Reputable mechanic in Bellevue? (Memphis, Charlotte: home, inspection, live)

[New England 2 Nashville]

Hello,

I just moved down here 10 days ago, and took my car in yesterday for the emissions test. It failed! Anyhow, I need to replace the catalytic converter. The car is a 2000 Nissan Maxima. I'm very leery of taking it to a dealer; back home they are notorious for taking advantage of you on repairs.

Can anyone suggest a good mechanic out here in Bellevue? I'm a single guy who works from home, so I'd like to take it somewhere close, as I will have to take a cab back home so I can work.

Thanks in advance!

[alleycat]

A couple of possibilities . . .

Sevier Bros., on Old Hickory near 70S, and the Firestone place over on Charlotte. I'm not sure whether they handle this kind of work or not, but they may. I've used both and they've been okay; the Firestone place really helped me out of a jam one time.

[New England 2 Nashville]

Originally Posted by alleycat

A couple of possibilities . . .

Sevier Bros., on Old Hickory near 70S, and the Firestone place over on Charlotte. I'm not sure whether they handle this kind of work or not, but they may. I've used both and they've been okay; the Firestone place really helped me out of a jam one time.

Thanks, that's actually really helpful. I've just been here a short while, but I seem to think that the Sevier place is right by where I live. I see the sign on Old Hickory, which I live off of. I'll give them a try on Monday unless anyone else chimes in with something more specific to the type of work it will need. Again, thanks!

[alleycat]

I have a friend who had an older Nissan and once or twice she needed work on hers before it would pass the emission test. She had a mechanic she used but I don't know his name offhand. I'll see her Monday and ask.

It's a shame you need a new converter on an eight-year old car. Those things are kind of expensive.

By the way, NE2N, our falls around here can be as beautiful as those in New England. Be sure to take a drive down the Natchez Trace Parkway come October. The entry is not far from Bellevue. The Parkway is run by the National Park Service. I just thought I'd mention it in case you weren't aware of it.

[New England 2 Nashville]

Originally Posted by alleycat

I have a friend who had an older Nissan and once or twice she needed work on hers before it would pass the emission test. She had a mechanic she used but I don't know his name offhand. I'll see her Monday and ask.

It's a shame you need a new converter on an eight-year old car. Those things are kind of expensive.

By the way, NE2N, our falls around here can be as beautiful as those in New England. Be sure to take a drive down the Natchez Trace Parkway come October. The entry is not far from Bellevue. The Parkway is run by the National Park Service. I just thought I'd mention it in case you weren't aware of it.

Again, thanks! If she happens to know the name of the place where she had the work done, great. And yes, after the expense of moving, wasn't thrilled to have to replace the converter, yet I applaud Tennessee or Metro for caring about the environment.

Thanks as well as for the suggestion on the Natchez Trace Parkway. I will add that to my ever growing list of "to-do's" here in Nashville. Autumn is beautiful in New England, especially in my home state of New Hampshire, but we don't really have the infrastructure to support the tourists. As a result, most natives tend to stay home during the peak season, which is a shame. Anyhow, looking forward to seeing it, especially with the terrific weather here! Will be quite different to go for a drive in shorts in October, I can tell you that!

[New England 2 Nashville]

So, no luck with Seveir Brothers, they don't do that type of work. They did give me the name of one guy, but I kind of feel blind just doing that. Any other thoughts? Anyone?

[scottv]

Well, here is my suggestion...look for the largest Nissan Maxima forum and search around there to see what options you have for your car...for example: a cat for my BMW is about $1200 at the dealership...but it can use a Magnaflow universal that costs less than $200...take that to any old muffler shop and have them weld it up and I'm out about $300 total for the repair...

The first thing I would do though (if there is a check engine light code that came on) is reset the code and see if it comes back...I had a 95 Maxima and don't know how your 2000 is but it was pretty easy to reset the code on my 95 by accessing a little diagnostic screw on the ECU. Again, check the Maxima forum on that.

Or, if there is no code that came on, did you run the car at a high RPM (like on the highway) for at least 10 minutes to get the cat good and warmed up so the catalyst would do their job efficiently and keep your carbon monoxide numbers as low as possible?

My cat codes came on my 97 BMW about 5 times in a two month period...I reset it each time...it mainly came on when I made weekend trips between Nashville and Memphis for some odd reason...anyway, after all of this I took the car through Nashville inspection and it passed with flying colors. So, I think sometimes the whole check engine light codes, etc are a bunch of junk and can't be relied on. Anyway, hope this helps your situation, good luck.

[New England 2 Nashville]

Thanks a lot, Scottv, some good suggestions in there. I am trying to avoid the dealership, but it definitely needs to be replaced. I reset the code right before moving (not on purpose; gott a new battery), and it came on pretty much right away.

I am going to peruse some of the maxima forums and see if I can find anything out.

Thanks!