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Swedish Auto Factory
Category: Automotive Auto Repair Auto Repair [Edit]
1170 Martin AveSanta Clara, CA 95050
(408) 241-7222
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 6 pm
25 reviews for Swedish Auto Factory
25 reviews in English
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Review from Ron L.
Campbell, CA
9/1/2011
Took my aging Volvo XC90 T6 (155k miles) to SAF for the first time based on a friends recommendation.
It needed a full tune up, rear tailgate struts and brakes and rotors on all-four wheels. The quote for all the work to be done was nearly $2200.
Ouch! But would have been higher at the dealership.
The car was done in a day. Dan the fellow who checked me in listened to my questions about other systems on the car and had the technician check out the transmission and turbos which I have always been concerned about. I got a report that was basically, both are working well and there are no codes in the computer that would give us cause for concern. Keep driving
But the best was that early in the day I got a call saying that my rear brakes still had 40-45% on the pads and could go longer.
Now how many times does a car repair shop tell you they would like to take $600 in repairs off your bill because they simply do not need to be done quite yet? HONESTY WINS MY LOYALTY!
Fast Service, Great Communication, Good prices, certainly much lower than the Smythe European dealer prices.
I'll be back. -
Review from squid v.
Cupertino, CA
11/22/2011
No such thing a "good exp" at a Saab shop, but these guys are OK, which is my highest rating in the category.
That's not just from me but from other very knowledgeable long time Saab owners I've run into.
That thing about high priced rotors reflects their choice to use the best. Personally, I don't think rotors make a diff and I THINK they'd be OK if you brought in your own cheapies bought online, but I'd ask. They were OK with using some pads I had IIRC.
Not "first class" customer service. I called to ask if I could pick up the car 15 mins after closing and they said "sure" and were all locked up when I showed, but it was after their posted hours.
You will need to call them about "what did you find wrong" even if they say they will call you. Maybe they will, like in 2 days when they got nothing else to do. -
Review from Elizabeth G.
San Jose, CA
7/20/2010
I haven't written a review in over 6 months...but I felt that I owed it to SAF to sing their praises after the ordeal I've been through with my car.
My Saab started smoking in the mountains on the way to Reno and I took it to a shop in Reno to get fixed. I really didn't have a lot of choice to where I had it taken since it was out of the area and crappy Reno does not have a lot of options in the way of foreign car shops. It was nothing short of a nightmare. They had my car for two MONTHS and after $4500, my car still had issues.
This is wear Swedish Auto Factory comes in. I found them on Yelp- the service was great from the start. Stephen is very service oriented while still being genuine. He was very sympathetic about what I'd been through with the garbage shop in Reno. I needed all the check engine light to be taken care of so that I could get my car smogged and registered. They fixed what needed to be done in a matter of days (over a holiday weekend, no less).
I never once felt like I was being taken or that there was any question that these guys know their Swedish autos. You truly can feel confident in what they tell you and they treat you with respect.
You owe it to your Swedish car to take it to the Swedish Auto Factory. -
Review from JR A.
Santa Clara, CA
9/27/2007
I took my 1996 Volvo 850, the car I bought last year to compensate for my substantial...ego, for the 120K mile service. There was also a noise, which would alert the public to my vehicular neglect, sounding from the right side of my car, so I had them check that out as well. Instead of suckering me into unnecessary repairs, they told me what was really going on and cleaned debris away from the back right wheel area. Therefore, I second the "utterly trustworthy" praise given.
I will go back. -
Review from Paul T.
San Ramon, CA
6/1/2008
I make the hour-long trek down to Santa Clara to get my '97 Saab 900 Turbo worked on. Does that tell you something?
I spend the day in the waiting area, using the Wi-Fi and eavesdropping on the workings of a car repair shop.
They do a good job at lower than the dealer labor rate. But that still makes a dent in my wallet, thus I'm going for a 4* here.
I commented to Stephan at Swedish Auto about all the 5* reviews, many from folks with only one post. He says they're all legit. :-) -
Review from Desiree S.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2007
I had an '89 900 turbo that I serviced exclusively at SAF. The guys there are great, and the trolls are a nice touch.
They always explained repairs in detail, and I felt comfortable and confident with their recommendations.
My Saab ran as well as she could until I had her retired. These guys made her a pleasure to drive. -
Review from Steven Y.
San Jose, CA
1/7/2008
I went there once in 2004 to have a used car check done and to get some belts changed for an old SAAB. Guy at the reception was friendly.
Second time I went I went to buy a gasket for the transmission rear cover. I was given a paper gasket, which required some gasket sealer to put on. For curiosity's sake, I asked if they had a rubber gasket like the original on the car, and the guy at the reception (different person from above) responded, "how would you like to use newspaper instead? you think that would work better?" -
Review from Tanja F.
San Jose, CA
6/25/2009
I'll be back!
I brought my car in for its 60K mile service. It was comforting to see the front office and mechanical staff pull up in Saabs when the shop opened. They were very friendly, I felt the prices were fair, they were professional and now my car runs like a super champ. Two thumbs up!Listed in: Good Services
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Review from Elle J.
