I am not big on writing on blogs or posting things for others to read but I just feel inclined to tell my experience with Antonios Auto Care. A couple of weeks ago my wife's Toyota Sequoia broke down and she pulled into the parking lot adjacent to Antonios Auto Care. She called me and I went down to pick her and the kids up and shuttle them back to our house. With average mechanical ability I went later that afternoon to see about what to do with her car that was parked sideways taking up a few parking spots. I tried to start the vehicle and it didn't really start and smoked poured out of the tailpipe. Not a very good feeling. I called a few different places and found out it was going to be around a 100 bucks to tow this thing a couple miles down the road to the Toyota dealer. I was already feeling like this was going to be a lost cause and wasn't too pumped up about shelling out the money so the dealer could tell me that I need to trade that thing in. I walked up to the next shopping center and saw an auto repair place. It looked very busy and I just kinda stood outside waiting for a chance to talk with someone. I ended up talking to a guy named Fred and told him the cliff notes version of what happened. Fred stopped what he was doing and asked me where the car was and said "lets go". Fred looked at it and said that I'm going to probably need a head gasket and to have the heads resurfaced. Just the sound of that and my mind was thinking that it was going to be tons of money. He said he would get it up to his shop and tell me exactly what it was going to take to get it running again and if I didn't want to do it there would be no charge for me. I thought that was great since I'm getting it looked at and didn't have to tow the Sequoia anywhere. The next day Fred called and let me know it was going to be $2200 for the entire job. That was alot but not as bad as I expected. My only problem was we didn't have $2200. Later that day we stopped by and Fred wanted to show me himself what he was talking about. I had the wife and kids in the car when we went down. He explained the process and what needed to be done and I told him that I was just a little short on cash. I told him it would be a few weeks maybe a month before I would have that amount. He looked at me and my family and said that we needed a car and that he would fix it and to pay him whenever I could. Two days later Fred called and told me that my wife's car was finished and as good as new. It took us a little over a month to pay Fred for his services but just the fact that he trusted us and has so much compassion tells alot about him.. I have lived in Poway for 10years and have drove by that business a million times and never given any thought about it. I will take every vehicle for any reason I ever own to Fred and feel very fortunate to have not only a mechanic but a friend that I can trust. "A mans character can be easily determined by how he treats others that can do nothing for him" read more

I had a horrible coolant leak on my '92 Firebird, and needed a nearby mechanic (because I couldn't drive it far leaking like crazy). I did some online research and decided to give Antonio's a shot because it was well reviewed and less than a mile from my house. Let me just say that I couldn't be happier with the quality of care and customer service I got from Fred (the head mechanic). He found 3 separate coolant leaks on my car (2 blown freeze plugs and a copper pipe thing with a big hole in it). He even showed me the leaking parts. Fred knew I was on a budget, so he let me do some of the work myself -- we were able to repair the copper pipe with a little welding, and Fred stuck it back on for me. It was a great experience and cost me a lot less than I thought. When my battery died a few months later I immediately headed back to Fred, and he wasn't busy so he swapped out my battery without charging me ANY labor. Yeah, it was a quick job... but since when does a mechanic hook you up with even 15 minutes of his time for free? I ended up back at Antonio's today (~2 years from my first visit) and had another great experience with Fred. I was leaking coolant again (old car, 250k+ miles... what do you expect? :P). Fred quoted me an hour to diagnose the problem, but it only ended up taking him half an hour to find another blown freeze plug (on a different side of the engine from my visit 2 years ago). Since it only took him half an hour, he only charged me half the fee I was originally quoted and agreed to pay. The rate he charged me for the repair was very fair and the car was ready to go well before I even got off work. To summarize: Fred is a great mechanic and a great guy. He's honest, knows his stuff, and won't jerk you around with what he's charging you for. I don't take my car anywhere else, and recommend Fred to anyone who needs repairs. Thanks Fred!! read more

Antonios Auto Care is a one of a kind business the atmosphere was just cozy and family like very untypical of that of a mechanic shop As me and my family walked into the shop a gentleman named Fred (which i came to know as the manager of the place) was enthusiastically eating away at what looked like his lunch for the day. To my utter surprise he offered me and my family to have a seat with him and have a bite to eat. (I had just met this guy, anyone that can do that for someone they had just met is quite the gentleman.) So we had a great bite to eat with Fred and then we managed to get to my car problems. The issue was a rough idle. Quite an annoying issue it was my 2005 Altima drives beautifully except for this paining issue at hand. As Fred began working on my vehicle i was of course afraid of the possibilities regarding my issue. Me and my family sat outside the shop for what only felt like an hour and half before he came back outside with a smile on his face (good news i hope!) It turns out i had a slightly dislodged hose coming off the air cleaner going to the intake manifold as Fred told me. What a relief when i found out how much it would cost me! Completely free what! I was surprised beyond belief never thought i would find any mechanic on the face of the planet have said those words haha! So it turns out after some time chatting with Fred that when i had some work done on my car elsewhere (not going to say names) I had remembered they changed the air filter and when they were replacing it they did not properly connect that hose to the intake - although it was not Fred's mistake at all he generously helped me despite him losing. I Will always be grateful to this man and will always bring my vehicles and my family and friends vehicles to him so that they themselves can witness the level of honestly and service at this establishment read more

