Sparks Computerized Car Care

This one is a tough one. I really do not like to give low reviews. This is especially true when experience starts out good. Being new to California, I knew I had to get my car up to snuff (smog snuff specifically) I have an older year Honda from the snow/​salt Hell that is Ohio by way of Florida. (basically I lived in FL when I bought it, and moved back to Ohio which I never thought I would do, then again I moved to San Diego which I never thought I would do)…Was calling around for a few quotes and I liked that Spark’s was willing to forgo the $ 85 inspection fee on my vehicle (AWESOME).
My GF dropped the car off for the initial inspection. Mechanic mentioned my vehicle was heavily rusted. This was a surprise to me and I opted to give the CA mechanic the benefit of the doubt being that my vehicle was from OH and the little rust I have, is nothing earth shattering. Further, I was told I would need a new catalytic converter which I found surprising because my last trusted mechanic (friend from high school) back east told me it was the o2 sensor and not the converter. I did like however the price ($ 600) for a refurbished converter was much less than a potential $ 1000 I was quoted for new converter in Ohio. Side note, I had another local SD mechanic tell me I needed a converter but opted to shop around for the best price. I settled on going with Spark’s as I liked the waiver of the initial inspection fee and reduced cost for refurbished part. I believe they also had a good labor rate.
I ended up dropping the car off and was told I would get a call when complete. Call never came in, so I called and the manager told me he tried calling but didn’t get an answer. Anyway, the car was done so I went to pick it up. The manager told me the car was ready to go and even get the smog test. He said something to the effect of «they don’t put it on a dyno anymore» I didn’t know what this meant, it was something for the smog testing and he said I was ready to go.
I turn the car on and I hear this crazy noise rattling underneath the car. I go back in the office and the manager was like oh yea, its loud we couldn’t get it to fit exactly. Bring it back if it’s unacceptable and we will fix it. Ok, major red flag went up, anyway I told him I would be bringing it back but I wanted to get the SMOG test. Off to smog test I go. FAIL. What? The SMOG test gentlemen explained I needed to drive it for 50 miles first? Ok, there goes $ 30 I won’t get back ($ 30 thanks to a Unilocal coupon!). I go back to Spark’s and he states oh hell take care of the noise and even take the vehicle bag to smog test the following day.
Okay, so I wait the next business day. This time I do get a call. He went back to SMOG check, but I owe him $ 20 for the retest (this is after he told me it was ready for smog test). I bite the bullet b/​c I had a coupon for my original test as mentioned and figure the extra $ 5 is for my hassle. I go back out to the car and start it up and it sounds great. I put it in reverse and its rattling again.
Back inside I go. He said he spent several hours drilling out rusty parts and they just couldn’t locate the noise? At this point, I’ve lost trust. Why the past 2 times I have come to your shop you fail to mention the new noise to me before I leave? So I said to the manager that I understand you have a busy shop, but I just want the problem fixed. The noise was not present before it came here and it’s present now. If you need to take 2 or 3 days, please do so. I just want the car fixed the way it was.
The manager agreed and apologized. I left the car 3^rd time with the belief that if they fix it great, If not I am done. I received a call later saying that they hard to order a part (which I thought I would be charged for but was not luckily) but it would be ready after the weekend. The Monday came around and after working from home that day, I was drove in to pick it up. Much to my surprise I was not charged for this part and the car was not making any other noises. I had to ask if there were any other issues as the previous encounters problems weren’t explained to me I had to find them. The manager laughingly just said rust. At this point, I did not find it funny; I think he was tired of me returning my car by that point.
It’s been several weeks since then, but now the heatshield has started to rattle, which I can’t help but wonder if that’s left over incomplete work from this encounter. For now, I will put up with it or figure out a way to jimmy rig it myself.
All in all, this was a less than desirable experience for me. The multiple return trips for the same issue that was not even explained to me but I had to hear and find on my own and fixed only after the 3^rd return is what essentially makes me give such a low review. I wanted to give better feedback but the service just didn’t earn it.

I’ve had my car worked on at this spot many times!
Love this place!,
The owner Moe is a cool dude.
Ill be back anytime my car needs a fix.
Id recommend this spot to my friends if they were in need of a good reliable mechanic!
:-)

We’ve taken our cars here for years and are very happy with their work. Once or twice something has needed readjusting, but they are very quick to take care of any problems with no fuss.