Alternative Automotive

Kathe Crowe

★★★★★

a year ago

Recommended to Alternative Automotive by a neighbor. Daniel scheduled my Lexus for service promptly. My husband & I appreciate the professionalism, communication & reasonable cost from this company. We will be returning for more servicing here.

Becky

★★☆☆☆

Edited 6 months ago

Initially when they rebuilt my engine at their previous location, I would definitely have recommended them. Sure, it took longer and cost more than originally quoted, but I have come to expect that from mechanics. They did a good job on the car and were friendly and kept me in the loop pretty well. Unfortunately, some things have happened since then that make me hesitant to recommend them. I took my car to them because the idol was significantly fluctuating and Steve, the owner, suggested I have the person who installed the tps sensor recently look at it for me. It was an easy part to switch out (took 10 minutes in a parking lot with no special tools) and the person who installed it wasn't someone I wanted to ask another favor from, which is why I took it to my mechanic when the new tps sensor didn't do the trick. BUT now I think that was Steve's way of saying that he didn't know how to fix or diagnose it. I wish he would have been direct with me. They swapped out another TPS sensor, when it didn't fix the problem, they removed it, put my original one back on and then charged me for the part that was no longer on my car! They didn't leave an invoice in my car like they normally do when I pick my car up after hours and only when I pressed them for an invoice did they say "oh yeah well this part's not on your car anymore so we'll take $150 off the bill". Really? So I paid hundreds of dollars in diagnostic labor and would have paid for a part that wasn't even on my car if I hadn't pushed them for an invoice. In fact I did pay for it, they had to refund me the money. And they still didn't diagnose the car. So I took it back to my friend. He unplugged a manifold sensor? And plugged it back in and that fixed the problem. Took 60 seconds. I was about to take a long road trip, and thought I would have them do the pre-road trip inspection because I figured it was simple and they told me that they owed me an hour of labor since they were unable to diagnose my car. The car needed brakes, a CV axle, and a radiator hose, all of which I was aware of. I was told the inspection would take an hour, it took two. I was told the work on the car would take 3 hours, it took 6. It was a very long day. I drive it home it gets louder and louder. So they had me bring it back (I sent them a video of the noise) because it was Friday afternoon and they said that the mechanic had left a tool behind in my engine and that was the noise that I was hearing. They didn't apologize, didn't offer to compensate me for my time or gas, and they didn't apply the hour of Labor that they supposedly owed me (and I didn't ask), and Steve the owner was there and he didn't even come and talk to me or explain what had happened he just waved. At least they fixed the problem and they stayed late in order to do it, but to me it felt like an improperly installed CV axle, not a tool left behind in the engine. Either way, it turned into a 10 hour day. They also weren't able to diagnose why my transmission would occasionally overheat on the freeway. Originally, Daniel mentioned after market fans and I said I would like a quote on that- he just never called me back or brought it up ever again, even though I mentioned it more than once when they had my car and said how important it was to get it fixed because it's unsafe to pull over on the freeway, especially with my dogs in the car. So basically, in my opinion, they won't directly tell you when they don't know how to diagnose something, they will beat around the bush or just not call you back. And that's why I am not confident in recommending them. I would have said that for basic repairs and maintenance, they are a good shop, but then they messed up a CV axle.

Maria Brinneman

★★★★★

a year ago

A warning light came on in my 2013 Fiat a couple days ago. I thought I'd take a chance and drive to this shop without an appointment since it worried me. They were busy, but a kind young man named Dan found the problem and replaced my rear taillight bulb while I waited in the a/c. And he didn't charge me a dime. This is where I'll be taking my car from now on and I'll recommend them. Also, this shop, including where repairs are made, is scrupiously clean and orderly.

Joseph Barbee

★★★★★

a year ago

We took our 2015 Lexus RX 350 in for service. Thought it would be an expensive repair (coming from another auto repair business) it turned out to be a brake repair (front & rear) Referred by a friend, they were able to turn the rotors to save money. In summary, quick service, honest, and friendly customer service.

Ben Jordan

★★★★★

6 months ago

Steve, Daniel and the team, you guys are excellent. I really appreciate the great service, communication, help, clear explanations and honesty about everything. You guys rock!

