_mf]

wow i have known and done business with rspeed since i bought my car in 98. i let them do all my oil changes and general maintince on the miata that i am too lazy to do myself. yes i can get oil changes cheaper but i know the job is done right with rspeed.