Christensen Automotive

Eek! Methinks not! Must be a good olé boys club that women aren’t allowed. Not very personable or interested in help the customers

When I need service on my Lexus I’m always a bit tenuous about not going to the dealer, but for obvious reasons I want to support local businesses. Looking at the reviews I noticed the number of really positive comments following the owners statements about cleaning up and guaranteeing service for the SLT shop, so I decided to try them. Boy am I glad I did. They were everything you want when getting your vehicle services. Honest, straight-​forward, reasonable, communicative, courteous and professional. They told me exactly what was up with my car and the options available, including the option of not spending anything without any safety issues. They completed the work for a reasonable price. I will certainly use them for my future service needs.

HORRIBLE!!! They take advantage of young girls like myself. I took my car in to get my check engine light looked at and just a diagnostic check was $ 95. They proceeded to tell me I was going to have to pay $ 2,000 for just a catalytic converter and upwards of $ 2,500 with labor included. Catalytic converters elsewhere run for about $ 100-​$ 300
They then proceeded to tell me my car would not be drivable if I didn’t get it fixed with them. I got a second opinion and all my car needed was new spark plugs ($ 24). My car runs perfectly now and the check engine light hasn’t come back on and I have driven over 6 drive cycles. They clearly thought they could price gouge me because I am a young girl who doesn’t look like I know much about cars. If you get work done here, make sure you get a second opinion!
Fucking ridiculous.

Consistency is another key (IMHO) to a quality business and Christensen’s has consistency. They’re always courteous, always affordable, and their technicians are knowledgeable. I took my Quattro TT in for an oil change and the staff checks all fluids and tops off, as required. Which may have saved me the cost of a new AWD transfer case (hey, it’s an Audi — this kind of thing comes with the territory) Highly recommend these guys.

These guys went above and beyond to help me with a major issue I had with my Audi when the engine gave out. My main contact, Jerry, was very friendly to deal with, helpful, easy-​going and always informative, I couldn’t have been happier.

We took the family to south Lake Tahoe for the weekend when our Toyota had a major problem and we didn’t have the correct tools to fix it. We were facing being stranded without a place to stay. They were very friendly, honest, and up front. They immediately went to work on it and were able to get us back on the road in a matter of a few hours. As a stranded family we were prime targets for the overcharging that people on here are accusing these guys of, but we were charged fairly and honestly for the work that needed to be done and nothing more.
Is the labor rate a bit higher than what I would pay back home? Yes, but so is every other product and service in South Lake (including his tools, payroll, shop lease, and operating costs, I’m sure). Everything costs a bit more in Tahoe, and I was happy to pay it because without these guys we would not have made it home. Thanks again!

It’s very important we fight back against these types of repair shops with Unilocal that’s why I leave this message and I hope you will do the same for me one day thank you.
First time getting my car fixed here was an awful experience. The service was so bad but Im glad Nick the manager kept his cool when he lied to me and I lost my top. They use scare tactics to make you buy extra services. I know these strategies so after I was scared I went with my faith and I was 100% right. They over charge, I informed him that I know the job will take 40 minutes according to the manual but they wanted to charge me for 2 hours plus a 3^rd hour for diagnosis they would not budge on that or how they actually doubled the price of the part which I checked at a Napa auto parts right down the street.
My Muslim friend didn’t like them because he thought they were Christians but when all else failed with these guys I asked Nick if he’s a Christian man, he said he and the owner are not Christians, I didn’t like that. I don’t think they know about Unilocal,I hope they find out we are fighting back and they change their ways. I can see that Nick being born again.
I hope they prepare for the BBB to come knocking on their door.

My 21 year old BMW got a gas leak while we were on vacation in Tahoe. Having experience with a previous car fire we took no chances and had it towed in. Jerry and Nick were very professional and when they couldn’t find it right away they kept at it since it was a safety issue. Found the leak the second day and was fixed for a reasonable price. Saved the vacation and the car as there was no way my wife would get in that car without a fix. I hopefully won’t have to go back since I live in so cal but I give them 5 stars.

I took my 1996 Land Rover Discovery to Christensen for service. I found a professional, efficient business with extremely helpful and knowledgeable personnel. From the time that I called them to the time that my car was serviced, everything was as it should be. Another plus is that they have a nice clean waiting room with a clean bathroom. I will be back! Sonja Dohse

5 stars is not high enough praise for Christensen’s! I brought my 2004 GMC Denali in with an overheating engine and coolant leak. They went way out of their way to fit me in and fix the problem pronto for a very reasonable price. The owner and mechanic were so nice and accommodating. I will recommend Christensen’s to everyone with engine issues, local or visiting, if they want great service at a reasonable price.

Bought a used BMW X5, leaked like a mother! Got a quote at another shop of all the other problems that needed fixed for about $ 5K…Took the car to Christensen’s, they were very professional and friendly… checked the entire car out, put a tracer in the oil to find out exactly where the leaks were coming from and scheduled the repairs. They did have the car for a week, but it was a lot of work and getting BMW parts in Tahoe isn’t the fastest thing. They worked with the warranty company, and the total charge was $ 1400. I feel they did a great job at a fair price and the communication with me and the warranty company were outstanding. Thanks guys. On another plus, they are open 6 days a week, and usually longer hours than they post, very rare.

