Ricky Vega has had a life-long passion for fixing cars. At the tender young age of 6, he did his first brake job.
“My cousin got me into it,” Vega said. “I used to go into their garage all the time and see them fix cars all the time and working on systems. I enjoyed it. I had a passion for it. As a kid I was always working on cars.”
His first car was a Honda Accord. He has since developed, in his words “a muscle car fetish.” His current passion is his 1966 Chevrolet Malibu, which he rebuilt from scratch with his family.
After graduating from Ewing High School, Vega earned an associate’s in automotive technology at Mercer County Community College through the Chrysler Appreciation Program. The program is designed to teach students current automotive technology and its use through a combination of classwork and internships. Upon completion of Chrysler-specific course materials, he secured a position with Dick Greenfield Dodge in Lawrenceville. After three years, he started working for Goodyear on Quakerbridge Road in Mercerville.
Along the way, Vega started working on cars out of his house. He realized he was earning enough money to own an auto repair business, and five years ago, he purchased his own auto repair shop. Ricky’s Auto Repair is located on Patterson Avenue in Hamilton, just off of South Olden Avenue, not far from Kuser Park. He has two mechanics working in his shop six days a week.
Vega works on all types and models of cars. His biggest challenge was a Mercedes S-65, a car which retails for $180,000. He put tubes in it—“it was not an easy fix, gotta program it,” he said.
Vega’s favorite part of his business is working on the cars. As for his business, he promises customers a pleasant experience.
“We have great service, we don’t charge as much, and we are honest,” Vega said. “I’m not going to sell anybody something they don’t need.”
Most of the work he sees are brake jobs, struts, and check engine lights.
“We tend to remember [the check engine light] when it is inspection time,” he said.
Vega also has noticed weekends and Mondays are busy in his shop, while Tuesdays and Wednesdays are slow. He also has noticed people are opting to spend more money on repairs for their existing vehicle rather than buying a new car.
Six months ago, Vega expanded his business by purchasing the junkyard directly next door to Ricky’s Auto Repair. He has 10 people working with him there. They buy scrap cars, junk cars, aluminum, catalytic converters and scrap metal. Vega offers free pick up and cash on the spot.
The businesses work in tandem with each other. Ricky’s Auto Repair installs parts people purchase from the junkyard, meaning that everything is done in-house now.
Ricky’s Auto Repair is located at 105 Patterson Avenue in Hamilton. Phone: (609) 888-1109. Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5; Saturday 8-noon.
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