Is the Auto Shop in GTA Online Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide
Absolutely! For the vast majority of GTA Online players, the Auto Shop is a worthwhile investment. It offers a compelling blend of legitimate business activities, high-paying heists, and vehicle customization perks that can significantly boost your in-game income and enhance your overall gameplay experience. It’s a strong contender for one of the best businesses to own in GTA Online, particularly if you enjoy driving and customizing cars.
Diving Deep: Why the Auto Shop Shines
The Auto Shop isn’t just another property; it’s a versatile hub with multiple income streams and benefits. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it valuable:
1. High-Paying Robbery Contracts
The backbone of the Auto Shop’s earning potential lies in its Robbery Contracts. These are essentially mini-heists that you can complete solo or with friends. The payouts range from $170,000 to $375,000 per contract, making them a lucrative way to earn money. The Union Depository Contract is widely considered the most profitable, offering the potential for that top-end payout.
Accessing these contracts requires you to be registered as a SecuroServ VIP, CEO, or MC President. The contracts involve multiple setup missions followed by a finale. While some setups can be tedious, the overall experience is enjoyable, and the rewards are substantial.
2. Legitimate Car Modding Business
The Auto Shop allows you to operate a legitimate car modding business, servicing customer vehicles with custom requests. Customers will bring their cars to your shop, and you can choose to either customize the car yourself and deliver it, or simply sell the car back to them after customizing.
This aspect adds a role-playing element to the game, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of a car mechanic and businessman. The payout for these services isn’t massive (around $20,000 – $30,000 per car), but it’s a consistent source of income and a welcome break from the more intense heists.
3. Exotic Exports
In addition to Robbery Contracts and client vehicles, the Auto Shop gives you access to Exotic Exports. These are vehicles scattered around Los Santos that you need to locate and deliver to the docks. These exports can provide a decent income stream.
4. Vehicle Customization Perks
Owning an Auto Shop grants you a 5% discount on vehicle parts and modifications at your own shop. This can save you a significant amount of money in the long run, especially if you frequently customize your cars.
Furthermore, the Auto Shop allows you to customize certain vehicles that might not be available for purchase otherwise, especially after Rockstar removed some vehicles from the in-game stores.
5. Garage Space and Customization
The Auto Shop provides a spacious 10-car garage to store your prized vehicles. You can also customize the look of your Auto Shop to reflect your personal style.
Potential Drawbacks
Despite its many advantages, the Auto Shop does have a few potential drawbacks:
- Initial Investment: The Auto Shop requires a significant upfront investment. The initial purchase price can be a deterrent for new players.
- No Passive Income: Unlike some other businesses (such as the Nightclub), the Auto Shop doesn’t generate passive income. You need to actively engage in its activities to make money.
- Repetitive Tasks: Some players may find the Robbery Contract setup missions to be repetitive after a while.
- Time Commitment: Running the auto shop effectively requires a time commitment to complete contracts and service clients.
Is the Auto Shop still worth it in 2024?
Yes, the Auto Shop remains a strong business option in 2024. Despite power creep from newer updates, the Auto Shop’s contracts and vehicle modification benefits make it a worthwhile purchase. It offers a solid balance of fun gameplay and financial rewards.
Auto Shop GTA: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much does an Auto Shop cost in GTA Online?
Auto Shops in GTA Online range in price depending on their location. The cheapest location will be around $1,670,000, while the most expensive will be closer to $1,920,000.
2. What is the best Auto Shop location in GTA Online?
The “best” location is subjective and depends on your preferences. The Strawberry location is popular due to its central location and proximity to key areas. Other good locations include Rancho and La Mesa.
3. Can I sell my Auto Shop in GTA Online?
Unfortunately, you cannot directly sell your Auto Shop in GTA Online. You can only trade it in when purchasing a new Auto Shop.
4. How much do Auto Shop missions pay in GTA Online?
The payout for Auto Shop Robbery Contracts ranges from $170,000 to $375,000. Customer car modifications typically earn you $20,000 to $30,000 per car.
5. What is the best Robbery Contract to do in the Auto Shop?
The Union Depository Contract is generally considered the most profitable due to its high potential payout.
6. How long do Auto Shop missions take to complete?
The time it takes to complete Auto Shop missions varies depending on the contract and your skill level. Setup missions can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes each, while the finales can take 30 minutes to an hour, especially for new players.
7. How often do customer cars spawn in my Auto Shop?
Customer cars typically spawn every 48 minutes. If you address the waiting car quickly, another will appear within five minutes of finishing.
8. Can friends help me with Auto Shop missions?
Yes, you can invite friends to help you with Auto Shop Robbery Contracts and other activities.
9. What are the benefits of having staff at my Auto Shop?
Hiring staff allows them to deliver customer cars to your customers so you do not have to. This allows you to focus on other tasks, but the trade-off is that they will do less customization work on the car, which could net you a smaller profit margin in the long run.
10. Should I buy an Auto Shop or an Arcade in GTA Online?
For solo players seeking easy money, the Auto Shop is generally the better choice. While the Arcade is great for the Diamond Casino Heist, the Auto Shop offers more consistent and varied income opportunities.
11. What is the most profitable business in GTA Online overall?
While the Auto Shop is excellent, the Acid Lab is often cited as one of the most profitable businesses due to its high hourly profit and mobile nature.
12. Do I need to purchase upgrades for my Auto Shop?
Upgrades are not required but can improve your experience. The most useful upgrade is likely the staff, which will allow them to deliver client vehicles.
13. Is the Auto Shop good for roleplaying in GTA Online?
Yes, the Auto Shop is excellent for roleplaying a legitimate business owner with a side hustle in criminal activities.
14. Can I customize the interior of my Auto Shop?
Yes, you can customize the interior of your Auto Shop to reflect your personal style.
15. Where can I learn more about the design and ethics in games?
For more insights into the design principles and ethical considerations surrounding games like GTA Online, visit the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org.