Automotive Specialists

Earlier today, I was traveling in Escondido, when my friend's alternator stopped charging his battery, and subsequently left us stranded.
My friend called Automotive Specialists, and we were met by one of their tow trucks within a half hour. Cody, the tow driver, immediately contacted a parts store, ordered the necessary part, transported us to their repair facility, and replaced the alternator.
As a passenger/bystander, I was very impressed by the promptness, courtesy, caring, and professionalism of Cody, and the company overall.
I would not hesitate to use Automotive Specialists in the future, and strongly recommend them to friends, and all readers of this review.

SCAM ALERT! This place will scam you for every penny they can. Do not trust this place with your vehicle. They are dishonest and clearly break laws when it comes to the tow service. If your car is towed by this company they will not report it to the police department (vehicle code section 22658) therefore resulting in extra storage fees. My car was towed on 3/21 and I called every police department to try and find my car and this tow company did not report the tow. It wasn't until 2 weeks later on April 4th that I received a letter from the tow company. The law states the tow company must notify law enforcement it has your vehicle and is in transit to a storage facility. AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALISTS LLC DOES NOT CONPLY WITH THIS LAW AND IS SCAMMING PEOPLE OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN STORAGE FEES. Do not support this business!


http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=22658.

Needed a special-order car battery same-day. They had it in for me within hours, and then had me in and out of there within 20 minutes on a Friday. Great experience and will be going there again.

I took my car here about a week ago for a flat tire. It's important to note that this business is under new ownership, and I had a really good experience. Service was immediate, and the owner and staff were very friendly and professional. They did a thorough job finding the cause of my flat and fixing it without the need for a new tire. I believe the name of the man who worked specifically on my tire was Martin. He did a great job! The owner, Hector, was hands-on and involved in the whole process, which I appreciate. The cost was very affordable as well. They even helped me safely navigate on and off of the nearby road. I have been driving on that tire for more than a week now, and I have zero issues. I'll definitely be coming back when my car needs maintenance!

These guys are under new management and you will not find a better place to get your car needs taken care of. Conscientious, courteous, and super knowledgeable. They took a car that had set for three years and got it ready to take a 2000 mile drive cross country! They found other chewed wires, besides the ones I knew of. The new owner Hector told his guys, "Make sure you look over it thoroughly, as if you had to drive it." That is when they found the other issues, and took care of everything. It is nice to know that customer service still reigns in the business world. All the mechanics are nice, clean cut, great people! If you you read, the comments that are older than four months... IGNORE THEM because these guys have got it going on! -Tom Shepard, Baton Rouge, LA.

I'd love to give this business a -100 star rating but I can't. I bought a car from them September 2018 for $2000 and as of June 6, 2019 I have spent $2,296.71 in repairs not including the ones I was able to complete myself and just got word that I need piston ring replacement at a high end cost of $1800!!!!The owner has had no remorse towards the shit sandwich they sold me. Not one bit. Randy is a true gentleman but the owner is money hungry jerk. STAY AWAY FROM THIS BUSINESS!

On 6-15-20 I took my 1996 Honda Civic to Automotive Specialists because my windshield wipers would not turn off. They claimed that because my car was so old, they could not find the part to fix it, so they put in and external wiper control. In the process they broke the motor that operates the windshield washer and returned the car to me without telling me about it. I rarely drive the car and didn't have a reason to use the windshield washer until recently when I realised it wasn't working. I took my car back to Automotive Specialists on 8-17-20 to have the windshield washer repaired. Also, in the meantime the wire they left dangling on the external wiper control disconnected making the wiper useless, that needed repair again also. They kept my car for 7 days complaining they couldn't find the part to repair the windshield wiper motor, then after they found it, on Monday 8-24-20 the new owner Hector called me and began rambling that it would cost too much to put it and to come and pick up my car. He also tried to charge me for reconnecting the external wiper wire that disconnected because of previous poor workmanship. He then began rambling incoherently about my car and said to come and get it. I have been a customer there for 10 years and have spent almost $2,000 there in repairs in the past year alone with never making a complaint.
I will never use this business again. They lost a good loyal paying customer.

I was driving by recently and thought about taking my car here for an oil change. However, this place is such a dump, it hardly resembles a legitimate business, truly cringe worthy... Apparently they do automotive repairs. I had mistaken this for a junk yard. I don't even think I would let these folks change my wiper blades. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone, unless this is your absolute last option.

Wow! Not honest people. Rude and heartless! Dont give them your money. They Set up a towing situation last night at graduation. Then charged $300 per car. Not a coincidence that owner lives acrossed the street from high school. Heard he does this every year.

Just had my 1975 Ranchero made "road worthy" by Robert (and Fernando) at Automotive Specialists prior to starting a cosmetic restoration. Can't say enough good about how professional, accommodating and pleasant they are. The prices were great (thanks guys) but, more important to me was that the work was top notch. I have 2 other vehicles (soon to be three - I know, can't resist a good old restore project) and Robert and the guys will be getting all my business.
Dave