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August 2023 by David Elan
Cesar knows vans!
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March 2023 by William Y.
It is extremely difficult to find a reliable mechanic shop in California. Well, guess what, I found it just a few days ago, in March, 2023. It is Cesar and his team of professionals at California Westys in El Cajón, east of San Diego. They looked at my Westfalia Vanagon van---engine, body-- thoroughly. Within a half hour, they could tell me clearly what my issues were, cost, and prognosis. I spoke with Cesar and Daniel. Both gentlemen, professionals (as his other team members), were exceedingly helpful, courteous, and candid. They gave me advice about my dearest but limping Westy. I recommend them to the most quality-demanding customers. They are friendly, meticulous, and honest to a fault. They have my gratitude. William Y.
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March 2023 by Lil Bear
Cesar and his crew are the VeeDub experts. They literally do it all, I’ve had my 1985 x3 yrs now and they have serviced my van many times for a variety of things. The work is superb and I love how ez it is to talk with Cesar and his crew. They are all so nice and this is their specialty it’s all they do all day. Thanks guys for getting me back on the the road again much appreciation to you all✌️Services: Auto maintenance
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December 2022 by Raven
Cesar and his crew are the VeeDub experts. They literally do it all, I’ve had my 1985 x3 yrs now and they have serviced my van many times for a variety of things. The work is superb and I love how ez it is to talk with Cesar and his crew. They are all so nice and this is their specialty it’s all they do all day. Thanks guys for getting me back on the the road again much appreciation to you all✌️Services: Oil change
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June 2022 by Stewart Eastep
I came in (on short notice) for an engine issue on my EJ. Cesar and his mechanics are amazing and extremely knowledgeable. My van was in the absolute best of hands and they helped me get back on the road fast. They didn’t need my business but was very happy to have them working on my van.Services: Oil change
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June 2022 by Stewart E.
Really great service and knowledgeable mechanics. Cesar and his guys are crushing it (come see the full lot of vans) because they are great people and great at what they do. Got my EJ sorted and rolling with helpful advice for the road.
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June 2022 by Matt R.
Bought my 1990 Westy from Cesar at California Westy's. He was awesome and made sure the Vanagon was ready to go when we came to pick it up. He did an amazing job on the drivetrain and the paint and we are loving it! Thanks Cesar and Team!
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April 2022 by Deepak Surendran Pillai
Review is about the helpful attitude and not actual work done. My Westy broke down on my way back from Joshua tree to the Bay area. I was closer to LA and called California Westys. Cesar answered the phone, was very helpful in offering to prioritize to look at it on the same day if I tow it there before they close, gave me a couple of ideas on what could be the issue after listening to issue I described, and also advised me to show it to a local mechanic first. The local mechanic was able to fix it quickly, and we were on our way. So this is to say thank you for being thoughtful and flexible.
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December 2021 by S C.
Cesar and crew seem like great guys and I really hate to leave a bad review, but our experience there was horrible. Rodents got into our 89 Westfalia. Our insurance company would cover repairs but the place we usually take it in San Rafael was closed for vacation. We found California Westys online. When I called, Cesar quoted $4500 to remove all the fixtures and thoroughly clean and sanitize everything including the ducts. We agreed and our insurance company paid to transport our van there. Once the owner realized our insurance was paying, he raised the price to $5000. When I protested, he told me that was only a verbal estimate, not a firm quote. They had a month to do the repair. Every time I contacted Cesar, he was out of town and it didn't seem that they had started. We had to pick it up in person and drive it home and we booked a family trip around it, flying into San Diego and planning to drive it home to Northern California. When my husband got there to pick it up, they mechanic said they had swapped out our AC for a used one out of another van (without asking us) but that only after they tried to charge it did they realize the coolant line was broken. Very weird because obviously the mice didn't do that and the AC worked last time we drove it, but maybe it happened in transport. When my husband met us with the van it positively reeked of synthetic fragrance though I had told him not to use any products containing them. We drove hours in 102 degree heat up through the Central Valley with the windows open, feeling ill from the horrible chemical smell. When we got toward the coast in Santa Cruz, it got cold and foggy. We turned on the defroster. Bits of insulation and the smell of mouse feces started flying throughout the van. They obviously had not fixed the problem at all. My husband got a flashlight and looked into the duct near the driver's door wheel well and he could see an old mouse nest made out of the exact kind of plants we have at our property in plain view! We got it home by driving with the windows open and not turning on any heat or air. It made me and my son sick for several days. We took it to our regular shop in San Rafael (they were back from vacation). Almost $7000 later (in addition to the $5200 California Westys got paid NOT to solve the problem), we got the problem fixed. They found rodent nests and dead rodents throughout the vehicle, iincluding in the heater core which they had to rebuild. They arranged for all the AC repairs and even a new radio and installation. I would not recommend this company for this sort of remediation.
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September 2021 by joseph viles
Had Cesar put in a new subaru 2.5 engineAnd now i have all the power I need for freeway driving and just generally a completely reliable 1985 westy! Very happy with Cesar and his crew!Service: Engine repair
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June 2021 by Tony K.
Cesar does a great job and his crew is great as well. Highly recommended. Also they work on the Subaru engines which is a real plus.
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May 2021 by Stacey Turner
I have a 1986 VW van that I have had for about 25 years. I have always put money into maintaining the engine and not the body. I was finally able to have the body work done and of course I went to Cesar at Cal Westy. I already know he and his crew do good work because they rebuilt my van after it caught on fire. And he's done other maintenance type work for me. It took a little longer than I expected, but when I got it back it was incredible. I was amazed at how beautiful it looked and also the attention to detail. Honestly, when I went to pick it up, I didn't recognize it, and I walked right past it. It was beautiful.......... I only know it is the same van because it drives the same. :) Cesar went above and beyond for me. I feel proud in my van now because it looks great! Thank you Cesar and to all your crew :)Services: Body & Trim
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April 2021 by Paul van Dyck
A major mechanical on a road trip far from home necessitated repairs. Recommended Ca Westies by multiple sources. Cesar and crew took care of me in a timely fashion and quality work(a new motor). 3k+ miles and zero issues.
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January 2021 by Hamsa Nguyen
a conscious and masterful team of VW specialists. caesar will take care of you indefinitely. finished my new clutch on my 84’ vanagon in only a few days. thank you!!!
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December 2020 by Kathy Swenson
?. I bought a 1985 Syncro Westfalia from Cesar at California Westy. It was during this darned pandemic and parts were not always easy to get but Cesar and his guys worked hard to get my van to me! She's a beauty. I'm totally stoked. I've gone back down a few times for some follow up stuff. I'm always greeted very nicely. Cesar and his staff are very nice and work hard to satisfy their customers. Even though I'm in LA I plan to have Ca Westys do any work my van needs. I consider them friends! But for now it's time to hit the road to Mammoth!! Thanks Cesar, Jose, Eric and all !!!
