Just got back from Midas.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Just got back from Midas.
I have had a small exhaust leak at the doughnut for awhile now and it has been getting worse. This morning I took my car to Midas . First they wanted to cut the pipe to get the heat riser out. I told them just unbolt the muffler hanger and slide the whole system back. They did. Of couse they did not have the heat riser gasket (which was where the leak actually was) After a hour wait for the part, when the delivery came it was wrong. So I waited another hour for gasket. That one was ok. The job was finished ok and the leak is gone. Now all I have to do is clean the greasey smudges off of my NEW door panel. The manager of this place is a car person and has a nice silver/green 82. Kidda makes you wonder what kind of service you get at some shops.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,975
Likes: 22
I had a local Midas shop put on a complete from the headers back exhuast system on my 72. It was a friggin disaster. About six months later, I took it to a shop that ripped out the whole thing and installed a 2.5 inch stainless system with an h-pipe. A night and day diff. That was the one and only time I ever went to Midas. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
I went to a Speedy for a quick fix and the manager (who owns a '60 Vette) did a brake stand right into the bay door.
I received 10 grand to paint my car and fix body damage.
ah, beautiful!
I received 10 grand to paint my car and fix body damage.
ah, beautiful!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
i know ! nobody cares!, im sick of slobs gettin grease or whatever in my car,or if you dont pad the lift the'll scratch the hell outta your frame--so you got the ram horns on your car too huh?- when i jet coated mine i changed those doenuts and all the exhaust man gaskets- could'nt get those studs out thou.,,coated over them.. another thing -the car semed to really breathe better after they coated the inside of the pipes cuz after i put all that exhaust tog and warmed her up real good,,i was sittin at a red light in the forest preserve area,, and when the light changed i stomped on it,, and was wondering why i wasnt really going any where(radio was up)- i was roasting the tires!!!. it just seemed to breathe much better
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
idid it all by my lonesome- midas used to be VERY NOTORITIOUS FOR BEING CROOKS-case in point- ihad a chevy van 15 yrs ago and was too lazy to do tie rods myself- took it to midas- they said it need entier frt end EVERYTHING 700 OR 800-shopped ard and some honest guy at k mart,,,yes k mart- told me i need 2 tie rods thats it- did them myself and had it alighed-never went to a midas again
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
$100.15 They replaced the gasket and doughnut on the passenger side. They did have to remove the entire righ side because mine is an OEM style all welded system. Monkeys don't work cheap anymore. A least they weren't gorillas. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Central KY
I've used Midas for small jobs like that and been satisfied. It requires that you stand out there with them - in the lot if they won't let you in the bay due to insurance - where you can talk with them while the work is done... The guys know you are a serious car guy when you talk about welds, etc...
BTW - I have used a small private shop in Munfordville, KY - Hart County Muffler. This guy is a magician with pipe bending. He does jobs that are works of art and reasonably priced. He uses the compression pipe bender, not mandrel bends. Even so, if you need something done up for the Suburban or farm truck, he's the man! My advice here is to find guys like that near you for the projects you don't want to do yourself. The chains are harder to get that kind of service and result from...
BTW - I have used a small private shop in Munfordville, KY - Hart County Muffler. This guy is a magician with pipe bending. He does jobs that are works of art and reasonably priced. He uses the compression pipe bender, not mandrel bends. Even so, if you need something done up for the Suburban or farm truck, he's the man! My advice here is to find guys like that near you for the projects you don't want to do yourself. The chains are harder to get that kind of service and result from...
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Originally Posted by AGVI
I went to a Speedy for a quick fix and the manager (who owns a '60 Vette) did a brake stand right into the bay door.
I received 10 grand to paint my car and fix body damage.
ah, beautiful!
I received 10 grand to paint my car and fix body damage.
ah, beautiful!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
I believe most Midas shops are franchises, so your experience will vary. We take our drivers to the local Midas for oil changes, brakes, and yes, exhaust work. The owner told me he did a lot of custom exhaust work, had the special lift for lowered cars... I almost took the vette there but ownership changed. Instead I drove 50 miles (1.5 hours!) to take it to an exhaust shop that I trusted!! 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Oh Lord, Stuck in Lodi again.
My buddy had a lowered chevy half ton and had midas do the exhaust. They didn't make the effort to tuck the exhaust up tight and less then a week later he ripped the entire system off going over some railroad tracks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,704
Likes: 6
From: Toronto
one of my hangers let go almost right in front of a Midas near downtown Toronto. I got them to replace it and check all the others, ended up 1 more, and I figured I would get soaked good for the job. But they were all car guys and didn't charge me anything at all, just asked to me to contribute to this kid's charity. No problem gave them $20 and drove home witha smile on my face. They're not all bad. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by MotorHead
Did Midas actually pay you directly or did it go thru your insurance company ?
It was Speedy and they paid the shop doing the work directly.
No insurance...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan FL
Taking a classic car to Midas is like taking a hot babe on a first date to Burger King. The food is acceptable, but the night won't end well...
There's always a local exhaust shop where you'll find somone who is a car person and has plenty of "custom" experience.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
There's always a local exhaust shop where you'll find somone who is a car person and has plenty of "custom" experience.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Originally Posted by 74FLCONV
Taking a classic car to Midas is like taking a hot babe on a first date to Burger King. The food is acceptable, but the night won't end well...
There's always a local exhaust shop where you'll find somone who is a car person and has plenty of "custom" experience.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
There's always a local exhaust shop where you'll find somone who is a car person and has plenty of "custom" experience.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
You deal with individual competence and not Midas or any other chain. Same with a GM dealer and the like. I use a local Midas dealer that works on my 1967 Corvette and my more modern Impala. Attention to detail A++. Find a good mechanic and stay with him/her. A real professional takes as much pride in your car as you do. I have identified local engine, transmission and exhaust experts. They get my business.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
i have found midas to be one of the most over priced shops that i have ever been to and when they do a brake job ,they think that every part from the brake pedal down needs to be replaced . any where but midas .
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
thats how they were with my frt end 15 yrs ago ,how come when i do a service call im honest and charge less than normal to try to help people,,an get call backs,,, these guys should where masks ,,cuz there robbin you!- they get all they can ,and dont care if you come back & if you do thell screw you again