Arena Motors has left the East coast

Just an FYI -
Arena Motors has left the East Coast.
I stopped in earlier in the week to find Steve packing a truck. He had a great offer and opportunity in California for his career and family. He apologized at the short notice.
Customers should be receiving a letter shortly.
So the West coast is getting yet another good mechanic.

Signature Car and Apex detailing is still there in the same building.


(song to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies)
Come and listen to a story about a man named Steve
A poor mechanic, barely kept his family fed,
Then one day he was wrenchin on a Diablo,
And up through the block came a bubblin crud.

Oil that is, black goop, Jersey tar balls.

Well the first thing you know ol Steve's got a tear,
Kinfolk said "Steve move away from there"
Said "Californy is the place you ought to be"
So they loaded up the truck and moved to Cali.

Rolls, that is. home of Lambos, Bentleys, Ferrari.

 

Wow, that's a shocker. All the best to Steve, I know he'll be missed around here.

 

What happens to all the customers that had recent service done.. If something goes wrong and warranty applies.. They get ****ed??? Just curious.. I'll answer that.. YES... I feel bad for the ones that had service work performed especially engine outs where a wrong water pump seal, engine oil leaks, (honest mistakes) etc.. will require the shop making good on the repairs.. Oh.. they could always travel to CA and drop it off.. How many moves now?

R

 

There's always FoCNJ...

 

No way Jim Magee from Poconos sports car is my mechanic. The guys aces

 

Who else is around? I'm in Central NJ, my 308 will be due for some servicing soon...

 

I was talking with Vinny & Mark at AutoElite in Tenafly yesterday. They have a nice shop and a good reputation. Two 355s and a 308 where in his shop, two TRs and a bunch of other cars.

Down by you, Enzo at FoCNJ is good and so is Carlos at Classic Coach in Elizabeth

 

Jim Magee at Pocono Sportscar.. Fantastic and spotless reputation. Really knows his sh*t.. Very reasonable and always has great communications with customer.. I swear by Magee.. The best of the best..

R

 

Geez - I forgot to mention Will and Sandy DeGroot at Exoticars. They are down by Frenchtown NJ if that's near you. I have yet to have Will work on my cars, but I have met him on many occasions and he's a stand-up guy who knows his cars. He does both mechanical and body. You do want to check out his hand-built Maserati. It's incredible - hand-rolled body panels. He's a little far from me, but perhaps he's close to you. I believe he does have a pick-up service.

He does sponsor events so you get to see his shop, meet him and his crew, go on drives through some wonderful roads, and perhaps have lunch at one of the local eateries like historic FrenchTown inn.


I don't mean to slight any shops, and I believe there's a couple threads on area shops you can search for.

 

I know about Wil - a little far, but I know he's a good guy. FoCNJ is close to me - driving distance for sure.

I've heard good things about both.

I have a connection to Classic Coach - my younger daughter's soccer team mate - her grandfather works there...don't know his name, but the family is always talking about the place. A 308 isn't really their focus area though.

 

I disagree. Though I will concede there is a lot of race prep going on. Carlos use to work on my 308 there. My first major was there as were the main bearings replaced there. They know and do work on the older cars. Their interior work is phenomenal. The body shop is incredible. Ask to see the storage area. You'll see 308s, 400s, TRs and older cars. If they are close, don't sell them short. Chat with Frank, Rocco, and Carlos. They are good people.

 

+1 for Jim and Auto Elite.

I just had a major and wondered the same thing.

 

I think AutoElite will see a big uptick in their business now Steve has shut up shop. Steve had a lot of customers... his shop was always full.

 

So can we expect an Arena Motors reality show on Velocity

 

That would be nice . He will be missed here, though


Now I have to travel further or learn to do more work . Classic is in my neighborhood but their prices are ridiculous

 

Steve will be missed. He is a great guy. Good luck to him.

 

ill give my plug for autoelite in tenafly nj
vincenzo is a master and he has no trouble
taking care of 308- lusso !!(very reasonable i may add)
i trust him with my cars ,, i think if your in
central nj ,, nyc or north he is the guy
south is a different story there are the above
two mentioned that are great as well although
one is very expensive

 

+ 1 for Auto Elite from me....

Vinny & Mark are great guys, They are meticulous and most importantly, very knowledgeable in what they are doing... Wouldn't take my car to anyone else

 

Sorry to hear that, but happy for him that he's found a great opportunity. Steve is a great guy.

 

Did Steve call any of his clients or did he just up and leave? I was with him for years and recommended him so many times, and not even a call? What the heck?

 

My dentist sends out little reminder cards for a yearly cleaning. A similar little card sent out thanking customers for their business and loyalty would have been nice.

 

you will be getting a letter from the shop he gave his client list to.

 

I got that already. I'm talking about a personal note, not passing off a client list.

Thanks though.

 

Got that last week.

There were a number of cars in various states of disassembly. Did they all get sorted out?

 

No.. he passed them off to someone.. Nice..

R