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Foreign Affair
Category: Automotive Auto Repair Auto Repair [Edit]
490 Perry CtSanta Clara, CA 95054
(408) 727-4884
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 5:30 pm
70 reviews for Foreign Affair
70 reviews in English
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Review from Tiffany C.
Los Altos, CA
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
My family has been coming here for decades. yes DECADES. (Even before when they didn't take toyotas!). Every time I go somewhere else I always end up coming back here. They have excellent service here, and really care about the customer. If something doesn't need to be fixed, they won't fix it. They are ACTUALLY honest. They also kept me updated on everything, if there were any changes in the price quoted, regardless of it was cheaper or more expensive they would let me know.
Once when I was waiting in the lobby, I overheard them call one of their customers on his cell phone. He has brought in his car since honda (or was it acura, I don't remember) told him he had to get a part replaced. Foreign affairs told him that it the part looked good as new and didn't need any work. -
Review from j t.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 11/12/2011
Okay so it was time for me to do an oil change since these guys installed the quick valve that I supplied to them as well as the synthetic oil with my own oil filter that i supplied for them to do the job...
As it turns out, I found a OEM replacement oil filter on my car today! I was furious! You guys dont even know how mad I was and still am. These guys are scammers! If you guys ever saw the news coverage about the undercover investigation on MIDAS or JIFFY lube, this is how I felt when I found out they didn't replaced parts with what I wanted on my car
OK you guys may think big deal at least they used a new oil filter compared to not changing it at all like MIDAS ( busted by the owner marking the oil filter and was still there when the car was returned)
If you look at the big picture, If they didnt use my oil filter ( higher quality, more expensive with the wrench attachment on the end so I can take it off with a wrench) and used a cheap OEM one...How can I know that they also used the Synthetic oil I provided?!!!! Synthetic lasts 6K miles where as regular oil lasts 3K. Meaning i was over by 3K miles before I was due!!!
OK big deal...Then they have the nerve of tighten that damn oil filter to the max!! It would be nice to have the oil filter I gave them on there to use a wrench to get off. OK big deal use the cap attachment that you can buy at the store. I drained my oil before getting to the filter and was stranded! I gotta walk to the nearest part store to buy the damn tool in the rain.
Conclusion : I feel scammed, and my trust was violated. I will pass this story on to all my honda friends and on the forums. This is unacceptable. Even if they did use my oil and had great service. Behind the counter in the shop they were trying to run one over me.
And if you guys think ok whats the big deal, the tech didnt do it on purpose, just an accident...My oil and filter was in the trunk, the dude at the counter said no worries we will get it ourselves, how do you accidentally swap that one that you get from in my car and swap with a cheap one? OK another thing is they could have called me if they found my oil filter laying around and saying they did it on accident but nothing.
You guys just lost business, beware people.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/28/2011
Alright, I am a car guy. i work own my own car and bikes and love cars. However, everybody has their… Read more »
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Review from Andrew T.
Santa Clara, CA
9/16/2011 1 photo
My gf has been coming here for years and has nothing bad to say - if you knew my gf and how demanding she is - that'd be saying something...so that's why i started coming here when I got my own Honda...
Now for my experience - needed a timing belt replacement (it was due/it was time etc...) - got quotes from all over the area - prices from here were right in line with other independents but still cheaper than the dealer...so I brought it in...I got a call a few hours later to get my email address so they could send me a photo of what my timing belt looked like - it was shaved off by 3/4 - meaning it was only 1/4 wide as it should have been...this was putting stress on tons of other parts etc...when was the last time your mechanic sent you a photo of what they found before they fixed it???
so they gave me a list of recommended replacement parts, an accurate estimate of what it would cost and how long it would take - they treated me with respect when telling me that the cost would exceed my original quote (due to the damage a tiny timing belt does - not to mention all the shavings they had to clean up...)
all in all - i appreciate they way they treat their customers (with humor and respect) - their fair pricing and accurate estimation of both time and cost - and most importantly I TRUST the work they do... -
Review from Kim S.
San Jose, CA
12/26/2011
Minor service $172 incl new cabin filter, and I am ready to brave the Arizona desert, and confident my car is in tip top shape... I love that!
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Review from elle s.
Mountain View, CA
Updated - 1/2/2012
I had a good experience when I got my car alignment, so I returned to Foreign Affair when I was having some trouble with a window that wouldn't open. I was worried it was going to be an expensive repair but it turned out to be an easy fix. Their honesty is much appreciated. I highly recommend this place.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/12/2011
I was able to make an appointment for an alignment the next day and when I arrived, I was assisted… Read more »
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Review from Harry C.
Santa Clara, CA
11/12/2011
Excellent, reasonably priced service. Knowledgeable and helpful staff. Have been going there for years.
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Review from Monica A.
3/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Foreign Affair is the way to go!
