IQ Auto Tech

There should be 2 – 3 reviews for this auto repair business: when Peter W. owned, and those who owned it after him.
4-​stars when Peter owned IQ, actually had two locations. This was closer to my office, and I could walk to work. Must be trustworthy b/​c my brother is an ex-​bf of the daughter. PLUS he was well-​trained from that famous auto school in Phoenix. Always received honest & professional service; never had recurring problems unless it was a routine issue like oil changes.
Peter sold his business to make improving his health a priority. I think he owns the mustard yellow smog test place called 16^th Street Smog. I TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT!
3 stars since the new IQ owner was not really from the auto industry. He also seemed professional. He’d call to update me, but it seemed more like upselling my repairs. Good thing I wasn’t in school at the time and had money to cover a few extras.
2.5 stars for the latest IQ owner (s): Oil changes were significantly less expensive; I was told the previous guy overcharged me. Service was friendly, and they advised me about repair issues that needed attention. Being frank and considering my limited budget, the prices seemed fair.
Turnaround time (at times 2 days) when they prev took one; a delay in getting the part was often cited as the cause. (No wonder accounting lectures emphasize cash flow!) The issue re: the motor from my driver’s side window has yet to be resolved, and I’ve taken it in 2 – 3 times now.
This AM I read a sign on the door: Business has moved to Fulton Ave.

I went there to have my brakes checked. When I called them to check on them they told me there was nothing wrong and it would be $ 70 for spraying a hose on them! I was so angry and told them I would pay no more than $ 30 for the few minutes it took to take of my front tires. They reduced the price, but I will never go back. They sure don’t know how to keep a customer.

wow. i don’t know why i’m having such bad luck finding a mechanic in sac. this is the third place that i’ve tried since moving here, and it was definitely the worst one yet. *sigh* =(
i’ve already taken my car in on three separate days to IQ auto and my problem still isn’t fixed! in fact, my car is in a worse state than when i brought it in. all i needed was someone to fix the temperature knob on my dash (b/​c it wasn’t turning). that seems pretty straightforward. right?
day 1: diagnostics. they didn’t have the part they needed, so they told me to come back the next day. so far so good…
day 2: i left my car there all day, and when i went to pick it up they hadn’t done anything (and they also didn’t call to let me know). apparently, they received the wrong part. super annoying, but maybe it was an honest mistake?
day 3: the knob twists now, but the air is only coming out of the dash (even when i have it on the setting to come through the floor). also, the clock doesn’t show and the turn signals don’t work (which i discovered on the freeway during rush hour). wtf!!!
i would give IQ auto 0 stars if i could. don’t come here unless you want to waste four days letting them break things that weren’t broken, and not fix the things that needed to be fixed.

This is one of the few places in town I trust wholeheartedly. There are not too many places in the grid that are willing to work on a Diesel Volkswagen Beetle; and out of those that are, there are not too many I would trust. IQ is an exception. I’ve been taking my Beetle there for the past two years and every time I go there, it has been a positive experience.
Usually, as soon as I hear a mechanic hesitate after explaining the problem, it’s a clear sign that they lack competence. It has been the exact opposite at IQ. Every time I approach them with a complex problem, they explain the likely causes and explain how they will arrive at a diagnosis.
Their estimates and prices are extremely fair and service is great. Their turnaround time, even for complex jobs, is usually a day or two, unless there is a delay in getting the part. John, the service manager, is extremely attentive and tolerates (although I shouldn’t take it for granted) all of my quirks and my wanting to be kept updated on every step of the process.
In general, IQ has gone far beyond my expectations every time I’ve needed them. If I could add a few more stars, I would.

Experienced Mechanic…