Transtastic

Steve is awesome. I have never trusted a mechanic, but I trust Steve. He explains everything thoroughly so you know exactly what’s going on with your car. He is always friendly and willing to go the extra mile. He even lends an empathetic ear when you complain about insurance companies and dealer shops. We have a 7 year old and 11 year old car, and we will continue to go to Steve until our cars die.

Brought in my beater 90s Nissan to Steve this morning to recharge the AC system and paid a very agreeable price. Sadly the recharge didn’t do the trick and Steve was nice enough to poke around for a half hour to diagnose and narrow down the problem. He also answered a bunch of general questions very thoroughly and matter-​of-​factly. I will definitely return of I have issues with my cars I can’t solve.

Dealing with cars is not my favorite activity. Thank goodness Steve enjoys it.
I have referred my friends, colleagues, wife, and mother (EVEN MY MOTHER!) to Steve at Transtastic. It takes a lot of great work, trust, and a reasonable approach to business for that to happen.
I will continue to support Steve and Transtastic and recommend you do as well.

Yet again Steve proves to be the best auto repair guy around.
As I have posted before I have worked on cars since I was young and just don’t have the space to DIY in Chicago. Having a working knowledge of cars and repairs can often give you a slanted view of repair shops. Finding a mechanic you like, can trust, and can learn from is a very rare find, and Steve is that rarity. He is professional, knowledgeable and just a nice guy. He explains the issue (s), gives you options, relates the associated costs, and is honest about whether you need certain work done or not. Again, this is rare.
With Transtastic you get the right solution for a darn good price.
I can honestly say I will never take my car anywhere else in Chicago for maintenance or repair, and I would recommend to anyone looking to get anything from and oil change to a engine rebuild done to take their vehicle nowhere else then Transtastic.
P. S. — The new location is great, just be aware that it is the N. Ravenswood Ave. that is
on the west side of the train bridge.

It’s not easy to find an honest, talented, and cost conscious mechanic so that’s why I won’t go anywhere but Transtastic. Steve always keeps in touch with you during the repair and sticks very close to his estimates. Exceptional work and service make this the only shop to go to on the north side. He even works on classic cars if you give him a little notice. All around great experience every time.

Steve is great. I’ve taken my car there a number of times and always felt I was fairly treated and that he did a good job. Definitely will go back.

I thought I needed a trans guy bc my mechanic didn’t do trans stuff. Turns out there was nothing wrong with my transmission– However Steve identified other issues that my regular mechanic should have recognized just driving my car. Things that I have been complaining about but they didn’t address. Steve even adjusted something with my brakes without charging me for it. Needless to say, Steve is now my new general mechanic!
Without giving you the step-​by-​step details of my experience with Steve, let me give you the highlights of why you should take your car there…
1) He KNOWS what he is doing– truly a «car doctor». He describes everything to you… even if you have no idea what he is talking about. And if needed (which I needed) he will also take the time to dumb it.
2) He is nice, personable, and appreciative of his customers.
3) You can TRUST him– the hardest part about finding a mechanic! He won’t take advantage of you– will not tell you to fix something unless it is necessary.
You won’t be disappointed if you take your car to Steve! Do it.

This is one of my first Unilocal!reviews, and it is well worth it.
Steve at Transtastic is a day saver. Nay, a lifesaver. Not only does he treat you like a reasonably intelligent adult (despite how little you truly know about cars), but he will walk you through his process step-​by-​step. I spent all last week telling everyone I knew about how awesome my mechanic is, and let me tell you, I haven’t stopped smiling.
Last summer I brought my Subaru Forester in because my check engine light wouldn’t turn off. Not only did he immediately see me, but it took him less than an hour to run diagnostics. Turns out my light was not essential to fix, and he walked me through why. He charged me a ridiculously reasonable price to run diagnostics, but otherwise told me to wait until I have emissions testing to fix it. WHO CAN SAY THAT ABOUT A REGULAR MECHANIC?! I promised that when it was time to fix it, I would be back.
Flash forward a few months. It’s time to fix this dang light. I brought it to Steve, he ordered me a knock sensor (he explained what this is so thoroughly, but like I may have let on, I know little to nothing about cars), and charged me less than he originally quoted me at. Everything was fixed and it only took one night in the shop!
Then, a few days ago, my car stopped running (when it was –2) and I had AAA tow it to Transtastic. After Steve worked on it and ran diagnostics, etc, it turns out my gas gauge is a liar and my tank was empty despite the fact that it didn’t show that. I felt like an idiot, and Steve DIDN’T CHARGE ME.
I love Steve. I love Transtastic. If I ever leave this city, I will tow my car back to him. Give him all your business.

