Owner and Founder - Joe Horst

I have previously worked at several car dealerships: Pontiac, Cadillac, Mazda, Lincoln Mercury, Peugeot, British Leyland (MGs, Triumphs, and Jaguars), BMW, Subaru, and Renault. I worked for my father for several years who also had an auto repair business. I have been self-employed since1993. I still like working on cars and the challenges that these new cars bring. I also enjoy, and do, a lot of auto restoration, In my off time I enjoy drag racing, stock car racing, camping, home building, home electronics, and small scale magic tricks. I love and enjoy life. I have a wonderful wife that is a professor at Eastern Oregon University; we have six great kids. To date we have one grandson and one granddaughter.

ABOUT THE SHOP

Joe opened for business March 1st 1993 as Joe’s Auto Electric and Repair. We changed our name to La Grande Auto Repair when we moved into the new shop in October 1997. Joe built this shop specifically to be an auto repair business and a lot of thought was put into this building.

La Grande Auto Repair has kept the shop up to date with the latest tools, software, and computer system that is available in the automotive industry today. Every technician has a computer in their work bay so they have access to all your vehicles information (such as wiring diagrams, torque specifications, etc.). The technicians can also order parts right directly from your repair order from the local (and out of town) parts houses without ever making a phone call. This system improves efficiency in repairing vehicles. While it has been improved dramatically, and been through several upgrades, this system has been in place since 2001.

Teamed up with ACDelco and NAPA, we also have the best training available to the aftermarket industry, ACDelco training is considered to be the best available.

Our diagnostic tools are also the best available. We have the latest diagnostic equipment from Snap-On, Bosch. Vetronix, and others.

WHAT WE DO AND DO NOT DO

Specialty areas: La Grande Auto Repair specializes in late model diagnostics and electrical repairs. We pride ourselves in doing quality auto repair with high quality parts and do not compromise quality with cost!!!! We are an ACDelco PCS auto repair shop and a NAPA Car Care Center.

What we don't do: It is often easiest to explain what we don't do at La Grande Auto Repair. In a nutshell, we don't do exhaust work and front end alignments.

What we do: We do all other types of general light duty auto repair work. We do most all general repairs, air conditioner repairs, oil changes, general services, timing belts, etc. We also do a lot of custom classic car work (no interior or paint).

Engines and Transmissions: With the cost of new vehicles these days we find ourselves doing a great deal of engine and transmission replacements. Since we have teamed up with Jasper Engines and Transmissions in 2004, we have found the quality in these products to be second to NONE!!! After over 200 installations, we have yet to have to have very few warranty claims with Jasper Engines and Transmissions to date!!! This is very big with us and more importantly, this has been VERY big with the customers that have received these products.

WHY WE CHANGED OUR NAME

In March of 1993, I opened Joe's Auto Electric and Repair on Jefferson Ave in La Grande. Business took off very well for me however there seemed to be some confusion weather I did all types of repair or just electrical work. While electrical has always been my specialty, I have always done all types of general repair on my customers vehicles. I had found that many of my customers were taking their vehicles to other shops due to the fact they thought all I did was electrical repair.

One day I saw one of my good customer’s car up the street at one of competitor’s shop. I called the customer and asked him what we had done wrong and why he had gone else where. He replied “You did nothing wrong, I just needed a brake job” I then asked him “well why didn’t you have us do it?” his reply was “I thought all you did was electrical work”. The “and repair” at the end of our name was not sinking in to him as well as other customers.

When I built my new facility in 1997, I thought this would be a good opportunity to change the name to La Grande Auto Repair to hopefully avoid the confusion of the type of repair we are able to perform.

This turned out to be successful; however a lot of my customers were not sure if it was the same business with a different name or a different business all together.

Fortunately, I was able to retain most of my valued customers, furthermore I would like to assure everyone that I am going to do my very best to keep up the quality of service my customers have come to expect from my business and I am always interested in hearing any concerns that any of my valued customers may have.

I look forward to serving you in the future. Thank You!!! Joe Horst