The Car Czar

Reviews

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

  Devildawg 0311
2 months ago
Been meaning to leave a review here, couple years too late though. I took my truck to have the power steering pump replaced. They replaced the power steering pump, they then took the truck to get an alignment and some other alignment shop. The alignment shop said I needed a new wheel bearing after they "aligned" it. Then after driving my truck for a few days it continuely had a whine when turning the wheel. Took it back and was told it would go away. Well I then had to move to another state a couple months later, which prevented me from getting down in Sacramento in timely matter, before their warranty was up. Since I couldn't get down in time, while I was noticing my alignment was still off. Took my vehicle to the Les Schwab where I live. Turns out the camber was off and my wheel bearings were perfectly fine. Then took my truck to a Dodge dealership. Turns out, the power steering was never bled and now I have to replace the power steering again on account of it failing. Two years after getting work done from this established and I'm already having to replace a shotty job that was done. You'd be better off taking the hit on labor fees from a dealership and getting a better warranty and clearly better service on your vehicles.

  Chim Chimney Technician
5 months ago
I have used a dozen auto shops in Sacramento. These guys are the best they have brought the best value and consistently have been the most knowledgeable and honest shop I have dealt with. I take my personal and fleet vehicles to them and I m thankful every time :)Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto brake repair, Engine repair, Transmission replacementServices: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto brake repair, Engine repair, Transmission replacement

  Trip Hosley
a year ago
Super service, super fast at a great price. We had a serious issue on a road trip to Tahoe and car Czar got us back on the road in our Honda Element in record time! We do t live close, but I'd go back in a heartbeat.

  Eric Jensen
5 months ago
I've been here a few times, timing belt, motor mounts, and just now took my old Honda in for squealing sound when turning right, was fixed for $45.00. Some hardware on my brakes was bent, they fixed. Never have I ever gotten my car fixed for under $300. If you have to drive old cars you know that finding a good honest auto repair shop is almost impossible, I found one.

  Briana Salazar
10 months ago
My mother-in-law went here a while back to see if they could replace a valve. The guy did that, plus tuned it up and fixed her rear window wiper for a VERY reasonable price - and fast! Just the other day she brought her car back to have them replace the starter. Again, he was super fast and charged under what her budget was. The thing she loved lost is that the guy brought her to the garage and explained stuff to her - who else is gonna do that?!

  Sheldon H
7 months ago
The workers here are always so nice and knowledgeable. They will explain to you what s wrong with your car in great detail. I always go here when I need any work done

  Lezlee Willems
a year ago
I still call this place for direction if having a problem, they are super knowledgeable about everything! I had a older car that they kept running till parts became unavailable and over those 30 years they saved me a boatload of cash! Now I have a diesel but they cannot help me with that.

  Carlos Castro
a year ago
Great Place Owner is Awesome went over and above my expectations and was even there later than usual working hours to get my car in safely so that it was indoors overnight so the work can be started the following day. Also stayed a few mins later than that to wait so he knew my ride arrived to pick me up. Talk about Customer Service if you need a great place this is it folks!!Newest update had some more work done and yes indeed still 110% effort and satisfaction achieved and value definitely still the highest I could have expected!Still the best place to take my car, highly recommend Jin to anyone that asks me for the best quality without the dealership price hike and run around.

  Connie Brenner
4 years ago
If I could give a negative 5 review I would! What a joke! I spent $3500 having repairs done only to still have issues with my car. When we first went in Doug (owner) was awesome and helpful. Things quickly turned as the repair time went on. He was extremely rude telling us over the phone I could sit here and talk to you or go work on your car . This was AFTER he told us to call him to check on the car. He continued to be rude and condescending there after. We finally got a call to pick it up only to get a call 5 minutes later that it wasn t ready. When we finally went to get it, the price of repair was higher than we were told with no explanation. We were also told everything was fixed yet here we are a year later with the same issues the car went in for. Since then we have found several parts/hoses not connected correctly. It clearly looks as if the car was sabotaged to bring back in for repair.People beware! Doug is a scammer!! I would NEVER recommend this place. What a waste of time and money.

