I rarely, if ever, have good luck with mechanics. Living in a rural part of Oregon and having an import often makes finding a good mechanic, especially one who isn't swamped, a challenging experience. Even if you do find one, as was my case, the job is rarely done well and the prices either too good to be true or outrageous.

When I moved to Seattle that changed. Swedish Auto has revitalized my faith in specialty mechanics. On both visits, I've been in the unfortunate position of being in a time crunch for getting my car repaired -- days before I have to leave town or the sort of repair that can't wait. Both times Swedish accommodated my needs without making me feel like a burden. Every individual to I've spoken with on the phone or in person has been respectful, courteous, and most importantly communicative about the repair process and the costs.

The icing on the cake, however, is the loaner car service. Truly this is a fantastic thing for a mechanic to provide at an affordable, one-time fee per visit. Living in Central District and having a mechanic in West Seattle sounds crazy to a native, but trust me it's worth it with the loaner car on top of their fantastic service and flexibility.

Overall, this is a fantastic auto shop staffed with great people, a modern facility, and a loaner car program that takes all the stress out of having the car in the shop for a few days. They clearly love their Swedish brands and know the ins and outs of the cars customers bring in without consulting a cheat sheet or feigning interest. I just have to remember to ask for the AAA discount next time I visit.