By Paula King, Erie Real Estate Expert
What I was looking for was a local neighborhood mechanic to service my aging GMC Yukon. And I found that at Lafayette/Erie Car Care- and more. Steve Harriger’s small company is as dedicated to innovation and the latest diagnostic systems, as it is to old fashioned customer service.
When I first visited the shop, I asked for an oil change and a “general check over” of the vehicle’s systems – which could be an irresistible invitation, to some people, to gouge. They charged me for the oil change, and gave my SUV a clean bill of health.
Steve will tell you that he is not the cheapest guy in town, although I have found his repair prices for my and my son’s vehicles to be very reasonable. The company’s philosophy is to “get it right the first time” by using his state of the art diagnostic equipment, making the repairs at a fair price and eliminating the expensive trial and error tactic.
The company, then located in Lafayette, was three years old when Steve bought the existing business. (He says he never wanted to be a boss, but employers kept promoting him to manager, so he decided he may as well manage for himself – and provide the kind of service he envisioned – which includes a philosophy of explaining, in layman’s terms, to everyone that wants to know, including auto dummies like me, the details of the problem and solution).
The company remained in Lafayette for twenty more years, until they lost their lease. Seeing Erie as an area of great potential growth, and affordable real estate, Steve purchased, and moved to, the present location on County Line road about seven years ago.
Originally specializing in Volkswagens, the demand for the company’s services eventuated the expansion into Mercedes and BMW, as well as domestic repairs, and the addition of other staff specialists, like import expert mechanic and Steve’s “right hand” James Jurko.
The shop presents an unassuming small town garage appearance, but don’t be fooled, although the personal service you want is certainly there, Steve is also busy researching and upgrading his sophisticated equipment, much of which is generally found only in dealerships – so that he can continue “to get it right the first time”.
Lafayette/Erie Import Car Care is located at the corner of County Line Rd. and Telleen Ave. near downtown Erie. Phone 303 665 4320. Erie is one Denver’s best suburbs to live!
Most people will find that they don’t mind paying for a good service. If you know you’re getting quality service on your car, and you won’t have to keep returning to get extra bits fixed, and you’re not going to be ripped off, you don’t mind paying out what you owe. It’s only when a mechanic tries to scam you out of a little extra, or the customer service is terrible, that you want to look elsewhere.