Any mechanic recommendations - Oxnard up to SB?

ballardcruiser · 07-12-08, 12:13 PM

Hey guys,
Just moved to Carpinteria from Seattle ...and still getting my bearings straight.
I need to find a mechanic who can do some PM as well as a few odds & ends (tranny cooler) on my FJ62. Anyone you guys can recommend between Oxnard and, say, Goleta? I am getting desperate... long road trip coming up in a month and I'd really like to get this done beforehand (and can't wrench at my current home). I'd be happy taking it anywhere in the 805 area code, pretty much if it was good work.
Any recommendations? Tried in vain to search, check the 60 series board on Mud, etc.
Thanks!
Jason

e9999 · 07-12-08, 04:44 PM

there is an independent in Goleta who is supposedly specializing (?) in Toyotas and maybe familiar with LCs IIRC.

But have no idea if any good.

[didn't I already mentioned that someplace?]

ballardcruiser · 07-12-08, 08:59 PM

You did, Eric. But for the life of me I've never been able to figure out who that is... How does this person advertise or is there a website?

Goleta Toyota Mechanic doesn't give me anything usable on Google.

Regardless, I'd be happy to drive anywhere within 60 miles if I knew they had a good track record and weren't obscenely (as in stealership) priced on their rates/service. Must be someone, right?

e9999 · 07-13-08, 02:30 AM

OK, I looked in the SB YP for you.
there are several toyota independents listed.
I'm not sure but the one I was told about could be John Howe (683-4364) or Mahneke motors (681-0021)? First one sounds vaguely familiar, could be it. Let me know if you find a good one

.

PabloVTA · 07-16-08, 03:34 PM

there are a few guys in Ventura that the club gets discounts thru.

Ruben's on the Avenue and all the local Stealerships give parts discounts if you show the membership card.

Last wednesday of the month at Seaward Exit on the 101 in Ventura is the meeting, At Carrow's restaurant.

youjust might find a guy willing to wrench with ya.

ballardcruiser · 07-23-08, 05:46 PM

FWIW, I tried out John Howe. They're right on the side of the Santa Barbara airport in Goleta. Nice guys. Not Cruiserheads by any stretch but they work on a lot of new and old Toyotas and Lexuses and seemed knowledgeable (one of the guys mentioned that he did a fair amount of work for someone in Los Olivos who has a bunch of Cruisers). Small shop... one lift inside.

Anyhow, the price was fair, they were cool with me bringing parts from C-Dan (and elsewhere) and they seemed pretty quick / flexible schedule-wise. No complaints so far and it was super easy to get ahold of them (and my specific mechanic) with questions during the day.

Thanks Eric!

Straightjacket · 11-10-08, 08:23 PM

You'd have to look'm up,but Mark at C&S Automotive in SB.is REAL good people.He does good work and honest,he does alot of Datsun work but does other makes also.If he cant fit you in he'll point you in the right direction.

e9999 · 01-11-09, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballardcruiser

FWIW, I tried out John Howe. They're right on the side of the Santa Barbara airport in Goleta. Nice guys. Not Cruiserheads by any stretch but they work on a lot of new and old Toyotas and Lexuses and seemed knowledgeable (one of the guys mentioned that he did a fair amount of work for someone in Los Olivos who has a bunch of Cruisers). Small shop... one lift inside.

Anyhow, the price was fair, they were cool with me bringing parts from C-Dan (and elsewhere) and they seemed pretty quick / flexible schedule-wise. No complaints so far and it was super easy to get ahold of them (and my specific mechanic) with questions during the day.

Thanks Eric!

edit: good to know, I think that is indeed the one I had heard about.