Soapy Joe’s – San Marcos

Super great and easy simple car wash in San Marcos.
Make sure you come and dirty your car up really good… like I mean make sure your car reads some filthy magazines too because they do such an amazing job washing your car!
Granted it’s all done by a machine and then you do the rest once the car is done, but man, I could never get this when I’m at home washing my car myself. I think what’s nice too is that the water is used and if it needs to sent back out, it is treated before heading back out into the world!
Thank you so much to Soapy Joe’s for popping up all over San Diego county and making us drive with such beautiful cars! Also, be on the look out because they have HAPPY HOUR PRICING TOO!!!

This is your run of the mill drive through car wash. They don’t do much of the work here so the price is average and actually probably a little less because you don’t tip if they don’t wipe your car down or vacuum.
The teenager working there was extremely friendly. He actually ran out to me to warn me that the vacuums weren’t on because it was raining and he didn’t want me to spend money if that was my intent.
Come to find out a more veteran gentleman stated this to the rookie teenager and someone higher, I believe, redacted the statement. The young broseph ran out to me to let me know they were going to cut them on for me.
I was grateful because I needed to get my car vacuumed more than I cared to have it washed.
If you «enjoy» washing your car frequently they have a monthly unlimited price, I believe it was $ 30.

fast and easy, gets packed on rush hour, but all around easy to clean my car

I am a monthly member. I go to both the oceanside and San Marcos locations. I appreciate the great value; one price for unlimited washes. However, I gave them 4 stars because the basic wash never gets the car completely clean.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my SoapyJoes!!!
Hubby bought me the monthly wash deal– my car shines like the top of the Chrysler building!
$ 15/​month for unlimited washes… Free vacuum– what else could a girl ask for???

Thursday April 28^th at 11:43am. Im currently sitting in the «waiting room» and ive definately been waiting. 35 minutes and only 1 person has even noticed i exist. Spoke to the guy in the office and he said to wait for a «service guy» seen 4 of them walk by laughing and talking and again didnt even realize ive been waiting this long. One was standing next to me watching the tv. Im walking out. 0 stars if i could. Dont waste your time here.

What I love about Soapy Joe’s San Marcos. EVERYTHING. It’s an awesome place for a quick wash, with free towels and free vacuum. I bought a year pass so I can go whenever I need a wash. So cheap! I get an air freshener every time I come too. You literally have to go 3 times a month to be worth it, and I’d say I go almost 3 times a week.
This location is way faster than RB. It’s bigger, they offer more spots to vacuum, and you don’t see a bunch of free-​loaders coming in to use the vacuums. It’s a bummer when you come out of the wash and there’s no spots available to wipe down your car because someone decided to come in and use the vacuums (RB).

I love this place! The lines move quickly, the staff is helpful, and my car comes out clean. Free vacuum for customers is a plus as well. Basic car wash membership starts at $ 15 per month for unlimited washes.

Quick car wash, free towels, and free vacuum. The plans are a good bargain! $ 15 – 30 a mo

Unilocal reviews by David Lujan
Not interested in reading my full review — head straight to the bottom to see the ratings I gave this establishment:
Who: Myself and the kids
What: Car wash and oil change
When: Mid day Saturday
Environment: Very busy
How’d they do: Not well at all
Recommendations: Go to the dealership to get your oil changed. The dealership is cheaper and will have better service
Pros: You can get your oil changed and your car washed
Cons: They aren’t excellent at car washes or oil changes
My tip: keep driving — it cost me $ 84 doors for an oil change for my wife’s Honda minivan
Ratings 1 to 10:
Cleanliness — 6
Wait times — 5
Service — 3
Food quality and taste –N/​A
Restrooms — 2
Price (bang for your buck) — 2
Final and overall thoughts — Keep driving

I have come to this Soapy Joe’s several times and will not be going back! The quality of wash seems to be deteriorating, to the point now that it isnt even getting my truck clean anymore!
After the wash there is soap residue all over my truck and my rims are just as dirty as when I went in. I used to like the tire shine but the quality on that sucks too! I have complained and they did come scrub my tires, but when they are busy that guy cant be found.
Other than the air freshener I cant think why this place is worth the $ 20 they charge. NEVER GOING BACK!

