Japanese Specialists

Many of us wish to give businesses zero stars, but of course, we can not.
I usually go to my dealership back in my home state and to Mountain States Toyota (but they were full) so I decided to try J.S. for an oil change. What a mistake!
I brought in a coupon from their website and presented it to them. Bad idea. I waited for over one hour. Then they said I needed to change my water-​pump because my coolant was leaking. (I didn’t see any leaks before). The cost for fixing the pump? $ 600. I said, «No thanks.» Then I checked my oil change sticker. They wanted me to come back for another oil change in June. (Um, didn’t you guys just change it? That’s barely 3 months!)
I recently went to my dealership at home for a check up. They really changed the oil for 5,000 miles and gave a full car inspection. Guess what? NO COOLANT LEAKAGE. Everything is fine.
I’m never coming back here again.

I have been taking my car to Japanese Specialist since I bought the car from Auto Source back in July. It seems I’ve been there just about every other month for a different problem. I’ve never had any issues with this shop until I took it in for an oil change, the most basic thing that I’ve had done there ironically enough. I went in on Monday around 3:45 and my car wasn’t done until around 5:15 which made me hit rush hour traffic on the way home since the shop is about 45 minutes from my house and I actually go out of my way to go there.
Anyways I get in my car after the oil change is complete and whom ever did the oil change didn’t know what they were doing, they reset my odometer and then set my next oil change date on the computer in my car to ⁰³⁄₂₀₁₈. I just wanted to go home so I figured I’ll fix that myself later.
Fast forward to Wednesday, I’m on my way to work I get a call from my boyfriend saying that my car left a HUGE oil puddle in the garage. He calls Japanese specialist and they tell him for me to come by after work. I was told by the guy at the front desk that whom ever did my oil change «forgot to put the plug back in» and then asked «Have you been driving the car?» Which obviously I had. They then tried to spin it like they were doing me a favor by giving me another oil change on the spot… if they would have screwed the plug in correctly the 1^st time I wouldn’t be in this situation. They offered no refund. I was told that they would fix my next oil change date, it wasn’t corrected. I was then asked to give a review via their automated email system and I said all of the above, my review was immediately taken down. I was then contacted by Al (the manager I’m assuming) and told that since my boyfriend had a difficult time getting the oil stain off the garage floor they would send a team member out with special cleaner to get rid of the oil stain. As much as I appreciate the offer that is the least of my worries. Please be aware that all the reviews on their website are nothing less than 4 & 5 star reviews. Mine was a 2 star and got deleted.

Great customer service very nice and easy going. Seems like these people care and wanna help you out. Came in for a oil change and to check out some noise going on by my front c v axel. Woo hoo

Love this place! My car was shaking violently and my check engine light was flashing. I could smell a burning smell coming my engine. I thought my car was on its last leg. I read Unilocal reviews and decided to give them a call. They said they would diagnose it for free so I dropped my key off in the night drop the next morning before work. By 11am they called and told me I only needed a new ignition coil which was a very cheap repair. With the state of my car, they could have easily told me I need a new engine and I would have believed them. Instead they chose to be honest. They completed the repairs and an oil change and I picked my car up that same day after work. The honesty, timeliness, and kindness exhibited by Japanese specialist is something that will keep me coming back for a long time! Thank you guys!

I’m a first time customer and went to Japanese Specialists based on their great Unilocal review. Very impressed on many fronts. Had them change my timing belt for my 2005 Subaru — got a very good price on it and their $ 100 online coupon sure helped. Spoke with Jordan who was very knowledgeable and down-​to-​earth. Also asked them about some door lining that came loose and they were able to fix it free or charge (rather than have me replace the whole thing which would have been costly). Overall, I felt I got very honest feedback on other aspects of my car and that they respect and value customers, which is super important for repeat business. Will be going back.

This guys are awesome. totally professional and honest. they broke down what I needed to get done based on urgency, and did not pressure me into anything. I carry a stack of their business cards around to give to people. I’m very happy with them.

If you are looking for an honest, competent and most of all very reasonably priced auto repair shop, look no further. I just had my 95 Tacoma repaired at Japanese specialists (this was my first time using them). They were fast and the cost to rebuild my starter solenoid was great. Mike told me about a couple of things I should keep an eye on and an estimate to take care of them. No pressure to have any additional work, just a heads up on my breaks and a tie rod. The estimate for those items were very reasonable also.
My wife and I will be using them for all of our service and repair needs.