I rated 4 stars because at$ 98/​hour their shop rate is a bit high. However, the service I received on two separate visits was worth 5 stars. I see many negative comments about John. Maybe he is gone because on both visits I was helped by Nick. I am a tourist so needed to get in and out without delay. Nick took care of me with no problem. None of the rip off tactics that others have reported. I am very car savvy so had a good idea what was wrong on both visits. The technician confirmed my suspicion and fixed the problem. Problem 1 was an electrical problem in a BMW. Problem 2 was air conditioning in a Mazda.

If I could give them zero stars I would. This was hands down the worst mechanic experience I have ever had. I found myself vacationing in South Lake Tahoe and my car broke down. I took it in for a diagnosis and the culprit was a faulty fuel pump. They charged me an outrageous $ 570 to replace it. They price gouged me on the cost of the part ($ 254) and they took a very long time to fix it. And it only goes downhill from here…
Seeing as I was being charged an exorbitant amount, I let them know that I wanted to be kept appraised of the progress as I had a long walk back to the repair shop from where I was staying. They were entirely incapable of this request, and B.J. (Employee of the century material) had a major attitude problem. Stay away from this place! They will rip you off and deceive you! And their customer service is piss poor.

This must be the worst garage in California. On a trip to South Lake the fuel pump died on my truck. Like an idiot I took it here. I soon realized from talking to locals that I am the exact kind of sucker that keeps these guys in business. Almost $ 600 for a fuel pump on a $ 1000 truck… wow. They bought the cheaper option pump and charged me for the expensive one which is just shiesty. Also 3 hours of labor at $ 100 an hour for a job that should have taken an hour and a half tops. From what I hear they rob locals just as bad. Don’t take your car here unless you want to take out a second mortgage or pay his.

had to take our car in to get smogged. we get not even a half mile away and the check engine light comes on. so we turn around and go back. they want $ 98.00 to diagnose the problem. fortunately we were able to reset it by just unplugging the battery for a minute on our own. ive heard quite a few stories from locals of the racket their running here. and no doubt, it is a racket. from the looks of the reviews they seem to only take care of tourists well.

This place is a joke. $ 98/​hr for labor? Thats Stealership prices. Mandatory diagnostic checks even if you already KNOW FOR SURE what the problem is. The short pushy fella behind the counter isnt exactly a pleasure to deal with either. The guy thinks he knows EVERYTHING, wants to tell you that you have to use a high end part, and acts like he went to some special training course to get certified to read smog results. I should have walked out immediately, he was explaining why the bill was so high to the previous customer… for like 15 minutes before he even acknowledged me. Save your money, and a bunch of irritation and go somewhere else.

They are the masters of rope a dope. Nice talk at first then the domino’s fall.
I took my vehicle for a smog test to sell it. Needs EGR clean out and some tweaking 98.00 ea. = 196 after reassurance from John the buyer wanted to do this and assume financial responsibility. Now they want to take intake off +? want to talk to the buyer to get him to authorize more cost before buying the vehicle form me. After talking to some locals I am the dope for taking the vehicle to this shop. to be cont.

We were in Tahoe for our 20^th anniversary. Our van’s check engine light came on and we took it in for a diagnosis. Well they also found our radiator was leaking and my rotors on my brakes needed sanded as well. They had to get the radiator but we feel they did a fantastic job seeing as we had just had our car serviced in Stockton at the dealer two weeks before and none of this was found. When we drove the car home we were amazed at how great it drove. We were very happy with the service and feel like they do quality work as well. The trip wasn’t exactly like we planned but our car is running perfectly now. John the mechanic was great!
Rhonda X
Stockton, CA

I promised John I would review his establishment and even though it took 3 weeks, I am honoring my promise.
My family and I were in Tahoe for my daughter’s softball tournament when unfortunately my van broke down. To make an extremely long and frustrating story short we were «stuck» in Tahoe having to fix my van instead of towing it the 167 miles back to Tracy. I asked some locals if they had a place they recommended and got mixed reviews. As bad luck would have it we chose this place over the later «Anything Gas» which I will essentially review next. What a BAD choice on our part!
I was charged $ 98.00 just to diagnose the problem which I could have accepted except that when I got the quote for what was wrong with my van (fuel pump and filter had to be replaced) it was going to be an additional $ 750 + TAX! As any smart consumer would do, I called around for other quotes and Mike @ Anything Gas said out the door the job would be around $ 400.00 My dad called Christensen Automotive and spoke with John hoping to get a price match but nope, John would not budge, saying he was using a top of the line fuel pump. Well nice for him but I’m from out of town, only supposed to be here for the weekend and on a budget mind you. My mom and I went to Christensen to pay the $ 98 and get my van towed to Anything Gas and while we were there she asked BJ (another guy behind the counter) how can they advertise «car repairs made affordable» when we clearly got another quote for much less and John who was also in the office responded with an attitude mind you that those other places were under quoting him. I informed him that I never told the other places what Christensen was quoting me but simply told them what was wrong with my van. Oh how he did not like that! He and I got into it with words and let me tell you this man is RUDE! I was called irate because I simply told him I can’t afford your quote for repair. John is just plain RUDE! He talked over me while I was talking! I guess he did not like me challenging him but I am not a docile woman either. With all the hassle of my van breaking down the last thing I needed was an attitude from John. Needless to say he did not get my business. So in conclusion if you don’t mind paying an arm and a leg and a thigh for auto repair then place is perfect for you!

John rescued our weekend. Our jeep broke down 1^st day of vacation and we limped into Christensen’s. John took us in. even offered to tow our trailer back to our cabin personally after work! He fixed our Jeep in less than a day. The a/​c compressor got fried and we got a fair price for the repairs. Yes… John does like to talk. but only to get to know his customers for God’s sake… 5 star!