San Diego Auto Repair

If you told friends and family that you bought a used rental car, you’d probably get some shocked and confused reactions. Traditionally, buying a used rental car is something people approach with great fear and trepidation. Rental car mentality might as well be an invitation to abuse and be careless with the car, especially if you bought the agency’s insurance. But then if you told friends and family what you paid for your used rental car, you’d be sure to get reactions mixed with more shock and understanding. Used rental cars generally have a lower resale value than their non-rental brethren on the used car lot, which make buying one highly affordable. Pros of buying a used rental car Is the risk of buying a used rental car myth or fact? The truth is, despite their occasionally high mileage, most rental cars are very well taken care of. Unlike some owners, rental car agencies follow the maintenance schedules exactly as required by the manufacturer. You don’t k ... read more

As we move into spring, it seems that a lot of parents are thinking about their teenagers and cars. It’s one thing to teach a teen to drive on your car, but what about after they have a license? Not all cars are equally safe for teen drivers, and bigger doesn't always mean better (or safer). Here are some tips for picking out a first car for a new driver: Compact Car vs. SUV - This debate has been raging since SUVs were introduced to the marketplace, and in the end, there’s no real “better” option. SUVs can offer increased safety in the event of a major accident, but they are more challenging to handle safely on the road. The high center of gravity is great for visibility, but it increases the risk of a rollover. In the end, you need to see how your teen or new driver handles your car. A too-confident driver would probably benefit from a car with less power and easier h ... read more

Car maintenance costs are rarely taken into consideration with new cars, and only slightly more with used cars. Car buying sites like Edmunds.com and Kelly Blue Book provide 5-year estimates of the cost of ownership of a selected vehicle, including insurance costs, fuel spend, and dealer recommended maintenance (at dealership rates), but even those estimates don’t tell the whole story. Often, drivers don’t realize this until they’ve already bought the car (or have owned a similar car in the past). While these needs don’t always result in massive maintenance costs, it is a good idea to be fully prepared before buying your next ride. Regardless of how old or new your car is, or what type of powertrain it has, you can usually save money on maintenance and repairs by taking it to an independent auto shop (like Convoy Auto Repair) rather than the dealership. It’s not just our friendly mechanics and personalized attention that keeps our customers coming back, af ... read more

San Diego might have the most desirable weather in the United States. With an average of 70-degree temperatures all year, and rare days of rain, it’s practically an oasis. For those of us who live here, the steady, reliable weather is both a blessing and a curse. Sure, 70 and sunny is great, but what about some variety? Luckily, we have our local mountains to experience real seasons just a short drive away from home, and there’s always visiting friends and relatives in other states. Unluckily, we don't have much experience driving in inclement weather. Image ... read more

San Diego may not have much of a winter, but when we do have rain and snow in our county borders, we’re at a loss for how to handle it. Lucky for us, car manufacturers have been making safer cars with more life-saving technology, a boon in winter weather! Taking a long weekend drive to Mammoth or Big Bear are no longer transportation unknowns. Here are our top 10 all wheel drive cars for winter: Image: Flickr1. Subaru Outback ... read more