Finally, a solid highly skilled and extremely ethical auto mechanic. The absolute best, you can't miss with this man's expertise and mechanical knowledge is completely unrivaled anywhere on the Northshore. read more

Spinale Automotive is the best repair shop I've been going to for 15 years. I trust John more than the dealership mechanics that ALWAYS want to sell you unnecessary repairs. He's always nice, honest and will fit you when possible. No mechanic will explain you the problem and give you the best possible solution without breaking the bank. Thank you! read more

John is a fantastic, hardworking, honest guy. We bought a Honda Odyssey from him and he services our 3 cars, including a '69 Rebel. Fair pricing, excellent work and just an all around nice guy. read more

My husband and I were introduced to Spinales Automotive by a friend 5 years ago and we have been bringing our vehicles here ever since. Unfortunately I can't afford a new car but John fixes my old one like a pro whenever it breaks. I have been impressed over and over with his kindness, professionalism and dedication to his customers. I find that as a young woman walking into a mechanics can be intimidating, and frustrating. I don't know everything about how a car works but I'm not stupid either. I hate when they try to cheat you or sell into things you don't need for your car. NEVER has Spinale said anything like as I was working on this I saw that you needed a new ... you hear that over and over at other shops but not from John. John Spinale is a hardworking, kind man who takes the time to explain what's wrong with your car. He always answers my questions with care and no matter how basic the question may be. Patient and calm are the best words I have to describe him. As long as I live in the area I will be a faithful customer. He is not the cheapest mechanic but I would rather pay a little more for his work and know that I won't be back for that problem again. His prices are still far cheaper than going to a dealership body shop. read more

I've had some good, honest car mechanics in the last 30 years -- close friends of the family -- real people I could really trust. And like most people I know, I've had some pretty bad car care experiences, too. But 3 years ago, my lady brought me with her to her own mechanic, Spinale Auto, right down the street in Salem. Since then, I go there every time my car needs attention (often, since I drive an 18-yr.-old Subaru to work in Cambridge). With absolute confidence, I can say that John Spinale is the best, most dignified and trustworthy car mechanic I HAVE EVER KNOWN. He goes into his shop around 4am M-F, staying 'til 5pm or later. The job is done right (and quickly), and the cost is VERY reasonable. Our community needs businesses with the integrity John displays -- he even supports and sponsors Salem local events and has a good relationship with other local body shops and mechanics -- which aids in his resourcefulness. To say this shop is Class "A" would be an understatement. There is no doubt in my mind that I have the best mechanic in New England taking care of my car. How many people can say that? -Mik Augustin, Salem read more

What a nice, considerate, top notch guy. Have lived here for about 10 years and nobody has ever serviced our cars like John. Very lucky to have found him. read more

Recommended to this place by a fellow jeeper after my car wouldn't start one day. No warning and no idea what was wrong. Left it overnight and found out it was just the battery. Told him I had just got the battery three weeks prior. They charged my battery up so I could bring it straight back to where I got it replaced (still under warranty so they would have to replace it). John told me I could call or have them call if there was any problems and he made sure I knew there was no other problems so I wouldn't get talked into any work I didn't need. Would definitely recommend this place to friends/family read more

Look John is a really nice guy. I just don't believe him to be a competent mechanic. I had an exhaust problem for months. I kept on taking it in to him to get fixed. Each time he told me he did his best to save me money. Unfortunately the problem kept happening and all of those visits, while inexpensive, eventually started to add up. I decided to get a second opinion at Meineke. They were able to fix the exhaust issue in one visit! 4 months later I'm at a new mechanic in Boston and they are telling me that it looks like my car hasn't been properly serviced in years. They said whoever I've been bringing my car to has been ignoring several issues that have significantly shortened the life of my car. Like I said, John is a nice guy, but I REALLY regret ever bringing my car to him. read more

John is one of the best, most honest mechanics I have had work on my car. If you need your auto repaired he will do it quickly, correctly and for an honest price. A true rarity these days! He's friendly and approachable too! read more