There are two people you really want to trust in life: your doctor and your auto mechanic. I have been bringing my family's cars to Freddy for years, Freddy is honest, capable, and trustworthy. He does what he promises, and his repairs are good. He does not try to sell me what I don't need. When he does not have the equipment to do a job, he sends me to the dealer (this has happened three times). His bills are typically 2/3 what the dealer charges. We had a family car that lasted for about 10 years. It developed a problem that Freddy suggested I take to the dealer to see if it would be fixed under warranty. I had gone over the warranty by less than 10k miles! The dealer wanted $3K to fix it, but Freddy said he could do it for $1600. Then Freddy asked me if I thought the car was worth repairing. I looked into it and found that it was not, so I bought another car. Freddy asked me this question, knowing that he could lose some significant business. The man is honest! I know a little about Alex P's story in her review and it was not exactly the way she described. Mommy did not kill the "used car in decent condition". Alex P bought a lemon. It was one of those deals that was "too good to be true". Freddy told her she should get rid of it rather than try to repair it. However, it appears that she could not return it--she was stuck with it. This sounds just a little embarrassing, doesn't it? read more

If I lived in the San Diego area I would go to Antonio's Auto Care for all my auto needs. I was in town for a week and a friend recommended Fred at Antonio's Auto Care. My 2004 Quest needed all it's belts changed and I had already taken it to two different garages at this point and they were unable to get to the belts in order to fix it. Fred was awesome!! He was super friendly and honest. He let me know exactly what was up and took care of checking everything out for me. I was on my way to the desert with my daughters and he made sure my car was ready for the trip. I dropped my car off and within an hour my whole van was ready. I had already left my van at other garages in our area (Central Coast) and they had it half the day and still were unable to change out my belts. Fred is a straight forward guy that gets the job done fast and efficiently. He is pretty funny too. I wish he lived up in our area because we can use a honest and friendly guy around here. Thank you so much! Sincerely, Jenna Marcano read more

As everyone is saying, this auto repair shop is hands down THE BEST. Fred, the owner, cares so very much about all of his clients, always ensuring that they are treated with respect and care and there is no one with his level of honesty in this field of business, it is rare and refreshing! I have been taking my vehicles to Antonio's for almost 20 years and the service they provide is unmatched! What I appreciate most is the shop's attention to detail. They give accurate estimates, keep you updated throughout the service, and return your vehicle running like new. The whole experience is seamless, trustworthy, and stress-free --exactly what you want from an auto repair shop. If you're looking for a place that delivers exceptional service, expert craftsmanship, and genuine care for their customers, this is the shop you can rely on every time. Highly, highly recommended. read more

Back in late January, we rolled into Antonio's after a long drive back to San Diego from Las Vegas, Nev., with smoking brakes. My husband had done a quick smart phone search for a good brake shop and Antonio's turned up on top. The owner was kind; started in on diagnostics (for free) right away, but as it was close to closing time, we caught a ride home from his Poway shop to Ocean Beach with my husband's Mom. The next day, he was honest and said there wasn't anything wrong that he could find -- it just might have been a case of leaving the emergency brake on after a quick stop to see birds (Tundra Swan, a rarity), at Ramona's pond. But he'd unlocked the breaks and everything for free. A real gem, and the owner is personable and fun. If you need any auto help, head to Antonio's Auto Care in Poway for an honest deal. Tina Rathbone, Ocean Beach, San Diego read more

What amazingly friendly service! I'm always in the Poway area I can't believe I never knew about this place! Living in Scripps Ranch and working in Poway I drive by this corner all the time but never thought to drop in that is until I very unfortunately got in an accident on Pomerado near by and being as grumpy as i was just stopped through to get some gas and there he was, Fred, saw me in such a bad position and just decided to lend a helping hand. He doesn't even work at a body shop, he is a mechanic and helped by strapping down my loose bumper for me. When i offered to pay him and kept asking how much it cost he only told me don't worry about it its on the house WOW where can you find genuine friendlinees like that! If i ever have car problems ill bring all my cars here just because this Guy went out of his way to help me. read more

Had a problem with my car06 corolla. Had major coolant leak. Asked Fred at Antonio's auto care to check it. Fred was so nice...he keft every bdy. Asked me to turn off the car to make sure i dont damage it. Open the hood and advised me to not open the radiator cap. He found the problem in a mintue....he quated me $35 for upper radiator hose (had a hole). 20 bucks to replace it 10 bucks coolant. My total was $65 plus tax. With in 45 mintues i was on the road again. So happy...reasonable price...very good service. He advised ne to stop by the next day for free check up abd said if it needs any coolant its on the house. If i could i would give more stars. I recommed him to anyone. Im a student and have 2 jobs....low budget. Honest, reliable and great price. Thanks Fred read more