San Diego Auto Repair

The test drive is arguably the most important aspect of buying a new car, and skipping it is one of the biggest mistakes car buyers make. Even if you know the exact model you want – options and all – it’s crucial to get behind the wheel before signing any papers. This is especially true when buying a used car. But there’s more to the test drive than just finding out whether or not you fit comfortably in the driver’s seat. How you handle yourself at the dealership let the salesman know if you are desperate for that particular car or if you are a wise shopper taking the time to find the smartest deal. Our best advice is to always test drive three different vehicles that fit your needs. Then ask the sales person for their card and let them know you will return if you decide that’s the car you want. If they pressure you or make you uncomfortable in an attempt to keep you from leaving, don’t go bac ... read more

If you were lucky (or unlucky) enough to have learned to drive a manual transmission on your parent’s car, you remember the feeling of absolute terror of stalling out in traffic, grinding the gears in front of dad, or – worse – burn out the clutch entirely and risk having to drive the old station wagon to high school. There was a time when sports cars didn’t come with automatic transmission, but today Porsches have to be special ordered with a manual gearbox and Ferrari no longer even sells them. Why? A lack of interest from the North American buying public is one factor and that still very real fear that manual transmission equipped cars require too much attention, effort, and nowadays don’t offer any real fuel economy advantage. But those in the know, those lucky drivers who faced their fears of stalling in an intersection or starting on an uphill, they know the pure joys of what it means to be a driver. Fortunately, some carmakers still know how to ch ... read more

One of the most exciting times in a driver's life is when it's time for a new car. The decision of new car or new-to-you car is a personal one, but if the time is right for a fresh-off-the-lot ride, it's easy to get excited and make mistakes that cost you in the long run. Fortunately, with just a little bit of planning and foresight, anyone can buy a new car at a great rate and be happy with the decision for years to come. Here are 5 mistakes new car buyers make that you should avoid at all costs: Mistake #1 – Making a decision too quickly It can be easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and pull the trigger on a new car when you’re feeling excited about a deal, but that can be a major mistake. Salespeople are trained to make a deal seem like it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, when in reality there are deals on new car models every day. You should never feel rushed into making a decision, and at the very least sleep on it and ... read more

Editor's Note: This post comes from a former dealership service department employee (not based in San Diego) who is no longer employed by or affiliated with any service center. This is a true account of one employee's experiences at this specific dealership at one specific time. Many changes have been made at dealership service centers since then, and these issues are not necessarily true for all dealership service centers, automakers, or any service facility now. But it was this way once, and so the story begins. Some years ago now I worked at a dealership for a manufacturer (whose name I will not mention) as a service advisor, and I wound up being quite successful at it. Not for the reasons you may think, but mainly because I was the only one who always answered the phone, greeted customers who were being ignored, and generally acted like a respectful human towards our customers. It was not exactly a secret among the other employees as to who customers preferred to ... read more

The sun is shining here in So-Cal and we are more than ready to welcome summer weather! Whether you're always thinking about your dream convertible or you've always appreciated more practical cars, there's no denying the allure of a shiny convertible. And because we're dreamers, too, here are our favorite drop tops. 2015 Ford Mustang - Nothing says California dreamin' like a Mustang convertible. Ever since its release in 1964, the Mustang has captured the essence of what it means to be a sporty convertible. The Mustang comes with a convertible option at each price point, from the thrifty V6 all the way up to the GT trim. (We’re partial to the 2.3 EcoBoost option ourselves.) The 310 horsepower and 320 ft. lbs of torque are more than enough for a spirited city or mountain road drive without breaking the bank. And, best of all? You can still option this car with a manual transmission! 2015 BMW 4 Series - If you’re after som ... read more

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

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

If you’ve paid any attention to the news in the last month, you’ve likely seen some coverage of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Manufacturers bring their latest and greatest concepts and newly announced models to this annual event, and it’s often a great way to see what directions automakers are headed with their designs and technologies. Here are some of our 2015 car predictions! Image: Flickr More Electric Between Tesla’s upcoming Model X and the new Chevy Volt, the full-electric car is getting some serious contenders in the marketplace. Mileage limits are expanding and batteries are getting better, allowing both full electrics and hybrids to really push the envelope when it comes to conserving fuel. Hyundai also announced a new plug-in hybrid that can go a whopping 22 miles before it even starts ... read more

Considering the Ford Escape for your next new ride? Why not? It's one of the least expensive cars to insure, comes with a very sweet parking assist feature (the car literally parallel parks itself), and comes fully loaded for under $35,000 (under $30K for the base model). Our friends at Why This Ride? have a video review to share after having the vehicle for a week. The highlights of the Ford Escape are the surprising styling inside and out, the 2.0 litre, 240 horsepower/270 lbs. feet of torque Ecoboost 4-cylinder, and the affordability of the car fully loaded. This is a great car for a daily commuter for the whole family, and it looks pretty great, too! Check out the video for the full review! Image ... read more