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September 2023 by Erica Whites
Fixed my tire with no time .Thanks .Service: Tires
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July 2023 by Rosemary F.
Highly recommended! My family has trusted S&J for nearly 15 to 20 years. Great service and good value.
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July 2023 by Steve B.
The first vehicle I brought to S&J was an old Aerostar. It'd overheat; Csaba sniffed the antifreeze and diagnosed it in seconds: a clogged radiator. (My fault; I used outdated anti-freeze.) That was in 1998 when he had a shop in Altadena. I've brought him every car and van ever since. Csaba (pronounced cha-bah) is a hard to find, old-school mechanic -- solid, trustworthy, and he knows what he's doing. He's been polite (to me and my wife, and those I've referred) and patient through my never-ending dumb questions, all without rolling his eyes. He's come through on every of our Prius ans Subaru repairs and regular service -- brakes, oil changes, shocks, fan clutch, radiator flush (it's endless) -- as well keeping our ancient 24 year-old, hard-to-fix Dodge camper-van RV on the road. Fast forward to July 2023: While traveling to the Dakotas, the RV's water pump was replaced. On the drive home, there was anti-freeze on the ground. An out of state mechanic said maybe a head gasket, freeze plug, or worse, a cracked engine block. Back home, Csaba fixed it in a day with something simple -- a new hose. I've been coming back to Csaba all these years -- and keep going back -- because he knows how to diagnose a problem quickly, has been fair in his pricing (no shop fees!) and honest (he's straightforward and tells me what I don't need). It's almost as good as having a mechanic in the family.
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July 2023 by Chris Mendoza
My wife had been a long time customer of the mechanic (Chris) next door to S&J. When Chris retired, S&J Auto Specialists took over Chris' business and customers. We did not find this out until she dropped her vehicle off for an oil change and check up on Monday, June 5, 2023. Being a certified mechanic at one point in my life, I do all of the major repairs to my wife's vehicle, as well as my diesel truck. Because of time restraints, I have her take the vehicles in for oil changes and tire rotations. When Csaba, the owner of S&J, called my wife after having her 2005 Honda Pilot for the day, he said her car was in really bad shape. She called me alarmed, especially because she was 8 months pregnant with our first daughter. Csaba started by telling my wife that he broke a lug nut off and that it would cost her $500 to repair the stud. Are you kidding me?!?!?! The lug nuts were NOT cross threaded when the car went in, and they were torqued to spec 80 foot lbs. Then he told her that her passenger front axle was shot (the boot is torn.. I checked) and that it would cost over $400 to replace. He quoted 2-3 hours labor. A quick check of the Mitchell Guide shows 1 hour in labor. And if you know anything about cars.. like I do.. then you know that replacing a front axle on her vehicle is literally one (1) nut for the axle itself, and two (2) bolts for the lower strut assembly. THAT'S IT! Axle comes right out. MAYBE 30 minutes if you don't know what you're doing. When I confronted Csaba about frightening, and then trying to overcharge my wife, he stated that I didn't know anything about cars, and that the axle from Honda was $700. He followed that by chastising me for buying parts from anyone other than a dealer. Well, a quick call to Honda of Pasadena revealed that the OEM axle is actually $432... and it's on back order mind you. Checking online from other Honda dealers, I found it for roughly $230, and then from ANY other retailer.. where it is currently available.. and likely where Csaba would get it before overcharging the customer, it goes for $50 to $80! So, what gives Csaba? Sounds to me like you're lying to customers and inflating prices on top of inflating labor. Next, he informed my wife that she needed rear brakes. I found this odd, since I just did all of her suspension and brakes including rotors, less than 3 years ago.. and again.. for anyone who knows anything about cars.. we ALL know that rear disc brakes last F.O.R.E.V.E.R. I confronted Csaba about this and asked what the rear pads measured. He told me 2mm. So, after my wife brought the car home, I put it on a lift and took the rear wheels off. Guess what? The rear pads look just fine at 3/16 of an inch or 5mm (see attached photo). WHAT A CROOK!!! To top it all off, Csaba splashed oil all over the engine while doing the oil change. When it was all said and done, S&J sent my 8 month pregnant wife on her way with a driver's side front wheel having only 4 of the 5 lug nuts (see attached photo). If that doesn't shock or alarm you, I don't know what will. I will be reporting S&J Auto Specialists to the Attorney General of California and the Bureau of Automotive Repair, as well as all proper agencies that will hear my complaint. I hope anyone who reads this steers clear of S&J. Do not be fooled by the good reviews. They are probably fake. These guys are doing shady business. Do yourself a favor and find an honest mechanic. This is definitely NOT one.
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June 2023 by Chris M.