Steve at Transtastic is the most honest, hard working mechanic in Chicago and I would know because I have looked and looked for years. I have a BMW and anyone who has a foreign car knows just how expensive repairs and maintenance can be if you just go to the dealer.
I had no issues with my car for 9 years but had a nagging rumble and rattle happening which led to me failing my emissions test a year ago. When I brought it in I said I think I need a tune up (which is about $ 600 for my car) after he diagnosed it he said,“You dont need a tune up, you have a busted hose which is about a $ 40 fix” He in no way needed to tell me but he did and that is just what he does. I have told numerous people about his service and they have all told me similar instances of great service with an honest approach that has saved them time and TONS of money.
So I say again… Steve is the most honest, hard-​working mechanic in Chicago. If you don’t believe me, take your car in for pretty much Anything and see for yourself. I assure you — he will be your mechanic for life!
D. DeSanto
Uptown, Chicago, IL

I’m a frequent Unilocal user, but I’ve never felt passionate about anything enough to write a review. Transtastic changed that.
My 1994 Camry doesn’t owe me a dime, but when the starter blew last week I was sure it would be more money than the car is even worth. After compiling a list of ten 4+ star reviewed mechanics I called around for quotes. Steve had been highly recommended AND gave me the lowest price. They even arranged a tow — I just dropped off the keys and went to work. Steve called four hours later saying that the car was done. A-​mazing.
I can’t say enough great things about the experience: fast, quality service at a great price. Steve and his staff were all really nice guys, too. Highly recommended.

Steve has provided such valuable service. First, we couldn’t figure out what was wrong with my car, but he was diligent and determined to fix it… and did! He kept me informed along the way and the price wasn’t too shabby considering the hours and hours of labor he had to put into it (I think he even ate a lot of the cost).
I’ve called him since with other car questions and he takes time out of his very busy day to answer me fully. He’s an honest guy who performs his work with a passion for helping others. Trust him!

This is my very first Unilocal review, but this guy deserves high praise.
Steve is a really great person to work with, I asked him several questions regarding my vehicle issues, and he explained everything to very minute detail, plus he even drew out diagrams of the possible issues with in the engine!!!
I was extremely impressed the time he took to explain everything, this is the best mechanic I have been to.

Hard for me to imagine giving any auto repair place 5 stars, but Steve deserves it.
My car was making a strange sound whenever we used the brakes so I didn’t have much time to do any research on mechanics. I looked up Steve’s reviews on Unilocal,found that they were generally pretty good and went with my instinct that Unilocalers are a good crowd and generally are not wrong. My gut feeling was right this time.
Steve was great — I actually called him after hours and didn’t leave a message, but he quickly called me back and asked if I had called him (!). I told him my story and he told me that he opens tomorrow at 7:30. When I arrived, Steve was there and he took my info and called me right when he said he would with an initial diagnosis and cost.
When I came back to pick up my car, Steve had all 4 of my brakes out and he showed me how each one looked. (One of my brakes wasn’t wearing at the same pace as the others). I thought that was really great that he was able to show me that.
All in, I have no problem recommending Steve to anybody. He’s a nice guy and a week into my new brakes, it looks like I don’t have any problems, so I’m happy.