I have been the biggest fan for this business for the longest time. And I also seek them out in other cities because of the services they provide to their customers. However times have changed in the recent months they have increased their prices taking away the air pressure option and lower the pressure on the vacuums. It’s also noticeable that when used to pay for their highest option they would scrub the front of your hood give it just a extra little touch to clean it up and now they just sprayed or not at all. I hope you gets better however it’s time to look for another option…

Oh my gosh!!! Excellent place to wash your car! I paid for the cheapest wash, which was $ 7 and got free vacuum and a towel to dry off my car as needed. I was offered an oil change for only $ 13 more. I was able to take my time with the vacuum, because no one was waiting. I didn’t speak to any employees, but I had an excellent experience. You can buy a monthly subscription and get unlimited car washes! Crazy! And they’re open until 8, oil changes until 6pm. Overall, excellent place. I will definitely be going back.

Came for a carwash, was pretty busy, 6 cars in a line. After a few minutes, a car comes up and skips the whole line right to the front! All of the people in line start yelling, and the attendant tells us that there are actually two lines! He just figured all of the people just wanted to wait for the one line (both lines go to the same place!). Apparently, 1 customer takes president over 6 others. Why wouldn’t the attendant tell the other people waiting if there was a completely empty line? Wasted my lunch break for this, I won’t be returning.

I’m not big on washing my car since it’s so time consuming so I always put it off. It had been awhile and my car was looking filthy and with no chance of rain in the forecast I decided to give Soapy Joe’s a try.
You drive up and pay at the machine where there are many service level options. I chose the basic $ 7 wash. You can add on air freshener and special microfiber drying towels for an extra cost ($ 2). An employee guides you into the car wash where your car is on belt and you move through the wash. After you get to the dryer, you can pull your car into a stall and vacuum and dry your car. If you don’t upgrade to microfiber towels, they do still have bins of complimentary towels at each station to dry your car and wipe down the inside of your car.
It was pretty busy on a Saturday afternoon, but I was in and out and left with shiny car. It was so easy and inexpensive that I won’t drag my feet anymore to wash my car. They made it hassle free! Definitely recommend.

Bought the monthly pass. Tried it once, terrible car wash. It is Not touchless. Scratched my paint on all sides and still left my rear end with dirt. 1 star for quick customer service response and refund (minus one wash).

Yes you have to dry and vaccum your own car; and the cost is a latte and bagel. So worth it, why make the mess of your driveway by dragging out the hose and making every towels dirty. Therapy is in detailing your own car and not have to wonder if the tired guy will get every spot the bugs you. The bonus the unlimited monthly option.

Looking for a full service car wash today. Went to Soapy Joes by accident. Very glad we found it. The service was great. Attendants were very helpful and courtesy. It was easy to use the self service vacuums, plenty of towels to dry. Would recommend you give it a try.

I go here every other day if not every day. I went for the 35/​month magic potion wash. Pull up grab my receipt pull up get my air freshener drive thru free vacuum and towels, sometimes the towels are damp but they get the job dunn, my girl’s love to help wipe my van down And use the blowing thing, my favorite do it you’re self car Wash.
And I love the fact that the guys will fold my mirrors in for me before I go through excellent service.

The best car wash place ever. I never liked car washes after one broke my front windshield on my brand new car, but Soapy Joes is the best. I live in Escondido, but I only come to this location because all the staff here are so friendly, helpful, and they all have good vibes! I bought the magic was monthly pass after going through the first time!

Great Concept– however no management of vehicle flow on any given busy weekend. I spent 15min waiting for a stall to complete the wash process. Other issue is the size of the stalls available-​they are undersized for any SUV or truck, creating issues with potential door dings which became a reality at my last visit! I am done with this place, hoping for same concept at the next level to emerge.

Good place for a quick car wash, free towels, and free vacuum. The quality of the wash depends on the one you get. They have plans where you can go am unlimited amount and pay between $ 15−30/mo. If you pay for an annual pass, you get one month free. This will be worth it if you live close to one of the many Soapy Joes in SD or you are obsessed w keeping your car looking clean.
The attendants working here will help you through the touch screen process. They guide you into the drive thru wash and then you are on your own after to hit up the vacuums and air compressors.
In the end, my car is looking clean and I can go back whenever I want. You will eventually have to clean your windows yourself as well as wipe off your wheels from brake dust.

