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April 2024 by Paul S.
Salas Automotive is probably the best auto repair I have ever delt with. Fidel and Angela are very knowledgable on many different makes and models. Professional, Honest, friendly and the prices are as fair as you will ever find. They give you honest assessments with no high pressure up-sells. I have been using them for several years now and you won't find a nicer family owned business. Having an honest reliable mechanic is a true blessing in this life. Thanks Fidel and Angela!
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February 2024 by Dan P.
I'm a little bit in shock right now. My wife and I just moved to the area and she has a 1997 Landcruiser. There is a problem with the charging system and I called to see if I could bring the car in. The person I spoke with, without even looking at the car, quoted me roughly $800 to replace the alternator and battery, which sounded like a reasonable price, but I was surprised to have a solution without taking a look at things first and didn't think the battery needed to be replaced anyway. When I even started questioning this, and asking what the cost would be without the battery replacement, I was told that they didn't even want to work on my wife's car. I'm 56 years old and have been around a bit. Never have I ever had anyone say anything like that. I suppose they must have more business than they need to turn away a potential customer. And that we are new to the area and once we find a good mechanic for our cars, we would certainly want to keep going to them, they just lost a possible loyal customer. Just kind of shaking my head at what happened. Took my car instead to Bowman's auto. Highly recommend them. They did a great job replacing the alternator at the quoted price and never once suggested I needed a new battery too. Anyone that even has a basic understanding of cars knows that there's an easy test to determine if a battery is operating properly and can handle the required voltage to operate a car. Turning me away because I didn't think I should spend $300 to replace my battery without even testing it first raises serious questions for me. In the end it worked out great for me as a new Santa Barbara resident. I discovered Bowman's auto and look forward to a long relationship with them taking care of our FJ80 Landcruiser.
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July 2023 by max G.
Blew up my radiator on my way down to Santa Barbara during the 4th of July weekend. Brought my car in and they were able to get me back on the road within a day. They did an amazing job and I'm grateful for the work they did. The owners were also very friendly!
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May 2023 by Sarah K.
I had such a wonderful experience at this shop! The owner and his wife are truly kind, experienced, and honest people. I ended up needing a new radiator (mine was cracked) and 2 new wheel bearings. They explained all the costs upfront, and their pricing matched the range I would pay in Kelly blue book auto pricing estimates - so I know they were being honest. They took time to show me pictures of what they found, and went above and beyond to go over all my options with me. On the day of my repair, they even offered to have one of their employees drive me back home! Which I gladly accepted. They also offered to pick me back up to get my car. They even got my car washed for me when I came to pick it up...! I have never been to a mechanic who has gone this above and beyond. They are so kind and caring - very refreshing. A trustworthy, family business. They have pictures of their young kiddos and dogs in the office when you come in - very sweet. They are also very on time and reliable. I brought my car in 2 different times, and got it back when agreed upon so I could make it to work on time. And they even texted me updates during the repair..! Highly recommend! I have a 2003 Toyota Highlander and my car is running great. I will forsure be coming back if I need more work done!
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March 2023 by Andriy Tymkiv
Really good people work here.
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March 2023 by OakTree Brannon
Good man, great mechanicAnd good looking ??
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December 2022 by Michelle S.
My old Lexus hybrid has been having intermittent electrical problems for years: clicking, windows/locks not working, dome light staying on and doesn't turn off, and other random things. Every time I thought I might bring it in, it would go away and I knew the mechanic would think I'm crazy. Finally during the big rainstorm the 'check hybrid engine' light came on and the power steering went out. Not good. I figured I would have to buy a new car. My husband called Salas and he asked if the floorboards were wet -- odd questions -- and sure enough, he figured it out over the phone. So impressed. Like Click and Clack. Turns out the sunroof drainage system was clogged with gunk, and it was overflowing into the fuse box, and wreaking havoc. He'd seen it before. We had it towed in, and Salas had at it for 2 days, took the interior panels out, replaced the hose let it all dry out. The wires were not damaged. They also discovered a leak in the radiator hose that we had suspected, and replaced that. They took it to the car wash, cleaned my car beautifully and checked everything was watertight. They drove it around to make sure the lights did not come back. I mean, these guys were thorough. Then he picked me up at work when it was done so I didn't have to Uber over there. I was so excited to have my car back, its been years since it was that clean. I've been driving it for a few days before writing this review, just to be sure, and it's been perfect. His wife in the office is competent and knowledgeable, too. I kind of can't wait to go back! Is that weird?? I never ever said that about a mechanic before.
