Dan is a rock solid mechanic! Really good at what he does and the best part is he has fantastic customer service. He will start a text thread with you and take pics along the way show you everything going on with your car and keeps you in the loop. Best exp. Ive had with a mechanic hands down. If he has time to work on your car I suggest you let him :) read more

Dan is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He ALWAYS does a great job and kept my 1997 Saab running beautifully until 2025, when it actually came to the end of it's life. He is unfailingly cheerful and always does his utmost to satisfy his customers. Appointments are kept and my car was always ready when promised, even if he had to search for parts. And, search he did.My husband and I miss seeing him as our replacement car has yet to need service. The person who complained about him is wrong! I suspect he or she must have been abusive. read more

Dan is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. He is honest, informative, and practical when it comes to problem-solving. Unlike some shops, he does not automatically look for the most expensive solution or shy away from jobs that require ingenuity. I have been taking my Saab and Volvo vehicles to him for almost 20 years. I highly recommend Saab-o-Rama, especially for Scandinavian and European makes. read more

Saab-O-Rama - My SAAB 900 Turbo - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Grateful to find a mechanic who took the time to help figure out the possibilities causing unusual codes and symptoms after my son did some repairs. He also had my son call him with suggestions. He did not charge me for his time. I plan on coming back when needing car repairs. read more

Avoid. I believe he is the worst incompetent Saab mechanic .My car was driving , shifting and accelerating up hill before I drop it for repair. I was advice from my professional Saab mechanic to replace a clutch asap. I asked Dan to replaced my clutch and heater He had my car from about June 23.2023 to August 17. He did not replace clutch as I asked but replaced something else and told me to pick up wow finally after more than five weeks of waiting I got my car back and he told me he did not even do the heater . He was very polite. I picked up and found more issues after his repair car will stuck in gear and not going up hill. Therefore I sent it back by towing company. He stated he will adjusted after he blame my transmission after he stated he will replace clutch but he will charge me .I stated I already paid him $825 and this hell and inconvenience he should repair for free. No he did not replaced the clutch or heater , he just blame another mechanic . He was rude and demanded me to pick up my car anyway so he doesn't need to deal with it. It is false advertising stating : He is an expert mechanic, automotive problem solver... and all around great guy. At Saaborama you can expect the exact service your car needs, done right, at the right price. Misleading. I believe "great" Dan created problems, inconvenienced and damages . Just pure nightmare ! If you looking for rude mechanic which will hold your car for several weeks , not complied and completed repairs so he is your guy. It is my fault I always exceed above what is expected from me and I am allergic on people which are dishonest , treat people without respect and take advantage of them. No I don't recommend this place for anyone expect my ex he was "a.... e and violent abuser . read more

Dan was excellent to work with. He gave me a very reasonable estimate on the work I needed done on my car and the final price was actually under what he estimated. I dropped the car off right at 9 and he let me know it was ready noon, which was awesome. He also informed me of some things that he noticed while under the car that I should keep an eye on, which was nice. I'll definitely be bringing back my Saab to Dan and his shop when I need more work done. read more

Best care anywhere for my Toyota and Honda. Best Toyota mechanic hands down - I trust Dan and I will go to him as long as he's in business. Never had a problem with his repairs. Always honest - and a good value. read more

By far the best mechanic I have ever had the pleasure of working with! On numerous occasions he has saved my a$$. Very honest about what you actually NEED to fix versus what can wait or what can be ignored. Good fair pricing. Can't say enough. Dan at Saab-o-rama is the only mechanic I will go to! read more

I finally found quality and trustworthy shop/ mechanic for my 92 SAAB 900. Dan was able to fix, repair, and replace what previous shops couldn't do. We discussed his findings, he then gave me a thorough explanation of what the next steps would be to get her on the road. This 29-year-old SAAB has never run this well. Thank you! read more

Saab-O-Rama - Saab-O-Rama has a new client. 92 900 Turbo Convertible. - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Literally the first yelp review ive ever written and i just got off the phone with Dan and am going to be coming in for the first time in a couple days, Dan is an awesome and sincere guy just even on the phone. He started asking me questions and trying to help me out with my issue and asked me to come in to inspect it himself. I will be coming here from now on read more

Dan was incredibly knowledgeable and very upfront and reasonable with his prices. He kept me in the loop the entire time and made sure we only took care of the necessary repairs. Saaborama goes above and beyond and I won't take my car anywhere else. Did a great job with a convertible top fix, coolant sensor replacement, new spark plugs, oil change, brake check, overall awesome experience. Thanks Dan!! read more

Dan's helped a few times with varying issues on my '99 Saab and he's been about as helpful as one can hope for. He doesn't try to upsell or recommend unnecessary repairs which seems to be a rarity in the world of mechanics...his kindness and customer service is also much appreciated. I'm unsure what other makes he can work on but if ya have a Saab and need some guidance or repairs, it's hard to beat this place. read more

