Marina Auto Paint & Body Repair

I seem to have been much luckier than J D. On a recommendation I took my Miata to Marina have a dented door repaired. They seemed to have done an excellent job on matching paint and such. I have since sold the Miata, but the work held up for as long as I had the car.
When someone dented the front fender and passenger door on my Tacoma, I took my truck in to Marina because I was satisfied with the Miata. I’m still satisfied with the work they did on the Tacoma.

After being rear ended by a drunk driver, I took my car here for repair and repainting. Within a month cracks appeared in the repainted rear bumper, three months later the cracks spread across the entire bumper and the paint began to flake off completely. I took the car back thinking they’d immediately see the problem and arrange to correct it. Instead I was told that they wouldn’t fix it, that the cracking was due to other cars tapping my bumper when parking on the street. Isn’t that what a bumper is for?!
In short they told me that all cars bumpers flake like this (as if I’m blind and stupid). I’ve looked far and wide for any other car on the street with this problem and can’t find even one. They lie rather than stand behind their work. I would never take a car to them again. Not sure what I can do now, once the check is signed over, they’re done with you so caveat emptor!

Some may consider the term «honest mechanic» to be an oxymoron — a pipe dream that never comes to fruition. I would like to point out that there is one exception to this stereotype: Leonard at Marina Auto Body.
Here’s my story: My fiancé was in a car accident (total loss) but she was excluded from my policy (long story). Because of that, my insurance company refused to cover her, the car or any of the fees associated with the accident (the other driver was completely at fault). Needless to say, I was in a pinch.
I looked on Unilocal and found an auto repair owner, who referred me to Leonard’s body shop. Because of SFPD’s lack of response to my request for a police report (3 requests and still waiting), I couldn’t get the paperwork to have my car taken to salvage (as well as get paid of for it). Leonard saw my situation and helped me out tremendously.
He worked with me and my insurance company to negotiate terms that were favorable to both him and me.
I would just like to say that Leonard and those at Marina auto paint and repair have displayed the highest levels of integrity, honesty and professionalism that I have ever experienced with an auto body shop.