  Jeanne Binky Randall
3 years ago
I am a new customer and came here by recommendation. If I could give these guys 10 stars I would. They're working on my son's car and have worked on mine. They are honest, reliable, hard working car guys that actually care about their customers. They gave my son a break on his repair bill as it was an expensive job, and they treated us both with respect and took great care of our cars. I highly recommend!!!

  Robin Questo
4 years ago
After many months and 2 other power steering pumps, your team was able to quickly and accurately diagnosis the problem. You have earned my business. I appreciate them by going the extra mile to ensure my car was working efficiently. And they completed the car early.. thanks again

  Kit Langstroth D.C.
2 years ago
I was very impressed with how flexible they were to get my vehicle in for servicing. The work was completed quickly and they gave us options on where to put our money to fix the issue. They were very honest and transparent. Yes, I would come back.

  RACK MAN!
5 years ago
I have to put my previous 5-star review and make it a 1-star, unfortunately. I took my truck back to their shop a total of 6 times after they rebuilt the transmission for $3,400 to let them get this right and it still isn't. After asking for them to rebuild it and get it right or provide a refund (I even asked for a 50% refund and was rejected). I used to really like them and I wanted them to fix it but after no resolution and quite honestly a ton of double-talk and nonsense and really gibberish (it was extremely strange) from Doug, I had to file a small claims action against the Doug and The Car Czar. I prevailed in court with my case and received the $3400 judgement. That was my last resort- I really wanted the Car Czar to do the right thing on their own. I would not recommend this shop for any repair after my last 11-month long ordeal.HERE'S MY ORIGINAL REVIEW FROM MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM OVER THE YEARS BEFORE MY LAST ORDEAL:These guys are great! After taking my truck to the dealership over the years and getting completely ripped off time after time with terrible customer service, it's so nice to find a shop with people I can trust!I'm extremely happy! Thank you Julio, Carol and all the mechanics! I'll be recommending you to my friends!

  Crystal Ulatan
3 years ago
Went to the Car Czar as it was close to my home and I d always heard good things about their business. Took my Jeep for the 60k tune up and an oil change. Not only did I feel the price was really high as it cost around $350. But was also informed I needed to do the rear shocks in the near future. He quoted me $800. Come to find out I don t even have rear shocks, I have struts. Took my Jeep somewhere else and they quoted me $350. I was shocked and knew right away I was taken advantage of for the work already done. Thank god I didn t go back for my STRUTS! I will be contacting the Automotive Bureau and filing a complaint.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Oil change

  Barbara Gavica
5 years ago
No stars is not an option: My fault. Should have taken the car somewhere else when the business didn t even open on time. But, I doubted my instincts and left the car here for repairs. I received an initial quote for repairs and waited for them to complete their work and get back to me. Two days later I still had not heard from the shop so I called them (it was a simple sensor change which should not take much time). They told me that they had ordered the wrong part and that they were working on ordering the correct one and would call me back with a new estimate. They never called me back with an updated quote. The next day they called me to let me know repairs were complete and that I could pick up my car. I get there, and they are charging me over $200 more than my original quote. In the end they charged me over $522 for a part that could be purchased from the dealer for $265 max, which means they overcharged me by at least $257 (maybe they were charging me for both the part they replaced and the incorrect part ordered?). Called back the next week to speak with a clerk who attempted to resolve the issue. The owner, on the other hand, does not seem to care about customer service as he has done nothing. When we have spoken with the owner, Doug, he has been snarky and unprofessional. We have since called several times and twice they have told us they would send out a check. It has been two months since this business was first contacted about overcharging and three weeks since they last said they would send out a check covering this price discrepancy. I have received nothing. I would caution others against doing business here as they are unprincipled and dishonest.

  Wayne Sand
5 years ago
Took my 98 Jeep Wrangler in for missing and stalling after I had already replaced the fuel pump. Got a call back later in the day that I needed new exhaust gaskets, intake gasket and valve cover gasket. I was quoted $792. I said that's a lot of money, will that fix my problem? "Absolutely, oh for sure". Picked up 3 days later, paid my $792, drove off the lot and didn't make it 2 miles before it stalled again. The diagnosis may be free but that's about all it's worth. $800 miss from shotgunning a problem. I can do that in my garage with YouTube without the bad attitude. Manager blew up and kicked me and my jeep off his lot at the hint that it was an $800 miss. I won't ever go back..

