iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%56+30.5Reliability 24%34+8.2Value 14%72+10.2Replies to reviews 7%69+4.9Momentum penalty0−10Experts Score= 44Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.44SCORE
CGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#56 of 60 towing servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 7%
4.6★★★★★186 Google reviews · 14 photos
88%five-star reviews
3.67★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
14.8%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Customers frequently praise the shop for honest diagnostics, reasonable pricing, and quick turnaround times, noting that staff often explain repairs clearly and accommodate busy schedules. Positive reviews highlight the availability of loaner vehicles and the willingness to prioritize necessary work on older cars. However, several low-star reviews describe rude interactions with front desk staff, a lack of organization, and instances where service was refused or repairs took significantly longer than expected.
Google rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 186 reviews (88% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 186 Google reviews (135 with written comments, 3 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 25% of reviews.
Most recent review: September 8, 2026.
Service: Towing Service serving Ames, Iowa.
Data from Google, last updated October 26, 2026.
Score profile vs other towing services
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and value; weakest: momentum.
Eastman Auto CareTowing Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Eastman Auto Care: 56/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.C
56
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Eastman Auto Care: 34/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.D
34
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Eastman Auto Care: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Eastman Auto Care: 72/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
72
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Eastman Auto Care: 0/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.F
0
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Eastman Auto Care: 69/100 on this factor. Category median: 67.B
69
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
186 Google reviews we collected
4.6of 5
5 stars16488%
4 stars63%
3 stars11%
2 stars00%
1 star158%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 135 written reviews
94%praise
Praise23894%
Complaints146%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
83%fair
Great price233%
Reasonable350%
Overpriced117%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Speed & response5221%
Quality & results4317%
Price & value4317%
Honesty & trust3815%
Staff & attitude3413%
Would recommend3112%
Communication114%
What customers talk about
We read 135 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“He was truly a lifesaver and had my car fixed the next day.”
“He did a great job communicating with me and diagnosing the problem.”
“So the two times I was there I came out with my car still broken or worse than it was when I left it.”
“His prices were very reasonable and his service was exceptional.”
“…fee for a checkup, don’t go there service was okay not great either, over priced for such a bad shop, very messy reception.…”
“Larry is an honest mechanic who can fix or maintain most anything, but he only fixes what needs to be repaired.”
“do a wonderful job on your vehicle, go above and beyond for you as a client and are just genuinely kind people.”
“…walk in the shop just called for the quote only shop in Ames that was rude told me this is a waste of time not trying to beat prices when other good s…”
“I highly recommend this business to anyone who needs a quick and quality repair!”
“Explained what he needed to do and showed me pictures.”
People customers mention
Larry18 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Eastman Auto Care for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Julie1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
I don't write reviews, but Larry at Eastman probably gave us one of the best experiences I have received. We are from out of town and the car wouldn't start that resulted in a new alternator. Larry worked us in and we were able to get back on the road that night. His prices were very reasonable and his service was exceptional.
Great priceService not listed
YagoubLocal Guide · 26 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★
Didn’t even walk in the shop just called for the quote only shop in Ames that was rude told me this is a waste of time not trying to beat prices when other good shops just told me their price for a cradle job and moved on don’t know why he was being like that but if a shop isn’t even willing to give you a quote and…
AmandaLocal Guide · 25 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★
I've been to the shop three times and the most recent time I was refused service , because I live out of my car. The owner claimed it had to do with liability.
KevinLocal Guide · 101 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 10 months ago★★★★★
Larry is an honest mechanic who can fix or maintain most anything, but he only fixes what needs to be repaired. Like I said, he's honest. Again today, helpful honesty.
Great priceSteering & suspension repair
Lisa2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 10 months ago★★★★★
Larry was amazing! I was in Ames to visit family and about 3 hours from home when my car wouldn’t start over the weekend. Called Eastman on Monday morning and Larry worked me in his busy schedule. He did a great job communicating with me and diagnosing the problem. He was truly a lifesaver and had my car…
Reasonable priceTransmission
Carrie5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 11 months ago★★★★★
This is our favorite 😍 auto repair place in Ames. Larry is honest and does a great job fixing our older Toyota Sienna.