I am protective over my car and I only trust Foreign Affair to house my car. Mike is the best mechanic around! He goes above and beyond to make sure my car is always in tip top shape.
Price?
Straight forward. Unlike almost every other shop out there...they dont penny pinch you.
Service?
Priceless. Mike contacts me to confirm appointments. He checks on things he doesn't really have to. He is patient and thorough. He cares for your car like it is his own, and that pretty much shows that Foreign Affair holds their employee's to high standards.
Location?
Convenient, you can go to rivermark for some grub while you car is being worked on, the shop is located right off 101 near Dela Cruz.
Make your way to Foreign Affair. I refuse to go anywhere else! -
Review from Ashley C.
San Jose, CA
12/30/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I've been going here for about 3 years now which shows that this place is worth staying loyal to.
My mechanic's name is Mike and he takes care of my car like it's his own! I'm not very savvy when it comes to car stuff, but he breaks it down for me so I understand what's going on. He's very honest and straightforward with you and assures you that quality is being showered on your car.
I've been to a lot of other auto places and they always try and upsell stuff. This place is way different because they give you options on how to care for your car. I had multiple issues with my car and he broke it down to me in order of most important to least - this allowed me to spread out my finances on maintaining my car.
After every service I get, they make sure to clean up their work and give it back cleaner than I left it.
Go here! DO it! -
Review from L.L. M.
Palo Alto, CA
11/11/2010
I sent my car in for the scheduled maintenance service. I am very satisfied and impressed by the service that I received. I wish I had known about this place earlier.
Scheduling was very easy and quick. The representatives, Kevin and Alan, were courteous and took the time to go over everything with me. Furthermore, they were honest and did not try to upsell or push any additional services to me (unlike the dealership places that I used to go to).
The cost is half of what I usually paid at the dealer, but my car was serviced in a timely manner. Extra kudos for washing and vacuuming my car.
I highly recommend Foreign Affair, and will definitely return in the future. -
Review from Ben L.
San Jose, CA
8/19/2006
Art D. below said that "If you own a Honda or Acura and live in the South Bay, this is the place to go for maintenance!"
I say that even if you live in Napa, this is the place to go.
I'd give them 6 stars if I could.
When I first moved down to the bay area I made the unfortunate mistake of taking my Honda to Stevens Creek Honda. BAD IDEA. After some unpleasant experiences I needed a change. My roommate was the one that told me about this place. I've been going there for 3-4 years now. I am 100% satisfied In fact, after I moved to San Francisco I still drive all the way down there to see them even for a simple oil change.
Honest: Every time I've gone they gave me an honest assessment of what needs to be done and what is OK. One time when my check engine light came on, they figured out my catalytic converter was bad. They double checked my warranty and since my car was still 100 miles from going out of warranty, they told me to go back to the dealer and have the dealer do the replacement for free. A lot of other places would've just charged me a grand for the replacement.
Customer service:
Like a good shop, when you drop your car of, Alan or Kevin will explain, in detail, exactly what will be done to your car. When you pick up your car, they explain exactly what was done and will tell you if they noted anything else. You can feel that they honestly care about you and your car, that you are not just an entry in their customer database. I called them last week to make an appointment for an oil change. Since I live and work in SF I don't drive much and it was at least 9 months ago since i visited them. I called them and told them I needed to come on for an oil change. They asked me my name and when I told them, they said "Ben with the 98 Accord? I thought I recognized your voice." Seriously, is that not awesome or what?
Then again, it could be that I have a funny voice and a fat head, but I doubt that very much. My head is not that big and my voice is normal (I think).
Rambling aside, they are the best shop I've ever dealt with. I'm not much of a Japanese car fan (too boring), but I'm seriously thinking of getting another Honda as my next car simply because I know that I if I do, these guys will be here to take good care of it. -
Review from Abby S.
Santa Clara, CA
1/9/2008
Well, if it sounds like a cheap perfume it's probably not a good auto shop, but I went anyway because of the stellar reviews here.
I called first and talked to Kevin, he had a horrible manner over the phone, very abrubt and would not quote anything at all over the phone. I asked how much a compressor would be and he declined to state insisting that he had to see the car first. "that kind of thing can be anywhere from $300 to $2000" he said.
Since he insisted I visit the shop I asked if they charged a fee to check out the car and he said "well we dont have set fees but we like to have $200-$300 to begin with so we can get started and go from there."
I thought that sounded really scammy of them. But honda's starting price was $250 and this place had great feedback on yelp so, against my intuition, I went ahead and took my car in for service.
I walked in and talked to Kevin, who from the get-go was as unpersonable as he was on the phone. As we discussed the work that needed to be done and possible prices that still fluctuated by the hundreds/thousands, he repeatedly simply walked off, started doing random paperwork and answered the phone - without so much as a pause or "please hold on a moment I must ........."
