I took my car to Midas because it would not start. Apparently, that was my first mistake.
They had my car for about 3 days before they even came up with the dianosis that my head gasket on the #3 valve was bad. I was told that there was only 30psi in it, so that DEFINITELY is a blown, warped or cracked head gasket and needs to be replaced. $1800.
I was not too happy, as I did not feel my car was worth that much. My second mistake was probably informing them of that. They immediately tried to sell me on getting used parts for it, but it would still be about $1500. That was still not going to cut it.
A friend of mine who works for a different automotive shop told me that in all his years and hundreds of Saturns, not one he has seen with a head gasket problem. So, I went to Midas to have mine picked up and towed to my friend's shop.
I find it very amusing that the Midas repair technician tells me that this is a common problem with Saturns and in fact they recalled many, but "I called Saturn for you and they said not this model". So, I bought into this and wrote a complaint to Saturn who apologized, but said this was not a problem and there were no recalls.
My suspicions became perfectly to fruition when the repair technidiot (I may now call him this) told me that I would be stupid if I didn't get this repaired because it would drive another 300,000 miles if I used high grade gasoline and kept it up on tune ups and oil changes. He further went on to say that if I was just gonna get rid of it, he'd take it because his labor is free!
So I had it towed to my friend's shop and the owner there was the one to work on it. Within 48 hours, he had it diagnosed to a $27 crank shaft sensor. My head gasket was just fine. The pressure was just fine. There was no oil nor coolant in the head. It was JUST FINE!
So as happy as I was, I did have them change the motor mounts which Saturn did make with shoddy equipment and I was only too happy to give them my business. Less than $500 later and my car runs as good as it did the day I bought it. Holy cow. Midas almost had me.
So, I wrote a letter to the BBB, Attorney General's Office and the Licking County Chamber of Commerce. The response I received from Mr. Bill Overstreet of the Midas franchise who has 101 shops in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Indiana was one of cold, unprofessional and without remorse for my situation. Totally unapologetic.
He has insisted that their diagnosis is correct. Hmmm, my car runs like a dream and I did not have my head gaskets replaced. But their dianosis was correct. His argument is completely fallible and illogical. He obviously believes in the dollar over ethical and honest business practices. Because of his attitude and their borderline criminal behavior, I have asked for my inspection fee back as I feel I was mislead. He has refused me that $80.54, so for every penny that he has taken from me, I will do my best to take a $1 back from him in lost business.
I have received the "Midas Touch". Don't let them touch you or your car!
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