  Russ Fuller
7 years ago
Just picked up my Toyota Tacoma from these guys and had to post a review. This is my third time coming here with 3 different vehicles and every time I get the same thing1. Excellent customer service2. Quality work, performed by real mechanics3. Fair and reasonable pricing on their services.4. Quick Repair, every time less than 1 day to fix the problem5. The last 2 times they have dropped off my fixed cars to my homeI'm glad to have finally found such a great Auto Shop

  Travis Harland
5 years ago
Doug was very up front about my car concerns and helped put me at ease. The car czar has worked on 3 of our cars now and we get the best service at a very fair price and they are respectful of your time. 5 stars for sure

  Josephina Marquez
7 years ago
I've taken 2 different cars here in the past 2 years.The first car was a car that I bought and 6 months later it completely stopped running. This place took my car in and checked it out and told me the engine was blown and they weren't even going to charge me for the diagnostic. The second car I brought in had some valve that went out and they quickly fixed it and stayed in communication with me and my sister who lives in another state and a warranty was also provided with the part as well as Carol stayed almost 45 minutes after hours to wait for me to pick up my car. Recently with the same car Just these past few days my cars check engine light came on and I brought it in with the morning drop off service I've been busy all day and called to check the status and come find out the valve I had fixed last year went out and was still under warranty and they already had it fixed and waiting for me. This place is awesome & I will always be a customer and recommend anyone to the car Czar. Great service and awesome family customer service ! Thanks guys !

  Banita & Gary
10 years ago
Well I just want to Thank the Crew at the Citrus Heights shop for all the Work and Help they have given me with my car. I have had it there a few times First for New Brakes all around then for Struts replaced all around and then an Oil change they are the were so helpful and friendly. I have never felt so comfortable about getting my car worked on before. Brett and Carol were so helpful with the questions I asked and never made me fill stupid and all the mechanic were great. So Happy to give them ALL my service from now on. Thank You All Again!!!!!!!

  Frankie
3 years ago
The reviews are correct 100% . not trustworthyI took my car to get checked out because it was making a noise. My chevy rodeo back in 2019 & the owner was on Tv and sounded like he knew what he was doing. The guy said that after he was checking it some pieces broke off of the bearings and now I have to replace it in order to leave the shop which ran me about $250 that I didn t even have, what a rip off and the car was still making noise! RUN FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE

  Laura Redding
7 years ago
Amazing services and excellent care. I will not take my car anywhere else. I trust Car Czar, trusting a mechanic is huge and something I have not been able to do for a long time. I was raised by mechanics, my mother can take any carburetor apart and put it back together in minutes... I can eat of her engine, seriously it's that clean ~ it killed me that I could not fix my car myself. I had an amazing experience, they were so wonderful to me, made me feel at home and Carol explained everything in grave detail, it was necessary for we weren't sure the car was fixable. They fixed in a few days, a Timing belt on an NISSAN Xterra and kept me informed the entire time. I do not easily give five stars, I just don't. If I had the option I would double the stars, they get a 10 in my book and that's is unheard of. Thank you Car Czar, YOU ALL ROCK! Laura

  Dan Cotton
5 years ago
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY AT THIS PLACE!All hail the Car Czar, the mighty Car Czar. All hail Doug the owner. What a joke!!!Wish I could give zero stars!!!I have never met anyone as unprofessional, insincere and as disrespectful as Doug, the mighty Car Czar! According to Doug's view on customer service the customer is not permitted to speak or ask questions as to why work has not started on the car that they have had for 4 days now. And if you do attempt to speak he will continue to talk over you and say "I am not doing this" and when you express your frustration with being unable to ask questions he will tell you he is ending the call and to come pick up your car. GLADLY!!!Car was left with them Thursday, spoke with him Friday and initial observations on the sounds. Said he might be able to start himself Saturday on the car. Monday comes and goes, no call, no status update, no answer when we try calling. Tuesday, I call around 10:30am, told he should be in the office soon. Call back around 2:30pm, told he has come and gone and he should have an initial diagnosis Wednesday by 3pm. Call Doug on his cell, understand he had a sick child, I get it, life happens but as I try to explain I am just looking for some communication he starts getting defensive. If he didn't have time to get to it, that's fine, but let me know. He also LIES, says I told them to not contact my son (his car), I never ever said that. We shared a laugh with the call Friday about me paying the bill but NEVER, NEVER told them to NOT contact my son.He attempted to make me feel in the wrong for calling and asking about a status update and he proceeded to try and lecture me on how he tries to run this as a mom and pop operation. What in the bleep does that have to do with letting me know there hasn't been a chance to look at the car yet??? I guess that is one approach to customer service, but if you want to run this as a mom and pop, word of mouth advertising is one of your best avenues for new business. I think based on my experince and the other reviews I see that there will not be a lot of new business coming your way, just my opinion...Needless to say I picked up the car within 20 minutes. I will not give them any of my business from this day forward. Had taken various cars to them for the past 5 years and always had a good experience. They will never get the chance to earn my business or get another dollar from me ever again. Use your own judgement but the bad reviews you see are real.

