Lakeside Radiator & Auto Repair

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  James Beard
a month ago
Good honest shop. I've been there a few times now. They fairly charged for what they did and never tried to up sell. They gave me a list of repairs my truck does need but did not pressure me to do it now.My Dad was a mechanic and would tell me, "remember the guy deserves to make a living". That's all these folks seem to be doing.Very highy recommend

  John W.
2 months ago
I selected five stars because Google says that equates to "loved it" which was the case at one point. The whole family loved it. Given that it is past tense I select it now however in a postmodern sense for the purposes of this review. I don't know how many stars they truly deserve so I offer my very dated experience. 20 years ago this place gave me a taste of what could be. During a smog check they noted over 3000 ppm on HC saying I needed the catalytic converter replaced, along with other things. I refused all repairs and called out the numbers stating at minimum the warmup procedure likely didn't happen. The person there didn't like that i said that. After paying the diag, I drove directly to a smog only shop and guess what.... It passed. Lakeside radiator was our family place before that. We trusted them. They successfully fixed our cars. We loved it... But after this experience that changed dramatically. I hope they have changed but I'm unsure....... Man.... They knew I had recently bought the car. The guy said, "it's the sellers responsibility to make the car pass smog" (implying legally the seller has to pay the repair bill). I letem know I bought the car for a thousand bucks (far less than the presented estimate) and that it was an as-is sale. It needed a transmission and I fixed it, then I went here to get it smogged (not a DIY-able thing). It failed and it was just strange because I had been studying automotive technology for over a year at that point. I saw what they were doing but was in disbelief. Failed here but passed at another place.... Just sad. I can attest however for the other cars we took there prior, they did repairs and got the cars fixed. Replaced plenty of stuff. My parents were satisfied and felt taken care of, even though the repairs were costly. "That's just how cars are", they told me. Anyway, has ownership changed? Maybe. Had my bad experience been a one off? Possibly. Just do some research, I say. If you are getting your car smogged, go to a smog only place. Those places don't have a financial incentive to hand you a repair bill. Finally, the experience I share here doesn't mean you go down to the shop however many blocks over and everything is fine, because a similar thing may also happen there. I have had former highschool friends later work at El cajon Ford with insane stories to tell and another at a Goodyear shop where he and everyone working their lost their job over sginanigans similar to what I mention here but far worse. It's all just sad. As for this review, I didn't select one star because I'm trying to channel my decades old frustration anger and sadness in a more productive way. It appears the (owner) responds to some reviews so in advance, yes, I have had work done here. It all appeared very well done (radiator, tuneup, TPS, etc). It's been twenty years. I have fixed countless cars since then for friends and family because the issues I mention here, repairs being called for that were unnecessary, are not unique.

  Motorcycle Jones
2 months ago
High prices and diagnostic is excluded from the repair. Shop is messy and looks questionable if they get the repair done as promised, almost guaranteed second visit and cost. Look elsewhere for a quality shop the will do the repairs right the first time!!!

  Debby Ivers
5 months ago
My tires were going flat and I had stopped at two places previously to get air only to have the tires go flatter. Pulled into Lakeside Radiator and Auto Repair and they were kind enough to fill all my tires with air at no charge and without making me wait. I'm an older woman and was perplexed as to what happened at the other two locations, but thankfully Lakeside Radiator and Auto Repair were kind enough to help me so I didn't get stranded somewhere! Thank you guys!!

  Scott Hall
7 months ago
Came here once and had a great experience. Went back to see if they could fix an AC issue and got the most ridiculous quote I've ever seen at a shop - Nearly 350 just to do a diagnostic, said that parts and labor would be more. I won't come back, but if you manage to talk to the actual owner you might have better luck.In response to the reply, I would also like to add that when I said that I was concerned about how much it cost just for a diagnostic, the tech told us, "this isn't shopping for clothes at Walmart, things are expensive nowadays," and really was just a jerk about it.Again, 350 was our quote just to diagnose what the issue *might* be. At that rate, it would have been cheaper to go to the dealer and ask to replace the whole compressor. What pissed me off the most now is that you scheduled an appointment for two weeks out then wasted our time and your time with an absurd quote (which was sketched out on a piece of paper?????).

  Janelle
5 months ago
Many thanks to Travis, all of you! You are so great, appreciate all your time helping out with our family and cars. Much appreciated

  Steven M. Schmitt
2 years ago
Just popped in to arrange an oil change and a smog test. Got a 2 week schedule out due to their business appointments. Seem very friendly. Met the previous owner 30 years ago, a nice guy, but lived far side of county, so didn't follow thru. Current owner seems just as nice, son of previous owner. Now that I live out here, time to check them out. Got a spot open on Monday.

