If you're a Hancock county local and looking for a quality used vehicle or repairs, there's no place better than Jim's. I've been purchasing vehicles and coming for repairs and inspections for years, and I have zero intention of changing that. Hassle-free, no-interest financing in house, and a huge inventory of new and used parts for quick and efficient repairs.
Jenn has saved my butt on multiple occasions, allowed me to put repair bills on payment plans when times were tough, and always has my best interest in mind. And now even my mom brings her newer vehicle to her for repairs to avoid paying dealership rates.
Great service, experienced and efficient techs, and reasonable prices.
Jim's is the best!
I've been dealing with the crew at Jim's for over a decade. Their attention to detail, pride in their craft, and ability to assess problems quickly and efficiently are the reasons they have a customer for life.
Came to Maine for a road trip from South Carolina, my check engine light came on and no one else would either take the VW or they were booked. This mechanic was booked up but they allowed me to come in and fix it. My only issue is I wish they would’ve told me they switched the ignition coils and if the engine light came back on they would know the problem. However I take ultimate fault for going to the advance in Ellsworth and they cleared the light (without my consent!). Ultimately they couldn’t fix it the second time because of the employee that cleared the scan but again he was opened and honest about not wanting to throw parts at the car if it didn’t need it. Thankfully we made it home safe, next time we’re in the area and something goes wrong (which I hope it doesn’t!) we would come back here for open and honest work
We can't thank Jim's Used Cars and Auto in Ellsworth enough. My Jetta's engine light came on right before we were supposed to leave to return home to Georgia. They not only got me in the same day to diagnose the issue but also were able to get the part the next day and fix it all within 24 hours. The price we paid was more than reasonable for the work done/part/labor and quick turnaround. We were told by other companies in the area that they weren't accepting new clients and/or it would take over a week to diagnose the problem, so we were thrilled about how quickly the mechanics at Jim's were able to get us in. We also were BIG FANS of Tank and Turbo they are amazing greeters!
I love the quick and easy explanation, quick diagnosis and when my car came back to me with a new transmission it was less than I anticipated and it's locally owned!!
you can't beat it
Very high prices for services, their first goal is separating you from your money, not being forthcoming or providing high quality service. According to mechanical forums on the internet I was overcharged severely for a repair. I only used them because it was an emergency. I would not recommend anyone get any work done here if you can help it. There are more consistently affordable places around town, and I am just not a fan with how they conducted themselves, despite being neither overtly rude or incompetent.
They also replaced a part during an inspection and told me I failed on several separate, new items. When i brought it back to the original place, they passed me. Weird.
Absolutely horrible experience walked in. Told them that I was looking for a vehicle to purchase. The lady that was sitting behind the counter at a desk. Didn't even bother to look up or acknowledge that I was there and proceed to tell me they had nothing. Very short, very dry so feels like a business that just cares about money and not the customers that give them an income would tell everybody to stay away unless they start caring about people that have come in to spend their hard-earned money in their business
Went to get this car today! ?They told me to go get the stuff I needed for paperwork so I left grabbed everything including the money and then they deny me because I just moved here in October 2023. Just switched to a Maine drivers license and have proof of residency . Guess that doesn’t make me a qualified Hancock resident…? All because they looked thru my Facebook and they said it still says I live in NH. Nope says I’m FROM NH . Like really?! Over my Facebook! I was told the girl was suppose to be nice and she was not. Instead it’s “you simply don’t meet the Criteria, just the way it is” who says that!!!! These people! I’ll take my money elsewhere! Not trashing you on social media stating exactly what you told me!!!! I do have proof of income you denied me before even asking.
Enjoy paying your bills , hope your place shuts down!
Goes above and beyond to help you with their speedy service and great prices. Some of the friendliest customers service I’ve ever experienced in a part yard. They make sure you get what you need and they even call you when the part is ready. Will definitely be back if I ever need more parts. Thank you guys!
While visiting Maine coming from New York we got a flat tire, Jeremy was able to get us in and fix our tire same day and get us back on the road with excellent service!!
Jen and her crew are fantastic, down to earth people. Working hard to get people into quality car and trucks. I’ve done business with Jim’s auto for years now, anytime I’ve needed a vehicle or a part for something I’m working on Jen has always gone above and beyond to help me out. Great selection of reliable rides (Subarus and Toyotas) almost always available. As long as you do your part and make on time payments you have nothing to worry about. Thank you for my most recent purchase of this beautiful 2010 Rav4 sport!
Fit me right in, only one in area taking customers. All other places over a month wait. Work was good, time was quick but was charged for an inspection sticker stating it was up next month and it was part of the diagnostics??? Anyways thought i found a garage in area but guess I will keep looking ?
Little add on, just left oil change and seems they just left cover for air filter hanging or sitting on top of engine??? Really I must lower stars to 2 ??