Still, against my better judgement I allowed Kevin to take my car back and have a look at it to see what he could do and give me a "better estimate of the cost." Two hours later he tells me that while looking at the car they managed to pop off the timing belt and that getting it back on was going to require more time than their work day allowed, so would I leave the car with them and get it the next morning. I really had no choice and had to leave my car.
The next day my car wasn't ready until about 4pm, well after "morning." When I arrived to pick-up the car Kevin tallied up the bill and astonishingly the cost had somehow doubled from my quote the day before. Kevin attributed this to some extra parts that "really should be replaced anytime you go in because they aren't things you want to just go in a change on their own" and he added "the additional labor cost of the job overflowing into the next day."
WTF?!?!?! So, they screw up and I have to pay for it, excellent service indeed.
I will never be back and will never recommend anyone have their car serviced here. I'd go back to stevens creek honda before I'd step foot in foreign affair again. -
Review from Ray C.
Foster City, CA
9/12/2007
Everybody loves these guys. Blah, blah, blah.
First Impressions are EVERYTHING. Many moons ago, I was checking around locally for a reputable Honda/Acura exclusive shop. I stopped in and asked the guy behind the counter several questions. Not surprisingly, already mentioned here, the responses were sort of with "an attitude". So they've been pulling this act since long ago. Hey, the service may be great, but I never got that far and I wouldn't want to give my business to a shop that gave such a piss poor first impression. -
Review from Kenneth J.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2007 1 Check-in Here
As the saying goes, there are 3 things you need in life...a good doctor, a forgiving priest, and a clever accountant. I'd also like to add, a trustworthy mechanic. The first 3, I never had use for.
With that said, Foreign Affair is just that...trustworthy. I first took my Civic here in 1995 and now my Acura. Since then, they've begun servicing Toyotas. Even though I live in San Francisco, I don't mind driving to their shop in Santa Clara because I know my car will get the right service with the best possible value.
The staff is stellar and goes the extra mile. Kevin and Alan know their stuff inside out and love to explain the problem in great detail. It's a nice change from all the BS you get elsewhere. You'll notice they just love what they do.
Recently, I had a bad alignment job (from another "Acura" shop) which caused some handling problems and unusual tire wear which in turn caused my steering wheel to drift to the left. Foreign Affair showed me a diagram of the problem area and pinpointed the cause. Apparently, one of the bolts used to adjust the alignment wasn't tightened properly (assumingly by the "other" shop) and was slowly "unscrewing" itself...which could have been a bigger problem. They alerted me of the cost, got my approval, and fixed the problem right away. Now my car drives like it did when it was brand new. They also supplied a before-&-after report showing how far off the alignment was...which of course the "other" shop neglected to supply.
The prices are good and reasonable. Foreign Affair offers great value for what you pay for. Try getting that from the dealer you bought your car.
Bottomline, if you have an Acura, Honda, or Toyota, this is the place to go. I can't recommend these guys enough.
On another note, if you are Filipino, ask Kevin to speak some Tagalog to you. You'll be surprised. He speaks better than I do...and I'm Pinoy. -
Review from Huy N.
Santa Clara, CA
6/21/2007
UPDATE: Just yesterday my wife had to call them to check the SRS (airbag) light on her Accord, which was intermittently going on and off. When she asked Alan (counter dude) if she should just take it to the dealer instead since it was still under warranty, he laughed in her face as if to say, "Sure, it's your funeral." I had to upgrade them to five stars just for having the balls to talk to their customers this way. What is wrong with me? Why am I allowing this type of treatment? Anyone else would be getting an ice cold glass of STFU already.
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If it was based on the mechanic service alone, these guys would get five stars. They are damned good and very knowledgable.
Unfortunately, they are pricier than almost any mechanic you can go to. At least for standard stuff like oil and maintenance, they are even more expensive than the dealership. They do put a little stamp on the maintenance checklist in your Honda manual, and my wife thinks that shit is cute, so that goes a long way, I guess.
Still, I wouldn't even deduct a star for the cost because the mechanics are so good. Frankly, the reason I have to give them four stars is that they love my car more than I do. I take both my Civic and my wife's Accord in here, and somehow I always leave feeling a little...inadequate. Overdue for an oil change? Mean mug. New dent in the fender? "Tsk. Tsk."
See, I'm not a car guy AT ALL. I will explain in an anecdote. When I was younger, my brother was building car amplifiers during the "boomin' in your jeep" hey day, so he decided to put 33 speakers in my car and make it a show car. I shit you not, there was a total of 33 speakers (why an odd #? I dunno) - big speakers, medium speakers, itty bitty wittle speakers INSIDE the vents, speakers on the kick panels, speakers taking up the whole trunk. The only problem was, I didn't want or need all these speakers. I would have traded all of them in if he could have just installed a punani magnet. Sadly, he didn't. My "concert-at-the-Shoreline-on-wheels" impressed lots of dudes, but the ladies? Not so much. Anyways, that was the beginning and end of my interest in cars.