I brought my car in to have a simple service performed on it the transmission fluid changed. They took my car for 1 hour came back and handed me my keys and said sorry we can’t do it we can’t find the fill plug for your transmission. This is the third incident I’ve had with this shop of incompetence. I won’t ever return to this shop customers beware.

I love soapy joe’s! Convenient, quick, has really good vacuums, and I love the adorable mascot!

We tried their membership, it was alright. The cars were clean afterwards, but not the details (in between the spokes on the wheels). One of their employees forgot to tape down our back windshield wiper and the whole assembly was torn off. They said they would pay for a replacement, but we got the run around every time we called in to customer service. After waiting for more than a year for them we paid for and installed the replacement ourselves. They never return phone calls and when they do answer, you are in the wrong, not their employees.

This is my fav Soapy Joes location! Conveniently close, accommodating staff and cleaning facilities, vacuum, cleaning rags, two different types of vacuum hoses, and a pretty great car wash machine that gets all the dirt off, etc.
I really like being able to thoroughly clean my own car, inside and out — it’s like therapy for me or something, lol. Soapy Joe’s has all the tools to get it done!
Also, I once had an issue with my monthly membership, and had to go in to speak to Mohammed, and he was kind enough to offer me a free wash, because I wasn’t able to do it before, while my membership was in place. I really appreciated that. Friendly staff altogether. Thank you Soapy Joe’s SM!

I went to Soapy Joes for the first time last week and I have to say I found my new oil change place.
They didn’t hassle me to change or try to up-​sell me in anything. It was quick in and out. Even got a free car wash with it.
Employees were courteous and helpful.

Updating my review. The vacuum works great again. Super happy. Love the smell after getting my car washed and the towels to clean and dry off are awesome.

Well now that I have a car again, she needs to be treated right. Soooo I got the monthly wash. Its cheap and easy, and who doesn’t like cheap and easy. Hehe For 15 bucks I get the drive thru car wash, and do it yourself vacuums and towels. I kind of like doing these things myself so if your more of a hands on kind of person this is for you. I have had nothing but good experiences with the services each time. Im a fan, for sure! I hope it stays this way.

When Soapy Joe’s first switched to a «drive thru do it yourself» place I wasn’t happy. But after giving them a try several times, I love the idea! There is such a shorter wait than at the full-​service place. Also, if I am in a huge rush, I can just drive thru and skip the vacuuming wipe-​down area altogether.
They also have a monthly pass price that lets you get as many car washes as you want. A great plus for someone who wants/​needs a clean car at all times.

I’ve been to this location a few times since my first review. The last time I was there, the manager lectured me about the type of oil I use for my car. I dismissed it because I figured he was trying to ‘upsell’ a female customer.
Today, the same thing happened with a different employee and his opinion was accompanied by a deep heavy sigh and an eye roll.
I left without an oil change and I won’t be returning.

My favorite place to wash my car! I really love how they have vacuums and towels to help you finish up the touch up for your car. It is pretty much do it yourself. Pick what type of wash you would like to get.
$ 6 for an average wash, then up to $ 18 for their «magic potion»
They offer clean rags so you can wipe off the excess water. As well as a thick vacuum and a thin vacuum to help reach in corners and tight places.
It does get pretty busy, and you might have to wait for a spot but I got pretty lucky.
A super clean car for really cheap !

I go here on a weekly basis now to wash my car. I have to say this place has finally improved over my last review. The guy who scrubs my car makes sure the tough dirt and bugs are off my car before I roll into the wash. The microfiber towels are now not as wet. Good job Soapy Joe’s San Marcos! You have earned five stars from me!

For the price it’s pretty decent. It
Can get crazy busy around 3−6… However if you in the morning like 10 am the weather is a bit cooler yet you dont have some one waiting for you to finish vacuuming your car.
They supply towels to wipe excess water which is nice but that’s hit or miss bec some times the towels are so damp but if you go to another bucket station u can get a a good dry one.
They have an unlimited washes for 15 bucks a month, a reasonable buy if u wash ur car every week and the cheapest wash is 6 bucks.

Es bueno por el precio 16 por mes las veces que quieras, super lo único es que las toallas huelen mal, pero llevas tus propias toallas es ok