Auto Repair in Poway

Ugg, you find yourself on the way to work when your car begins to shudder and die, you thankfully can pull off to the side of the road, narrowly missing speeding traffic.  You call AAA and hope they aren’t backed up and can get to you quickly, as you sit in the car waiting. And as you wait your mind wanders to what could be wrong and how much is this going to cost! “I hope it is just those old spark plugs my mechanic keeps pestering me to replace." While a vehicle that died while driving can be a number of things and would need to be diagnoses by a trained technician, there is always the possibility that an engine replacement will be necessary. If, via testing, the mechanic comes back saying the engine is condemned, what are your options. Many times, with older vehicles the engine replacement can exceed the re-sale value of the vehicle. However, this doesn’t necessarily make it a bad investment. (see our article on buying a new vehicle) Sometimes, depend ... read more

Do I Have to Service My New Car at the Dealership?The answer is NO! One common misconception in the automotive industry is that new cars MUST be serviced at the dealership to avoid VOIDING the Warranty. This is not the case, as the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act explains: “It is illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage if someone else performs your maintenance." See the BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) recommended video on the Magnuson Moss Act. This act includes any repairs or modifications done to the vehicle as well. There are many benefits to using an independent repair shop versus going to the dealership. Personal Service: Dealerships tend to be high volume, there is not always a personal relationship. At Precision Automotive in Poway, CA we know our clients by name and strive to personalize our service. Warranty ... read more

The True Cost of Buying a New Car  One of the questions we get quite often at Precision Automotive in Poway, CA is “Should I keep my car or get a new one?” With rising costs of repairs and the complexity of diagnosing and repairing modern vehicles, many of our Poway clients wonder if it is worth fixing their old car or buying a new one. Car companies do an excellent job marketing new cars. They sell the experience, luxury, reliability, safety, and of course, the warranty that comes with it. Most of all, they sell the prestige of having a new car to show off to your friends and family to look “successful.”     The depreciation on a new car is scary, do your own research, but I have found the average new car depreciates 20% in the first year and 40% after 5 years! That is tens of thousands of dollars!    But that is not all… there are a lot more hidden costs in new car ownership:  If ... read more