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September 2022 by Makeda Bullock Floyd
My visit to Salas Auto Shop was one of (if not the) best experiences I’ve had with an auto repair shop. I was traveling, and a couple hundred miles from my usual auto repair shop, when my car started shaking caused by engine misfiring. This can cause major damage to the car if the misfiring is regular and you keep driving. My friend looked up auto shops, but we were hesitant to go somewhere we had never been and just found in a google search. Salas was so kind to us, calming my panicked voice on the phone and saying to bring it in and “leave the headache to them.” We found out when we got there that he had ordered the part as soon as we got off the phone and had it ready when we got there. They had the work done in about an hour, while we talked to the amazing woman who works at the front desk about her sunrise photography and living each day like it’s your birthday. They did not overcharge, and even slightly lowered the charge to match what he told me over the phone. When he was done, he test drove the car to make sure everything was working right, and even cleaned the windshield so we were safe driving the mountain road ahead. I could not have asked for kinder, honest people or a better experience Thank you
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April 2022 by Kevin Marshall
We aren't even from the area but my drivers side window fell off the track. Looked them up and they have good reviews because they are good. Got my window regulator and window motor fixed same day and had plenty of time to enjoy the rest of our vacation.
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February 2022 by Jason t.
These reviews are clearly false. I called and asked if they could disconnect the HFL on my son's Acura RDX. This was after researching his parasitic battery drain and troubleshooting after we replaced alternator and battery ourselves. Rather than doing so, the mechanic tells me he first needs to run a $300 diagnostic(for what I've already diagnosed?). Then calls me 1 hour after the car arrives and says "all his guys" have been working on the diagnostic and figured it out. It's the HFL.. duh!.. I told him this the day before. Now he charges an additional $200 to fix it. Oh no, he didn't fix anything, he just disconnected it. We let him change the alternator as well because it has been overused. $1100 later and about 2.5 hours of work- my boy is back on the road. Son is attending UCSB and I am in the Bay Area therefore I was at the mercy of this dishonest person and he knew it. Moral of the story, find an honest mechanic and pass on this guy.
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January 2022 by Floyd Smith
Said an done.
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January 2022 by Lenny Rosenthal
Great customer service. Based on my 1st experience, I would certainly go back.
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January 2022 by Osburn Palmer
These guys are the best mechanics I ever met. Very respectable, very reliable, very honest and jovial. I'm generally a do yourself guy, so I have have a little knowledge about automobiles mechanism. I had this loud grining noise coming from the right side of my hood and I couldn't figure out what it was. Called around 7 shops and everyone was giving me 2-3 days appointment. Called these guys and told them my problem and they told me to come on over right away. Instantly they started working on my truck and solved the problem in minutes.Service: Exhaust
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November 2021 by Kimberly S.
Needed a smog check. They definitely pay attention. Told them I would be there first thing when they opened. I didn't tell them I was running late but rolled up around 9:30am and the lady walked up and said "smog check right?" I was there no more than 10-15 min for $47. I would return. Fast, friendly, reasonably priced. My housemate and boyfriend have also had some other auto work there with positive experience it's a little confusing with the name...Kennedy or Salas but seems to all be the same shop shop no matter what shows up on google map vs Yelp vs what's on the building.
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October 2021 by Mikala B.
The only mechanic I have found who I felt I could trust immediately. They were so helpful and got me in quickly when my car needed urgent repairs. Gave me good pricing and even transportation when my ride fell through. 10/10 for great service, pricing, and workmanship.