Nowadays a car is all about getting me from A-to-B. I think that's why my homies at Foreign Affair look askance at me. I don't share in the passionate "Affair" they have with "Hondas, Acuras and now Toyotas, too." When they drive my car to the back I picture them cooing into the side mirrors, "Aw, sweetheart, has he not been taking good care of you, baby? Daddy's gon' make everything all right."
I still can't take my car elsewhere, though. They just do good work. Seriously, they actually call at regular intervals to remind me I should be due for service. Not in a "hey we want your business" kind of way, either. More like, "We know you know you need service."
"We're WATCHING you." -
Review from Steve L.
4/2/2008
I've been going to these guys since 1993. It all started when I was told by a Honda service shop that the alternator for my Prelude needed to be replace to take care of power dropping out. It would have ran me for $600.
A coworker recommended Foreign Affair for a 2nd opinion. I brought it in Alan said there's a $30 replacement brush kit for the alternator, and he thought that was all that needed to be replaced. Sure enough he was right, and didn't have any problems with it afterwards. At the time, it only set me back for $120, parts and labor.
Since then, I brought in both my Prelude and Accord for regular servicing, for any hiccups that may require their attention. I'll probably bring in my Acura to them as well when its due.
The location of this shop is great since it is near my work in San Jose. I drop my car off in the morning, and they provide a shuttle for me to get to work.
I have found Kevin and Alan to be honest and straight-forward guys. If their guys encounter something unusual during their routine check-ups, Kevin and/or Alan will check it out they give the client a call. They options and the cost for each.
They use genuine Honda parts, the cost is reasonable. I have recommended FA to other coworkers and friends, and they have been satisfied with their service. -
Review from James G.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/16/2011
Awesome shop. Went here for years when I had my prelude. If I ever go back to a Honda, this is where Ill go.
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Review from Steve S.
San Jose, CA
1/5/2006
I've been going to Foreign Affair for almost 10 years now. In fact for our last car we bought a Honda just so we could take it to Foreign Affair.
These guys are better than the hosts on Car Talk. Don't believe me? Try calling them up, imitate the sound your car is making, and see if they can't diagnose it over the phone. (They're 3 for 3 with me.)
By the way, in addition to Honda and Acura, they now do Toyota and Lexus. -
Review from Muriel I.
San Jose, CA
2/1/2007
Alan and Kevin are jovial guys who make you feel comfortable and ease your fears that you'll get ripped off or forced to pay for stuff you clearly don't need. My boyfriend and I both took our cars there, and they took good care of all of us. I especially liked how Kevin gave me a rundown of what needed to be fixed, what they fixed and which repairs and maintenance are coming down the pike, so I could start budgeting and planning for them.
All in all, it was a good experience, and I will defintely bring my baby back to Foreign Affair. -
Review from Meg L.
Campbell, CA
5/16/2007
I had been taking my car elsewhere, and during a "routine" service that other mechanic had wanted to charge me for replacing the transmission entirely. When I went to FA for a second opinion they told me that while there was a leak, it was very minor, and some Bars Leak would be a better investment of my money and put off the costly repairs for quite a while.
That was three years ago, the car runs like a dream, these guys have never charged me more than they ought to, have in fact saved me money more than once, and have always been professional, kind and a pleasure to work with. (I have not yet had to replace the transmission, and to their credit they check on it whenever I go in for a service. They always remember me, and my car's history.)
[Update] That car lasted a little while longer than they suggested it would, and when it finally came time to either replace the transmission or the car, they were happy to recommend that if we wanted a new car, now would be the time and not to bother with the repairs first. The fact that they (again) didn't try to get money out of us when they easily could have reaffirms my trust in these guys, and I am thrilled to continue patronizing their business. -
Review from Paul K.
San Mateo, CA
Updated - 6/16/2008
8 months later and the car still runs great. All the work they did (sensor, brakes, tune-up) has held up well. Dang, (past) time for an oil change.
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Fantastic--thrilled to find a good shop for my IS 300. I had great chemistry with the guys up front. Example:
me: "I need to get the 60K service for me car. Do you guys do that?"
Keith: "Yeah, that's a major service."
me: "What's it run?"
Keith: "A lot."
both: [hysterical laughter.]
So then he quotes me a price which is 40% less than Lexus Stevens Creek quoted me. Based on Yelp reviews I went ahead and tried Foreign Affair and it worked out really well.
The cost was right on target, and the car is running great. Furthermore they did everything within the time they said they would. And they picked me up and dropped me off with no problems.
At the desk I worked with Alan, and he patiently walked me through everything before and after the work was done. It was an unusual experience--I'm used to service guys rushing through, but he stayed with me.
