California Import Auto

We have used them for several years on a sequence of cars and have been consistently pleased with the service. Prices are fair and recommendations are in the customers’ interest. We have recommended them to several friends who have been likewise pleased.

Amazing service, excellent service! Will never go anywhere else! I called 5 shops and their prices were also the best! I’m very happy!

California Import Auto definitely stands behind the work and service provided. Both visits I was in a «time crunch» but they fit me in and were able to get me going in a timely manner! Mike, the owner as well as all the staff that I interacted with today were friendly, knowledgeable and very professional! Count me in as a future customer and thank you!

Came in because the bottom of our car had fallen off. They saw us on the spot, were super helpful and friendly, fixed our car immediately and didn’t charge us a penny. We will definitely be coming back here and would recommend these fellas to everyone.

Been taking my cars there for years. Friendly, attentive, and reasonably priced. One time I hog a curbside diagnostic for no charge. Nice place to do business.

Great service! The mechanics and manager are knowlegeable. They troubleshoot and make good recommendations. They don’t overcharge, they are honest and they take care of their customers. NOTE: Husband review

I have been here twice now, once for an oil change and once for a malfunction light on my car. Both times the service was great, fast and easy. What prompted me to write this review was the amazing customer service I experienced last week with my check engine light. They ran a test to confirm a previous mechanics’ diagnostic and went through the «Hassel» of researching what that meant for my car. Turns out there was a recall for this specific problem and it could be fixed free of charge via my dealership. That said, it was comforting to know they cared enough to assist and confirm the previous error reading (free of charge) and then were honest enough to tell me it was just a software update that could be performed via my dealer. I will be bringing my car back here for all future needs!

Went in for an oil change and used the Unilocal check in discount which was awesome. The staff is really nice service was great, I will be returning for futures oil changes and/​or anything else that comes up needing some attention on my car!

These guys are super reliable, easy online appointments can be made (gets confirmed by email) and what’s more, they’re quick and precise. Each appointment I’ve made has taken about an hour (which I kill at the coffee shop around the corner)
The pricing is reasonable and I really feel like they keep me informed-​letting me know what to expect at my next maintenance appointment: Which is awesome so I can prepare in advance for how much time and money it might cost me. I cannot afford downtime with my job, so I really appreciate them talking me through whats going on with my vehicle and trying to anticipate its needs.
I should note, I don’t drive a BMW anymore… I downgraded to a Lexus… then downgraded to a Prius: Damn you gas prices! But I take it here for he friendly local feel and it’s such an easy vehicle– they of course handle it with ease.
My boyfriend found this place first, they handled his appointment so perfectly and at a reasonable price that he passed on the find to me: Word of mouth at it’s best! He used to work in a place like this years ago, and can fix and drive pretty much anything-​just doesn’t have the time nowadays so a thumbs up from him is serious business.
Local business guys in the car business, highly recommended.

These guys took really good care of me. Trustworthy, superbly nice and did a great job on my car. Could not be more pleased

Great experience today at California Import Autos! Went in for an oil change (by far the most reasonable price in town for a synthetic change) and Brian was very helpful. He is very knowledgable and recommended a few minor repairs for my car and described exactly what the parts do and how it can affect my car. There was no pressure at all. I will definitely return for future repairs and oil changes.

These guys were a dream. I’ve taken my 2002 M3 to them for an oil change and a burned out convertible motor — and both times, they went out of their way to give me a great price. I was expecting more than a grand for the convertible top — without labor even — but walked away for way less than that.
These guys are nice guys, nothing shady about their business, and I’ve verified all their work myself. Good stuff. Way cheaper than the dealer.

These guys are so great! I had a few headlights out and they were so fast, helpful And professional. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.

Our family has been going to Cal Import for over 20 years. It is an honest business with managers and mechanics that have been with the company for many years. Its great to have the same guys work on your car /​truck and familar with its history. We’ve always found their pricing to be fair and service very reliable.
A recent experience was just too impressive to not share. I had a brake flush service done and asked the manager, Paul, to put some new wiper blades on while the truck was in the shop. After a rainy business trip, the blades started to squeak at each return. I asked Paul what I could do about it and he offered to replace them. I didn’t have the time to go back to the shop so Paul sent one of the mechanics to my business about 10 miles away who installed another pair of wiper blades. I was really impressed with this level of customer service. CIA really went beyond the call of duty for a low margin repair to serve a customer. They’ve definitely earned my business.
We’ve recommended many friends to CIA over the years and will continue to do so. Their track record with our family and friends has been solid. Give them a try.

I was at the beach and my car stated acting super wired. It was not getting power to the radio and stalling out. I had it towed to California Import Auto. It turned out to be just the battery but they put a new one in right away and reset my radio. I also had a burned out headlight and the mechanic replaced for free! They even had dog treats for my pup! I will totally bring my car back again!

I’m a girl in the car scene in SoCal, and I needed a great shop in my area to go to and was referred to Cal Import Auto. I started coming here 4 or 5 years ago and wouldn’t go anywhere else!
The people here are so nice, and saw things that needed to be done before having the inconvenience of having something break a month down the road. I’m all about preventative maintenance to ensure that there are no surprises with my car. They have done everything from the twice a year oil changes, to my power steering rack, to my 60K mile service and I’ve never had a bad experience. The last shop I went to over looked things that needed to be done that I didn’t know needed to be done until they went bad. I’m glad the guys at Cal import know what they are looking for and let me know whats going on with my car.
I dont need to look to go anywhere else, these guys and gals are awesome!

Jerks-​do NOT go here. Nice BEFORE they get you in, nice when there, nice goodbye… then when something goes wrong, EFF YOU. Long story about why happened here with me but the bottom line is they are WAY TOO EXPENSIVE, and then if/​when something goes wrong, put on your boxing gloves…

These guys are great. I went here because it is close to my work and I was slightly referred by a friend, and I am glad I did. They took care of my vehicle very well and in a very timely manner. They offered me a ride to work or home as well. They have great customer service and were quite reasonably priced. I just felt very comfortable bringing my vehicle there… they were honest and didn’t try to sell me on any extra repairs that I didn’t need. They took a minimalistic approach, which i really appreciated. I highly recommend them for auto repairs!

I took my older car in here for a «clicking noise». All expert repair work was done quickly and below the quoted price. When I received my bill, they gladly gave me my AAA discount.
Honest diagnosis, quick work, and no BS billing; you can’t ask for any more than that. California Import Auto earns my business… again

Every time I bring my 4 Runner into California Import Auto in Solana beach they go above and beyond the call of duty.
The last time I brought it in, they actually researched
Options for me!
AAA recommended them to me. and now I send anyone that needs an honest mechanic.
Their shuttle service made all the difference in the world to me. I was able to leave my car and get shuttled
back to work so I would not miss my day with my car in the shop.