Cavanaugh’s Auto Care Center

I’ve been going to Gabe’s for years — it was Cavanaugh’s before — Gabe bought it. He and his crew do excellent work. HIGHLY recommended!!!

I started using Cavanaugh’s Auto Care Center after Holder Ford in Sonoma closed; they are about a block further east on West Napa Street (Highway 12) from that former auto dealership. The place is medium-​size, with its own lot where generally parking isn’t difficult. The shop is run by Michael Cavanaugh, who has an impressive number of specialist certificates on the wall.
They do good work, all makes. You can get a convenience drop off in the morning to a local destination if you schedule that with them in advance. Their hourly rates are less than what the former Ford dealership charged when working on my 1989 Ford Crown Victoria, and they were especially resourceful in finding a high-​output alternator that I wanted for my «vintage» vehicle.
The shop is crowded with cars and lots of test equipment, and sometimes there is no one in the office, and you have step into the shop area to get Mike’s attention. But like a busy diner, a busy auto repair shop is its own best advertisement.
I wish they would open at 8 AM rather than 9 AM, though.