South Daytona Automotive

Inside Waterways Car Spa’s automated tunnels, cars eschew rough bristles for a brushless system of chamois cloths paired with eco-friendly soaps. Exterior and full-service washes treat rides to ample suds and add-ons such as tire shine, interior vacuuming, and underbody washes. Beyond the tunnels, detail technicians hand wash delicate rides and shine exteriors with clay-bar treatments and liquid glass, which helps cars ward off smudges in any lot or menagerie. Waterways also caters to fleets and corporate cars, and teams up with local schools, church associations, and other groups for fundraisers.

GS Auto Center is a full-service garage and auto-sales center that handles all manner of mechanical and cosmetic problems. On the sales side, a diverse stock of preowned imported and domestic vehicles sings a horsepower-charged siren song with a slew of sedans and SUVs, which have been examined with a fine-tooth comb to ensure quality and viability. Back at the garage, ASE-certified mechanics keep cars healthy with oil changes and 23-point inspections. When more than maintenance is required, the techs repair damage to brakes, electrical systems, and overheated dashboard hula dancers with expertise and an ample stock of auto parts. A crew of detailers, body-work pros, and paint-repair experts stands by the tools needed to reverse the signs of age and weather damage. For customers whose cars are taking a sabbatical to regain their powers, the center's fleet of tow trucks and shuttles lend an extra dash of convenience.

Growing up in New York City, Vinny Rodriguez spent a lot of time jetting down the streets of Spanish Harlem on his dirt bike and ATV—joy rides that would foreshadow his future profession. Vinny eventually channeled his love of riding into a profession by completing his motorcycle mechanic's certification and opening Vinny's Garage. To this day it doesn't feel like a job to him. "This garage is more of my lifestyle than it is a business," he says, evincing an ethos that prioritizes making new riding buddies over making a quick buck.