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Car Mechanics
updated: Jun 26, 2012, 8:03 PM

I'm looking to get my Nissan Xterra fixed. Any suggestions on great mechanics in Santa Barbara or Carpinteria who will do wonderful honest work and won't rip me off? If that even exists. Thank you in advance for your help


Places People Are Talking About:

Elpidio GarciaGM Auto & SmogHein automotive
Lang MotorsMeinekeTom Watts

What People Are Saying:

 COMMENT 291708P agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 07:49 PM

Bummer. These kinds of posts just give lots of opportunity for free advertising or a chance for someone to say "Anybody but..."

Oh well. Bring it on...

 

 COMMENT 291718 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 08:17 PM

Don't have their contact info, but look up "Xterra Specialty Mechanics" in Santa Barbara. They are hands down the best mechanics for your Xterra for sure. Mention Edhat and you'll probably get a discount!!

 

 COMMENT 291723 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 08:22 PM

I take my Xterra to Willie at Top Shop, no complaints!

 

 COMMENT 291725P agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 08:23 PM

Richard's Accurate Imports, 401 Santa Barbara St., 962-1741, http://accurateimportservice.com/.

 

 COMMENT 291736 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 08:46 PM

Toms Watts in Carp.

 

 COMMENT 291739 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 08:50 PM

Elpidio Garcia out in Goleta on S. Kelogg. Very honest man, small family business.

 

 COMMENT 291741P agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 08:53 PM

I second Tom Watts - an honest guy and experienced mechanic.

 

 EZ2 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 08:59 PM

Andy GM auto 682-0101

 

 SHAGGY agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 09:03 PM

David at West Coast Automotive is great. Super fair pricing and stands behind his work 100% I have taken my Nissan,Ford and Chevrolet to him. He is on Aero Caminmo in Goleta

 

 COMMENT 291749P agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-26 10:27 PM

Just don't take it to SB Nissan! I bought my new Nissan from them two years ago and will NEVER go there for service again.

 

 COMMENT 291760 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 06:45 AM

I use Hein Automotive off Orange in Goleta. He is very honest, and his prices are reasonable.

 

 COMMENT 291763P agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 06:49 AM

749, explain? I have an 07 Versa SL and I have had no problems with servicing there.

 

 COMMENT 291766P agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 06:59 AM

@749 here. Arrogant service personnel at SB Nissan. coupled with an apparent inability to diagnose and cure what's wrong. I had a problem from the outset with brakes that grabbed and was told that "they all do it." I lived with it for a couple of months, then took it to Meineke, who fixed it and I haven't had a problem with grabbing brakes since. Had this been my only complaint with SB Nissan it would have been okay, but it isn't. Boils down to a crummy, patronizing attitude from the service advisor staff.

 

 COMMENT 291774 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 07:19 AM

I owned an Xterra for over seven years, and always had it serviced at Nissan with no problems. OP: what's wrong with your Xterra?

 

 COMMENT 291775P agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 07:24 AM

08P I agree - it's hard to to know who's doing the posting, but here's my recommendation: Ken Symer Automotive downtown.

 

 COMMENT 291784P agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 07:34 AM

I have used Bob's Garage on Carpinteria Ave in Carpinteria for many years. He is very trustworthy and honest. You can give him a call at 805-684-2312 and make an appointment or just drive by 4492 Carpinteria Ave, next to Mia Fiesta.

 

 COMMENT 291789 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 07:48 AM

I have been very happy with everyone and everything from SB Nissan. I always take my cars there, even my Honda. In the past, Richards accurrate has been terrific too.

 

 COMMENT 291799 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 08:02 AM

One of the problems with taking your vehicle to a dealership, is that they will recommend repairs that are really not necessary.

Mireles Auto Repair does honest work and is the best I've found in Santa Barbara.

 

 COMMENT 291808 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 08:25 AM

799 that's false. Such a poor business practice would soon cause all dealership service depts to close. Get real.

Wendell at Milano motors in Goleta off Hollister across from the airport. 964-9500

 

 COMMENT 291809 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 08:25 AM

Top Shop...next to La Sumida.

 

 COMMENT 291815 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 08:33 AM

Wendell is great but you can't be in a rush to get your car fixed. Very fair pricing. Agree with 766....very arrogant repair manager at SB Nissan - won't go unless absolutely necessary. Jim White at Coast Village Auto Repair in Montecito.

 

 GBOB agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 08:58 AM

Top Shop! They take good care of our '67 VW and Sub Outback. HONEST, helpful, reasonable, nice people.

 

 COMMENT 291847 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 09:43 AM

C&S automotive, great guys there.

 

 COMMENT 291854 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 09:55 AM

@291708P

You're right, EdHat should eliminate the posts that allow people to offer their knowledge, experience, and opinions of local vendors.

Or maybe not.

 

 COMMENT 291855 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 09:56 AM

Wow! I'm impressed with how many great mechanics there are in town. It looks like you can't go wrong. However most of these are small shops. If you have something serious you may need to go to a dealer who has more equipment.

 

 COMMENT 291856 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 09:57 AM

I'm the original poster. Thank you all for your input. I'm not from around here and only here for a few weeks. Thank you again for the info and I hope to pick one that you stated. Thanks again

 

 COMMENT 291863 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 10:04 AM

Avoid Ayers like the plague. I took my Toyota truck to them once and they charged me an arm and a leg to fix everything that wasn't a problem and didn't address the problem I went in for.

Richards, on the other hand, tackled the problem with the minimum of fuss.

 

 COMMENT 291874 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 10:20 AM

Tom Watts in Carp. I took my Honda S2000 to him for a clutch job. I usually do my own clutches (even my Xterra) but I saw the difficulty factor in my car and knew that the flat rate of 6 hours he quoted me was going to be difficult get the job done in. I know he had to put extra hours in to get the job done yet he stuck to his guns and only charged me the 6 hours that he quoted. I'm glad I didn't try to do it in my driveway.

 

 COMMENT 291911 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 11:04 AM

@863 - Agreed. Took my Toyota to them and after several hundred dollars in "investigations", I ended up solving the problem myself with a few minutes of googling. Ayers had the nerve to ask me to bring in a printout of the solution so they could read it.

 

 COMMENT 291934 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 11:33 AM

Que the cricket sound effects...

 

 COMMENT 292078 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 03:33 PM

Tom Watts is one very nice, very friendly, very HONEST guy. He knows we are all watching our nickels these days. He does a great job.

 

 COMMENT 292123 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-27 04:36 PM

I would second Andy GM Auto & Smog. Tel.no. in post above. Very easy to find - on Alamar right near De la Vina St.

 

 COMMENT 292297 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-28 08:27 AM

Meineke, all the way!

 

 COMMENT 292547 agree helpful negative off topic

2012-06-29 06:15 AM

Lang Motors. Took care of two generations of Nissan trucks for me. Not slick or tidy, but knows his stuff, is fair, honest and reasonable.

 

 

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