Japanese Car Masters

So here it goes. I call up Jeff and I’m like, «Yo!, your reviews are fucking awesome and I’d like to schedule an appointment». In the coolest manner, he shrugs the compliment off his shoulders because that’s just how he rolls and proceeds to set the appointment. Unbeknownst to me, his shop is situated in the back corner of multiple shops. If you set an appointment with JCM make sure you give your car to the right mechanic. I accidentally gave my car to the wrong shop (Japanese Auto Plus). It’s directly in the front but it’s not JCM. However, Jimmy’s customer service and understanding of my mistake was super cool. Jimmy is an awesome dude! After the confusion cleared, Jeff hooked the car up! No more leaks, the engine was clean, mounts replaced, new breaks, and he even gave me this awesome warranty covered all over America. God bless you Jeff! You deserve a steak dinner, some craft beer, and $ 100 in 1’s so you can make it rain and give them to the, well, never mind, we’ll take about that in person. Anyways, his reviews are an understatement of his exceptional service and professionalism. I’d definitely recommend this place. God Bless America!

Japanese car masters is one of the most HONEST places I have been to. I have since brought Jeff the owner all 5 of my cars. I will continue to tell people about this place. It is hard to find good Mechanics. Jeff is the best mechanic I know.

After my car started making a strange noise, A friend recommended taking it to Japanese car masters. Jeff was so informative and most importantly HONEST. I felt confident leaving my car in his hands. After telling me I had a water pump leak, I was worried about a huge bill, but found his estimate to be incredibly reasonable! It took a day to fix, and I loved that he called me multiple times to give me updates and let me know when to pick it up. Thanks to Jeff and Japanese car masters for making a generally painful and expensive process simple and stress free! Will definitely be bringing my car back again, and recommending them to all my friends.

My Prius air conditioner wasn’t blowing so I headed over to this spot after seeing some good reviews on here. Service was very friendly and fast! I was in and out of there in 90 minutes with a new blower motor and without the need for an appointment.

The price is reasonable and the service is fast!

They did a great job quickly and kept me informed the entire time. Went above and beyond. I would recommend this shop.

I am an independent auto broker with years of diagnostic and repair experience but I still need the professional services of a Professional auto repair shop. Jeff Arkin has that experience and delivers his service honestly and professionally. Jeff has always hit the mark on my vehicles, properly diagnosing them, properly servicing and repairing them and doing both at a reasonable cost. We all know how hard it is to find a good mechanic, Jeff’s shop and experience will have you referring your friends and family to him. I trust him with everything from my work truck to my Porsche 911. Thanks Jeff!

I took my 05 Honda here because I have been trying to get my car to pass the Smog Check for weeks. Because I recently had to reset my car’s battery, the smog check monitor won’t show the catalyst. I was told to «drive a certain way for a period of time» and I’ve attemped to do that but no luck. I finally was fed up and I took the suggestion of my guy at Smog Test Only Center (other side of the building) and took my car here to let the pros do it so I can submit my payment and get my registration renewed.
I was able to speak to the guys and leave my car here for them to work on when i go to work. The guy straight up said it’ll cost $ 85 to fix it without really knowing the exact issue. I thought the price is a bit steep per pop especially it’s a matter of driving my car a certain way. I saw that they maybe drove it for 15 miles and was able to get the monitor to show up within an hour or two. While I was glad that my problem was gone, I feel as if this wasn’t the job that worth the entire $ 85. The staff was friendly but I really wish this specific job was a bit cheaper, especially given the situation. I was able to return to my smog test place and finish the smog check with them. This was the most expensive year for registration and related fees for me! (and there was not even anything wrong with my car! Just mechanical issue on the monitor side)
Good service and shop, but I’d recommend to come here for real issues on your cars. My cause wasn’t worth the cost I paid.

I recently had my 125,000 mile service completed by Japanese car Masters. I was warmly greeted and was happy to find a very clean shop. Before the work was performed I was called and advised of the cost for all parts and labor. I gave the go ahead and when I picked up my car I was made to feel appreciated for the opportunity I extended to have my car serviced by Japanese Car Masters. Because of this wonderful service and the professional manner in which I was treated, I will continue to take my car there for further needs.
Bobbi C.

Japanese Car Masters hooked it up for me. Not only did they do a great job, but the owner is really cool. Great at relationship building and definitely someone who genuinely likes to serve the people of San Diego through his shop.
Thanks Japanese Car Masters!

I just drove my car across the country from South Carolina to San Diego this week and desperately needed an oil change. The (new, as of 2 months ago, I believe he said) owner let me bring it on the same day I called and he was so wonderful! He was very friendly and knowledgable, and didn’t offer maintenance I didn’t need, like some shops I’ve been to have. I’ll go back to this place in the future, for sure!

