Honest trusted guy to work on your car. Doesn't up sale you like so many people do these days.

I was referred to Mark for an engine smell that seemed like a transmission problem. Mark told me when to come in, took the car in immediately, spent a solid 10 minutes under the hood, then told me the smell was an oil leak dripping on my exhaust and that while the transmission had a limited lifespan due to its mileage it was not currently a problem. Then he volunteered another 10-15 minutes talking with me about factors to consider and resources to use when deciding whether to sell my car. No charge. And a pleasure to communicate with. Everything I could ask for. No personal experience with Mark's transmission work but my mechanic Lee's Japanese Auto, who I love and trust after 10+ years of working on my cars, confidently referred me to Mark as soon as the transmission was identified as the issue. I would refer my closest friends to Mark based upon my experience with Mark and Lee's high thoughts of him. Also, Mark's shop has moved to 3643 Olive Street in Lemon Grove. He's no longer at 2281 Fairmount Avenue. read more

Fair, honest, extremely competent. Mark is a stand up guy who delivers on his promises. His shop is fully equipped service and repair most makes and models. My Mazda, Ford, and Kia have had service and repair work performed there. Please support this independent business. read more

These folks are GREAT! Everyone knows how hard it is to find honest mechanics. This place rocks. Family owned and quality honest work very reasonably priced. They get my business from now on. Better than any chain. Thanks Kim, Mark, and family and all techs. From Allen the blue F150 guy read more

Thank goodness for Mark! I had taken my car to big o tires for an oil change and they notified me that I would need to get my whole power steering unit replaced. In looking for another opinion I was referred to see Mark at George's Garage. Mark took my car on a ride and listened to it and took a look and thought that he might only need to replace the tube that goes to my power steering and not the whole pump. Following up a few months later my car is still running great after Mark worked his magic and he saved me thousands of dollars! Any time anything funky goes on with my car I plan on taking it back to Mark. He will give you an honest opinion of what is going on with your car he's not just looking to make the most money off you which is so hard to find nowadays. Go have Mark help you with any car repair you need you will not regret it! read more

If you read the reviews you keep seeing the same words "honest" & "fair" I wish I knew of better words to describe Mark, honest & fair don't seem to do justice with what he does. He describes the problem to you in a way that is understandable and will give you his advice and recommendations. This is where you should go to get your vehicle repaired. You don't need to look anywhere else. He will get it fixed fairly and right. Mark is your guy. read more

This should count as two reviews: 1. My wife's car was slammed into a freeway guardrail by a dangerous lane-changer. When she got the car back from the body shop, is had a strange noise in the rear end, a real rumble when turning. Caliber Collision said it sounded fine to them; Pacific Nissan said they didn't know what was wrong; Mark drove it for a few minutes and explained how the locking of the wheels on the right side as the car hit the guard rail would make havoc of the transfer case innards, a problem that would only get worse. With this explanation and a call or two to Nissan engineering, Pacific Nissan mechanic agreed, and in the autopsy confirmed Mark's diagnosis. 2. I have a Frontier with standard transmission, in which the clutch failed at 17,000 miles, after a couple of visits to the dealer who couldn't explain why we were getting a smoke smell from under the car. (Clutches, BTW, are not part of the drive train in Nissan's warranty, because, some people ride the clutch and it wears out prematurely--not the case here.) So, at 32,000 miles it starts to "smoke" again. Nissan still not admitting there's anything wrong with their parts, although it does seem to be a common complaint. Mark hears the story; problem is "obviously" caused manufacturing defect that prevents the clutch from engaging tightly and allowing unnecessary slippage and wear. The clutch has to be replaced, because Pacific Nissan didn't understand the problem and so didn't fix the defective shaft when they replaced the first clutch, but now we're at 56,000 miles and still strong. Thanks, Mark. read more

I always know when I come here that I will get honesty and integrity. Have been here 3 times and never do I feel like repairs are just being added to make them more money.... some repairs have been taken care of immediately and others done by next day... No longer live close by, but will still make the drive to have my auto repaired here. read more

i first met Mark in 2011, unrelated to his career in transmissions. A year later he fixed my trans for a few hundred, after dealership said i needed a new one (for $4.5k). 9 years later it finally did go out w/280k miles and Mark installed a new one for less than dealership quote from 9 years earlier. he is very knowledgable and I've been back with other vehicles and refer friends & family to him. Super nice stand up honest guy who operates his business with the upmost professionalism. If you've been looking for an honest, knowledgable mechanic here he is. read more

This guy is very honest -- a rarity these days in the automotive repair industry. My Mazda 3 had an AT light (transmission) and seemed to be stuck in a higher gear. Would have been so easy for him to say, yes you need a new transmission...we wouldn't have batted an eye. Instead he Hooked it up for diagnosis and told me it was not the transmission, but, instead the main computer not communicating with transmission. Didn't charge me a thing; suggested I take to dealer. Now I'm really being raked over the coals at John Hine Mazda in Mission Valley. $135 just to diagnose and tell me the same thing. read more

Highly recommend this automotive shop!! I needed an oil change and was staying close by, I was able to go in and get it done right away. Mark is awesome and took great care of me! Oil change was very quick and it was apparent that this shop has dedicated customers. If I was staying in the area longer it would be the only shop I would even consider, my family used to own an automotive shop where I grew up and it reminded me of that which was very comforting. Really appreciated the customer service and honesty. I wish there were more shops like this around! Shop opens at 8am read more

Mark is definitely a rare breed in the auto repair world. I've been to see him a few times for different vehicles and he's always completely honest with me and has even done a significant amount of work and not charged me. His opinions are always right on and he never makes stuff up or tries to up sell. He's turned down a fair amount of money or at least been honest and said that some repairs aren't really necessary. I'm definitely a customer for life at George's. read more

I am a small business owner and I value supporting other small business owners. I made an appt and he took me right away. Only took about 20 mins for an oil change and he was a pleasure to talk with. A wealth of knowledge too! read more

I came to have my transmission serviced and they were friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend this business to anyone who needs their transmission serviced (ANYONE who owns a car) you will be pleased with their friendly and fast service. It has been a couple weeks since the transmission was serviced, and I have had NO leaks, no issues whatsoever so aside from being friendly, fast and helpful, they do a great job!! read more

I have used George's garage since 1970. I first had his dad do my transmissions. He I understand used to build drag racer Don Gartlets transmissions for racing. He also has built my sons racing transmissions, for stock car. He also has redone my Escalade transmission with special corvette converts, valve bodies. The front axle of escalade was rebuilt and is perfect. I cannot say enough about Mark . I am a very grumpy old racer and expect the best. He is the best and I never have a worry when he does the job. REAL OLD TIME QUALITY AND INTEGRITY!!! read more

Mark is hard to find in the mechanic world. I dropped off my old Ford C4 transmission for him to rebuild and put a shift kit in. He works quickly, goes above and beyond, gives honest (and affordable!) prices, and is a pleasure to deal with. I left him thinking, "this must be how small business in America used to be." He offered a lot of extras at no charge. No haggling over price, extra mark ups, or money up front. Just honest feedback and solid work with a handshake. I would go back to him in a heartbeat. read more