Toyota service in the south

[yaris9876]

I am heading thru the SE in the near future and am trying to find a really good service center
maybe in VA.,Tenn., or Carolinas to have some comprehensive maintenance
done on my 07 Hatch with 195K. Dont want a dealer but a Tech who really knows the Yaris and is cheaper than dealers. The south is where the best mechanics are so I waited. Any ideas???
am doing timing chain,vvti,full tune,new sensors o2 etc, and maybe new wheel bearings and muffler and alignment,fuel filter etc.
the idea is to get another 100K out of it.

[yaris9876]

well how about Northern Florida ,since I am past the rest of the south..??

[why?]

where are you going? i don't think there are any independent techs in florida. Everyone goes to the dealer or wal mart for car stuff.

and the south is not where the best mechanics are, i have no idea where you could get that idea from.

[ibanezjeepguy]

best mechanics in the south?
dude you must be on crack...
I've been living in SC for the past 2 years and let me tell you...
everyone and their brother and uncle and cousin are mechanics down here, they have no formal training, education, or even common sense for that matter.
best stick to a dealer if you want your repair warranted. any other "shop" will probably take short cuts and rip you for more than you bargained for

[yaris9876]

any dealer i check for reviews down here sucks ..they are thieves..
I always wondered how you teach your kids to play by the rules and at the same time spend your life truly stealing from your customers. But its
easy to do if your a primitive.
I need an independant in central Florida who gets it and has his own shop.
Hard to find but probably exists.

[bankrobber]

I know some excellent mechanics in Maine. Great mechanics in every state. I agree with you about independant shops. I know a few guys North of Orlando that don't have actual business but do great work out of their garage. I needed a new universal joint in my Dodge Ram. I pulled the drive shaft and took it to him and he replaced it for 20 bucks. Other "shops" wanted 80 dollars.
In my opinon the best mechanics work off word of mouth and have a stake in the business.

[bankrobber]

I am heading thru the SE in the near future and am trying to find a really good service center
maybe in VA.,Tenn., or Carolinas to have some comprehensive maintenance
done on my 07 Hatch with 195K. Dont want a dealer but a Tech who really knows the Yaris and is cheaper than dealers. The south is where the best mechanics are so I waited. Any ideas???
am doing timing chain,vvti,full tune,new sensors o2 etc, and maybe new wheel bearings and muffler and alignment,fuel filter etc.
the idea is to get another 100K out of it.
Timing chain usually wont need to be replaced like a belt. I always heard they can stretch but if it is running good probably Ok. Right?