We are locals in The Cove here in PC. And locals know that You get what You pay for. It seems all the bad postings are perhaps they don't want Quality work. . "The Bitterness of poor-quality is Long Lasting after the Sweetness of a Cheap Price is Gone." Paul in the front of house is always informed & is upfront with pricing & details. James always test drives with You to make sure He can identify what it is You think You brought it in for. If there is something else, then it most likely needs to be fixed. You want low prices, go to that shade tree mechanic your friends recommend. Good luck. James, Ann, Paul & Team know how to do it properly to protect you and your investment. If You drives '96 Toyota Corolla, You might not need James to fix it. You should replace it. Yes they will fix any problem right the first time, but You will pay a Fair amount for this Team to warranty their work. Like anything, you get what You pay for. We choose James Auto Center for all our Preventative Maintanence & Repair Needs. You should too if you really want to solve the problem, not just band-aide the problem. read more

I cannot beleive AAA has this as a qualified reference. They are crooks, period. Needed a thermostat installed. bought one with the aluminum housing at O-Rielly's for $29.95. I also purchased a ratchet socket 1/4" set for $19.99. Just for your information, you drain the anti-freeze, remove the hose and remove two TEN-millimeter bolts. Now they said i need to replace the radiator, put new wiring and sparkplugs in. They would not just put the thermostat in for they would not work on the vehicle without doing it all. They wanted $3004.00. Yes that's right Three Thousand and four dollars. I refused, so they charged me $180.00 to diagnose even though I told them what i wanted. Lastly, I picked my Suburban up drove it 35 miles to our rental house and not one issue. Plus, I have gauges so to identify any trouble prior to a problem. read more

I usually don't leave bad reviews, but my experience with Dynamics Automotive & 4x4 was completely unacceptable and disappointing. I dropped off my car for a diagnostic first thing in the morning and received a call with outrageous repair estimates. I told them I'd call if I decided to go through with anything. When I called at 4:20 to say I might be a few minutes late picking it up, I was initially told "no problem," only to get a call back a few minutes later to be told I'd instead have to come the next morning since my car was still disassembled. While I understand technicians leave at 4, they should have reassembled my car before leaving since I had not authorized any repairs, which caused me to scramble for rides both that day and the next. The individual I spoke with the following morning defended this as "standard practice to leave it disassembled if a faulty part is out in case a customer calls wanting it fixed." That may be standard, but I didn't call, so leaving it that way was unnecessary and stressful. An apology doesn't change that. I had heard good things about this shop, but my experience was the exact opposite. Poor communication, unnecessary delays, and outrageous prices ensure I will neither be returning or recommending this place. read more

I'm So Sorry That I Have to leave this review. The reason is to help others from being taking advantage of in the future. I paid 125.00 for a diagnostic test. They told me it was the heater hose assembly and it would be 700 to have it replaced. Thank God someone honest came through and the hoses needed to be tightened and the thermostat needed replaced. So if i would have borrowed the money to fix what they said was wrong I would have still had the same problems. It cost me 119.00 to have it repaired and safely on the road. This place has great reviews and I needed someone honest and dependable but bringing my car here was a huge mistake and could have been worse. read more

These folks are legit ! Im from California my car broke down had it towed here and they replaced my radiator for dirt cheap.... They are the sweetest people ever repaired my car and got my car running in no time at all. The crew is easy to talk to and the nicest people ever ! They will give you the best deal in town and they are for real ! Dwight is dope wish I had more time to chop it up with them as they love to chop it up... Dont be hesitant and give them a call you wont regret it ! read more

Great and reliable people at this place. I was there temporarily for work and they took care of me and my car perfectly, they even gave me a loaner car so that I can go home and sleep since I worked nightshift. Recommend 100% read more

First things first. James has sold out and the business is now called Dynamic Automotive. James did do a good job finding someone to take over so he could retire. They are very professional and the the work is done in a timely basis. read more

