Redwood Automotive

This is a really funky little shop, but they do a good job at quick turnaround and only-​what-​you-​need repairs, so I’ve relied on them in the past to keep not-​so-​good vehicles up and running at a reasonable price. I’ve never taken a newish car here, but if I need the necessary-​but-​nothing-​more repairs to keep my old car running at a really reasonable price, I trust these guys to do it.
The place is unfortunately located on a small back street, so it can be rather difficult to actually find somewhere to park nearby.

Well doing business men. They keep it straight and don’t try to bone you. Super perfect for students like me! They also support the local HSU university through the school paper.

I have my car towed to them from another shop and these guys do a quick fix to my car and that’s that. No charge, super nice and well educated. Thanks again.

I was on a trip from the Bay Area back up to Arcata a couple summers ago when all of a sudden my car started dragging. I was in the middle of nowhere in So Hum and so I put on my emergency flashers and made it a few more miles up the 101 to Piercy so I at least had somewhere to wait out of the heat (Dancing Bear Café) while AAA dispatched someone out of Redway. He towed us up to Redwood Automotive. I found it based off good Unilocal reviews. I was hesitant going with a garage that wasn’t AAA certified. But, the only AAA certified mechanic was in Fortuna and that wasn’t really convenient since I lived in Arcata. It was almost closing time by the time we pulled in there, but it was ready and fixed the next day. I got a good deal too. I love that about Humboldt. It is also conveniently located near RTS and AMRTS bus stops, so if you need public transit to get there to pick up your car or get home after dropping it off, it’s great. Don’t let the small size of the place or the congestion of cars needing work in the yard deter you. This is a local business worth supporting.

My boyfriend for months had been trying to convince me Redwood Automotive was the best place in town. I had a repair shop (the Patriot) that I always trusted so why change, besides I wanted to support their small business. I truly felt like I had a great relationship with all of the employees at the Patriot shop. HOWEVER, my truck began to leak brake fluid so I went and got an estimate from the Patriot. They diagnosed it as the brake propulsion valve and said in total it was going to cost me $ 900.00. My boyfriend whom had been trying to convince me for months opted to pay for a second opinion at Redwood, and needless to say they diagnosed my truck brake leak at the master cylinder and gave an estimate at $ 181.00. Which is why they are fixing my truck as I am typing this right now. It is very hard for me to find a mechanic that I trust. I have lost count how many times I have either been taken advantage of or attempted. Once I find that mechanic they have my 100% devotion. I am still heartbroken, angered and all around feel violated from the Patriot, but am happy to have found Redwood Automotive. Thank you Redwood for being honest

Morgan was super helpful on the phone and provided a price that was over $ 100 less than what other shops had quoted. That and the top quality work on my Subaru explains why they are always so busy so definitely call ahead to schedule an appointment!

Don’t let the funky exterior deter you. Have been taking my Subaru here for over ten years and have been consistently happy with the service. The mechanical work itself has always been excellent. They are honest enough to tell me when they don’t think something is worth fixing on my old car. And as a woman, I feel comfortable there and am treated with respect.
Plus, it’s walking distance to the plaza and right near Café Mokka and Finnish Country Hot Tub and Sauna, so you can find plenty to do while your oil is being changed!

Honest and fair. They took the time to explain what my car needed and why, what could wait for a while, and to discuss my concerns over whether the car (old with high mileage) was worth the investment of the repair cost. They gave me a great price. They also caught a problem with my oil, the last place had put the wrong weight in, and they drained it and replaced it as part of my repair service.
It’s been a few weeks and I just stopped in without an appointment, and one of the mechanics took a listen to the engine and checked the oil. He assured me things sounded good and he topped off the oil as a courtesey. He also took the time to discuss the next step of repairs to maintain the vehicle down the line.
I especially recommend this shop to female customers. You won’t get any of the sexist treatment that some auto shops seem to specialize in.
These guys are my only mechanics now, and I highly recommend them.

I agree with all the other reviews here. They took the time to research my problem and explain it to me, and then directed me to Toyota in order to fix my car as Toyota should pay for it. They could have just charged me the money to do it themselves, but they were honest and I really appreciate it. I will always come back here and so should you!