Also I needed a sensor in my car replaced, and they called the dealer to see if it was still under warranty. Turns out I missed it by about 6 months, but was impressed that they called to find out on my behalf.
Just a very good experience all around. I didn't call other shops, so I can't say that they are the cheapest around, but the service was great, the work done was great, and the cost was significantly less than Lexus service. It's the right balance for me.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/27/2007
Fantastic--thrilled to find a good shop for my IS 300. I had great chemistry with the guys up front.… Read more »
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Review from Art D.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2005
If you own a Honda or Acura and live in the South Bay, this is the place to go for maintenance!
I haven't been here since I worked in the South Bay, but I have friends who still bring their cars here who can also attest to the quality of their service.
The owners and staff are always very courteous and helpful when dealing with their customers, and their prices are very fair. On several occasions they have "gone the extra mile" to either help diagnose a problem I had with my car or determine that I DIDN'T need to have some work done.
The bottom line is that they care about their customers and do fantastic work! -
Review from Liz O.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2006
These guys take the care of your car personally.
They've maintained my Hondas for the 2.5 years that I've owned one (two successive Civic EXs), are pleasant to deal with and are extremely knowledgeable and professional.
Not sure what I'm going to do if I stop working in San Jose! -
Review from Allen L.
San Jose, CA
8/15/2008
First off, Foreign Affair has consistently received top ratings by Consumers' Checkbook and is how I came to find them when I bought my Acura Integra in 1996.
Whenever I go to an auto repair shop, whether it be a dealership, franchise, or independent shop, I always judge their service by how well they maintain the store and staff appearance. Because if they take the time to maintain their appearance (discipline), more than likely they also maintain high-quality in their work. I'm sorry, but if the rep at the front counter is eating a sandwich with greasy hands, I'm not confident that they follow the proper protocols to maintain quality service.
Foreign Affair gets my vote for being one of the best shops in the Bay Area for best quality, knowledgeable, fast turnaround, professionalism, cleanliness, using genuine parts, and price. When I say price, you also have to take into consideration that they use genuine parts and perform incredible work. You know the saying, "You get what you pay for." So while you may receive a cheaper quote from the next shop, you will not get the same quality of service at FA. Also, many shops use aftermarket parts and don't offer shuttle service.
One thing that I think all of us have concerns or fear are scams; especially for those that may not be savvy enough to know better. FA's professional staff will take the time to explain the work that's being done and why. I find that I'm never surprised by the final invoice and don't find a new problem weeks after. I've heard horror stories from friends that go to a hole-in-a-wall shop and end up replacing something that they didn't intend to or find a new problem weeks down the line.
I've been going to them since 1996 and have never found a better place. I have since stopped going to them, but only because I purchased a Range Rover Sport which they do not service. But if I were to purchase another Acura, Honda, Toyota, or Lexus, I will be definitely going back. -
Review from Mark G.
San Jose, CA
11/25/2008
After reading many positive Yelp reviews, I chose Foreign Affair to perform the 120K service on my 2001 IS300. This was a major service[about $1,700.00 (120k service plus they did my rear brakes)] and I wanted to make sure it was done right.
All I can say is these guys are great. The front desk(Kevin) is very helpful and knowledgeable. They saved me a ton of $money$ (somewhere around 40% off dealers cost) and they stand by their work. My car runs great and I will surely be returning for any future maintenance as well as oil changes. Keep up the fantastic work! -
Review from Albert Y.
Santa Clara, CA
12/6/2007
Thank you fellow Yelpers for directing me to FA. Just took my Element in for service and I couldn't be more satisfied. Communications from start to finish were clear, friendly and professional. The timing and estimate were right on the nose; no uncertainties or obfuscation.
I can't do this work myself and I don't have a in-law or buddy to do it for me. Knowing that I can take my well-loved Element to FA for service means NOT having to worry about such an important chore. I know they WILL take care of it and keep on top of things for me.
If you're anywhere in the South Bay Area (or even the Bay Area), you will do well to give these folks a try for your auto service. I'm glad I did! -
Review from Raul C.
Mountain View, CA
7/11/2008
Stop! Your search is over. This place is probably the best auto place that I have ever been to. Really, these guys are not out to nickel and dime you. They are honest and dependable people. They only use the best parts and keep your car in the best shape.
Yesterday, when I went to pick up my car for a routine oil change Kevin was trying to tell this customer ( who had been having battery issues) to take his battery back to Costco where it had originally been purchased. The battery was still under warranty. Who else would do that? That is only one of the many reasons why I love these guys. They do great work. I know that I get what I pay for with these guys. That is, great service and the best parts. I even asked them to put their license plate cover on my car so that I could advertise for them. And do you what Kevin said? They would be honored. I love these guys!!!! -
Review from Zakk D.
San Jose, CA
2/16/2007
I found this place on Yelp and it did not disappoint. My '99 Honda of Doom had been running a bit rough and needed some work. I had the oil changed at a shady place off San Carlos two months ago and they read me a laundry list of stuff wrong that it allegedly needed. More on that later.