I had my 2005 Prius air conditioner fixed by Jeff Arkin at Japanese Carmasters and I’m already a big fan. Japanese Carmasters is only a couple blocks north west of the former Furniture Pyramid on Carroll road. It’s kind of hidden but there is a big sign in Red and screaming Yellow pointing to the entrance round the side of the industrial block it’s located in. Jeff Arkin the new owner is a native of San Diego. He has been in auto service most of his life. A local of the beach communities he has the big grin and warm sincerity and honest sensibilities of a true San Diegan. Considering he has experience with Japanese makes (and in fact all makes of cars) I thought I would give him a try and he did a great job replacing the unusual type of air conditioner in my Toyota Prius. He brought in the repair under $ 850 including a compressor re-​gassing and other parts. The compressor is electric not like in most cars. He helped me find one online that was decent and did the installation perfectly without unnecessary steps that could have been very costly.

Hands down to you & your crew, sir!
My boyfriend got his car’s oil pan changed, tune up, & oil changed here. For a very reasonable price. We went to a couple shops for price check and was charging us double the price. So thankful to have listened to my brother’s advice and brought the car here. We couldn’t say enough good things to this shop!
A friend of ours was complaining how his «auto-​mechanic friend» was charging him $ 1,800 to get his van fixed. (Can’t even pin-​point what the actual issue is). Told him about this shop. Charged him $ 800 with extra things done, ZERO charge. He even dropped him off & picked him up all the way to Chula Vista!
Will definitely recommend this shop to everyone i know!
Tips: Double check the name of the shop. There’s another shop in the same compound with «Japanese» name.

My first experience here was great. On my way to LaJolla and my hose to the oil cooler comes off on my 2008 Nissan altima. ASAP towing picks me up and tells me about a mechanic. I say ok let’s check him out. It was close to closing time when the tow truck driver and I arrived, but without hesitation they reclamped the hose and it only cost me $ 60. Every since then I come here with all my vehicle problems. I even show up here in my active duty uniform with no worry of being cheated or taken advantage of.
I was getting ready for a long road trip to Texas and they inspected my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer from top to bottom to make sure it was suitable for the trip. Only $ 50. This is an EXECELLENT shop to get vehicle repairs done for a fair price. They do not do wheel alignments. Besides that I can’t say anything bad.

Don’t go here!!! My car died as I was about to get off of the freeway on a Friday at 5pm. My gas light came on, but I was not out of gas. When the tow truck came, the driver convinced me that I had to go here to fix me car. Saturday I got a call to come get the car and the guy was rude and bossy. I came to get the car to find out that he found nothing, but repeatedly told me to put gas in it like I was a stupid girl who had no idea that I needed gas. I let him know that I had gas and that the gas light had just come on which was why I was pulling over. The car ran fine until that Monday after work when it died again with a full tank of gas. Better believe after paying more than $ 80 for nothing I will NOT be taking my car here ever again.

These guys are fantastic! Anything I need they always take care of me and my husband. seriously the nicest guys and HONEST! When you find a good mechanic you stick with them! and that is what I’m doing!
I won’t go anyplace else! They won’t BS you!
Thanks guys!

Excellent service and price.
I’ve been going to another shop for my car for years, until I had a problem and the tow truck driver recommended I try this place. I couldn’t have been happier with the very reasonable price they gave me for a new starter and the owner was a great guy with a very lively personality.
I’ve found my new shop for years to come. Even threw in a free car wash!

Brought my 1990 Honda into them, they did a great job working on my clunker, and even told me what else I should do to improve the running of my vehicle. They did a great job at making me feel comfortable and never pressured me to purchase anything that I didn’t need. Manny, the mechanic that worked on my car, did a great job looking it over and making sure that the car was in good standing shape prior to handing my keys back to me. I will keep going back, not just for comfort that they aren’t giving me the run around but the fact that the price was perfect and in my budget. Kudos! Thanks guys for making sure I’m driving a safe vehicle!

Had a wonderful experience working with Larry. Very friendly customer service. Thought it was going to cost an arm and a leg and turned out to be just a fuse. I appreciate their honesty and not trying to rip me off. They even marked which fuse blew and gave me a box of fuses to take with me. Got the job done next day!

I came into this shop to get an oil change. I was greeted with a friendly and courteous smile and attitude.
The service man took my car in and inspected it for other issues (which i knew i had a lot of) but was only kindly reminded of them. (at no time did I feel pressured to purchase other services). I waited in the lobby while the oil change was being performed as I flipped through magazines and the TV. I was even offered refreshments and candy.
It’s a mechanic shop in between many other mechanic shops in a building across the street from the Pyramid (Where Ashley Furniture was previously located) on Miramar Rd. Check it out. They’re friendly, fast, and very reasonably priced!