  Karen Parker
3 years ago
Took my CRV in for a much needed AC service. They figured out the problem and had it fixed within hours same day and at a good price. The guys at the shop were all great to deal with. Thanks.

  KA I
5 years ago
I took my father's 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII to the El Camino site. I did so because of Doug's reputation in Sacramento and knowledge of car repair. He and his mechanics did not disappoint me. They babied my late father's car and just went over and beyond. I am so pleased I went there and I will never have another shop work on that vehicle. Thank you Doug! You guys are awesome!

  Dylan Dibble
3 years ago
Came here on a recommendation and was glad I did. I got quick and friendly service, an honest diagnostics, and a great price for the work needed! I'll be coming back for all the work needed in the future for my vehicles.Service: Steering & suspension repairService: Steering & suspension repair

  Spencer Thomas
6 years ago
It s great knowing you have the best of the best on speeddial. I made a stupid choice with my car and just knew it was cost me a bunch of cash to fix it. Call Doug and his team at Car Zar and car was in at 7:45am and fix and out at 8. These experts Doug has gathered in one spot are incrediable. If you have a problem and want it fixed without the run around. This is the spot to bring your car. Thanks to all the great staff at the El Camino location!

  Cheyanne Christoff
5 years ago
DO NOT GO HERE. I got my car back.. Had a diagnostic done last Monday. Wednesday I turn it into them to get it worked on(so I thought). The owner tells me they'll start on the diagnostic. I informed him they already did one Monday Friday comes around and I check on it. The owner says something about getting a welder.then Monday comes I get a call from them. They hadn't even started working on it And they tell me it's going to be 4,000. Apparently the whole time they had it,they were only doing a diagnostic on it. Which was a lie. Because they did it last Monday! I tell them to do what they originally quoted me. I get my car back. Same problems with it! Still shaking bad like it's about to die out,no horsepower, check ingine light flashing constantly. They also tell me that the catalysts can be damaged if I don't fix the ingine problem. So they started on the cats when they should of done the engine miss fire problem FIRST, then the cats.they just get over on people,very unorganized,not honest,waist of time.And I missed a total of 4days of work because of my car being in the shop,I have no other car so my job suspended me. It was a mistake to come to this shop!

  Liquid Skybot
3 years ago
i also saw Doug on Good Day Sacramento and thought wow what a great guy and he is on the local tv so he must be good or people would know very quickly. HAHAHA what a joke, i asked for the AC to be fixed then when i get the bill it was for a water pump, I asked why the water pump was worked on but nothing was done to get the AC working . They told me that the water pump has to work first, then the AC can be worked on.Why would you tell me you will fix my AC only to supposedly replace my water pump and never even mention the AC or work on it. I think all the attention from being on TV gave them far too much business to handle or they are just completely incompetent , either way do not trust these guys with anything except maybe putting air in your tires or changing your windshield wipers. do not trust them just because they are on TV because they are not good ,honest, or polite. Stick to Midas or one of the other PROS!!!

  Judy Chandler
8 years ago
Had whistling noise under my hood...lots of places were booked for the next several days, including Car Czar Citrus Heights location. They fit me in at El Camino even though they were swamped, diagnosed and repaired within a reasonable time frame. I was able to wait for my car even though I had no appointment. Awesome customer service.