Universal Complete Auto Care

(This is the same review I've sent off to the Better Business Bureau of Los Angeles.)



I've stopped by this general mechanic before since I rent out a small apartment in the Highland Park area. I drive a 2005 Acura TSX with 178,000 miles on it (at the moment). I used to stop by for oil changes or a used tire replacement and had no issues, other than the fact that the owner of the shop, Steve, would blatantly pig out on me even when I told him I wasn't interested. He'd ask me if I had a boyfriend (to which the reply is "No, and I'm not interested -- too busy and young to care."), if I'd had relationships before ("That's no one's business except my own.") and how I can't possibly be a single girl and enjoy some action on the side ("I just don't."). Yet I managed to still go here every four or five months for something a general mechanic could do that I felt needed to be done for my car because things were reasonably priced.



My car broke down on the I-5 South on Tuesday evening because of an electrical issue. I had it towed by AAA to the shop that evening and wrote a note on the dash telling the shop that I would be in the following morning to handle the repairs. That morning, he told me that I needed the alternator and power steering hose &/or pump changed. 20 minutes later, he called me saying I had an engine problem, so I came back. Their wrench couldn't turn to get to certain parts of the car, so that meant the motor seized up. They said it'd be $4k to repair. I freaked out (what an ultimatum!), so I asked if I could get it towed to my parents' the next day. They said that's fine. Before I left Steve wanted to know if the gentleman I was with was my boyfriend or not -- none of your business! (He was a great consultant for this issue, though. Generally it does NOT only take 20 minutes to determine that a motor is dead.)



I had the car towed to my parents' Honda specialist 34 miles away. Not just because they trust him, but I don't need any more tomfoolery at this point. Tired of being stranded. Turns out that I needed a new power steering hose, alternator, battery, timing belt and starter. The same day (Thursday) I drove home in a safe car with no harassment at the mere fraction of $880.



Go Harry at Honda Auto Star!



PS

This review was slightly changed with wording for YellowPages since they do not allow the blatant questions Steve asked me typed here.. too adulterous.