Allen Imports - Car Repair and Auto Service

01/18/12

Legit Mechanic -- Legit Service!

by 916lude at Citysearch

Hmmm, what can I say that hasn't already been said? It's not a mistake that most of these reviews are 5 stars....

I own a 4th Gen Prelude VTEC.... you know that sexy one with the dumbo ear doors and the instrument panel that reminds you of the Star Trek command center.

I found Allen's Imports in late 2010. Probably through google or yelp. They were local, specialized in asian imports, and it was another chance for me to find an honest mechanic. Glad to say, I found one.

Brian is a super knowledgeable and cool dude. He will tell you the possible problems and if it's something needed right away or not. No pressure, all smiles. I've never dealt with his co-owner, but would expect the same. One day I was leaving from work and when I started my car it made a sound that would make a proud owner cry. After three attempts at starting it just died. A buddy and I pushed the car over to AI, just a few blocks down. I left it there and spoke with Brian the next day. We checked it out and he took it in. It took a few days and he kept me updated on what was going on. Sure enough he had my baby back on the road and running smooth.

I've since been bringing my vehicle to Brian at Allens Imports. These guys are as legit as they come and don't BS. The shop is a little hidden, but most gems are right? Highly recommended!!

10/23/09

Best car repair service ever

by Avonne Ruiz at Citysearch

I have taken two vehicles to Brian for several years. I am a single woman, and appreciate his honesty, and his caretaking, in addition to ability to do a good job. I have recommended him to my co-workers without hesitation. They are all equally pleased with a one-on-one relationship with the guy who looks after your vehicle. You will not regret making him your regular service guy!!!

• Pros: Appreciate the service by owner, Brian
• Cons: It is not located nearer my home!!

06/26/09

Lifetime customer!

by WrecklessCamryDriver at Citysearch

Hands down, the best mechanic I have ever met. I have a 2001 Toyota Camry with 180k on it. Due to my job, I drive it like I stole it - putting 500 to 800 miles on it per week. I've taken my car to many many mechanics from Los Angeles to Vacaville to Folsom to Downtown Sac to West Sacramento. I've been screwed so many times I lost count. In fact at one point I almost came to expect it. None have done a better job than Brian at Allen Imports. In my opinion he is one of the last honest to good mechanics around. He has my business for life. Even if it takes me a 1/2 an hour to get to him.

• Pros: Honest, very reasonable, superb service, a mechanical genuis

06/23/09

Beware

by James345 at Citysearch

My 96 Honda Civic passenger side and one rear left windows won’t roll back up... I wasn’t sure what the problem was so I took the door panel off from the driver side and discovered that few of the wires were broken. I called few shops around and when I saw good reviews of Allen imports, I called them and spoke to Brian about broken wires. I was told to bring my car to the shop and he will fix it for total cost of $250. He will make sure that all windows are working. Next day, I took my car to his shop, singed the paper work so he can start the work. In order to get to the wires he had to take the fender off. He found the total 5 wires were broken.

He asked me that it will take few hours to fix all the wires and the total cost of repair would be $225. I told him to go ahead with it. He wasn’t able to solder the wire so he cut the wires and made connection directly. For these new wires, he had to drill a hole in car door. Once the wires were connected the passenger side window still didn’t work. He told me nothing he could do in this situation. There could be something else wrong with the wire and could be somewhere else.

I was very upset because he only fixed one window and not the other. I thought, I was getting all my windows fixed. He manually powered the passenger window. I paid him $225 for hooking five wires together with a promise that he will find someone else to look into this issue. He called me two days later and gave me a telephone number for electric shop in Northgate area. I don’t think Brian knew what the problem was before he agreed to fix all windows. He is not an electrician and I wonder why he took the job when he wasn’t sure what the issue is.

Well later in the day, I was shocked when this guy told me that he will charge me $98 to look at the problem. I called Brian back and he said that he can’t do anything more to my car. Clearly, he wasn’t sure about the problem and I’m not sure why he took the job. He would have referred me to another shop.

Beware when you get into this place. Make sure you have everything in writing what he will fix or if you have electric work look somewhere else. Also you will be paying by an hour or a flat cost. I won’t trust them for the any repairs in the future. I think was ripped off.

• Pros: Stay Away
• Cons: Stay Away

01/03/09

Best Customer Service EVER

by ArdillaLoca at Citysearch

Sadly, I don't know much about cars beyond how to drive them. I only bought my used 2001 Honda Accord about six months ago, but it was a 'well driven, East Coast car'. But, it ran pretty well, so I was surprised when I brought it into my dealer for a routine check up to find out I needed maintenance that would cost almost $1500!!! I didn't have that kind of money, so I went home and looked up other repair services. That was when I found Allen Imports. Brian was amazing on the phone. He offered to help me out by doing the same job at a much more reasonable price. When I brought the car in, they didn't stop until the job was done, despite running into a few troubles here and there. He did not raise the estimated price, nor did he ask me to come back later. They worked all evening until the job was done! And they were more concerned about my comfort in the waiting room than anything else. I had never had better customer service from an auto shop! They do anything they can to make you feel at home. But, best of all, when all was said and done, Brian explained the service in terms that were easy to understand. He went over all the repairs and the invoice showed exactly what everything costs. Considering the work they put into it, I know I got a deal! The car is running better than ever, and they've definitely gained me as a loyal customer. :)

• Pros: Amazing Service and Great Prices!!!