Best of the Gold Coast 2017: Top 10 best mechanics in the city
WHO can you trust to properly rev your engine? Tristian Hourigan came first in 2015 and 2016, can he do it again? Here are 10 of the best mechanics on the Gold Coast as voted by you.
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WHO can you trust to properly rev your engine? Tristian Hourigan came first in 2015 and 2016, can he do it again? Here are 10 of the best mechanics on the Gold Coast as voted by you.
10. Grant Hughes
Helensvale Car Care
2/46 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
He didn’t always dream of being a mechanic, but Grant is glad it happened. “I started as an apprentice at the Helensvale Caltex in ’89, took it over in ‘97 and when they knocked it down we moved here. I wasn’t looking to be a mechanic, but it came up and the more I learnt the more I got into it. Back in the day we rebuilt everything, we used to pull things apart. These days it’s take it out, throw it over your shoulder. Nothing’s built to last.”
9. Trent Johansen
Surfers City Holden
333 Southport Nerang Rd, Ashmore
This is Trent’s second year in the top 10, with this year marking five as a mechanic. So what does Trent love about it? “I just love that there’s a different challenge every day — it’s a really good feeling when someone brings in their car broken and it leaves fixed. I wake up enjoying my job every day — I don’t dread going to work, which is an awesome feeling.”
8. Adam Thomas
VA Garage
3/5 Olympic Circuit, Southport
Everyone warns when you buy a vehicle that’s not your stock-standard Toyota or Nissan that repairs will be a nightmare. Adam, a mechanic of 20 years, is here to help, well the Volkswagen and Audi owners at least. “I only specialise in Volkswagens and Audis basically because I like the product. That’s what I based my apprenticeship on over in the UK. So I carried it on. People love it when they discover us, they don’t only saving money but time as well.”
7. Trent Godfrey
Gold Coast Service Centre
6/1-3 Nesbit St, Southport
Not content being tethered to the tough and gruff stereotype, Trent is your friendly, gentle mechanic. “I enjoy helping people and I like to smash the expectation of a typical mechanic. A lot of people leave relieved, because it’s not as bad as they thought it would be. We’re keen to break that stereotype and make the whole process as painfree as possible. If it’s got four wheels and an engine we can most likely help.”
6. Dan Gough
Red-line EFI Automotive
22 Taree St, Burleigh Heads
Head to Dan’s Burleigh mechanics for the military treatment. “We’re a little bit different here, we’re all ex-military. We’re trained differently to other mechanics. We do all service and repair, but we’re also very good at diagnostics. We’re female friendly accredited as well. We’ve seen the disgusting side of the car-repair industry and it’s something we’re trying to change. A lot of people get ripped off and we’re sick of it.”
5. Rob Corben
Kmart Tyre and Auto
Pacific Fair, Broadbeach
Kmart has gained a reputation for being a low-cost bargain store, but as Rob says the Tyre and Auto sect is to be taken seriously. “It’s a fantastic place to work. I think sometimes people get an idea in their head that because Kmart is a bit of a cheaper retail store they think we’re second rate or lower quality. We try to dispel that myth. We’re all qualified mechanics here and Kmart send us to up-to-date technical training every year.”
4. Evan Byrne
Trade Mechanical
6/103-105 Spencer Rd, Carrara
After being dissatisfied with how the garage game seemed to be played, Evan took matters into his own hands. “I’d been around a few different workshops and I didn’t like how people ran their businesses. They take advantage and overcharge,” he says. “We focus on getting to know customers. We know their name, know their car, we take time to listen. We buy quality parts and we don’t take shortcuts to pocket more money.”
3. Peter Torrington
Coomera Car Care
30/3 Dalton St, Upper Coomera
Last year Pete came second in this poll, and he’s landed a podium finish again but wife Helen says it’s really a team effort. “Pete’s been saying ‘It’s not about me, it’s about everyone, how come it’s me nominated?’ I don’t know why either, but maybe we’ve been married too long,” she says, laughing. “Pete and I are surrounded by a great team who support us. Nothing much has changed, we all just got a year older.”
2. Jason Grimmond
Grimmo’s Garage
15/225A Brisbane Rd, Labrador
Grimmo’s Garage has been in the same spot for eight years now, and Jason a mechanic for 16.
Being the Queensland No. 1 in V8 commodore IPRA racing as well, Jason understands both ends of the spectrum — the thrashing and the fixing. “I do just about everything, that’s the real key. Absolutely every car from air con to full mechanic and also a few race components because I race a car on the side — it’s a very costly hobby.”
1. Tristan Hourigan
Automotive Satisfaction
2/152 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
Can you hear the cries of “hat-trick” in the distance? That’s because this mechanic has taken out the top spot for three years in a row. And you’ll be pleased to know despite this, Tristan hasn’t gotten too big for his boots. “Just been busy, not much has changed since last year, just busier,” he says. For anyone who isn’t familiar with Tristan’s work, he’s the ultimate jack of all trades. “We do a lot of stuff, there’s no real rhyme or reason to what we do, just a bit of everything. I like to work on older stuff but it doesn’t come through as much anymore. We just do whatever comes through the door and whatever people want. Some jobs you don’t want to do I’ll be honest, but we do them anyway. You’ve just got to keep your clients happy.”
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