My wife had been a long time customer of Chris, the mechanic next door. When Chris retired, S&J Auto Specialists took over Chris' business and customers. We did not find this out until she dropped her vehicle off for an oil change and check up yesterday, June 5, 2023. Being a certified mechanic at one point in my life, I do all of the major repairs to my wife's vehicle, as well as my diesel truck. Because of time restraints, I have her take the vehicles in for oil changes and tire rotations. When Csaba called my wife after having her 2005 Honda Pilot for the day, he said her car was in really bad shape. She called me alarmed, especially because she is 8 months pregnant with our first daughter. Csaba started by telling my wife that a lug nut broke off and that it would cost her $500 to repair the stud. Are you kidding me?!?!?! The lug nuts were NOT cross threaded when the car went in, and they were torqued to spec 80 foot lbs. Then he told her that her passenger front axle was shot (the boot is torn.. I checked) and that it would cost over $400 to replace. He quoted 2-3 hours labor. A quick check of the Mitchell Guide shows 1 hour in labor. And if you know anything about cars.. like I do.. then you know that replacing a front axle on her vehicle is literally one (1) nut for the axle itself, and two (2) bolts for the lower strut assembly. THAT'S IT! Axle comes right out. MAYBE 30 minutes if you don't know what you're doing. When I confronted this crook of a mechanic about scaring and overcharging my wife, he stated that I didn't know what I was talking about, and that the axle from Honda was $700. He followed that by chastising me for buying parts from anyone other than a dealer. Well, a quick call to Honda of Pasadena revealed that the OEM axle is actually $432... and it's on back order mind you. Checking online from other Honda dealers, I found it for roughly $230, and then from ANY other retailer.. where it is currently available.. and likely where Csaba would get it before overcharging the customer, it goes for $50 to $80! So, what gives Csaba? Sounds to me like you're lying to customers and inflating prices on top of inflating labor. Next, he informed my wife that she needed rear brakes. I found this odd, since I just did all of her suspension and brakes including rotors, less than 3 years ago.. and again.. for anyone who knows anything about cars.. we ALL know that rear disc brakes last F.O.R.E.V.E.R. I confronted Csaba about this and asked what the rear pads measured. He told me 2mm. So, after my wife brought the car home, I put it on a lift and took the rear wheels off. Guess what? The rear pads look just fine at 3/16 of an inch or 5mm (see attached photo). WHAT A CROOK!!! To top it all off, Csaba splashed oil all over the engine while doing the oil change. When it was all said and done, this crook of a mechanic sent my 8 month pregnant wife on her way with a driver's side front wheel having only 4 of the 5 lugs (see attached photo). If that doesn't shock or alarm you, I don't know what will. I will be reporting S&J Auto Specialists to the Attorney General of California and the Bureau of Automotive Repair, as well as all proper agencies that will hear my complaint. I hope anyone who reads this steers clear of S&J. Do not be fooled by the good reviews. These guys are doing shady business. Do yourself a favor and find an honest mechanic. This is definitely NOT one.
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May 2023 by Jessica H.
I'm giving him 2 stars because I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. First of all, when I arrived, another woman cut in front of me and he went directly to her, not even acknowledging me (maybe he didn't see me but I was behind his first customer) When he finally came up to me all he did was shake his head "no" and that he's booked until June. I said that's fine.. he could call me later. He kept saying no that he couldn't give me a quote until June. He seemed frustrated and overwhelmed. So I said ok and that I'll go somewhere else. He didn't care. Not a good first time experience.
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December 2022 by Rod M.
Shaba and Jim were a fixture for years at the SE corner of New York and Allen. S & J Auto was highly regarded for their work ethic and quality. After Jim's death Shaba moved the business south to Colorado Blvd and then to the current location in Sierra Madre. Only the location changed. The quality and workmanship remain outstanding.
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August 2022 by Paula T.
I called S & J after my daughter's tire was losing air and we needed a quick repair. She was invited to bring it in that day to take a look at it, and it was repaired the same day, all in 45 minutes - and for a quarter of what I expected to pay. I haven't needed auto repair in Sierra Madre yet, but when one of our cars needs service, we'll definitely be back!
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September 2021 by michael hillman
Great, trust worthy, and friendly. This guy knows his stuff and I wouldn't take my cars anywhere else
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September 2021 by Andrew Fike
My Honda goes there or nowhere. A+Services: Battery
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July 2021 by Lisa W.
Csaba is the only mechanic you want to use for any of your vehicles! S & J Auto has been serving our family's cars for 30 years!
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September 2020 by Rebecca Secor
Had to bring my car in for a photo inspection the day it was due they took care of me right away and had me out in minutes. Will definitely come back for any needs I have going forward. Fast friendly environment!
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September 2020 by Angelina A.
Csaba is an honest and top notch auto specialist. I have been going to him for 10 years following him in the different locations. He is the best around and I highly recommend him. I know that I am getting an honest assessment on my car and high quality work done with the most informative advice he has to offer.
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June 2020 by Wendy R.
I had a flat tire and was a bit panicked on how to get my car to a shop in Pasadena. I yelped for a closer shop to where i was in Sierra Madre and i found S&J was right around the corner! I filled the tire at the gas station where I was and drove one block to S&J. The owner was very helpful. He said yes he could sell me a tire but first wanted to see if it could be repaired. I decided to leave the car (Lexus) and have him do the tune up that was past due. I picked up the car that night with a repaired tire and the car tuned up. Loved the service and the owner!!!
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August 2019 by Eric B.
Always provides good services. And looks out for his customers with good advice. Bring my car and friends Passport that he leaves in my driveway and I use for Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking trips.
