El Gato Automotive

I needed some work done on my 2004 Dodge diesel. El Gato took my truck without an appointment and I was in a position to leave it with them for a day. I offered it, they did not ask. I had a check engine light that could have been anything. I got a call from Paul the following day. He told me the repairs needed were minor. The final bill was so fair that I felt a bit guilty but he refused to take anything more. I say this because he could have said it was something more wrong with the vehicle and I would not know better. This shop is fair fast and super friendly. Word of caution, do not park in front of the adjacent garage. It is a different business and the owner came out screaming g and I thought he as going to get physical that was not a great experience in my day.

Paul has a temper and is very rude to customers very overpriced shady business do not go here! If you want it done right go anywhere else!

I’ve been going to El Gato automotive for years. Several years ago my friend recommended Paul and his prices were so reasonable along with his service being fantastic, that we just kept going every time our cars had issues.
Now our whole neighborhood is using him! I’m a little afraid to post this and he’ll become too busy to fit me in! Lol! He’s fair and honest and just the nicest guy. You really should try him.

Paul has fixed my Subaru several times. The final cost often ends up being less than his quote, which can be a happy surprise. He always calls with updates and verifies what exactly I want done before starting. El Gato is trustworthy, friendly and reasonably priced!

I’ve been to Paul a couple of times. Both times I was in and out promptly. Thanks Paul!

Paul knows cars. In fact, he is the car whisperer. I came in with a rattling, clunking sound that seemed to be coming from everywhere. He started it up, opened the hood, and placed his hand on the engine. After a brief telepathic moment with my sedan, he turned to me and said, «It’s your motor mount.»
Sure enough, it was all bent out of shape. Paul even went the extra mile to find out why it wore out so fast and discovered some bolts that were ready for replacing. He showed me where these parts live in my car and even drew a diagram so I could understand better.
I’ve been bringing my car to El Gato since I bought it, and I’ve had a good amount of quality work done there. The El Gato folks are very friendly, thanks a million guys!

I have been back to El Gato Automotive about 6 different times for various reasons. Some, because I don’t have the time, others because I don;t have the specialty tool required. Each time I feel Paul and Lynn did a spectacular job, had great communication and were very accommodating. I’ve dropped off my truck and was given a ride home to get another car, set a Sat. appointment, had a teenager’s car inspected before purchase and had extensive Ford 6.0 work done.
I can honestly say I trust these guys. That is hard for me to write. Paul gives the quotes, calls if there is unforeseen issues and advises before completing work if there is scope or cost creep. What more can you ask for.
I now go buy just to say hi because when I don’t need mechanical work done, I miss these guys.
If you have a 6.0 Ford Diesel and it is giving you issues, skip the dealer and let Paul do it cheaper. If you have a classic car with a carburetor, bring it here… a lot of others do.
If you need a shop that will make you feel at home, not swindle you and provide clear communication… then look no further.
I REFUSE to go anywhere else.

On the recommendation of a family friend I took a newly purchased (used) Ram 2500 to El Gato as the clutch was toast and slipping in all gears except first.
My truck was an «unknown» as I purchased it with some serious upgrades so unfortunately I couldn’t tell Paul (owner) much about the history of my truck. So based on the info I did provide Paul gave me a honest quote.
As Paul dug deeper into the truck he discovered I had a racing clutch and the transmission had been re-​shafted previous to me owning it. Needless to say this lengthened the anticipated repair time until answers could be found as to what was done to the truck previously.
Here is where I am blown away, Paul felt bad that my truck wouldn’t be completed in a timely fashion so he loaned me his personal Ford Excursion until my truck was done
I had never met Paul prior to me bringing my truck down so I was floored by this offer!
To make a long story short, the repair cost more than the original quote because the only clutch that would work cost over twice what a stock clutch would have cost. This of course wasn’t Paul’s fault.
Paul also charged me less in labor than what he put into the repair of my truck and leg work he did on sourcing the clutch and answers to the trucks history via previous NorCal diesel shops that had worked on it.
Thanks Paul, you have made a loyal customer out of me.

I’m been wrenching on cars for close to 40 years, but as a self employed contractor I don’t always have time to affect my own repairs. About twelve years ago, someone recommended Lynn (El Gato) — they’ve been my go-​to guys every since. I recently tried another «good deal» mechanic — HUGE mistake! Thanks Lynn and Paul.

Paul has been servicing my family cars for many years. I have one vehicle as old as 1970 and as new as 2008. He works on all of them. The service is incredible and they are so friendly. It is difficult to find a mechanic that you trust. I am very happy to have Paul as my mechanic.

If you are an inquisitive person and like to ask questions so your basis are covered this is not the shop for you. If you like to be lead by the nose then I think you will be fine, because the price is fair and work is good but there is no customer service to speak of. If you ask, «what’s the guarantee on you work and the warranty of the parts», you might be considered insulting and untrustworthy to Paul. So be a good boy, get your car from them on time and don’t ask a single question. Because if you do, your keys and receipt will be left on the counter when you pick up your car and no one will speak to you and answer your questions.

On Monday, in the middle of a rainstorm, my passenger side window decided it had had enough. It would roll down, but no more rolling up. A large plastic bag was a temporary fix, but it wouldnt keep somebody from stealing my car. I knew I had to get it fixed ASAP. I got two quotes, both around $ 340. I was told that I had to have the motor and regulator replaced. I asked if maybe it would be something simple that wouldnt require a new part, but was told by both shops that they had to replace it. They were sure of this without having even seen my car. I called El Gato, and was able to get an appt. first thing Tuesday morning. I dropped off the car about 9:30. At 11:00 I returned. Paul (One of the owners) was working on my car when I got there. He told me that while diagnosing the problem, he cleaned the part and connections, and when he reconnected it, everything was working fine. He tried to make it fail, to see if it was an intermittent problem. As he could not get it to fail, he said he couldn’t justify putting in a new part. This is the exact type of situation where a dishonest mechanic could have charged me for a part he didn’t replace. I would have never known the difference. Instead, Paul charged me only for labor, and offered a discount if I had to return to replace the part. I saved over $ 200, well worth the hour drive. I will definately be returning to El Gato Automotive for any service and repair needs. I HIGHLY recommend them.

I took my 1991 Acura to Paul the owner of El Gato Automotive on whiteoaks in campbell. This is a man who knows cars and is honest. Wow what a concept. We had taken our cars to MIJ for years. Dave sold the biz and the service went south.
I asked a triple A driver for a couple of auto repair shops that were good. El Gato is located between bascom & the 85 just south of camden.
Paul is fair, well priced, triple a approved and he knows cars. It is a clean shop and I am taking my Toyota for the Fuel injector service next month.
The Acura Runs like a dream! Paul went above and beyond. He knew it was a common issue in that year of acura that made it run rough. He did a full service at half what a dealer wanted!!!
He also serviced my friends 1991 300zx a few months ago. It had intermittent problems and sometimes would not start. Paul correctly diagnosed the problem and replaced the part for under $ 100.00! After MIJ couldnt find the problem and my friend spent several hundred dollars on repairs that were unnecessary.
Paul (his family also works in the office) are great to deal with!
It is a relief to have a dependable place to take my cars and send my friends with confidence. I had never heard of this shop before a few months ago. I will be a customer as long as Paul owns this shop!
Kiki