Napoleon Corona

★★★★★

11 months ago

A great place for all your automotive needs, maintenance, and repairs. Oil change DONE. Thank you for your excellent service, "Alternative Automotive".

Tonya Lennon

★★★★★

Edited a month ago

I have been going to this mechanic shop for years and they’ve taken great care of my Corvette especially on days like today was emergency and I didn’t have any AC. They got me in right away and within three hours I had my car back fixed. I highly recommend them.

Jason Paguio

★★★★★

a year ago

I’ve been taking both of my Lexus to Alternative Automotive for years and the team has always been honest about what repairs were actually needed and with some of the best/accurate pricing for parts and labor. I recommended them to a few other folks and they’ve had equally great experiences. Really appreciate having an honest and reliable mechanic with great service!

Linda Earl

★★★★★

a year ago

I’m a first-time customer to Alternative Automotive & found them via their service coupon. While in the waiting room area I spoke to a returning customer who spoke highly of Daniel’s service repairs, fair pricing & repeated several times of Daniel’s honesty. Having high mileage I knew Daniel was looking out for my safety when he suggested my next priority be replacing spark plugs to prevent car breakdown. I will be returning to take action on his professional advice & I highly recommend giving Alternative Automotive a try like I did because now I unexpectedly found my new go-to mechanic who made me feel enthusiastic like his returning customer I met in the waiting room. I wish them continued success. **LINDA**

Larry Michel

★★★★★

a year ago

We've been customers of Alternative Automotive for a long, long time. We keep coming back because the service is stellar and the prices are reasonable. Our 2010 Prius is back to excellent condition and should last many more years. The communication by Daniel was commendable and he let us know the status often. Steve made sure that the repairs were done as quickly as possible. And they are just nice people who we can trust and we want to support.

M. C.

★★★★★

9 months ago

auto repair shop in North County. Steve (the owner) is very competent with car repairs. If you have a problem with your car, he will find it and fix it. Daniel is also a very good mechanic and can answer most, if not all, of your questions. I really like the fact that they have suppliers with stock ready for delivery within hours so you won't need to go back to repair something (in my opinion based on my car's service history). I will would definitely recommend Alternative Automotive!

BrickBro Fee

★★★★★

a month ago

Great first time experience - fast work, good communication and service! Much better knowledge (and more affordable) over the dealership service center.

Ronald Strange

★★★★★

4 months ago

I have used AA for a variety of automotive repairs and services. They are more than reasonably priced. I live in Encinitas and drive all the way to Escondido. They are 1/2 the price....

PJ M (Patsy)

★★★★★

6 months ago

Awesome, personalized, honest services. I have total confidence in the service advisor's (Daniel Ramos) recommendations. I've been coming here for my Lexus services for 20+ years!

J A

★★★★★

6 months ago

This shop was recommended to me by two neighbors who also own a Land Cruiser, after my old mechanic retired. Their customer service is top notch. A few examples: some years ago I brought the LC for service and when I picked it up there was a weird noise. The owner drove all the way to my office in Carlsbad to pick up the vehicle and have it fixed ( they had forgotten to test drive it after service, and there was an issue with alignment). Today I came in to have the A/C looked at, and was bracing for a potential long wait, and they offered to get me a ride home at their cost! Wholeheartedly recommend if you own a Japanese car. We also have a 4Runner and a Lexus that they take great care of.

Martha Garvey

★★★★★

3 weeks ago

The staff here is courteous and professional. I didn't have an appointment, but they were able to work on my car right away. The waiting area is clean. And the price is much better than the dealership.

Gayle Rios

★★★★★

2 weeks ago

Written for Eric: I purchased a 2007 Nissan Versa for a few hundred dollars, I knew monies were owed and it would not pass smog, hence the low$$. I took the Versa to Alternative Auto, they found me a CARB-compliant converter for a reasonable price, installed it and also just basically got the car up to par. Get this…when I took it to smog the inspector stated, “I haven’t seen many that came back that good on emissions—whoever worked on your car is a really good mechanic, you’re going to get a lot more miles out of it”. Getting the car up to par wasn’t cheap, but it is good to be reassured that Alternative Auto does quality work. THANK YOU Mondo & Team! & a shout out to your awesome mechanic THANK YOU!!