Specialized Auto Inc.

Category:	Auto Repair Shop
Address:	2415 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
Phone:	+1 831-462-3458
Site:	specializedautos.com
Rating:	4.4
Working:	8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM Closed Closed

Location

Photos 16

Reviews 5

Lynn Gates

2 of 2 visits and I got taken advantage of, misquoted both times and charged excessively for repairs. Last visit was just to replace a seat belt. I was quoted 50-80 on the high side, about 45 mins, hour and a half at most. I sat there watching the repair guy walking around, clearly NOT knowing what he was doing, constantly asking for help. It took 3 hours! Then I was charged 150.00 and told that the repair guy broke a part and I would have to bring it back for them to repair when the part came in. They also left both car doors open for those 3 hours, wouldnt run my battery down, but it isnt good for it all the same. I was told it was fine when I went and asked they close them, because the repair guy was working on my car all of 45 mins of those 3 hours. Hed walk away and show up some 15 mins later! The clincher is, I have all leather seats in my BMW, all around where he worked is scratched and on the back of the seat, there is a gauge in it, and the backing on the seat was not placed on correctly either. My car was pulled out of the bay and given back to me as is. I guess it wasnt even worthy of the promised wash for each service. In Feb when they did my brakes and an inspection, they quoted me 190-400, tops. It was almost 600 when they called me back after having my car all day (and they called at the end of the day to approve the repair) I kind of didnt have a choice at that point, if I didnt they were going to charge me for the inspection they claim is free. So over 600.00 later and only brakes being done and a code check, and a day later. I got my car back. At least it was washed that time! My cousins told me not to go there after my first experience, because they said they always pay more than what was quoted! Clearly that is my experience as well. If you dont mind being taken advantage of and not having what I felt was a thorough and proper repair.. you might want to think about finding someone who chooses not to do business like that!

Dominic Sprattling

We took our Trailblazer in due to some shaking whILE driving. The service clerk said it was the water pump and it would cost 700. We were in the middle of transitioning my daughter to a new preschool which was stressful so we just said yes to him. He later called and said it would be $1,250. We needed our truck so we stupidly trusted him and said yes again. 6 months later, the same problem happened. I knew already that it wasnt the water pump because a friend from Mazda said the truck would have overheated if that was the problem and that Specialized auto Lied and over charged. When we had it checked this time, the nice guys at Napa used their code reader for free and said it was a bad spark plug. $18. for the part and $40. to have it changed. Truck is fine now. We were overcharged $1,200. by Specialized Auto because we were too trusting and looked too nice. These scumbags at specialized Auto took advantage of us. A friend supposedly called the Better business Bureau on them which is why I am now writing this review. They may have started out good, and treat their older customers well, which got them business, but now they are taking advantage of new customers. Probably didnt help that my wife brought the truck in first before I spoke to them. They probably take advantage of women especially. I was too nice and trusting by the time I got involved. DONT GO THERE AND GET RIPPED OFF LIKE WE DID! I put one star but I would put negative 1,200 for every dollar they ripped off from me.

Mark Natale

I was a first time customer, lured in by the Good Times Best of Santa Cruz choice and the shops close proximity to my house. I left my car around 8am after enduring a traffic jam in their parking lot to have an oil leak fixed. Since the car was only 5k miles short of the 150k service, I decided to have this minor maintenance done at the same time. I realized when I got home, I was given the wrong paperwork. I received no emailed pictures or a request for additional services, so assumed the oil leak was due to something easily adjusted. With the shop due to close for the weekend and no news, I called at 5pm to check on the status of my car. I was told that after 9 hours the minor maintenance had been completed, but the oil leak was not repaired. They advised I could pick it up before 5:30pm or leave it with them another three days. I elected to take the car home, despite the oil leak Specialized Auto had failed to repair, as it was needed for work. I was assured that I would not be charged for any discovery time of the oil leak, provided the work was done there. I scheduled an appointment for the following Friday my next free day. I received a bill for the service plus $62 dollars for locating the oil leak I told them about. The car was unwashed despite their claim. It was a very poor first impression.

Yegeta Zeleke

To begin with I will give it 0 star if it was possible. here is what happened: my car service engine light came on my car went to a limp mode so I diagnosed it first to see what is wrong with it. it turns out to be code p1120 which is a throatle position sensor or accelerator pedal sensor malfunction. I didnt had time to work on my car so I call "Specialized Auto inc" and told them this is the problem of my car can you guys fix it if i tow my car? they said yes we will fix your car. towed my car there, received a call a day later and told they need to run a test for $178 and I said okay, even though the test was a little over priced. Got a call after another day, "your battery doesnt work need to change it($145 + labour) said yes cause I really want to get the car running. got a call about 3 days letter and told the problem was the connector on the throatle possition sensor and thats $130. after two weeks recived a call, the car is ready. I went to pick up the car the car has the same exact prooblem it doesnt run at all. no jock, I looked up the report , I was told the battery was dead but it says merginal(it could have been charged) I lost about $500 and the car is in the same condition i brought it. no refund what so ever. I had a terrible experience with Specialized Auto.

A Private User

The service team at Specialized Auto is second to none. They are always friendly, professional, extremely helpful and they go the extra mile for their customers. I have been taking my cars to them for the last 4 years and actually looked forward to the expiration of the warranty on my newer volvo so I didnt HAVE to take my car to the dealership in San jose for repairs. The San Jose dealership staff was consistently rude to me, and I am so glad to not have to deal with them any longer. I am convinced that you could not possibly find a better auto repair shop in the Monterey Bay area. Specialized Auto rocks!