Wondering what is the best and or most affordable place in Goleta to get a smog certificate?
COMMENT 119026
|
2010-11-05 10:01 AM |
|
I went to Caseys Garage on Hollister (by the airport).
Nice guys, quick service, good price.
|
| |
COMMENT 119029P
|
2010-11-05 10:06 AM |
|
There is a previous thread on this here:
here
|
| |
COMMENT 119036
|
2010-11-05 10:24 AM |
|
Ugh, just don't go to Casey's garage. Those guys ripped me off pretty bad. Search online and read the reviews. I've found that although it costs a bit more, it's safest to go to the dealer. Smog places give you a deal because they're trying to reel you in so they can tack on other charges or services.
|
| |
COMMENT 119043
|
2010-11-05 10:38 AM |
|
Ditto 036: AVOID Casey's. Been there a ton of times. They always seemed to NOT pass the cars we knew were ok. Course, if you think your car is on the fence, or bound to not pass, they might pass you. Just don't like the place, despite having been there a ton. Just feels shady.
|
| |
COMMENT 119052
|
2010-11-05 10:49 AM |
|
Elpidio at Garcia's Automotive, out by the Drive-In/Goleta Swap Meet on Kellogg. He's great and very reasonable
|
| |
COMMENT 119055
|
2010-11-05 10:51 AM |
|
I'd highly recommend just taking the extra time and going to smog-it downtown. It's a smog only place and I've never had a bad experience.
|
| |
COMMENT 119056P
|
2010-11-05 10:51 AM |
|
I waited a long time at Casey's, watching cars that got there after me jump ahead in line (and I had an appointment). Will never go there again. These days I schedule a service at my dealer and have the smog done at the same time. The convenience is worth a few extra dollars.
|
| |
COMMENT 119062
|
2010-11-05 10:58 AM |
|
Startech on Cota and Smog-it were both reasonable in Santa Barbara. They were friendly, had lots of open spaces, and didn't try to sell me a full package of oxygen sensor, spark plug, and monitor replacements.
|
| |
COMMENT 119067
|
2010-11-05 11:04 AM |
|
I have always gone to Fast Lane Gas-Mart 180 North Fairview Avenue and had no problems with them.
|
| |
COMMENT 119070
|
2010-11-05 11:14 AM |
|
Fairview Shell does an excellent job and I've been taking both my cars there for years. They will do everything they can to get you to pass (within legal guidelines) and I've never had to wait if I had an appointment. Good service and good people.
|
| |
COMMENT 119072
|
2010-11-05 11:16 AM |
|
yikes, guess I dodged a bullet there-I had no problems at Caseys.
|
| |
COMMENT 119074
|
2010-11-05 11:23 AM |
|
I've been through four or five smog checks at caseys and have never failed or had any issues with them at all. Maybe I'm lucky? They also have a $37.50 coupon in the phone book.
|
| |
COMMENT 119077
|
2010-11-05 11:26 AM |
|
Been going to Casey's for about a decade and my 2 Hondas always pass. I only go there due to proximity of where I work, but they are also cheaper. When I lived downtown, I went to Smog-It only one time, but it was a decent experience; good waiting area and nice staff.
|
| |
COMMENT 119088P
|
2010-11-05 11:52 AM |
|
I'll second the recommendation for Garcia's.
|
| |
COMMENT 119092
|
2010-11-05 11:59 AM |
|
If you make it downtown - GM Auto & Smog on De la Vina & Alamar - super friendly, awesome service!
|
| |
COMMENT 119104
|
2010-11-05 12:23 PM |
|
+1 for GM Auto & Smog on De la Vina & Alamar. Really nice people, excellent work, you never have to worry about being ripped off. Had my car smogged other day and was in and out in 15 minutes.
|
| |
COMMENT 119111
|
2010-11-05 12:48 PM |
|
We also always used GM Auto most of the time..Did use Casey's, and yes, a bit of a wait.
|
| |
COMMENT 119127P
|
2010-11-05 01:37 PM |
|
You will find that there is a fairly standard charge for a smog cert around town...not many deals to be had (but beware of getting ripped off). Fast Lane on N. Fairview next to Taco Bell is fast and they charge the standard.
