click above for more images of the HiQ service center
As some of us are pretty sharp with a wrench, we loathe taking our cars elsewhere for repairs. Most of the time, we want to watch the guy doing the work, and that's usually not possible so we end up chain-drinking burnt coffee in the waiting room. HiQ, a new automotive service chain in the UK, is revamping its brand and has decided to allow customers to get in on the action. To prove their new concept, cooked up by branding wizards Fitch, HiQ has opened a new facility in Nottingham. The design is clean and more retail chic than a greasy-fingernailed muffler shop. Our favorite feature, by far, is the glass wall that allows you to stare down the monkey lad as he applies several hundred pound-feet of torque to your wheel lugs with an impact wrench.
Thanks for the tip, Larry!
[Source and photos: the Cool Hunter]
Officially Official: 2009 Ford Focus RS
I want my FPV: Super sedans hit the desert in new TV spot
Happy Independence Day from Autoblog
British Motor Show Preview: Opel Insignia to debut in hatch and sedan forms
Rumormill: Ford reviving Mustang SVO with 300 hp Ecoboost four
Track Test: 2008 Roush 427R Trak Pak Mustang
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Cayman S
First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hard Top
In The Autoblog Garage: BMW 128i Convertible
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil M @ Feb 11th 2008 6:16PM
I love the idea of watching the guys work on my car, but what I like the most are the commandments written on the walls and windows:
"We promise that we won't carry out unnecessary work...ever. Now, that should be written in very Jiffy Lube around ("we have to change your air filter").
Albeit to fancy for some, the overall design is very clean and efficient.
Max @ Feb 11th 2008 7:06PM
Jiffy Lube needs to work on a lot of things. Like actually doing the work customers pay for.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wiCAJ8ULnaI
Kevin @ Feb 11th 2008 6:32PM
Somehow I don't see that white/light colored grout on the tile in the garage staying that color for very long...
Brent @ Feb 11th 2008 6:33PM
Can we get this "Mitesh" fellow banned? Thank you.
Lemmiwinks @ Feb 11th 2008 6:34PM
"Watch in horror as the dude laying down the paper floormats in your vehicle pilfers the contents of your glove-box!"
Mallory @ Feb 11th 2008 6:36PM
"We promise that we won't carry out unnecessary work...ever."
That was made up by marketing. They could put "we service all brands of flying saucers" and it would be just as credible. Slogans on walls mean nothing.
And while definitely chic, aside from the decorating this is no different than any Discount Tire store I've ever been in. They have a giant glass wall you can watch through. Probably marketing sleeze on the wall too, I don't remember.
Being that this is just a Goodyear Service Center with a different name, I wonder if Goodyear facilities in the U.S. let you watch them work?
Rob @ Feb 11th 2008 7:19PM
"stare down the monkey lad as he applies several hundred pound-feet of torque to your wheel lugs with an impact wrench..."
My pet peeve right there... "hand tools only" I always say. Half time time they don't know the correct torque for a lug nut. Of course I'm happy to tell them. Bad lug nut torque is a great way to warp rotors.
dean @ Feb 11th 2008 10:55PM
You know how dirty those tire stations get? The lot attendants there will be extremely busy and extremely underpaid.
pelm @ Feb 12th 2008 8:06AM
"allows you to stare down the monkey lad as he applies several hundred pound-feet of torque to your wheel lugs with an impact wrench."
LOL
This made my day.
s2000 @ Feb 12th 2008 11:24AM
very nice!
dencio @ Apr 15th 2008 12:54AM
want to make a nice and wonderful garage. see http://homefixfree.com/index.html
enjoy then.