Robinson’s Automotive

These guys are the most honest guys I have ever dealt with in this business. To me, this is the most important when dealing with mechanics. On top of that they get the job done fast, and right the first time! I will continue to take my vehicles to them for everything! They are also awesome smog guys!

Great, honest, well priced shop. They service everything from engines to oil changes. Best place in town to take your european cars, or anything else. The service writer will even go out of her way to see if there are funds (grants, etc) that will help cover your repair bill. Very nice place.

New to town and our car was overheating so we took it in to Robinson Automotive, on a Thursday. They did the repairs without letting us know what was wrong and what the cost would be (most mechanics call with a estimate and ask if they should go forward) a $ 5 rubber gasket cost us over $ 120 which was fine. We were told that it was running great so we picked it up after they were closed on Friday. Less than a mile from the shop the check engine light went on and it stalled everytime we accelerated. So now it was running worse than before. My husband looked under the hood to find they left a tool (Really?). Going into the weekend without a car we left messages for other mechanics but my husband thought it was only fair to give Robinson Automotive a chance to fix it. They called us back Monday and said we could drop it off, when we arrived the owner was closing up. He was so rude I didnt even want to leave the car there. He blamed things on his staff. Does he not realize that people that work for him represent his business and he is responsible for them? My husband was really clear that they were to call him before any work was done. On Tuesdsy the office manager called to tell us it was a sensor and it would be $ 220 so we went ahead with the repair. They didnt have the sensor so we had to wait till Wednesday. On Wednesday we went to pick up the car only to be told our total was $ 350 wtf? The office manager all of a sudden had amnisam and didnt remember telling us $ 220. Almost $ 500 and a week without a car. Never trust a mechanic that says «see you soon» with a smile on there face. With many other mechanics in town dont waste your time with this one.

This is the place if you own a Ferrari
I was referred by my mechanic (that I have known for over 20 years) since he did not work on Ferrari’s and I am glad he did. I just got my Ferrari back from Stewarts Auto located in Sacramento and when I picked it up the car ran so bad that I had it towed to Robinson’s Auto for repairs. My Ferrari is a 1977 308GTB and has carburetors. I brought it in for a carb tune and ignition timing. After Marty took time to diagnose the carb issues it was found that a timing belt had jumped a tooth and half the engine did not have sufficient vacuum for half of the carbs to work. Also a previous owner of the car had one cam pulley replaced (of the four composite) and it was found that one of the composite cam pulley’s was deteriorating and was only a matter of time when the timing belt would have jumped off the pulley, causing severe engine damage. Marty caught all of this beforehand, saving me from major engine failure and cost. Marty changed all timing pulleys for new, new timing belts and tensioners, checked valve to cam clearance, installed all new valve-​cam-​distributor and valve cover gaskets, reset all the timing of the new electronic ignition and then tuned/​synced the carbs on his dyno to see how the engine was performing and the exhaust emissions. When I picked it up, the car was washed and Marty took me on a test drive to go over all the repairs and how the car was to perform with all the new adjustments. I have owned this car for 15 years and it has never ran so well. Marty’s labor cost was reasonable. When you own a classic you are always in some form of restoration state and this was a form of that. I like that Marty will work with people on restoring their car. He did not dominate my restoration nor bully me to fix things that I did not need. Ferrari’s can be finicky cars. Marty did outline and made recommendations for future work but most important, Marty gave me back a car that was not only safe to drive but running better than ever before.

First time at Robinson’s and the last!
Marty the owner is not a gentleman. He has absolutely no customer service skills.
Was told there would be no problem bringing my car back to my home when it was taken in for repair.
When I received the call that the car was ready, I was told there would be an $ 85.00 charge to bring the car back to my house. When I arrived to pick up my car, Marty started going off on me. Yelling prophanities.
Rebecca apologised for the situation knowing that she had not told me about the cost, which Marty confirmed while he was yelling at me. While he was yelling, I turned and asked Rebecca, where is my car. She told me and I started to leave the building. Marty followed me out of the building continuing to yell prophanities at me. Marty continued to yell and got into my face. I told the guy who was washing my window, «Thank you» and got in my car and left.
I will never do business with this shop again and I do not recommend that anyone take their vehicle there.

I have taken old cars and new cars here — even my all-​electric Tesla, and they always know what to do. Add great service to great engineers and you have a winner.

Robinsons did a phenomenal job helping my dad and I restore my 1966 MG. It came out of the shop looking brand new. Marty the owner has great work ethic and he’s great to work with!