Cowden Automotive

Cowden automotive fixed my 2005 TBIRD when nobody else could fix it. They are a great company

This was my first experience with Cowden Automotive and it was so great that I wanted to write a review. My 2006 Volvo V50, Inga, was getting close to her big, expensive timing belt replacement service interval. I knew from getting quotes and perusing forums that this would not be cheap, and the quote I got from Paul seemed right in the ball park, plus there were such good reviews, I had just done my taxes and knew what I could spend so I said: «Bada Bing!» and scheduled the work.
Wow, are they pleasant to work with, warm and friendly! Also the service went off without a hitch, it was pretty major work and it was done on time for the amount quoted! The shop has a nice vibe and I’m very glad I had the work done at Cowden! The reviews are right, they are a great shop!

I’ve been coming here for at least 20 years, and have always been very happy with their ability to diagnose whatever issues my car was having, their pricing, and their helpful and courteous service. I trust Cowden implicitly. Honest and trustworthy.

Where shall I start? Paul Cowden and his team have been my mechanic for almost 20 years. I recently moved from the Bay Area to Seattle and was not sure where I would find a mechanic as kind, detailed, thorough and fair in Seattle as Paul. My 1999 Toyota Rav 4 suddenly has had some troubles and I did some research and found a mechanic in Seattle. When I took it in, the estimate was $ 1,400… Yikes! Much of what was quoted was work I thought was recently completed by Cowden.
Well, I didn’t have my «car file» which Paul so carefully keeps on your car so I took a chance and called him to see if I needed all this work that was advised. First, Paul was incredibly kind to take my call as I no longer work directly with him since I moved to Seattle. But alas, Paul always goes above and beyond with service and discussed with me what the new shop in Seattle was advising compared to what work I had recently completed in May. As always, Paul and crew are incredibly thorough and complete and he found all my information on past work completed on his computer and shaved the dollars off my estimate. Now, how many mechanics do you know that would help a former customer who doesn’t even live in the area? Paul was that guy.
If you are looking for a wise, organized, fair and honest mechanic, Cowden is the place. You will always know up front what to expect cost wise as well knowing when you drive out that your car will have the best service and complete work needed. Paul even helped me sell a truck I had 10 years ago. I can not recommend Paul Cowden and his team enough for their good work, honesty, fair price and kindness. I miss them but it was amazing to know I still am part of the Cowden family even though I now live in Seattle.

It’s been 30 years since I’ve been here but my car needed immediate attention. Once again Paul and William took us in immediately and fixed the problem. I live 200 miles away… but this garage I used faithfully when I lived in SF for the 20 yrs. They are sound no nonsense crew that do acceptional work. I am actually coming back in a few weeks to schedule some major work! Thank you guys for making my life easier!

The absolute best. …these guys are honest and reliable. You won’t be disappointed in my opinion. I used Hans Art previously and there is no comparison.

Best garage experience I have ever had. Honest, informative, prompt and fair. Good not recommend them more highly.

Have been going to Cowden for over 10 years, for a variety of different issues, and I’ve always been satisfied. They’re friendly, helpful, honest and knowledgeable. That’s about as much as I feel I can reasonably ask from a mechanic.
They’re conveniently located a few blocks from Bart in SOMA and Paul Cowden is just about the nicest person you could work with. (Everyone in the shop is friendly.)

It gives me no pleasure to write this review, because ever since I bought my first used car Cowden has been my go-​to place for repairs and maintenance. Paul and his crew have never been less than cordial and professional in their dealings with me, and they run a very efficient ship. They did a great job of keeping my Subaru and Nissan warhorses running smoothly in the past.
But…
It has to be said that the quality of their work has gone downhill for me over the past few years. Last year I was getting a «check engine» light on my Subaru, so I dutifully brought it in for inspection. No problem, Cowden said — just a malfunction in the light. Well, no, because a week later my car conked out in Tahoe in the dead of winter, and it turns out there was a leak in the transmission line. Okay, one mistake, it happens to everyone (although it wasn’t too pleasant having to wait until Monday for local repair shops to open and pay $ 300 in repairs). But then a few months ago I brought in my Nissan to check out a wonky fuel gauge. As per custom, they called me up soon after I dropped the car off with an update: No problem, we have a new fuel gauge for you, this will solve the problem. $ 300 in parts and labor later, I have a new fuel gauge, and it’s still wonky.
Bottom line: These guys might charge a little more than some, but in the past their service and honesty was well worth the extra $. Now I’m not so sure.

I love these guys! Paul and his team take great care of my car, the service is great and they are just all around nice people. Totally trust their recommendations and have every confidence in their work & their opinions. They are honest, fair, good-​humored. They made referrals to other vendors (eg body shop, dealership etc) when that was what I needed, and they referrals were equally solid.

