San Diego Auto Repair

While American brands will always be popular, foreign cars also have their own sets of merits. Many enjoy the unique style and different performance options that import cars feature. They also tend to be associated with luxury and plush rides. In a previous blog, we discussed the top American car brands to look out for. This week, we’ll have a close look at the top five performing foreign car brands of the year. As before, we’re looking at Consumer Report’s statistics for Overall Score, Road Test Score, and predicted Reliability Rating 5) BMW Overall Score:     76 Road Test Score:    85 Reliability Rating:    Average Newer BMW models have been focusing mainly on technology improvements, as their performance and driving base is pretty well-establi ... read more

For the last week of summer, we’d like to pay ode to some of the most iconic beach cars that have given us all good times over the years. Here in San Diego, beach culture is very important to us, and a large part of that culture revolves around the surf cars. Throughout the years and decades, these cars have never lost their shine, both because of their functionality as well as their sheer beauty. Here are 5 of the most iconic beach cars to have ever graced the roads: 1971 VW Bus: King of the Beach Cars The Volkswagen Bus takes us straight back to the ‘60s and ‘70s for those beach barbecues and clambake parties. It’s perfect for transporting surfboards, and storing all kinds of beach gear. You can also pack it full of friends and family, and the 23-window versions make for an awesome and super-fun ride. As far as looks go, these VW’s have seen everything from super clean two-tone patterns to more “far-out” hippie designs. Lately, some VW Bus m ... read more

These days, the term “going green” is a major catchphrase, indicating better efforts at preserving the environment and lessening pollution footprints. The auto industry has been at the forefront of “going green” efforts, which is evident in the recent influx and advancement of hybrid vehicles and electric cars. These represent a major development for the car industry, as they contribute greatly to a smaller carbon and emissions footprint. Hybrid cars are very popular due to their many environmental and financial benefits. But they also have very specific needs, especially when it comes to maintenance. Read on to learn more about hybrid vehicles attributes. The Hybrid Auto Boom Hybrid cars burst onto the auto scene in the late 1990’s, when the Toyota Prius was launched in Japan in 1997. Other hybrid cars soon followed, including the Honda Insight (launched 1999 in the U.S.) ... read more

Domestic cars have always had a solid reputation. Most people think of American car brands as being reliable, affordable, and accessible for the average American consumer. For these reasons, brands like Ford and Chevrolet have always topped the list of best-selling domestic cars. Recently, however, other American car brands have begun to take center stage when it comes to the domestic car market.   Have look at Consumer Reports' 2015 Car Brand Report Cards to see how the different domestic brands are fanning out recently. The report ranked the car manufacturers with an overall score, which is a combination of the brand's "road test" rating and "reliability" rating. The road test score is determined by Consumer Reports' car tests, while the reliability guide provides a predictive indicator of how the car will hold up in the long run. The ... read more

For car lovers, video games offer an opportunity to see, drive, and modify cars that would otherwise be unaccessible in everyday life. Back in the days, car games used to be very basic with cheesy graphics. Nowadays, the gameplay and graphics of car games have gotten so advanced, it’s pretty hard to tell the difference between the game and real life! Also, many racing and driving games have actual licensing approval, meaning you can “drive” the actual, brand name care in the game! There are so many categories of car games that it might be difficult to tell where to start. Here are a few of the main categories of car games to get you started: Car Racing Games: Realistic Racing Simulators Realistic racing simulator games, or “sims”, are car games that mimic real-life driving down to the last detail. Everything is basically as it would appear in real life — the car designs and bra ... read more

Most can agree that the college years are among the most exciting times of our lives. There’s so much to do, see, and explore during these energetic years. Having a reliable set of wheels can make college studies more convenient, and also funner! We checked out some of the top car models for students in the Kearny Mesa and San Diego region. Here’s what we found: 2016 Mazda 6 The main selling point of the 2016 Mazda 6 is its fuel economy (26 city/38 hwy!). This is great for students who need to travel long distances, or who have moved far away from home for school. The 6 also has a super-comfortable interior, great safety ratings, and has a classy, all-around look to it. Mazda 6 drivers describe it as roomy, agile, and nimble.   2015 Honda CR-V San Diego students love to take road trips and visit the beach, and pack friends and gear along on their travels. For this crowd, a compact SUV such as the 2015 Honda CR-V is the perfect solution. It’s the perfect size (no ... read more

Car paint options can be a mystery to those who don’t know what they’re about. However, if you take a closer look at them you’ll see that car paints are quite simple and straight-forward. There are a few basic types of paint jobs that you should familiarize yourself with. These typically have to do with how the paint catches and reflects light. We’re not talking about color options, as there are just too many colors out there to mention! Read on to learn some basics when it comes to types of car paint. Solid Paint This is your most basic, cost-efficient paint finish that nearly all stock cars come with. Solid paint typically consists of a single color application, followed by a protective lacquer coat (“clear coat”). Solid paint coats are beneficial because they can be repaired easily if chipped and are generally easy to match. Solid paint colors used to come in a variety of colors. However, nowadays we’re seeing more and more conventional ... read more

One of America’s favorite past times is monster truck spectating. Along with motor cross, tractor-pulls, and drag racing, monster truck events are some of the most popular auto-related extreme sports, and monster truck events have been delighting audiences since the 1970s. These mighty vehicles represent the pinnacle of creativity, design, and extreme performance. There are always monster truck shows going on in San Diego, so be sure to check local listings for event dates and times. Keep reading to learn more about this awesome section of the automobile industry! History of Monster Trucks The development and creation of monster trucks can be traced back to the 1970s, when truck drivers started modding and altering their trucks for performance and looks. Many truck owners began lifting their trucks for events like mud-bogging and “biggest truck” competitions. Larger and larger tires became the hallmark of these super-modded beasts. Eventually, some of these “mon ... read more

Well, it's 2016, and we still don’t have a ready supply of flying hoverboards. However, we are seeing an increase in car technology. Remember when cell phone technology was first being implemented in cars? Now these functions are standard features in almost every auto on the market today. This is a great sign that car technology will continue to improve and become reality at a very rapid rate. Here’s a look at some of the most fascinating (and useful) automotive technology features to look forward to! Autonomous Car Functions Cars nowadays can already perform some autonomous functions (automatic actions without the driver’s control). These include automatic braking and automatic parking. Fully autonomous cars probably won’t be available until 2020 (which, in the car world, is not that far away). However, in the upcoming months and years, we should see additional progress in preexisting autonomous car technology, as well as brand new developments. Experts pr ... read more

One of the joys of owning a car is customizing and modifying it to suit your preferences and tastes. There are infinite ways that you can transform your car from stock to an expression of your own personal flavor and individuality. Car "modding" is a hobby that has been around since cars were invented. There are many different “schools” of car customization, and many feel that it’s an art form in itself. Whether for performance, for pure looks, or both, car mods can increase your car’s value and can set you apart from the rest of the pack. Here are 7 of the most popular car mods to check out. Wheel and Rim Mods This is one mod that can have a direct influence on your car’s performance. For instance, wheel size and width can affect grip and acceleration, while a lower tire profile can help to reduce weight. Another popular mod is to go wi ... read more