Automotive in Jefferson City

From the moment customers arrive at Kwik Kar, the impeccably clean facility and friendly faces of trained professionals will make them feel as though they're about to embark on a glamorous yet speedy journey. Sit back and relax while deft oil changers swap out oil and perform a comprehensive check and fill of window washer, antifreeze, power steering, brake, transmission, front and rear differential, and transfer of case fluids. The staff of auto whisperers will also inspect a number of important vehicle components, including the exhaust system and belts and hoses, helping each vehicle cruise smoothly and stop burping at the drive-thru window. Also included with the Groupon is a voucher for an $8 Kwik Wash, redeemable at Kwik Kar Wash & Detail on Edgewood Drive, ensuring refreshed autos look as good as they feel.

Bryant Mobile Detailing's scrupulous technicians sanitize vehicles at the customer's location with hand mitts, Cyclo polisher, and Meguiar's wax. During the express detail, cars lounge comfortably in their parking spot, driveway, or massage chair as techs prep them with a pressure wash and then perform a hand washing with a gentle wash mitt and mild detergent. After a chamois dry, detailers direct compressed air into any crevices to clear away debris, then coat the exoskeleton with Cyclo polisher and Meguiar's wax, which guards the finish for up to 12 weeks. Next, they dress the tires and wheel wells with a high-silicone rubber and plastic dressing, and blast bits of dust from interior hiding spots with a compressed air gun before sending the car galloping happily down the road.

Columbia Mall Car Wash restores vehicles to pristine condition with its executive car-wash package, a multifaceted cleanse that takes a mere 20 minutes. Frisky autos can wag their tails with glee as the wash’s suds-slingers soak and hand-dry their exteriors and vacuum their carpets, floors, and seats. A clear-coat finish helps protect paint jobs from weathering, and a body-luster foam wax guards the car's shell against acid rain and even more acidic sunshine. Sealer wax helps lock in each car’s freshness and ocular appeal. Undercarriages receive a swabbing of their own to remove salt, plus an application of rust inhibitor to ward off corrosion.

With its fleet of luxury buses and limousines, Columbia Party Bus makes sure that the journey is as fun as the destination. Up to 12 passengers can comfortably lounge in a Lincoln super-stretch limo, equipped with a stellar sound system and wet bar. Leather wraparound seating hosts up to 18 in the VIP Entertainer limo, where visitors can craft drinks at three bars, soundtrack the festivities with tunes from CDs and iPods, or watch a DVD on the giant HDTV screen. The Dictator, a 24- to 40-person party bus, evokes a nightclub atmosphere with front and rear bars, multiple TVs, two laser-light systems, a separate VIP section, and a bouncer strapped to the roof. As Columbia Party Bus's pro drivers safely navigate clients through Columbia and its outlying areas, a complimentary concierge service eases logistical hassles by procuring dinner reservations, live DJs, and event tickets.

The eight workstations at The Tuning Spot hum with the staccato clicks of socket wrenches and the soprano whine of air tools. Industrious figures crane their necks beneath a scissor lift and slip under rides in flat bays. The industrious workers aren’t licensed mechanics, though— they are the cars’ owners, learning to baby their own rides in the 7,000-square-foot DIY garage.

Burgeoning technicians gather together in the bustling shop, discussing issues with timing belts and fuzzy dice that only ever come up snake eyes. A team of experienced mechanics stands by, ready to jump in and assist. ALLDATA, an online database of repair tips and specs, also aids students as they learn to care for rides without expensive trips to mechanics.

John Caraway is a perfectionist. He's also a certified auto-body technician. At Dent Wrx, located inside of Phillipe's Auto Body, John is able to combine these two traits by restoring dented surfaces back to an overall smooth finish on vehicle exteriors. Caraway and his team of technicians use specially designed tools to massage away dents caused by hail or overzealous rice throwers who got kicked out of the wedding they were attending. Paintless dent repair is also available for customers. Services restore surfaces without the use of putty or additional paint, and they won't damage the finish of existing paint. As an added bonus, Dent Wrx sometimes provides loaner cars so that patrons don't have to ride the family dog to work.