  Brianna Johnson (TattooedClover)
a year ago
I've recently moved and this is my new go to shop!! Great with communication, able to work within a budget and direct with explanation and prioritizing the needs of your vehicle!Service: Auto maintenanceService: Auto maintenance

  Peter Ricard
4 years ago
Had a smog check done on my truck a couple months back and it failed miserably. I went to this place expecting to deal with the long drawn out process of the BAR program. Darrel (I think that s his name) is very down to earth and very genuine. I left my truck with him and got a call the next day saying it passed with flying colors. They got some kind magic working in that shop there, left paying $70 instead of a possible $300 plus. Thanks!

  Pete Puebla
5 years ago
Found this place from a recommendation from Autozone. Glad I found this gem. The owner is completely honest and genuine. These guys are cooling system experts and they fixed my problem for less then I would've paid elsewhere. If I had gone elsewhere I would've just wasted my money on parts and service that wasn't needed. These guys are pretty fast and they know what they're doing. I'd highly recommend them to anyone and it's a great chance that they will always get my business.

  Scott Fry
3 years ago
Our new auto shop. We took our hand-me-down Jetta in thinking it needed a new computer because it wouldn't smog test. Jake fixed it without it needing a replacement and it passed the test. They could have taken advantage of us, but didn't. They get our work from here on out.

  Mark Smith
2 years ago
Moved from out of state and my first day going to my new job, my truck starting leaking coolant. I found this place and they were booked out about 2 weeks. I didn't have a choice to leave it, had my truck back in 2 days!

  Dawn Butson
2 years ago
I took my Van in for a check engine light and for some air conditioning service.The final bill was less than the estimate.I am very happy to have found an honest mechanic .Services: Auto engine diagnostic, Air conditioningServices: Auto engine diagnostic, Air conditioning

  Mr. Mark
a year ago
Marty and his staff are up to snuff in my book. Honest. Reliable and on point! You can't do any better than Lakeside Radiator and Auto!

  Paul Crawford
a year ago
I have a 2006 Honda Element and within the family this place has been used for at least 15 years and have solely trusted this mechanic to where the first place we go to when something goes wrong is this place and it has always been expensive on occasions there has been a couple times where they want too bad and it was a good deal but to see what has happened after going in when our transmission went out trusting they would give us a good number outrageous number that's worth more than the vehicle itself but I don't know about you but I've never heard of a transmission rebuilder repair or replacement or whatever he was wanting to do was it lowball estimate of 6,500 to $7,200 has lost a lot of trust from that because I called four other mechanics places afterwards and none of them had any quote higher than 3,000 at the worst case scenario I don't see how that's possible to have a quote double the price of what anyone is Charging I will not be using this mechanic againServices: Transmission replacement, Transmission repair

  Ralphie
6 years ago
They wisely recommended a new radiator for my newly purchased used RV. Installed the radiator and I was very pleased with their work. Made it up the mountains and back home with no problems.

  LaRay Gillison
3 years ago
Stopped in to see if they could help me with exchanging license plates. The guys are awesome! Did it for me in just a few minutes.I'll be sure to come back for actual maintenance and any repairs needed

  Carly Montagne
4 years ago
Great service and reasonable prices. We've had a variety of services done by then on our cars over the years, from regular maintenance to major repairs, and they are always great

  Jeff Martin
3 years ago
Great crew! They are not over priced but they go by the book and don't try to oversell. I'll definitely be back.

  BrodieBro
7 years ago
They helped me out by installing my power steering pump pulley. Took them no time to do it and was priced right. Best place in town!

  Dan Scott
4 years ago
Excellent service very professional and friendly fixed my old 96 Nissan just great timely manner reasonable prices these are my go to guys will definitely be back

  Jeffrey Rideout
4 years ago
I've been taking my cars here for years. Always diligent and honest service. Highly recommended!

  James n miller jr
4 years ago
These guys know their business . Darrel is very helpful and reasonable. They do know how to do it right the first time. I would highly reccomend this place.

  Wendy Woody
5 years ago
Very honest place have car work onJack very up front had done had be doneDid pull fast on me he known he doingGood work jack

  Andrew Lisk
5 years ago
Great work, great prices, fast service and they even offered to drop me off and pick me up as I live in Lakeside

  Donna Schoolcraft
6 years ago
They're honest. They are good at communicating and they are fast. Prices are reasonable and work is done right the first time.

  Walter Potts
2 years ago
Marty keeps his customers informed and they do great work, at Lakeside Radiator.

  Bob Elkins
6 years ago
Have had my cars serviced or repaired here for years. Great place!

  Richard Robison
8 months ago
Very honest auto shop!!!

  Jolene Fukushima
4 years ago
This is an honest reliable auto shop! Great service and great prices!