Forward Automotive
 

Hey Vancouver Islanders...

Any experience with Forward Automotive in Victoria?

Any other good indies on the island?

Looking for a good alternative to Speedway/Porsche Centre Victoria.

Somebody on this list asked what they paid to have brakes done. Forward was easily the lowest. I have had them do all my work since I realized how expensive the dealer was.

European Specialty in Nanaimo is solid.

I tried ES in around 2007 and got the feeling they were just getting into the water cooled engines; air cooled P-cars seemed to be their niche. Haven't been back since. Maybe things have changed in 6 years...

I got that feel too. I do know that they were one of the first indies in bc to rebuild an m96 engine (before scan or western performance) so they do understand the work. they're not the cheapest, however.

Just reading "Vancouver Island" makes me want to come up and do some more salmon fishing. The trip with the flights, rental cars and ferries just makes it so hard.

dude: drive. the hwy from Victoria to Renfrew along the coast is amazing. then take the recently paved logging road from Renfrew across to Duncan; it's amazing. then back across from Nanaimo to tofino/ucluelet; amazing. time it such that the first part is early in the morning (no traffic) and the last part is at dinner time (all the rv folks are eating so no traffic). there is no traffic on the middle stretch. book a room in the empress in Victoria and the blackrock in ucluelet - show pics to the significant other and they'll be more than happy to come along. lots of salmon charters happening out of ucluelet as well, with one of Canada's best national parks there for those that don't fish. do it in September to avoid the crowds but still get good weather.

Stop giving it away!!! I want it all to myself! :cheers:

Had a quick look at Forward's shop. Very cramped and messy. Didn't give me the warm and fuzzies...

I've never seen an indie shop that was spacious, well lit, tools tidy, with uniformed mechanics. Too much rent; only dealerships can afford the space in a city.