I love these guys!
I have had a few cars since 1990, and Cowden has helped me with all of them. Paul runs an efficient, honest, and clean shop (you could literally eat off the floor!). I started taking my car to Cowden when I was a student and broke, and Paul was great with helping me figure out the lowest cost options. I brought in second hand cars for him to check out before I bought them, and then his shop helped me keep them ticking along nicely — one for 16 years!
His employees stay forever because it appears that he is as good to them as he is to his lucky customers.
And ok, this really shouldn’t be a factor, but he totally cried when his old dog finally died.

When it comes to auto repair people are always critical about what is actually wrong with their cars. I have had my own share of not trusting mechanics that i have worked with in the past.
I have been going to see Paul at Cowden Automotive for 4 years now. In the 4 years i have never had any issues with them. They are the the most honest and trustworthy mechanic i have ever worked with. I would highly recommend them to any of my friends.

I’ve been going to Cowden for almost 13 years. Paul and his crew are 5 stars well earned and well deserved.

I’ve been taking my cars to Cowden Automotive for over a decade now and wouldn’t go anywhere else. They’ve worked on my ’84 Rabbit, my ’95 Mercedes C280 (which still runs like a champ!) and just got their hands my ’06 BMW 325i for it’s first out of warranty repair which Paul did for $ 300 less Weatherford BMW’s quote.
If you’re looking for an honest mechanic who does great work at fair prices I don’t think you can do better than Cowden. They won’t do unnecessary work (I was pretty broke when I had that Rabbit and they’d do the bare minimum to get me back on the road) and can help prioritize what needs to be done versus what can wait.
My only complaint is that they’re closed on Friday but I suppose I can’t hold «work-​life balance» against them. Still, would be nice to at least have a staffer there to receive and return cars on Friday.

I’ve been going to Cowden Automotive for several years now based on a good friends recommendation. I’ve never regretted it! Paul, the owner, is honest and friendly — not to mention knowledgeable. You won’t regret going here!

Not the cheapest but not the most expensive– by a long shot. Auto work is like sushi– never go for the lowest bid– especially when the breaks are involved !
I spoke with who I assume was the owner on the phone I made and appointment to get my breaks fixed (2003−325Ci). I knew what needed done because the car had been looked at and I had a few quoted from other places, including a ridiculous quote from SF BMW. He told me he would order the parts and when to bring in the car. Now time is tight for me, I’m missing work to bring it in, same old story from everyone, right? I dropped it off, he had the parts there. He told me when it would be done and I arranged to be there to pick it up. So when I get there the bill is much LOWER than I had been quoted. He explains that the back breaks didn’t need replaced, so he didn’t replace them. Remember now I had been to 2 other places and both had taken off the tires to examine the breaks and told me I needed all 4 replaced. I didn’t think this was unreasonable because I had already had the front ones replaced some time ago and everyone knows the front ones wear out much faster than the back. So even though I’m really happy not to spend twice as much, I start to think and I gonna be back here in a month or two getting the back ones replaced, remember time is tight for me– so if it was even a close call I would have said just replace them. It turns out that the back breaks were no where near needing replaced, not even close, and the two other places were just trying to rip me off. Now I’m really happy just having saved a few hundred $$. I was worried that he would charge me for the trouble of having to buy the break parts and then return them when they weren’t needed. remember I was the one who told him what parts to order. So it was my mistake. He told me there was no charge and to have a good night, oh did I forget to tell you I was running late and this was all after hours.
— Reasonable prices
— HONEST work
–Friendly /​Easy to work with staff.
–Easy location for me
’ additional comments– I just called them today– Paul is the guys name I think he’s the owner. It turns out he doesn’t have the computer to diagnose my cars problem. Most places would just take my car, drive it to a nearby shop or the dealer with the computer find out what is wrong. Then repair it and of course pass the charge for this run around along to me. Instead he referred me to a nearby competitor of his who he says will treat me fairly. I’ll be back, hopefully not too soon.

Love these guys

The best mechanic shop… period.
Paul and his crew are friendly, honest, and well, they just do good work. I have been going here for years upon years… over 15? They have worked on all of my imports (no americano here), now on the fourth vehicle…
They will not rob you blind or do work that is unnecessary. Paul will show you (on actual parts) what your issue is and dumb it down so even a 10 year old could understand. It’s not an act, it’s so you feel good about the repairs being made.
I highly recommend !

Paul Cowden and the rest of the gang are Cowden’s are outgoing, friendly, and, most important, honest. Paul has an excellent way of breaking down and explaining confusing automotive problems without being confusing or too technical. It gets a little busy, so it’s best to drop off right after they open; believe me, it’s worth the wait!

I just moved from the NY/​NJ area and found Cowden on the net and seeing the reviews., I just held my breath and hoped they were true. While two other mechanics back east told me my 99 4Runner needed a catalytic convertor, the prices were way out of line, as were the wait times to get the job done. (The Toyota dealer wanted $ 1200 for the work and the indie shop wanted about $ 600.)
Now only did Cowden take me without an appointment, they even took it next door to get the smog cert. The job was done on time and for less than even the East coast indie.
The only fly in the ointment is that my radio no longer works (I think a fuse got blown. But who knows what happened…)
Paul is great, Hector is great and I think I found my mechanic in San Francisco.