Palo Alto, CA
8/21/2008
I had a really great recent experience with Swedish Auto Factory. I have a lemon Saab 9 3 so I'm always taking it in to get something fixed. I finally weaned myself off of B&B Saab and decided to give this place a try--particularly after reading the Yelp reviews. I'm really glad I did.
From the first phone call to the final pickup, I was impressed by how professional and nice they were. The price they gave me to remanufacture my Bosch Anti lock braking system was extremely competitive and they said they would guarantee the work. They were extremely quick and very professional. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. In contrast, my dealer wanted to charge me double the price, wouldn't guarantee the work and said it would take 4 days longer than the Swedish Auto Factory schedule estimate. Yay! Options! Note: B&B folks are really nice...they just couldn't compete on schedule, cost and guarantee. -
Review from Carolina R.
Fremont, CA
Updated - 2/9/2011
So the owner or employee, not sure who? Wrote to me, and did try to let me know about this. I give him that much. I'm not going to get into a Yelp argument, so for those who want to take my experience as advise: go for it.
But for those who are not informed about cars/car parts/anything mechanical....
How was I suppose to know that we have options? I have no idea if the Saab from San Francisco offered the same quality or not. All I know is that I called around, because I was told I was over-charged. And now, they are telling me I should have asked about my options. Wouldn't they be the ones to tell me my options? I mean seriously I'm a woman in my 20s, asking them to help me, because I had no idea what the problem was. Shouldn't they be the ones to tell me... "Look this is the price range, this is the quality we can offer???" I mean with the economy today, I would assume that people would know that we are looking for something that works in an affordable price.
So I guess according to these guys, every time you go to any business start asking, "hey are u sure that's the cheapest? can i get a discount?" It just doesn't make sense to me. I had mentioned that I thought it was pricey, and he even told me that I had already received a discount. So, I took it and paid. So it's not until I write a yelp review, that all of a sudden I have options. Sounds shady to me.
very disappointed.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/6/2010
So I had written a review for another SAAB repair, and in that review I recommended this place.
… Read more »
Comment from Stephan S. of Swedish Auto Factory 9/28/2010
We do have a price-match guarantee. To qualify for… More » -
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Review from Kirsten B.
Palo Alto, CA
Updated - 2/25/2011
Want to add that my experience at Swedish Auto Factory was exactly the same as Caroline R. My original review was filtered out!! (Wrote it about a year ago).
Initially had great experiences there, but then felt horrifically over-charged on a brake rotor replacement.
I want to let the readers know that her experience was not an isolated incident.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/10/2009
We have taken our 2003 9-3 here several times for service. The electricals on this car seem to be a… Read more »
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Review from Ariana W.
Oakland, CA
12/1/2008
I *love* Swedish Auto Factory! It's the Art's Automobile of Saabs. (And, if you drive a Japanese Car and happen to live in Berkeley, I hope you know what enormously high praise that is.) It's a clean, well-lighted place for Saab enthusiasts. I come all the way to Santa Clara from *Oakland* whenever my 1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo needs any kind of attention, just because these folks are so amazing.
Stephan and Dan in the office are so knowledgeable and so utterly willing to explain everything in tremendous and elucidating detail. I always feel like it is a total gift - that they have again and again been willing to donate their time and attention to me as I ask question after question after question. How does this work? What does that mean? What is that part for? Is there any way to minimize the expense here? What are the ramifications of not replacing that part right now? Does that repair need to happen now or can it wait 3/6/9 months? I have always found them totally honest, up-front, and supportive of the needs of my car and of my bank account.
I am so grateful that these folks exist. I would take off a star for them being in the South Bay, instead of the East Bay, but that's really not fair. :-) They're worth the trip to Santa Clara. They're better with Saabs than anyone else I've seen. They do amazing work. They know Saabs inside and out. (I learn lots just by reading the books and looking at the pictures in their waiting room.) And, most importantly for me, it's wonderful to know your car is in the hands of people you can really, truly trust. -
Review from Chris Y.
3/26/2009
SAF came highly recommended to me from my buddy who, like me, drives a 9-5. I made an appointment with them yesterday and they were easily able to accomodate me today! I got caught up at work and was a half hour late for my appointment, but they were completely friendly nonetheless. I went to get a bite to eat while they were working on my car, and when I got back, Stephan told me that they were just finishing up with my car. I mentioned the good-looking Saabs they had along the side of the building, and he offered to show me around and check out all the awesome 96s and Sonetts, and told me about the owner's P1800 (which I'd loved to have seen there!). Sure enough, the tech finished up with my Saab while I was chatting with Stephan and I was on my way! It was amazing to me to have such a good experience with a shop! I would have gladly accepted mediocrity (see my review of Cap.Expwy Saturn!), but SAF excelled!
