Can anyone recommend a mechanic for a Honda in Hayward/San Leandro/Castro Valley? Thanks.

Walnut Creek Autopros is out of the way, but Mike is the most honest guy I have come across in any business.

I had an issue with my Corolla with a billion miles on it; he fixed it, it was not perfect, so he fixed it again without discussion. Then I had an ambiguous issue with stalling that he could not figure out. It took his guys about 5+ hours of work over two days on it to even touch on an issue, then repaired it and he charged me zero for labor saying it should not have taken so long. $50 total on that one. Dude is super booked up, though. I think he only works on Toyota and honda.


[LIST=1]

Address: 1520 3rd Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Phone:(925) 933-1050



For my Jeep (he works on all cars), I take it to Diablo Services in Lafeyette. Similarly, they under charge like crazy for labor, and will do good work for WAY lower cost than I have seen. Big-O said I had sludge in my engine and so I took it over to that guy. He inspected it, drove it, asked if he could drive it for a good trip (to get the engine sufficiently hot) and then said I just needed to take it on longer trips than my wifes 2 mile commute. Brought it back a month later to have them look again, no charge either time, and no sludge at all. Then they did my Trans cooler lines for ~$100. The dealership wanted $700 and another shop wanted $400. They gave me an inspection and gave me a list of issues that might come up, prices and when I should expect to need them fixed (and what was non-critical), no charge.


[LIST=1]

Address: 3328 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Phone:(925) 284-2120



I know they are out of your way, but damn if they didnt earn the rec. Both have 5* on Yelp, FWIW.

Phantomfan;842382312 said:

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Walnut Creek Autopros is out of the way, but Mike is the most honest guy I have come across in any business.

I had an issue with my Corolla with a billion miles on it; he fixed it, it was not perfect, so he fixed it again without discussion. Then I had an ambiguous issue with stalling that he could not figure out. It took his guys about 5+ hours of work over two days on it to even touch on an issue, then repaired it and he charged me zero for labor saying it should not have taken so long. $50 total on that one. Dude is super booked up, though. I think he only works on Toyota and honda.


[LIST=1]

Address: 1520 3rd Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Phone:(925) 933-1050



For my Jeep (he works on all cars), I take it to Diablo Services in Lafeyette. Similarly, they under charge like crazy for labor, and will do good work for WAY lower cost than I have seen. Big-O said I had sludge in my engine and so I took it over to that guy. He inspected it, drove it, asked if he could drive it for a good trip (to get the engine sufficiently hot) and then said I just needed to take it on longer trips than my wifes 2 mile commute. Brought it back a month later to have them look again, no charge either time, and no sludge at all. Then they did my Trans cooler lines for ~$100. The dealership wanted $700 and another shop wanted $400. They gave me an inspection and gave me a list of issues that might come up, prices and when I should expect to need them fixed (and what was non-critical), no charge.


[LIST=1]

Address: 3328 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Phone:(925) 284-2120



I know they are out of your way, but damn if they didnt earn the rec. Both have 5* on Yelp, FWIW.

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Thanks!

I've been taking my Honda to San Leandro Honda for 10 years without any problems. They also have a free schutle service. Their address is 1302 marina Blvd, San Leandro 94577. Phone 510-347-5100.

Obviously not in your area but, like Richy, I use the Honda dealer. They know their products and the price beats every place I've ever gotten a second estimate. Very courtesy and they work conveniently and fast. Try the nearest dealer.

+1 for Mike at Walnut Creek Autopros. There's been a bunch of times where he's tracked down a problem and than told me to go to the Honda/Acura dealer because it was covered under the warranty.

I go out of my to go there as well.

Phantomfan;842382312 said:

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Walnut Creek Autopros is out of the way, but Mike is the most honest guy I have come across in any business.

I had an issue with my Corolla with a billion miles on it; he fixed it, it was not perfect, so he fixed it again without discussion. Then I had an ambiguous issue with stalling that he could not figure out. It took his guys about 5+ hours of work over two days on it to even touch on an issue, then repaired it and he charged me zero for labor saying it should not have taken so long. $50 total on that one. Dude is super booked up, though. I think he only works on Toyota and honda.