I've been taking my cars to John for over a decade. What I love most --- he's not an alarmist. He fixes what needs fixing and is always respectful of my budget. He's a hard worker and a nice man. When my sweet Mazda 5-speed was destroyed by a stolen car crashing into it, and I needed a reliable used car to for an already-scheduled cross-country drive, he happily put my potential purchases up on his lift to check them out, no charge. When he gave me the thumbs up for the used car that would get me there safely (with only minor tweaks before hitting the road), he was 100 percent right. I trust him. He's always come through for me. read more

Honestly greatest place ever. I always dreaded taking my car to a mechanics because I knew I would be paying hundreds and getting screwed. But not here! John really works hard to help you not just as a paying customer but as an equal human. He understands money is tight and will do anything he can to help you out without making you pay hundreds. And he does great work as well. Wouldn't go anyplace else! read more

I feel like it's rare to find a shop like this with such an awesome mechanic these days. Nothing but good things to say about this place! Had to get my breaks and rotors done quickly and I was in and out within hours for a much better price than I got quoted elsewhere! This guy is honest and you can tell that he takes pride in his craft. Go here read more

Gave me a lower quote than any other shop for a new clutch and when i picked it up i didn't pay a dime more than the quote. Work he did was great. Highly recommended but small one garage shop so make an appointment if possible. read more

I wouldnt take my car anywhere else! Generally shops are iffy and you arent quite sure what to expect, but John at Spinale's is the nicest guy around. He does perfect work and he is completely honest with you. when it comes to prices, he has the MOST resonable prices around and never tries to screw you out of even a penny. My family has been going to him for years and suggested i begin to go when i moved to the state, and i wouldnt go to anyone else. read more

First of all this posting was removed by the shop owner so I am now re-posting it. Maybe this is why he has nothing but good feedback and no negative feedback which hides the fact he is a lousy mechanic incognito! I was given the runaround by this sly talking mechanic and was totally screwed on the work done to my car. As I mentioned in the last review that he sometimes uses local law enforcement to get paid for an unsatisfying job but this did not happen to me. I got this from a reliable local source that know him well. I was WAY overcharged for a half ass job which wasn't complete when he said that he was confident that he could complete the job. He also took a very long time to do some work on the car and blamed it on waiting for parts. Do yourself a favor and avoid this lousy mechanic and all the problems that come with his service. read more

Wow, I couldn't agree less with Marsha F's assessment of Spinale Auto. John's very existence is life-affirming to me: He clearly loves his work, he's great at what he does, and you'll never meet a nicer guy. How rare is that these days? John's also the most honest mechanic I've ever met. He avoids doing unnecessary work and never buys parts you don't need. Case in point: I was quoted $2000 to bring my car up to snuff for inspection. I thought that was insane so I went to John and asked him to only fix what I really needed, and to do so on the cheap if possible. By the next day I had a new sticker and $1400 saved dollars in my pocket. read more

What a great guy. I don't even know where to start. Is the most reasonable honest man on the Northshore. My car was in and out in a couple hours when I told him I had work at 2. He said ok I'll make sparks fly off my wrench! I've never said this before but now I actually get excited to go to the mechanic ! read more

Best place around to have your car worked on. He does a quality job for a very fair price. The owner John is a great guy who you can trust. Unlike most places that do unnecessary work for the extra charge John is an honest mechanic who just charges you for what was needed. read more

I can't give John enough stars. This man is just a wonderful, real person who deserves every good thing that comes to him and more. He has saved us from car disaster time and again, is able to fit us in on a moment's notice, is honest, is reasonable, and to top it all off, remembers your name and your car and how many children you have. The first time I used him I didn't have my checkbook with me and he told me to just bring the check in the morning--which of course I brought back right away, but STILL. So awesome. They don't make men like John very often and I am so lucky I found him! read more

We put our trust in mechanics, because most of the time they have an expertise the common person doesn't understand. Quite often mechanics abuse this power, but not John. He's honest and on our side and knows we'd rather not spend our money fixing our cars. He's the best mechanic I have ever used. read more

Have been looking for an honest, dependable and fair mechanic my whole life. Have finally found just that in John. Hes the best!