EDIT: One thing I forgot to mention that I really, really liked about this place... when the tech was finished with my car around 5:30p, he hopped in his Saab 9000 and drove home. I like that - not like the dealership guys who drive off in their Corolla or Accord (or the god-awful Saab parts guy that wouldn't shut up about how much he loved VWs!)!
I think it's safe to say that THESE GUYS KNOW SAABS!!!Listed in: Saab Repair
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Review from Stephan W.
San Francisco, CA
9/21/2005
I've been taking my saab to them since I moved here in 1997. Only two words necessary: "utterly trustworthy."
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Review from M D.
Mountain View, CA
8/6/2009
Great team: Competent, fair, efficient. Everything we always hoped for in a car repair place but never got. Did a great job on our 9-3 convertible. We'll go back for as long as we own a saab.
But this is the crazy part: I forgot my breastpump in the waiting room. Before I'd even realized I'd left it there, they'd left me a voicemail about it, and during his lunchbreak one of the mechanics dropped it off at my office. It was quite possibly one of the more embarassing moments of my life. Free breast pump delivery by a sweet, thoughtful mechanic? Now THAT'S what I call GREAT SERVICE. -
Review from Bernadette M.
San Jose, CA
10/19/2009
I have a 2004 Volvo XC90 which has always been serviced by Smythe until about 6 months ago. I was really tired of paying for Smythe's prices and lack of good workmanship but unfortunately car repairs/maint never end. Fortunately I found Swedish Auto Factory via Yelp. I went there a couple of weeks ago to kind of give them a try before I turned over total care and I was really pleased. Their prices are not cheap but they are fair and I think their quality of work is much better than Smythe. Check in was a bit longer but I think that's just because I was a new customer. I didn't need a car but I think they have a service to assist for those that do..I do not know if there is costs involved for this but I am assuming yes.
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Review from Mark M.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2009
They offer reasonable repairs at a reasonable price.
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Review from Chris O.
Saratoga, CA
4/18/2008 4 photos
Always friendly and more than competent. They will always find the time to help out even if there's no money in it for them - I have phoned with obscure and unprofitable questions on more than one occasion and been helped both immediately and efficiently. A very friendly bunch of guys who truly know their stuff. Not cheap but less than the dealerships charge, and if you value quality over price then you wouldn't expect them to be cheap anyway. Highly and unreservedly recommended to Saab owners, especially the older and more temperamental models (cars, that is, not owners!)
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Review from Kris L.
San Jose, CA
7/23/2009
I'm not the normal customer - I work on cars myself and I simply needed them to do some coding with their TECH2. Regardless, they had no problems accommodating me while I waited for a very fair price! While waiting, I overheard them being more than accommodating to a difficult customer over the phone - they definitely went out of their way. I'd recommend Swedish Auto Factory to any Saab/Volvo owner!
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Review from Andy P.
Saratoga, CA
8/31/2010
I've been taking my wife's Volvo here for a few years now. They're honest, trustworthy and helpful in a business where it's not that easy to find those traits. It's not the closest place for me, but it's worth the drive.
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Review from Kim K.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 6/27/2008
I've been a steady customer for 4 years and I wouldn't go anywhere else for my Saab. Even when I've given an open-ended opportunity to suggest repairs other than the ones I've presented, (as in "Can you think of anything else I should be doing?") they haven't taken the bait. A lot of other shops would give you a laundry list of gotta-dos. They're totally honest.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/17/2008
They know what they're doing, and they don't do more than you need. The rates are fair and you'll… Read more »
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Review from Joshua S.
San Jose, CA
12/19/2009
Very fair pricing, good work, thorough. More affordable than dealer, more competent than non SAAB shops. Honest and transparent. I'll continue to take my SAAB here.
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Review from jo e.
San Jose, CA
2/6/2008
Left the automatons at B&B in '03. SAF is always fair, always reasonable. If Dan is in the office, he'll almost always check things out himself before checking the car in. Highly recommended.
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Review from Tim P.
Santa Clara, CA
2/3/2010
I have taken my Volvo to Sweedish Auto Factory for the past few years. These guys are very trust worthy. Stephen and Dan are really nice guys that go out of their way to try and save you money. I highly recomend Sweedish Auto Factory. I am given them 4.5 satrs because they are honest and professional.
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Review from Missy L.
San Francisco, CA
10/6/2009
Though I did not take my car in here, if I could have I would have and I'm giving them 5 stars anyway for incredibly helpful advice over the phone. There were so many things wrong with my 9-5 I didn't know what to do, and even if I did, didn't know how exactly to prioritize. I wanted a second opinion and so I called Swedish, and told them truthfully that I would not be bringing in my car to them as I live in S.F. but could I get some advice anyway. Stephan was not only gracious with his time but he went through my dilemma step by step and explained to me in a truly lucid way what the pros and cons were to each decision. After speaking with him I had a clear sense of what I was going to do and a plan of action for the first time since being hit with the bad news. This is a huge deal that would have impacted my life greatly, and I can't express my gratitude enough. Truly, Stephan, thank you.