I never hesitate to recommend James Morris. He iIS a Master Mechanic who does the job right. With two older cars, especially my beloved Saab, there is no one else I trust. He's not a cheap shop but if your safety on the road matters, this is your shop read more

This was my first visit to James Auto Center. I made an appointment and was dreading a trip to the shop, just like everyone does. They were very nice and James seemed eager to figure out what was wrong with my 2017 Pacifica. I know over the two days they had my van, that James was running all kinds of computer checks on it and researching the diagnostic codes while Paul was on the phone with both Chrysler Corp and the warranty company, trying to make sure that I wouldn't spend any more than I had to. Bottom line, they were VERY helpful and I am happy with the service I received. Bonus: They gave me a little Lexus SUV loaner while they had my vehicle at no charge! I'm calling James the Vehicle Whisperer from now on because I believe he saved me an extra trip to the dealership and I am extremely happy with my experience with them. Will recommend to my friends. read more

Had my Car check for repairs... James Auto est. $6000. vs Bay Chrysler $850. No questions for me. read more

The worst thing about having work done on your car is that you can't use your car while it's at the shop. James Auto Center solves this problem with their free loaner cars. Between that and the kind, competent staff, we'll make this our repair shop while we're in Panama City. We brought our Lincoln in for a routine brake job in October. We were met by a friendly, although obviously busy staff. The did a quick diagnostic test drive (yes, it was the brakes), and then got my kids and I out the door in one of their loaner cars. We made the appointment on a Monday, dropped the car off on Wednesday, and had it back in great condition by Friday afternoon. The brake job was expensive. But, we've since referred a friend who was visiting from out of town, and wanted a noise checked out before she drove home. James' staff did some looking around, and said besides a routine oil change, they didn't need to do any work for her to be able to get back safely. I appreciate that they didn't try to sell her on stuff she didn't need. read more

I've taken both my cars here now, and the service they provide cannot be beat. How many times has your mechanic called you AFTER the repair to check and make sure everything is good? They know what they are doing and back it up with a warranty that you couldn't get from other repair shops. They are part of a car repair consortium across the country that will take care of the warranty if you are out of town, plus it's nice to know which repair shop to go to if you do break down when you are out of town. I liked how they initially inspect the whole car and come up with a list/menu of items for you to be aware of, and can take care of when you wish. I'm on the road a lot, and wouldn't trust my car care with anyone else. Thanks James and Paul, cars run great, and I no longer worry about long trips. read more

I've used James auto center twice now for my diesel truck and been happy both times. James and his employees are super personable and fair. I will recommend James auto center to anyone in need of car/truck care. read more

I just love their business model. They start with a drive, you in the car, do the Vulcan mind meld with the computer, go over it with you and recommend what to do. If you are having enough done, you get a loaner car. Did a great job on my Chevy 08 3/4 ton Diesel. The updated software made this already quiet diesel even more quiet, even the wife noticed the difference. I was looking for an alternative to the dealer and I have found it. read more

I chose this particular shop because of the positive reviews I saw on the internet. So, instead of shopping around, I headed straight over to that place. Don't get me wrong, people that work there know what they are doing, but they charge you an arm and a leg for their service. To be exact, most shops will charge you diagnostics fee, but they will credit it back to you if you choose them to do the work. James Auto Center wouldn't. I had a bad water pump, so to replace it, you'd have to take the serpentine belt off, and it should be as one labor charge. Instead, James Auto Center charged me separately for each step as if I came in, told them to replace the belt, left, came back, told them to replace the pump, left. So, according to an estimate I received from another shop, I overpaid around $300. If you have plenty of money to spare, then take your car there - and they'll do a good job; if not, shop around before committing to this particular place - and you'll be surprised how much money you can save. read more

