Saddleback Automotive

Mike is honest. He has been in the auto repair game a long time, loves it, and the guy is flat ouit honest. His prices are market, but you’ll never pay for something you didn’t need or even get. We take our cars to Mike, one of which is under a Honda extended warranty. We took it to the Honda dealership and they did thier best to ensure we never returned. We took the van to Mike to get a second opinion. He said most of the items they said we needed that was not covered, we did NOT need. «Broken» motor mounts were not really broken. I appreciate Mike. He is honest and priced fair.

Mike is the first repairman we ever felt we could trust. He is honest and often tells us we don’t need work done! He never fails to do a great job, gets it done quickly, and very reasonably.

Mike and Saddleback Automotive were AWESOME! I had gone to him after being recommended by my boyfriend’s family, who have been long time customers, for a third opinion on my car.
The first auto shop I went to said there was nothing they could do and that my car needed to be taken to the dealership. After going to the Toyota dealership and receiving a $ 1400 quote, I knew I needed a third opinion.
Mike was amazing and told me straight up what needed to be done and what could wait and did the service at an extremely reasonable price. Needless to say he’ll be my go-​to body shop from now on.

Great man, person running his business. Extremely welcoming and with care. Will be taking my car there going forward.

Been going here for years. The Best around! Trustworthy reliable dependable and fair.

Who would spend $ 8K on a new engine for a 2001 Toyota Highlander? Me! Partially because I come from a generation that fixed things and kept them working. Mostly because I checked into trading my car in and spending my $ 8K on something else … Something else was absolute crap compared to my car. I love my car! Yes, it’s a 2001, it’s also a Limited edition with all wheel drive, heated leather seats, a 6 cd changer … and it’s paid for! I was offered between $ 200. and $ 6800. for my car and the same carmax location was charging $ 25K for the same year and color of my highlander, but it wasn’t a Limited edition, it didn’t have all of the features my car had. The cars they had in my price range would have been huge step down from my car and would have taken every penny I have, and I would have ended up driving a piece of crap! Like a used Hyundai or some old KIA there was nothing decent in my price range. What I did was the right thing — more importantly — I went to the right mechanic. Saddleback Automotive has Mike and the very best mechanic crew there is. They didn’t just replace my engine with a 3 yr warranty, they also replaced the seals, fluids, spark plugs, the radiator, and everything else in between. I might as well have a brand new car! Better — I have my car! With zero miles on it! I can’t promise you that your car with all the same work will only cost you $ 8K. I have no idea what your car needs or has wrong. However, I can promise you that you won’t find a better mechanic team, one that you can count on and trust. I have had decent mechanics, I had good mechanics. Now I can honestly say I am sticking with these guys at Saddleback Automotive in Lake Forest. Mike was honest with me — even when he had to give me bad news, he did what he could to bring down the price, and they did so much more than I paid for. They did work that was not added to the bill. I’m glad the mechanic I was going to refused to deal with my car this time. It was divine intervention that I found the right place. What a huge blessing. When Mike says «it purrs like a kitten» he wasn’t kidding! The mechanic that did all of the work came out to meet me when it was time to go — he was so cute — he leaned over cupping his ear & said «I can’t tell if it’s running!» I asked him «so are you the guy that’s put all of the blood, sweat and tears into my car?» He nodded yes with a big proud smile. he commented about «the bad sound» it had when I brought it in. It sounds like a brand new car now, mike washed it for me too, so it looked like a brand new car too. I’ve been out driving it around and it runs like a new car! I am so happy! I have tears in my eyes! So very happy! Why the hell would I trade this in for a piece of crap? When I can have my beautiful car like new? Now I have the very best mechanic! They will get my trust and my business forever!

A lot folks at my company use Saddleback Automotive and have only great things to say. I needed a new starter last week and Mike hooked me right up. He gave me a lift to work and called me a few hours later when the car was ready. No fuss. No surprises. My girlfriend brought her Passat in as well, and Mike took care of that at a fraction of what her dealership wanted to charge her.
Super knowledgeable and very fair. It feels good to know an honest mechanic in the area. Thanks SA!

Our family has been using saddleback automotive since 1989 and Mike has always been able to find the problem and fix the vehicles quickly. He is completely honest with what is wrong with your car and if nothing is wrong he will let you know. Being your car to saddleback automotive with the fullest confidence that your car will get the care it deserves.