I dropped the car off late Monday. Alan the GM there, gives me a call the next morning around 9 and checks in with me, as I had never gone there before and asked for a call.
After explaining what I thought was ailing my car and sharing the information the San Carlos Scammers gave me, he checked it all out. I got a call later in the afternoon saying that 90% of what the Scammers said was BS. My brakes were great, there was no need to swap out my alternator, and the check engine list code was a messed switch and my horn was dead but all the electrical for it was good. Unfortunately, I had some serious issues with the rear suspension and that needed to be fixed right away. I ok'd the work on the suspension, a minor service (I need to pass SMOG anyway) and asked he keep the parts.
Later, I took Light Rail to the Component station and they picked me up with their free shuttle service. Alan showed me all the parts that were bad, what they did to fix it, and referred me to a smog station to get my tags. I asked about my rear wheel cylinders, which the San Carlos Scammers said were leaking and needed replaced and he said that they checked out fine. Then he said "Honestly, its a $200 job to replace them. If they were wet (they leak and get greasy wet when leaking -zakk), we'd be happy to do them. But they weren't." At that point I was sold. A mechanic telling me to keep my money!!! Can you believe it!
I get in the car, which they had washed and vacuumed for me, and my car now drives and rides like it did 75,000 miles ago.
They get a half dead Civic in their parking lot on Monday night and I drive away late Tuesday with a great car that I had to look for dents to make sure it was mine.
I'm a customer for life here. As others have said, if you own a Honda (or other make they service) this is the ONLY place to go. One of the rare experiences I'd give 6 stars if I could. -
Review from Joe L.
Bay Area
5/8/2007
They specialize in Honda or Acura. I gave my old Honda Accord to other member in the family. So I don't visit them anymore. Someone told me they also work on Toyotas recently, but I am not sure.
Used them for over 10 years. I stopped going to the dealer after I've discovered them. Totally happy with their work. They even told me about a hidden recall from Honda and advised me to call Honda USA regarding a repair they did on my car when it was 7 years old. Honda reimbursed all repair cost and towing expense because they knew it was their defect. Especially in the 4th year after the warranty expired, everyone would assume Honda would never pay for the repair cost. I don't think any dealer would bother offering such an advice as long as I paid the bill. -
Review from A S.
San Jose, CA
7/26/2007
I've been bringing my 17 year old Integra here for the last 10 years. The way this place takes care of my car, I'll never have an excuse to buy a new car!
Very honest and pleasant to deal with. -
Review from Big K.
Fremont, CA
7/28/2009
Foreign Affair on Perry Court seems okay in my book. I've been using them for maintenance for several years now, and I have not seen any evidence of them being shady.
Service: They don't smile much, but it doesn't seem like they feed you a lot of B.S. either which I think is more important. They reference a few things you might want to consider having done, but they don't pressure you either which is a plus.
Price: Cheaper than a dealership, but not the cheapest on the block either.
Only downside they have is they're only open Mon-Fri which is inconvenient at times, and their hours Mon-Fri makes it tough to drop off and pick up if you work (unless your boss is cool if you get off early). Also, I believe they only work on Honda/Acura & Toyota/Lexus so if you have a different type of car, you're out of luck. I would recommend them to my friends. -
Review from Caryn L.
Santa Clara, CA
9/24/2007
Took my car in thinking I needed a new drivers side window motor. The crew at Foreign Affair evaluated the problem and fixed it for under $35. Fast friendly and very reasonably priced. Also had an after thought of another problem when picking up the car..(no chime when headlights were left on) and they took the car right back in and fixed that problem for about $10.
I won't take my Honda anywhere else from here on out! Found them on this website. -
Review from Trial T.
Milpitas, CA
10/28/2008
I am disappointed this place has anything less than 5 stars, because I think they ROCK!
But people are entitled to their opinions and that is crucial for others to base their decisions on. Even then, people need to distinguish between curt and rude. Tip: Read 'No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs'.
Rude was the AAA guy who came with 2 cars on his truck and told me he can't help me... but I can wait for another hour for him. Rude was the guy who jerked my baby's keys in the ignition while my jaw dropped. Rude was the guy who rolled his eyes at me and seemed intent on punching me in the face! Ok, people get it together- THAT'S RUDE!
When I was stuck in SF and my damn car alarm immobilized the car, I called here. They didn't tell me to tow it to SJ, instead they stayed on the phone for 30 minutes trying to help me mobilize it myself. Had it been any other shop, they would have hung up or asked me to bring it in- no diagnosis over the phone. Helped that someone knew my vehicle.
My baby Acura has been coming here since it's been born and bought. That's since 1992. It purrs like a kitten every time it comes back from Foreign Affair. Now that it is a troublesome teen, we take it here when it acts up. As parents, there is no relief for us other than their timely analysis, courteous service and follow-up appointments. We plan on continuing with them even when the baby goes off to college.