Business owner tells car owner next time you need to bring the decision maker I can't work with anyone that can't make the decisions. Violates logic. On 08/14/14, we took our Lexus in for diagnostics at James Auto Center, Incorporated of Panama City, FL. Upon arrival, James, the owner, wanted to take us for a test drive even though we told both him and his office manager that we needed to leave for a medical appointment at the Mayo Clinic, which is over five hours away. We agreed to the test drive since he kept repeating himself. Once we return they indicate a fee of nearly $110.00 would be needed just to evaluate the vehicle; using an example of how they are like doctors and cannot "diagnose" a vehicles for free. We agreed. We then remind both James and his office manager that we need to leave for our Mayo Clinic appointment, but they do not hasten whatsoever if anything James goes slower by trying to sell us on getting headlights cleaned for $75 bucks. We let him finish his poorly timed and poorly executed sales spiel then finally depart. A few hours later they call and tell us the car battery keeps dying due to the alternator. He indicates he could replace the alternator with a rebuilt one with a "part" cost of roughly $450 bucks, two belts need to be replaced as they are causing the noise when the A/C is activated with "part" costs under $30 bucks, and the car would need to be reprogrammed to work correctly with the rebuilt, non-Lexus, alternator. The price he quoted was nearly $1100.00 dollars total. I tell them we will call back speak to the vehicle owner's father who says he will pay to fix it after inspection. I call the auto center back, speak to the office manager, and tell him we wouldn't be using their shop for the repairs given their cost is out of scope for the car owner due to his weekly exorbitant medical costs. He understood. The following day, 08/15/14, we go to pick up the car after returning from the Mayo Clinic. We go in and wait for a few minutes at which time the office manager brings us to the back and begins the transaction. I then leave and get back in my vehicle while the very sick car owner stays to settle the debt. Then James, the owner, walk in. James immediately talks down to his very sick patron, very rudely -- next time you need to bring the decision maker I can't work with anyone that can't make the decisions -- as an indication James viewed his sick patron as incompetent or indigent. The office manager said to his employer, defending the sick patron, that had it just been a couple belts the car owner would've been the decision maker. The car owner is stunned in disbelief and offended, does not respond, and instead takes his keys, begins to exit the tiny shop with the office manager about to follow to verify the vehicle would turn on. James stops his employee, raises his voice and tells his employee to go deal with another vehicle -- I got him. By this time the sick car owner was nearly at his vehicle when James comes up on him with a tech following shortly after. James arrives at the vehicle and states he "partly" charged the battery and doubted the car would even start, which it didn't given the bad alternator and the fact they didn't charge the battery as promised. The car owner responds he is just driving it to his parents house and prepares to call me to come jump the car. The tech then uses his battery jumper and the car starts. The car made noise immediately and James said oh that's your alternator. The car owner turned the A/C off, the noise stopped, and the shop owner, James, shuts his mouth; his tech remained silent the entire time. We leave. While following the car owner I notice something attached to the bottom of the vehicle kept bouncing off the road. I have him pull over. After examination, James Auto Center removed a bolt/screw that held the front underneath of the car together (between the front two tires) and did not put it back, which caused damages to the vehicle. So I guess James was right: Had I not seen that issue perhaps that car wouldn't have made the drive given the obvious neglect regardless if from intentional tampering or carelessness. This outfit, specifically James the owner, was obviously trying to take advantage of his very sick patron further proven by his unprofessional conduct, word choice, borderline yelling at his own employee, likely tampering of a vehicle notwithstanding the harassing and discriminatory behavior he displayed to the patron. read more

Big mistake. I was warned by several locals not to waste my time...unfortunately, I wasted my time. I agreed to a non-refundable analysis(not smart of me)...I at least expected correct advice. The advice was blatantly wrong and would have cost $700 and not fixed the issue. I felt that I needed to think about their advice but was "leaned on" to let them do the work...my instincts told me to pass...am glad that I did. Someone named Paul even managed to insult me later. I had someone else do a refundable analysis and the repair was done to my satisfaction. These people act as all-knowing and they are not. I have never posted a good or bad review but I hope this saves someone else the frustration. Customer beware!!! read more