Awesome of you guys to accept a Triple A call and then report that you completed that call when I've been sitting here for almost 10hours for a 2 mile tow. Amazing how you could complete the order but actually not do anything. Great business you have here nuckleheads
No matter who you ask you'll almost always get a difference of opinion on this place. With that being said they have always treated me and my fiance more then fairly. Great prices and even better people with EVEN BETTER dogs! (They have two gorgeous pitbulls) Jim's In my opinion is auto care done right
I bought my amazing 2006 Kia optima last year with 85,600 miles. the brakes were done and it was aligned with new tires. it is time for inspection and i brought it to jim’s thinking i would be able to trust what needs to be done before inspection. the car drives fine but the list they gave me included, control and bushings(i actually need a whole control arm so that was wrong and the bushing is more expensive than the control arm itself), they said my front struts were blown( no fluid is leaking and my second opinion said they were all good), they sway bar links do need to be done(this was the only correct thing that jim’s told me), and lastly they said my rotors were rusted and my pads were worn, the pads are okay but the rotors are even better, with all of this in mind jim’s quoted me for over $1,000. I am buying the parts i actually need for $149.00 on amazon and will be doing the work myself and bring it to be inspected by my trust worthy second opinion garage. I believe they tried to take advantage of a young girl because they thought i wouldn’t do more research and tried to nickel and dime me.Come to find out my car was not drive able when you guys looked at it to inspected it, you did not find the subframe crossmember to be rusted but it in fact was rotted. So much for being "safe". I had no choice but to get rid of it.
I've been a customer since 2002. Covid has taken a toll in many business, but it's really made it hard for Jen to deliver their regular services & expertise (welders, stereo installation, mechanics) because of staff and supply chain problems. Even with her hands tied as far as staff, she got me in and out and fixed my car. Jen, you are appreciated! The picture is the latest car I purchased for my daughter. She loves it!
Ordered a rear drive shaft for my '11 Forester and the fit was good but the center bearing was seized, no play front to back and it made the worst metal on metal noise you don't want to hear from under your car. Had the part professionally installed by a Subaru specialist garage, so it wasn't me doing something wrong. Returned the part a few weeks later due to being away for work and when I returned it the part was no longer seized, it must have broken free with my careless handling. They still took the part back even though my original complaint couldn't be proven and they did charge a restock fee, but I hope they don't resell it. Good experience overall, good people and I appreciate their patience.
When my alternator died and I was limping around on my last bit of battery, Jim's saved my bacon! They got me in immediately, found a good used part for me, and suggested I walk down by the city river park while I waited. (Beautiful day, great park, BTW.) Voila! Back on the road in an hour. Thanks!
They had my car (which I bought there a few months prior) for over a month trying to diagnose a loss of power issue. After I picked it up, it started doing the same thing again next time I started it up. Also they returned it with hardly any fuel in it. They only charged me for a fraction of the time they spent working on it though, so that's good. EDIT: the car wasn't done the second time either , the "correction " only lasted about an hour. I realize you don't pay for gas but I still think returning a car with a basically empty tank to an already unhappy customer isjust bad business. Either way the car is at a different shop now (2/26) being repaired for the same issue that was supposedly fixed.
I don't live in town, but needed repair on my son's car, which is in Ellsworth. I found Jim's by Google search and read the reviews. So thankful that I chose them. They quickly took the car in, correctly identified the problems, and quickly and efficiently repaired the car at a very reasonable price. They had an opportunity to make a few extra bucks since I had the car towed there, but they did not take advantage of the situation. My son was in town later after picking up his car, and the owner saw him, recognized the car and asked if everything was good. Can't say enough good things about this business.
Wouldn’t recommend, i went to 4 places to get estimate on a specific problem that i knew exactly what it was and had confirmation from other mechanics.
This was one of the placed, other three places would charge me 600-700 for the job.
This place wanted to charge me 1500 for the exact same job. Seems crazy in comparison to the 3 other reputable places.
For 35 years I have bought cars at Jims Auto,had a lot of repair work done...Jim,Jennifer,Ernie and the rest of the crew have always been so very helpful and have gotten the job done in a professional,courteous manner!!
I would highly recommend them from buying a car ,they will try to find what you are looking for to having repairs done on your vehicles?
In response to a review from an out of stater..Why would any car dealership finance a car to anyone from “away” ??If a car was needed why not pay cash and be done with it??I would be willing to bet that any car dealership in Ellsworth would have refused after finding out you were not from the area..Shame on you for writing a nasty review..Jim’s Auto did not deserve a bad review from someone from”away” that doesn’t know the bussiness and writing it here on Google Where they can’t defend themselves..That review will not stop the people that know the people at Jims Auto from going there?
I usually only review bad places but Jims deserves my glowing review.
My hubs and I are about to make last little payment on our 2nd car from Jims. And Have enlisted Jenn's help for another new vehicle for me and kids. We had both used Jim's previously with good experience. Jenn and Ernie are very helpful they always manage to get us in ASAP and do quick solid work.
If something goes wrong they do their best to make it right and you can't expect more than that!
This is a small town, family run, used car dealership!
I was from Connecticut and needed tire service to return home. I arrived at Jim's before they opened and they took care of me immediately so I could depart for home asap. The friendly & professional service from Jeremy & Jennifer was appreciated and I would recommend them to any tourist or family traveling through or staying in Ellsworth, ME. Thank you all.
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