So yes, I am full of praise for this place because they do some quality work and I'd rather pay another few dollars that goes towards good equipment rather than pay less and worry about my car. -
Review from Prabu D.
Mountain View, CA
5/2/2007
I have been visiting them since 2003 when I gave up on the local dealerships and jiffy lube style shops. They are straight-forward and honest and give a fair appraisal. Never had a problem with one of their repairs. They seem to have time to explain problems in a detail that I like and keep you up-to-date if anything changes.
Prices maybe slightly higher than dealerships but the peace of mind is worth it! -
Review from David S.
San Jose, CA
1/8/2008
Yes, they're expensive, but they're excellent at what they do, they only use the best parts, and they're as honest as they come.
I'm just a poor student with a 93 Accord that survived 10 years of rust from salty Wisconsin roads before coming out here to CA. I've had issues with this car since I first bought it ... needing a new radiator which I paid WAY too much for at a Honda dealership, needing a new transmission when it gave out in North Dakota, and finally ... needing a new exhaust system when I actually got here.
These guys have been stellar and unphased with every curve ball this old boat could throw at them. From cutting off, saving, and welding back on a pair of chrome exhaust pipe caps (for free) to de-rusting the inside of a leaky tire well and giving me air (again ... for FREE). When I did my 150k major mechanical, they even let me slide on a $150 engine bracket that they very well could have insisted I have taken care of that day.
Yes, they may have a little attitude, but ... show some respect. It's because they know what they're doing, and like all experts, I'm sure get irritated when others who do not tell them what to do.
I could go on with more positive feedback, but ... let's just say that through my 2 years with these guys, they've shown a level of professionalism and integrity sorely lacking in most businesses these days. -
Review from Jason W.
San Jose, CA
4/23/2009
Based on word of mouth recommendation from a friend at church, we took our two Hondas (Accord and Odyssey) to FA.
I think it's been two years now since we've been going there. Prices are cheaper than dealer, but more expensive than the Firestone and other low-priced shops. But I've had more than my share of shady dealings with the low-cost places, but that's a story for another day.
The guys at FA have been courteous, but not in a kiss-up manner. Very straight to the point, won't BS you.
Now, the friend at church who had recommended FA is a VERY frugal guy, and I figured, if he's willing to pay these prices (they're not cheap, but they're not unreasonable either), there must be a reason. And over the last two years, I believe I've gotten my money's worth of service.
Once, I had a bulb go out on my dash clock, and Kevin told me that the labor would be a little high to replace the bulb, since on the Odyssey it involved removing a few more panels. I told him I'd taken out the panel myself, so he recommended replacing it myself, saving me some money. I appreciated the honesty and the willingness to help me out, instead of just taking the job and charging me for something I could do easily by myself. -
Review from Mike N.
Santa Clara, CA
8/2/2010
I've been coming to Foreign Affair since 1996, and my brother before me in the early 1990's. I don't believe in scrimping on maintenance, it's almost always better than sitting on the side of the road, waiting for a tow. My brother was on a very strict budget (being in college). Neither of us had a complaint. Both of us have recommended them to others.
They fit you in quickly, only once has my car not been available when first promised (and they called to ask me if that would be okay). There have been two times when they've sent me back to the dealer for warranty repairs - and they were kind enough to tell me who to go to and who NOT to go to.
The atmosphere is professional, not greasy finger-nailed gearhead. You don't talk to a mechanic at a desk in the service bay, they're in a Silicon Valley Tilt-Up with a clean, climate controlled and comfy waiting area playing classical music. They'll talk nuts and bolts, have a dry sense of humor and seem interested in your satisfaction. They know who I am, and they don't point me in directions I'm not interested in. I will likely confine my next car purchase to a brand they service - they're that comfortable to work with.
My biggest complaint is that they don't service my wife's brand of cars. -
Review from Ray H.
San Jose, CA
12/20/2010
Foreign affair has been maintaining my Honda Accord for the past three years. They have always been honest. Two examples I can share:
1. two years ago, my car had a problem of illumination failure of the dash board. The Honda Dealer told me that I need to replace the circuit board of the dash and it would cost like $400. I took it to Foreign Affair. They look at the problem and was able to creatively solve the problem by soldering a wire to restore the power. Charged me like only half the price.
2. Most recently, the Accord SRS light comes on. Foreign Affair checked it and told me that it is the seat belt latch problem. To my surprise, they told me that I should go a dealer and have it replaced because it is covered under life time warranty. They even told me which dealer to go to and which to avoid. I took the car to the dealer they suggested and they replaced it without any cost.
I really appreciate the honesty of Foreign Affair. I would have no way to know that this is covered under warranty because my car is already 130K miles.
