Car Repair in Tampa

“Got axles done by Tommy on my ram 1500. Works great. Being a service mechanic for many years I’ve met a lot of mechanics and Tommy and his team are the real deal.“

“Left my car brand new!!! Great prices and super quick. Many other places usually take forever with your car or never get to your car, but john is so quick and prioritizes your car! He has amazing prices that will not compare, great communication and very kind, his work is great quality as well, makes your car look like an accident never happened !!“

“I can’t say enough good things about the MacDill Auto Hobby Shop, especially Rod and Pete, who were absolutely outstanding throughout my entire experience.

I’m not a professional mechanic. I’m a YouTube-watching DIY guy who can read manuals, follow instructions, and take my time doing things the right way. Any time I hit a small knowledge gap, Rodd or Pete would point me in the right direction and, when needed, give me a hand or two. The support was exactly what you’d hope for in a place like this: knowledgeable, respectful, and encouraging, without anyone doing the work for you.

Using the lifts alone was a game-changer. During my time there I was able to:
1) Replace two lower ball joints
2) Swap out a CV axle
3) Do spark plugs
4) Perform a coolant change
5) Deal with a stripped lower ball-joint bolt from a previous owner, which I removed using an angle grinder, punch and hammer, and then replaced properly.

Any tool I needed, if it wasn’t already in the toolbox, I used a just asked, used a chit, signed it out, and they had it ready. Ball joint removal, safety gear, specialty tools, all available and well managed.

Next up, I’ll be doing a transmission fluid change and rear brakes, and I already know they’ve got everything needed to knock that out as well. Whenever I’m in MacDill for my monthly work check-ins, I make it a point to stop by the hobby shop afterward and get work done on my vehicle.

As for the negative reviews I’ve seen, they honestly don’t line up with reality.

Complaints about civilians not being allowed on base miss the point entirely. This is a military installation with resources for service members and veterans. That’s not entitlement, that’s policy.

Complaints about missing tools also don’t reflect how this shop operates today. Toolboxes are checked, and if something isn’t there, you simply ask and it’s handled immediately.
If someone has an issue, bring it to the staff, they’re approachable and professional. Complaining online about things that are easily addressed on the spot doesn’t do justice to how solid this place actually is.

The atmosphere alone is worth it. You’re working alongside other service members and veterans, people help each other out, and there’s a real sense of community. I even saw folks jumping in to help push cars when needed, that says a lot.

Financially, this place is unbeatable.
I was quoted $4,600 for similar work elsewhere.

Instead, I spent:
~$600+ in parts
$185 for the bay rental (including overnight use)
That’s it. And I did the work myself, correctly, with the right tools.

Bottom line: friendly staff, excellent resources, fair pricing, and a solid environment. This place deserves five stars, and Rod and Pete deserve recognition for running a shop that actually helps people succeed.

Highly recommended.“

“Wow! Used the mobile service for our first time & our first visit for our vehicle. Was scheduled the same day and Mike C. even called earlier saying he finished up a job & was able to come earlier. He was quick, took care of our oil change, recall, and answered any concerns I had. Super nice guy! Everyone should be using the mobile service!“

“CNJ auto repair are awesome. They worked with my insurance company and did a beautiful job on repairing the damage to my car. I recommend them highly.“

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“Highly recommended! They really saved me on the road. They showed up quickly, super friendly and patient, and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. Fixed the issue right there and then. It’s such a relief to know there’s a service like this when you need it.“

“Had my alternator and battery replaced here. Honest guys and fast service.Services: Electrical repair“