|
| |
COMMENT 119134
|
2010-11-05 01:53 PM |
|
another +1 for GM Auto
|
| |
ANEMONEFISH
|
2010-11-05 02:31 PM |
|
And a third for Garcia's out on Kellogg. Good folks.
|
| |
COMMENT 119165
|
2010-11-05 03:12 PM |
|
I'm not sure why some people had bad experiences at Casey's. We've gone there many times (8+) over the years, our cars have always passed, and we've always had a good experience. One of our cars is even over 20 years old! The people there are very nice, and you can print out a coupon from their website for a few dollars off. It's true that there can be a wait, especially if you go on weekends. If you can drop your car off and pick it up later, it helps. Or if you go early on a weekday, it's a lot faster.
|
| |
COMMENT 119181
|
2010-11-05 03:43 PM |
|
One time our steering went out near them and we drove in and part was ordered and delivered and installed in an hour. LOVE THAT PLACE! CASEYS!
|
| |
COMMENT 119194
|
2010-11-05 04:19 PM |
|
I'm a fan of Eric Krebs Automotive out in old town. Had a couple of smogs and some regular maintenance done there and the prices are totally fair.
|
| |
COMMENT 119206
|
2010-11-05 04:44 PM |
|
He's not in Goleta, but it's Happy Hour. Rick at SwedeMasters is the best mechanic I've ever had. Great guy and he reads Edhat. I just got my renewal notice and I need a smog. Rick, here I come.
|
| |
COMMENT 119227P
|
2010-11-05 05:23 PM |
|
Dude, we just had this question come up like a month ago. Another vote against Casey's.
|
| |
COMMENT 119247
|
2010-11-05 07:03 PM |
|
I ditto the recommendation for Eric Krebs, but I nix Fast Lane after taking it there one time,being told I needed about $300 work to get the car to pass, took it elsewhere instead, where it passed no problem and no $300.
|
| |
COMMENT 119278
|
2010-11-05 08:22 PM |
|
I also recommend Eric Krebs. There was a comment about Eric Krebs when this Smog Question started, where did that comment go since there are no comments being banned ? Nanny note: We're seeing those 2 comments just above this one. Are our eyes playing tricks on us?
|
| |
COMMENT 119303
|
2010-11-06 06:37 AM |
|
GM Auto is the best. My fav mechanic recommends them. Just called yesterday for a price check for my Honda. $49 out the door!
|
| |
COMMENT 119336
|
2010-11-06 08:58 AM |
|
Ruiz automotive. Downtown Goleta across from Santa Cruz market. In. Out. Done.
|
| |
COMMENT 119397
|
2010-11-06 11:48 AM |
|
I went to Casey's for years until he tried to pull a bait-and-switch on me. He tried to say that the coupon I had was out of date (it wasn't). I turned him in to the Bureau of Automotive Repair. The inspector said that Casey told him, "Everybody does that." Now I go to Fairview 76 and have had good experience with them.
|
| |
BECKY
|
2010-11-06 04:14 PM |
|
Fuel Depot. Old town Goleta. Fair, competent (new about recalls and other odd "gotchas" that might mess up the test), inexpensive. We've used them exclusively for 10+ years (before they were Fuel Depot). We used to use others, and because we have older cars, having someone know all the "gotchas" really helps.
|
| |
COMMENT 119471
|
2010-11-06 06:48 PM |
|
Smog it downtown is not a good place to go. I got ripped off there. Very inconvenient and when confronted with their scam they just denied it.
Definitely recommend Erik Krebs in Goleta
|
| |
COMMENT 119517
|
2010-11-07 08:57 AM |
|
It may cost a little more but dealer service is the best in the long run. Everytime I used to go to a small shop for smog I had to had other repairs done to get passed. Now at the dealer in several years that has never happened. Also, dealer techs are highly trained and tuned into the maintenance network of their dealerhip cars in a way that is restricted from the small shops. I know all this because I used to work for a major auto company's service engineering department.
|
| |
COMMENT 254277P
|
2012-02-06 10:43 AM |
|
Ruiz Automotive at the Fuel Depot station in Old Town is the best. 967-5416. I've been going there for years.
|
| |
COMMENT 304133P
|
2012-08-02 02:57 PM |
|
I can recommend Eric Krebs on Orange Ave. Prompt, courteous service at a price probably at mid-range. I paid $ 57 in Aug. 2012 for a sedan.
|
| |