Honesty is the best policy. The only auto shop in town I can truly trust. The saying «don’t judge a book by it’s cover.» Can describe this auto shop in appearance. I went to several auto shops that couldn’t find out why my car was overheating. Determined to find a good honest auto shop I tried a few different shops that kept adding on bill after bill. Every auto shop in this town wanted to take my engine apart to see if the leak was in the head gasket. Because we had just changed the engine we knew for sure it was not a leak problem. Even their neighbor Neely Auto, was just looking to make some money. I had already went there twice. Understandably I needed a few other things fixed. Which was fine but still no solution to the problem. Instead it was something else it was the radiator cap or this or that. Finally The mechanic had claimed the car was not overheating after all and instead made up something on the spot to tell me it was the memory sensor. This was after I had asked him if it was possibly misfiring the overheat signal, could it be the memory sensor… The owner went ahead and ordered the part for the new assumed solution to the problem. But Feeling a little wary at this point, I decided to try one more auto shop. Finally tried redwood auto and the mechanic had the answer in one day. It was not the memory sensor. The car was indeed overheating and it was the thermostat, and the overheat was fixed!!! And no piling on bill after bill. It was not the head gasket. A potential 1000k job turned into a honest 80 dollar job. They were honest and solved the overheat problem. And they will have my business as long as I live in this town.

The guys at Redwood are extremely helpful! This is not the fanciest shop you can go to but the attitude is one of helpfulness and fair pricing. That want you to come back. As a added benefit they have a black lab that is a love bucket! While you are waiting she will snuggle with you.
The big guy at the front desk does a great job of coordinating your needs. I was helped by John who was excellent. He got right to my truck and completed the task quickly.
I trust them and that is a big factor for me. Give them a try.

Great little shop. I came in from out of town only to find out at the alternator had gone out. I called them Monday morning and they had me in within the next hour. Not only were the generous and timely, they did their best to find a good deal on the part as well. Would recommend this place to anyone!

I was recently visiting Arcata from out of town when my starter motor died. Not knowing any auto repair places in the area, I checked Unilocal and Redwood Auto had good reviews (especially from women, which is important to me, as I have been taken advantage of before.) These guys were so great! They told me what the «cut off time» for ordering parts was each day, so I made sure to have my car towed there on time. Once I arrived, they immediately began to take care of me, even though they had other stuff going on. They checked my starter first, just to make sure, 15 minutes later, the part was delivered and I was out of there 10 minutes later for a good price. This is the best service I have ever had from a repair place and I would highly recommend them!

I live in Elk Grove, CA and my daughter is attending HSU. When her car broke down in Arcata, I was very concerned. Many mechanics wouldn’t think twice about ripping off a naïve kid. Well thank goodness for Redwood Auto. We had the car towed to this shop and they were terrific. They installed a new fuel pump the same day they received the car. Honest, Fast, Friendly and Inexpensive. I feel much better knowing my daughter has a great mechanic to keep her on the road while she finishes her studies. Thank you.

Awesome guys helped me fix my electrical problem with my break light. They were very generous and timely– I’ll go here for all my auto needs!

small, honest, and no nonsense. I was referred here by 20 year local and I have never been sorry. The prices are always fair. These guys have been taking care of my vehicle for years. They have never done me wrong and have saved me money every time.

This place is GREAT. Teeny little neighborhood shop with a community feel. They obviously really care about the customer and doing the best job possible. I brought my car in to have my squeaky brakes looked at; when it turned out they were just squeaky and nothing was actually wrong with my brakes they did not charge me a dime for the time they had spent to look at the car. That kind of customer-​oriented work is what I like to see. I will definitely be bringing my car back here in the future.

These guys saved my vacation from a terrible end. I’m from Portland and had taken a roadtrip down the coast to see the redwoods. Despite my car having been thoroughly checked by two different shops prior to the trip, it started misfiring all over the place the day before we were supposed to drive back to Oregon.
I called a ton of different shops. Most of them said they were too busy to squeeze me in, but Redwood Automotive said to bring it on down to them that morning. They fixed it in a little over an hour (it was a bad coil, so relatively simple to fix) and charged me $ 117 total. I was in a fairly desperate situation, so they could have charged a lot more and there would have been nothing I could do. My car has run great ever since and if I lived in the Arcata area, these guys would have gotten a customer for life.

After many failed attempts of finding a trustworthy mechanic in the Arcata area I finally came across Redwood Auto a few years ago. They do all the work on my car. Fair priced, trustworthy, awesome business! I’ve never had a problem with them at all! Their prices are very competitive, their mechanics know how to fix cars, and they are always friendly and extremely helpful!
They’ve done everything from replacing timing belts, to fixing my breaks, to replacing a radiator.
In fact, I thought my water pump was broken and went in and asked to get that fixed. Turns out my water pump was fine and it was the radiator (over $ 100 cheaper). The mechanic called me to let me know it was actually just my radiator, the pump was fine, and the job was going to be cheaper than expected. He could have easily let me continue to think it was my water pump and also fix the radiator, and he did not.
This is honestly the only place I go for car work in this area. Hands down.