DON’T go here. I had my sway bar, transmission hose replaced and oil change done here. The guy at the desk used a code word to the mechanic when I declined the additional repairs and the mechanic expressed his disappointment. New owner was sitting there on the computer. After I paid and left, I felt really uncomfortable so I went to the collision shop next door for an assessment. The Japanese specialist” didnt fasten the sway bar and left it dangling!!! It was a message «to get me back» for declining costly repairs. Note: my car runs fine, even after the fake recommendations

I found Japanese Specialists on Unilocal.I decided to call as I didn’t want to take my Acura into the Acura Dealership to diagnose and fix my problem. I know they would inflate the cost and diagnosis. My car was making a Very loud rattling sound. Also my battery just died. I was worried I’d have to replace my alternator. So I called and spoke to Ryan. He was very professional when setting up the appointment. I took it in and after diagnosing it they showed me what they found 1. My water Pump needs to be replaced 2. I had the crank seal leaking and 3… they didn’t know yet what was «drawing» my battery. So they took 2 days to test all wiring and lights and factored it was my Bluetooth and Garage Wiring. They could of easily been dishonest and told me to replace my alternator! They gave me a Very fair price too! $ 550 for all of that! Now my car is puuuring like a cat! They have a loyal customer moving forward and I thought they deserved me taking the time to write a review. The Bonus: Ryan gave me a ride back downtown at no fee the day I dropped off the car! This was 5 Star Customer Service and Honesty!

I love, love, love this place! These guys are the most honest mechanics I have ever met. The place I was getting my oil changed told me I needed new shocks and struts… I decided to get some other estimates for the work as it was not going to be cheap. Japanese Specialists was the lowest bid and then after they looked at it they said it did not need to be fixed immediately and we would just keep an eye on it periodically! How great is that! And, I am glad I didn’t fix it then because the car is starting to develop other major issues so it’s actually time for a new car.
If you’re looking for an honest, fabulously friendly, fair and reasonably priced auto repair shop, this is the place.

I contacted Japanese Specialists Auto based on a recommendation from a complete stranger. This woman and I struck up a conversation while I was helping her at work, and discovered that we both had 2005 Honda Elements. I asked her where she serviced her car (she LOVES her car, so her recommendation would hold a lot of weight in my book) and she told me Japanese Specialists.
When it was time to give our Element its 100K service, I knew exactly who I’d call. I was nervous about how much it would cost, because we’d skipped the 60K and 75K services — terrible, I know! But after speaking with both Ryan and Alan on two separate phone calls, they both told me that, barring any unforeseen repairs, it should cost about $ 50– for the oil change. It turns out that regular inspections like this one are free of charge! I felt confident in their quote because they both took the time on our phone calls to look up all the check points required in a 100K service. Wow!
I scheduled an appointment for a day off, having been quoted the inspection and oil change would take about an hour, but any other items that needed addressing could add to my time. Understandable. I arrived on time, and they checked me in right away. I had my dog in tow, and they immediately asked if he could have a treat! They have complimentary beverages for humans, and biscuits for our furry babies :) :) I LOVE pet friendly businesses!
After about 45 minutes, the owner, Alan, approached me with the results of our diagnostic tests. There was one critical repair to my car, and one that could wait, and wait… and another that they would need ½ a day to fix, but was purely cosmetic (we have a lightbulb out in the dash console and it requires removing the entire console to fix it). Alan was patient while I asked him questions about costs, including labor, and asked him to put the remaining repairs in order of priority. He told me that he only thought it crucial to fix the one critical repair (a sway bar had cracked on our suspension). He suggested that sometime in the next «3 months to a year» we flush the break fluid, but it’s not at all urgent. I asked my age old «what would you tell your daughter» question, and his answer didn’t change. Just do the sway bar. I was satisfied.
So, I authorized the repair to the sway bar, and waited for my car to be done. During this time, both Alan, his wife, and several of their staff offered my dog several more treats and pets — he became their BEST friend — and kept me informed with updates of how much longer it would be to fix my car. My dog ended up laying on the front door floor mat as a mascot, greeting every customer who came through the door. They even suggested that I could let him off leash to roam around in the waiting area! (I couldn’t because he would bolt out an open door, but the offer was so kind!)
After about 3 hours, my car was finally done. And the cost came in as estimated — but I had done the math wrong in my head and it was so much cheaper! For an oil change, sway bar, and several light bulbs, my 100K service only cost me $ 215!!! I cannot believe that on a 10 year old car that my husband and I admittedly don’t take the best care of, that it was so CHEAP! I will definitely, DEFINITELY be returning to Japanese Specialists, and have already recommended them to two of my friends who are suffering car troubles.
I cannot speak highly enough of JS. They are committed to excellence, customer service, and honesty, and when repairing and/​or maintaining your vehicle there are no more important things to me.
Please take the time to have JS service your car, write a Unilocal review and shout about them to all of your friends!

