Ponderosa Auto Express

My thanks to Ponderosa Auto Express. I had multiple dash lights come on and make me afraid to drive my car. But who’s open on Saturday? Ponderosa Auto Express was.
1. They took in my car on a Saturday without an appointment.
2. They completed repairs that same day.
3. The charges matched their quote
4. They were friendly.
My Mini Cooper is back on the road and I am safe to drive again. Thanks Ponderosa!

These guys were awesome! I was coming back from Tahoe and my brakes needed readjusting in a pinch. Andrew was super helpful and explained everything thoroughly. I was out the door in an hour and a half for under $ 100. Great service!

My car was overheating so I went to the closest shop, It being ponderosa auto express. The man told me he would figure out what was going on and charge me for one hour of labor, unless they saw right away what the issue was (example: radiator leak) they wouldn’t charge.
I received a call later that the radiator had been leaking and needed fluid and in order to do an engine check they needed to replace the radiator for over 600 dollars. I decided I would bring the car elsewhere and came the next day to pick it up.
They made me pay 47.50 despite having not done any work and knowing my car needed fluid didn’t even have the decency to put a little in for me
And worst of all left the radiator cap off which would have been a disaster especially with my one year old in the car.
This place doesn’t care about people only money I wouldn’t trust them with any of my cars

Wonderful Shop. I have had 5 vehicles with Ponderosa over the years everything from Service to Radiator Replacement, to Window Motor Replacement. Shop has been on time, up front, fair with pricing, most importantly — the quality! high recommend.

Ok well after my first Unilocal review of this business the owner himself contacted me. He discussed the problem with me and apologized for how the situation was handled. I was told that particular employee would be dealt with. He did give me his word that if anything ever came up with my car again he would do his best to help me out. But to only deal with him directly. That if he wasn’t there, that he could always be reached. To leave a message saying it was me and his employees would get in touch with him.
I was a bit hesitant at first, but he did seem genuinely concerned about the situation and how I was treated. I recently, 4 days ago, called him because I was having a issue with my car. And dammit if that man wasn’t true to his word! Everything he said he would do, he did. I am truly pleased with how everything turned out. And it looks like it really was just 1 bad apple in the bunch. I love it when people can stay true to their word and I can stay local. Thanks James! I will come back again.

we had some differences about my vehicle, but me not knowing anything about the mechanics world, well we had a very nice conversation. The owner (James) was willing to make it right, (even though I was probably wrong) and being a business owner myself he impressed me on his character, that in itself says a lot about a person as well as a business owner… I believe him to be a straight shooter… well done James!

Ponderosa Auto always does a great job on our cars. James and Andrew tell us what they are going to do and if they find other issues, they always call, explain what is going on and get our approval before completing and charging for the work. We have been going there for years and are very happy with the service we receive from them.

I have been taking my 2003 F150 to this shop for several years. I’m a female but I’m far from dumb when it comes to figuring out there is a problem short of running a diagnostic test. I’ve changed my oil, filters, a couple hoses and the spark plugs that I can reach. (If you know this engine, you know what I am talking about) I take my truck here for regular lube service. This old truck is pushing 200k miles and the only major requirement has been the rotors. When these guys say change the fluid, I have them change it. When it is running rough and they say in needs a new coil wire, I have them replace it. When my rotors were shot because I’ve been towing horse trailers, boats and hay trailers for years with no tow brake, I change the rotors. I have done everything these guys suggest and it has never been unreasonable. If it can wait 3 – 6 months I may wait a few months so I can budget for the differential fluid. Having an older car is not cheap, but if you continue to keep it well serviced and are willing to accept that older vehicles need maintenance they will last even longer. The shop owner has been an honest, stand up guy. I have never felt taken advantage of, or disrespected because I am a woman.
As far as the negative posts on here, if you want to save a buck, have your friends do it in their garage. If you want run of the mill service where they get you in and out and could care less of the overall picture of safety for you and those in your vehicle, go to the big commercial shop down the hill. You get what you pay for people. I’ve compared the labor rate to a couple other shops in the area and these guys are competitive.
If I go in for an oil change I know that these guys do a once-​over and they will let me know if anything needs attention. It is in their best interests! Of course they are going to suggest something if it could be fixed or replaced, they are in the business of auto repair. This does not mean they are trying to swindle you. He is telling you this because if this were his car he would make the fix himself.
Local business owners support eachother, especially in El Dorado County. I don’t even live in the county anymore and I still have all my service done at this shop. They know my name and most importantly they know my truck. They know what they have done in the past and what will need to be done to keep me safe and rolling down the road.