Took them a month to fix my car and lost the key and never replaced it……
Price assessment: Overpriced
Services: Service not listed
Response from the owner · a month ago
Gevon, I have no idea who you are. There is no one in my system by that name. When was this work allegedly done? Are you sure you have the correct repair facility? Under your profile you have one other review from Georgia.
Once again google fails by letting people leave reviews that are unjustified
Julie Z1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Julie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I don't write reviews, but Larry at Eastman probably gave us one of the best experiences I have received. We are from out of town and the car wouldn't start that resulted in a new alternator. Larry worked us in and we were able to get back on the road that night. His prices were very reasonable and his service was exceptional.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Service not listed
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thank you, Julie, for taking the time to share your experience with us! It's wonderful to hear that Larry provided exceptional service, even on short notice. We strive to offer reasonable prices and a memorable experience. If there's anything else we can assist you with in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out!
YagoubLocal Guide · 26 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Yagoub has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Didn’t even walk in the shop just called for the quote only shop in Ames that was rude told me this is a waste of time not trying to beat prices when other good shops just told me their price for a cradle job and moved on don’t know why he was being like that but if a shop isn’t even willing to give you a quote and right off the get go is being rude over the phone just because I guess I’m wasting their time by asking for a quote like shops don’t do that all day not going to down play his work people told me his work is good just off customer service alone I wouldn’t go here !
Amanda Laverty-CoxLocal Guide · 25 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Amanda has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I've been to the shop three times and the most recent time I was refused service , because I live out of my car. The owner claimed it had to do with liability.
Kevin TullyLocal Guide · 101 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kevin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Larry is an honest mechanic who can fix or maintain most anything, but he only fixes what needs to be repaired. Like I said, he's honest. Again today, helpful honesty.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Steering & suspension repair
Lisa Olson2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Lisa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Larry was amazing! I was in Ames to visit family and about 3 hours from home when my car wouldn’t start over the weekend. Called Eastman on Monday morning and Larry worked me in his busy schedule. He did a great job communicating with me and diagnosing the problem. He was truly a lifesaver and had my car fixed the next day. I’d recommend him to anyone! He was fantastic!!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Transmission
Response from the owner · 10 months ago
Thank you for the amazing review, Lisa! It's great to hear that Larry provided excellent service and got your car back on the road quickly. We're proud to have him on our team. If you need any further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out.
Carrie Causey5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Carrie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
This is our favorite 😍 auto repair place in Ames. Larry is honest and does a great job fixing our older Toyota Sienna.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: General repairs & maintenance, Engine repair, Battery, Oil change
Response from the owner · 11 months ago
Carrie, thanks for making us your favorite auto repair place in Ames! We're thrilled that you appreciate Larry's honesty and the great job he does on your Toyota Sienna. We'll always be here to take excellent care of you and your vehicle!
Alicia KasicaLocal Guide · 26 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Alicia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Eastman Auto saved the day!!!! A HUGE Thank you to Eastman for getting to my car quickly and getting me back on the road!!!
Services: General repairs & maintenance
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thank you for the kind words, Alicia! We are thrilled to hear that our team at Eastman Auto was able to provide you with prompt and efficient service. We understand how stressful car troubles can be, and we're glad we could help get you back on the road. If you need anything else in the future, don't hesitate to reach out!
Mariah Cutchlow4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Mariah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Larry Eastman and co. do a wonderful job on your vehicle, go above and beyond for you as a client and are just genuinely kind people. I highly recommend this business to anyone who needs a quick and quality repair!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair, Wheel alignment, Brakes, Air conditioning, Battery, Oil change
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thank you for the glowing review, Mariah! We're thrilled to hear that Larry and the team went above and beyond to provide you with excellent service. Your recommendation means the world to us. We'll always be here to deliver quick and quality repairs with a smile!
Suzanne Ewald9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Suzanne has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Larry does great work and in a timely manner. I purchased a car from Jensen Ford in Marshalltown and let the owner know that the car had a bad vibration. This was right when I purchased the vehicle. Took it back in to Jensen and they told me that I bent 2 wheels and I would need to pay $2800 for 2 wheels since it was my fault. Basically told Jensen to shove it. Called Larry and he found what the actual cause was. He replaced the transfer assembly, propeller shaft, and the steering shaft. The car drives like new. He did amazing work and we will definitely be going back.
Services: Steering & suspension repair
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thanks for leaving this review. Feels good when customers appreciate the effort.