I am recommending them to all my friends and so far, I did not hear any bad things.
The price of Foreign Affair is not the cheapest, but still a lot cheapter than some of the dealers. -
Review from Jayaraman S.
Milpitas, CA
11/30/2007
I read the Yelp reviews here and took my corolla for 15000 mile (odometer reading) service so that I can give them a try. When I called , I talked to Alan over the phone. I just mentioned I needed to do an intermediate service (15k service) as per the manufacturer recommends. He tells a quote of $122. About 25 bucks less than the dealer. Then I decided to go the office. I again talked to Alan at the office. But he told me confusingly about what he thinks is enough for car. So I listen and he says oil, filter change, basic inspection. He also mentions that tires need not be rotated every 5000 miles if I rotated it at 10k and total cost about $47+tax. So poor me, decided to give them a chance due to the good reviews and went in for an appointment.
On the day of Service, I again ask Alan if they are going to do at least some sort of basic inspection. He now changes his mind and tells to me that all that I asked for is oil change?.. I was like wth? I wanted inspections according to manufacturer recommendations. Now he fumbles and does not have words to talk to. He just explains to me all major service only required at 30 k and explains me what he things with their maintenance chart. Give me break! Not even a basic multi point inspection is done during the oil change. I gave my own filter and ended up paying $40 for just oil + filter change. He claimed to have topped off all fluids, but when I checked the car at home, even the washer fluids were not topped off. Not even a basic inspection + no tire rotation. For this $47 is ridiculous. You are better off going to the dealer! He also claimed the windshields will be cleaned. But they were as dirty as I gave it to them.
Even chain lube service centers do some basic 17 point inspection. I asked him to check if air filters/brakes are OK. and He looks at me and tells nothing will be performed during this time and those are all extra. What the heck? He ended up being more expensive. my nearby dealer will charge $60 for Oil + Lube + Free 20 point inspection + car wash. Who got ripped off here?
I am not even close to trusting them yet. I will be cautious when it comes for the next service. Please, don't blindly follow the good reviews here. You may very well end up getting very less for the same or more cost as the dealer.
UPDATE:
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Another Rip - off I noticed in my bill. These guy charged my 4.5 Qts of Pennzoil 5w-30 oil for a total of about 14 dollars. Corolla's oil capacity is only 4QTs. And during my last service, the dealer charged me $8 for 4 quarts. This is day light theft!!!!. I will not recommend this shop to anyone again. -
Review from Cherryl D.
San Jose, CA
3/6/2009
My Ratings:
Quality - 5 Stars
Price - 5 Stars
Location - 5 Stars
Service - 5 Stars
Speed - 5 Stars
My Opinion/Story:
I've been taking my poor, old CR-V to different shops to get repairs, maintenance, and what not. I used to just trust Capitol Honda for anything to do with my car but they're so pricey and although my baby deserves it, it will leave me in the poor house. I can't afford a $40 oil change so I just take it to some place cheaper. But anything major I need done, I used to just take them to Capitol Honda. Not until now...
Thank goodness my husband is related to one of the technician in this place. I felt more secure knowing we know who to blame if something bad happens to my baby. So we took my car to have several jobs done, including replacing an arm-bushing, 90K maintenance, alignment and I'm not sure what other things he did but my car is purring like a kitten. I feel alot better now that my car runs like it's new. Michael, the tech explained the things he did for my car, the things he can't do for my car (which I shouldn't be worried about), and did not recommend anything that I don't need. He was very honest and precise. My car just stayed half the day and I know for a fact that I paid atleast 40% less than I would have if I went for another shop. I thought before shops like this would cost more than the dealership and use generic after-market parts. Not for Foreign Affair. I'm quite satisfied and happy with the work and service I received from this place. I recommended this place to all my friends who owns Acura, Toyota, Honda, and Lexus.Listed in: These are a few of my Favorite…
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Review from Mimi M.
San Francisco, CA
6/5/2007
I've heard so much good about this place and I believe the reviews, but for some reason I've had a different experience than most people.
The good:
they were on time with the repairs, they made the car all clean, and the tune up seemed fine on my '04 accord.
The not so good:
-they replaced the stock honda battery for $100 with one that was not as good due to it "not starting fast enough" ..the stock battery only had about 35k on it, it was fine; another mechanic told me later that was a mistake, that's just how this model starts.
-there was some squeaky noise that i heard that i asked them to check out, and the response was "yeah, we took it for a road test and heard it, but don't know what it was, let us know if it gets louder" cost: $100 for the road test to tell me that.
-the previous owner had done some slight modifications to the car, with the lights and grill. i got a little attitude about that, like they didn't approve of such nonsense.
Like I said, it seems other people have had great experiences, even the local mechanic I go to now said they were good even though they made that mistake about the battery..I would caution people to check with the fees before they do the work as I paid $200 extra I really didn't need to.
