Best Of Tucson®

Best Auto Repair

BRAKEmax/Jimmy's Broadway Automotive

The first thing you notice when entering one of these homegrown-chain service centers is how well-lit, bright and clean it all is. Walls are also adorned with big, colorful, well-designed placards detailing a menu of the many services, along with the costs. Next to the waiting area (with TVs), there is a workstation where you can set up your laptop and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. Four of its 12 locations have also been certified green by AAA for the environmentally friendly workspace. Online, discount coupons abound on a Web page that allows you to direct questions to a mechanic. Not bad for a bunch of gear-heads!

Jimmy's Broadway Automotive has been fixing cars in Tucson since 1956. This complete auto-repair service station can handle anything from brake pads to engine replacement, and are proud to tout their environment-friendly practices such as recycling used parts and properly disposing of hazardous materials. Besides fixing that hideous noise coming from somewhere in your car, these guys also give back to the community. They give raffle prizes and auction items to community-organization fundraisers, and the shop serves as a year-round drop-off point for the Tucson Community Food Bank. They know how to fix any car, how to show love to Tucson, and how to treat customers—they give ladies a flower as a token of appreciation. Whoever says chivalry is dead and mechanics are crooks should check out Jimmy's Broadway Automotive.

Runners up:

3. TIE

Buck's Automotive

4360 N. First Ave.

292-0904, bucksautomotive.com

Micro Import Service

1033 N. Catalina Ave.

795-8724, www.microimportservice.com