This place is a rip-​off and a scam. I came here for the last few years and they seem to take advantage of repeat customers, especially women. I went for a wheel bearing on my Subaru and to check a leak in the a/​c unit. They charged $ 800 for the services. And after they «fixed» my a/​c, it was not working a few days later (still leaking.) I took it back and the guy (James) tried to convince me that they checked the system and could not find a leak. They «checked» it again, a process that took 2 days and still no leak. I took it to my friend at Mercedes and the problem was diagnosed and fixed for under $ 100. They are dishonest, rude if you ask «why does it cost that much?» and a true scam.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR HERE.

had my brakes done, they treated my wife and i very good, did the job quick and fair price.

I went there couple of months ago for a transmission service and flush. I left my car there for a service and when I came back that skinny guy on the front desk said that some transmission cooler line that goes on the top of radiator is split in line, and I gotta replace it immediately because it’s gonna start leaking soon and I’m gonna loose all my trans fluid. He said it’s gonna cost me $ 250. After that I took my car to a mechanic guy that I know, he does it at his home, so he took a look at that and he couldn’t find any damaged hoses, so basically everything was fine. But he wanted to check if some bolt or clamp was tight enough, so he checked it and it was loose. People, watch out for what they recommend you to fix, double check that with someone else if you can’t do it yourself like me. And one more thing. My trans fluid eventually started leaking I went to transmission shop and the guy told me that my transmission oil pan is too old and it needs to be replaced, I was wondering why, because I just had trans service recently, and they should’ve replace that, on what he just said «you just got a bad service, mam». This place can’t do their job right and they want to rip you off recommending to fix something you don’t need!

I forgot that I have tamper on my intake that it was supposed to take off plus there is no eo number on intake since I wrote it down on my paper and they never said anything and went ahead took smog test and failed. The reason why failed was because they saw that there are no eo number plus tamper and that’s why failed and forced me pay in full price. I even took my vehicle to king smog in el dorado hills, they saw the same thing and being honest told me that it will fail and not want to run the test til I fix it… Ponderosa auto express don’t care about you, they need the money, I even came back to finish the smog check and made me paid 38.25 as final price. Rippppppp offfffff.

If you own a foreign car do not take it here! I had just picked my car up from their shop, paid over $ 1800.00 in service on my Mercedes. I called them before I took to them to ask if they could do the required Service due and they said no problem, they have the same codes as the dealer. I trusted they new what they were doing. Only I left their shop and drove to Costco and as I was leaving Costco my car went dead and lost all power, so I coasted to the side of the road thankfully and had to call a tow truck. They said there was fuel all over the ground, and they were not going to pay for the tow. My car was running fine when I took it to them for the regular service, so somehow the fuel line clip had come off at some point, and my fuel tank showed half full of fuel when I picked it up and when I got the car back after they fixed from the mess. So had to add another tow charge on my already $ 1800 bill to them, it was no fun being stuck on the side of the road at night and I did not think I should have had to pay them for the tow. I will never go to them again, the boss wouldn’t even admit that his tech’s must have messed the fuel line up. I saw the clip and it looked fine, not sure what they did but they did something they were not supposed to do.

These guys are great. I always have problems with smog tests on my 4runner because its old. They go out of thier way to keep it as cheap as possible for me to get it completed. Said 4runner is now dead and I bought another truck. I had a question which was no concern of thiers and they came outside and looked at my truck and answered my question with a smile… no problem. I take my wifes car there as well. Highly recommended.