My friend recommend this place for me and I have to say I am beyond happy with the service, I am def going back and recommend this place, they are honest, VERY knowledgeable, Matt just simply knows his stuff and does an awesome job, I will now go to him when i need any type of service.

Mike and his team are professional, fair, and honest. Twice I have brought my car in and they’ve informed me that no work has needed to be done. They have assessed my car at no charge. They have been able to fit me in on short notice, and have even offerred to drive me to work after I have dropped off my car.
I highly recommend them!

This is an amazing auto shop. If you have a Japanese vehicle, you owe it to yourself to check it out. I’ve been taking my 96 Camry there for years and they have done a super job of keeping it on the road. It may not look like new, but it runs like new!
Today I want to give special kudos to Matthew who did a great job finding out it was only low brake fluid that was making the brake light turn on. And even better– NO CHARGE This is the kind of guys they are.
Also a special shout out to Mike who keeps the place running smoothly and ALWAYS makes sure his customers are happy.
THANK YOU JAPANESE SPECIALISTS!

Picked our car up today! As far as we know there are no issues remaining. Fair price and kept in touch with us throughout all of the issues discovered and repairs needed.

I’ve been coming to Japanese Specialists for years. They have worked on at least three of my vehicles, everything from oil changes to clutch replacements. I have always been satisfied with their work!
I went in for my regular oil change back in March was surprised to see the waiting area had leather chairs, there was new tile and lighting… I’m thinking to myself, what’s going on here? Why is it so clean? Found out shortly thereafter that the former owner, Randy (whom I had grown to know and trust throughout the years) had sold the company, retired, and moved to AZ! I had a minor meltdown, what on earth am I going to do?! ! I love and trust this mechanic! He has never steered me wrong! EEK!
I recently took my FX35 into Mike Ward Infiniti for my 75k checkup and to fix or trouble shoot a noise that I was hearing. They replaced a ton of things changed my oil (which the vehicle didn’t need) and charged me $ 2,000-ish. I drove away happy until I noticed the noise was still there! I returned to Mike Ward twice to trouble shoot the noise, finally they determined it was coming from the muffler, they wanted to replace the whole muffler to the tune of $ 900-​ish. I told them I would think about it.
I knew I had to take my car back to Japanese Specialists. I took it in and within 15 minutes (it may have been shorter but I stumbled over to the dollar store, which I wouldn’t recommend to anyone) Byrd was able to tell me, and show me, what the problem was, how much it was going to be to repair, and when they could get the parts in. Ahhhh… This is service!
The new owners are young and knowledgeable, they are in a position to put some money into the shop and make it a better place for my vehicle, their employees, and the community. I am glad to know that I can depend on them as much as I depended on Randy for years to come :)
Thanks!!!

These are simply the best people in the auto repair business. I asked for a quote over the phone. Did I get it? Yes. Did they repair it for that price? Actually a bit less. Technician’s name is Byrd. He is the man! I have been coming here from Parker for many years and will continue to do so.

Very professional and straight forward shop. Brought in my race car to get a custom alignment which can be painstaking and very elaborate. Everyone was very patient and the technician Matt nailed it. I was able to make it to the track the next day and the car felt great.
Seems like they have really good deals on basic maintenance — oil changes and such. I will definitely use them again in the future!

Very professional and reasonably priced. We will bring our Subaru back:)

Got in and out quick. Changed my oil hand tightened the plug. Professional. They know there stuff.