[LIST=1]

Address: 1520 3rd Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Phone:(925) 933-1050



For my Jeep (he works on all cars), I take it to Diablo Services in Lafeyette. Similarly, they under charge like crazy for labor, and will do good work for WAY lower cost than I have seen. Big-O said I had sludge in my engine and so I took it over to that guy. He inspected it, drove it, asked if he could drive it for a good trip (to get the engine sufficiently hot) and then said I just needed to take it on longer trips than my wifes 2 mile commute. Brought it back a month later to have them look again, no charge either time, and no sludge at all. Then they did my Trans cooler lines for ~$100. The dealership wanted $700 and another shop wanted $400. They gave me an inspection and gave me a list of issues that might come up, prices and when I should expect to need them fixed (and what was non-critical), no charge.


[LIST=1]

Address: 3328 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Phone:(925) 284-2120



I know they are out of your way, but damn if they didnt earn the rec. Both have 5* on Yelp, FWIW.

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SonOfCalVa;842382328 said:

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Obviously not in your area but, like Richy, I use the Honda dealer. They know their products and the price beats every place I've ever gotten a second estimate. Very courtesy and they work conveniently and fast. Try the nearest dealer.

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Must be different than in Socal, or maybe I just look like someone they can pull a fast one on. I normally work on all my cars, but my father-in-law is absolutely insistent that all cars should be serviced at the stealerships or they'll void the warranty (which is untrue), so I've been forced to take my wife's car (technically his car) in for the last couple years.

Of the shadiness I've witnessed in just two years:
1) I saw Downtown LA Honda con a girl into getting her air cabin air filter changed for $200. It's a $10 part and takes all of 15 seconds to do with one hand and no tools. They also lied about rotating my tires (I chalk them beforehand so I know which tires were on which corner).
2) Honda of Santa Monica used the wrong sized washers on the oil drain bolt last time I had to take my wife's car in for an oil change. They also used an air gun to tighten that thing back on which caused the washer to rip the threads of the bolt and caused a slow leak. They also "inspected" the brakes, which was a total lie because they were under 1mm of pad left (I checked a couple days before), yet they marked it at a meaty 4mm and sent me on my way.
3) Honda of Gardena lied about rotating tires. They also claimed I needed a $300 transmission fluid flush at just 15K miles. I'm pretty sure they also did not bother actually inspecting the brakes either because they would have had to remove the wheels, which I know they didn't do because I numbered all my lug nuts with a grease pen to see if they were all in the exact same order. And yet, they provided measurements for the pad thickness on the sheet of paper that lists the status of all the serviceable parts of your car.

Yeah, I trust the dealerships about as much as I trust a crackhead who hasn't had a hit in weeks.

Without fail every single time I go into the dealership apparently I need new spark plugs, a coolant flush, serpentine belts, and my brakes bled. Every. Freaking. Time.

And it's not just Honda dealerships. The last time my mom took her car into Lexus of Fremont for an oil change, they either used old oil or they didn't do it at all (I'm guessing the latter). They also tried to charge her to replace the timing belt...except the car has a timing chain that's a lifetime part and not a belt.

I recommend Larry's Auto in Castro Valley. He's just an overall honest mechanic right off the 580 freeway. I've been bringing all kinds of cars to him for years. Down side: he's not affiliated with Cal or anything, in case you were set on supporting Cal alumni? haha

Edit: I've driven primarily Hondas and Toyotas, so those are the cars I've been taken to Larry. I've tried a few other mechanics as well and found a couple other good ones, but I usually end up recommending Larry to others simply b/c of his no frills honest approach. I think he's very reasonably priced as well (and it's supported by his Yelp reviews?).

http://www.yelp.com/biz/larrys-automotive-service-castro-valley

travelingbears;842382338 said:

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I recommend Larry's Auto in Castro Valley. He's just an overall honest mechanic right off the 580 freeway. I've been bringing all kinds of cars to him for years. Down side: he's not affiliated with Cal or anything, in case you were set on supporting Cal alumni? haha

Edit: I've driven primarily Hondas and Toyotas, so those are the cars I've been taken to Larry. I've tried a few other mechanics as well and found a couple other good ones, but I usually end up recommending Larry to others simply b/c of his no frills honest approach. I think he's very reasonably priced as well (and it's supported by his Yelp reviews?).

http://www.yelp.com/biz/larrys-automotive-service-castro-valley

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Thanks! and thanks to everyone who replied!

Castro Valley Autohaus Incorporated
20697 Park Way, Castro Valley, CA 94546 (510) 581-4525


Kevin L Hinkley Auto Tech
5269 Crow Canyon Rd, Hayward, CA 94552 (510) 881-1052

Bo's Imports Hayward he's the best in that area. Great mechanic

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bos-imports-hayward