Need a reliable honest mechanic in the city? Transtastic is the place to go. I recently received a car from my parents and, being a first time car owner, did not know where to go when my car decided not to start. After consulting with Unilocal,I decided to bring my vehicle to Steve. This was the best choice that could have been made. I got the car to Steve on a Wednesday morning, Steve looked at it that day, ordered parts, and had it ready to go on Thursday. Has worked like a charm ever since. Steve explained all of the work that he performed, going into great detail about the repairs (albeit I only understood about half of it).
Next time I have car issues, the first name that will pop into my head is Transtastic.

Don’t let the fact that Steve’s standing next to a guy in a gorilla suit discourage you from taking your car to him. Steve and his crew are a great group of mechanics and they work fast and don’t talk down to you if you don’t understand carstuff.
I don’t understand carstuff, and I’ve always been happy with there service.

I highly recommend Transtastic!
Steve, the owner, is the best I’ve found yet. He took a holistic approach to my car’s problems; He asked lots of questions, listened and tried to figure out what had caused the problems in the first place. He really took the time to explain what had gone wrong and what he had done to fix it. He even took me back into the garage, and with my car up on the lift, walked me through what had gone wrong and the repairs he made. In 16 years of driving, I’ve never been shown service like this. He got the work done fast and for a fair price and I will definitely be back in the spring to fix the air conditioner.

FINALLY I can trust my mechanic! It only took me 34 to find Steve, but I am so glad I did. I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experiences here.
Transtastic has worked on a number of my car issues including brakes and car stereo cd jams. Steve is dedicated to finding a reasonably priced solution to any of my minor crises. He is always patient with my never-​ending questions and random pop ups at his shop. He even gives great referrals so I can fix issue he cannot, like tires, on the cheap.
Steve is willing to buy factory parts from my dealer and then install them himself. I would rather give him my money than those other yahoos who are always trying to nickle and dime me. Did I mention how nice it is to really TRUST your mechanic? I think it’s effing priceless. Thanks Steve!

The first and last mechanic I think of in the city.
I have gone to five different mechanics in Chicago. Four of them left a lot to desire. But Steve earned my business because he took the time to explain things to me, a car neophyte, in a very clear and concise way, even drawing out things on paper and showing me in person what was wrong.
Twice he has sent me away when there has been nothing wrong and no work needed on my car. He easily could have had me for $ 500+ total, maybe more, but he was honest and upfront.
And he does good work. Nothing I have had worked on has every caused problems again.
As long as I live in the city within 10 miles of this place, I will go out of my way to give him my business. I don’t live nearby his shop anymore, but there’s no question I will make the trip back.

For years I have been trying to collect for myself a trusted doctor, lawyer, and mechanic. I’ve found my mechanic. This place is fantastic.
I brought my Saturn wagon in a couple of months ago because I was fed up with the shady auto shop in my neighborhood. The neighborhood guys cost me almost two grand and had never actually fixed the problem. I left my car with Steve while my husband and I were out of town and not only did he fix everything, but he coached my husband and I on how exactly to talk to the bum mechanics in order to get their bad repair fixed properly.
I trust Steve implicitly and I plead with you to try him out. You will never need to go to another place and you will never have to worry about someone being dishonest with you. Not only will Steve fix everything for as little money as he can, but he’ll walk you through exactly what he did and won’t look down on you if you don’t know anything about cars.
Highly, highly, highly recommend.

Steve is a great mechanic! I’ve never had a more honest person work on my car. I had one of those «mystery» problems that took time to diagnose. A certain Lexus dealership told me I had a blown gasket. I figured, if it was going to cost me at least a couple grand, might as well have someone else look at it.
A friend of mine recommended Steve at Transtastic…
and I’m glad I took it in. Steve found the problem (fuel pump flooding the cylinders because the computer was bad). I could have purchased a new computer, but he found a used one for less than half the price.
If you’re complaining about oil changes… then go to a Quick Lube.
This guy fixes real problems