Dan is a very unique mechanic and in a very good way. At Saab-O-Rama you never have to worry about anyone pulling one over on you, nor do you have to worry about paying for unnecessary costs which may or may not fix your problem. Dan had my car for a while, but communication was great, he troubleshooted to the end of the earth and back and overall he's just a damn nice guy to work with and be around. He will never throw parts at a problem without being certain that it will fix the issue and I greatly appreciate that, especially given the cost of Saab repairs and parts. He will even attempt to try parts from his massive parts collection before saying "yes, this is the problem." I have never found another mechanic who is willing to spend as much time and effort to fix something as Dan. I would love to bring my other non-Saab cars to Dan! Look, there are all of two places to get your Saab repaired competently in the South Bay and the other one I will not mention has not been NEARLY as good to me as Saab-O-Rama. Saab-O-Rama is a savior in that sense. Take a look at all his five star reviews and you will realize that your car will be in good hands. Again, I am pretty certain that my Saab (which has been a problem since day one - must have been built on a Friday between lunch and Swedish happy hour) had a one of a kind issue and I genuinely felt like Dan was more interested in solving it than racking up a repair bill. He's just that kind of guy and it's refreshing to find someone who is so good at their job. Overall, this is the most-deserving five star rating that I could give. There is a reason I drive my car to Dan and then take an hour and a half bus ride back home, rather than go to the "Saab specialist" down the street. read more

Saab mechanics have to be cut from an odd cloth to stay in business. Dan is no exception. If you read this then you've got a Saab & you've got "Saab Stories" I moved to the area not too long ago & was terrified to take my 9-3 to someone new to screw it up. My last shop in Santa Clara is also great & also run by a Dan. This new Dan diagnosed my car, my driving habits, my known issues & my unknown issues with the insight & instinct of an engine ninja. He doesn't pretend to care, he actually does. And the humanity is free. The parts & labor for a new Air compressor thingy was market value, and the total was BELOW the original estimate. Don't even consider looking toward the B&B dealershitp over the hill. SaabORama is gold! read more

Saab-o-Rama is a friendly shop that's way more willing to work with you on the details. If you don't like the kind of shops that try to shove you in and out the door and only care about getting the car running so they can take your money, come here instead. They don't just stop at getting the car to run again. They'll make sure it runs well and they'll fix little things along the way if you ask them. I've come to them with some pretty troublesome jobs and they never made a big deal out of it. The biggest hassle I ever brought them was taking in a really nice looking older sports car that had been butchered by a mod happy kid. For the past couple of weeks they've been hanging on to and examining the car, letting me know when they've discovered some new kind of damage or missing parts the previous owner removed that'll need to be repaired to get it to pass smog and run well. Since it's an older car and the parts aren't readily available, it's been a little song and dance with me hunting down used parts and getting them to put it in. It would have been faster to get parts from a dealership, but they've been very understanding of the fact that dealerships will charge you absurd prices. Dan is pretty much the main guy at Saab-O-Rama. He'll pretty much always be the guy to answer the phone and meet you at the door. The service is nice. Dan doesn't mind chatting and being friendly and if you have any interest in the exact nature of your car problem he's always willing to explain it really thoroughly and open up your car hood and point things out. He's been really helpful in teaching me the unique parts of my Saab 9-3. Saabs are really unique vehicles in some way so a specialist is good to have. The shop is extremely transparent about costs. They'll explain to you exactly what's wrong or at least what they think may be wrong. Dan's good enough at figuring things out that he can usually quote you the total cost of a repair pretty quick. They'll also steer you away from unnecessary repairs. I had an oil consumption issue for a little while on my 9-3. It's not something that's easy to figure out since there were no leaks or obvious signs of what was happening. With Saab's, Dan said it's almost always a turbo problem doing that, but he didn't see the white smoke you usually expect from a dead turbo so he recommended we play the waiting game. It was the right call since it turns out the previous owner of my car had beat up the engine and the money I might have wasted on a new turbo could go toward a rebuild. They won't try to nickel and dime you on diagnosis either. I drive a few thousand miles in a month so my car needs repairs way more often than most peoples'. The one or two times Dan had trouble figuring out the issue, he didn't charge me even if he and the crew spent a lot of time fiddling with the car. If I have the option of going to Saab-o-Rama, it's where I go. They're sensible and down to Earth. Of the shops I've gone to in town, it's the one I consider to have the most charms you associate with shopping local. read more

This shop is pure gold. The man who runs it, Dan Joel, seems very darn smart, and is obviously in the business because of a love for car stuff. His counter is covered with a jumble of curious parts, and if you show any interest in any of them, you'll get a quick lecture on its purpose, its principles of operation, and its most entertaining failure mode. Dan has been very good about working with us to keep costs down. Despite the name, Saab-O-Rama works on (at least some) non-Saab cars. Be prepared for difficulty finding a parking spot in their lot. read more

Dan is one of the most intelligent, honest mechanics I've met. I had a faulty brake light switch on my Saab 900 turbo which was stopping the car from boosting, and although I had to take it back 3 times he got it fixed with no extra charges for parts or labor (ended up going through two switches). Would highly recommend making the trek out to Santa Cruz to get any Saab fixed - it's definitely worth it. He's got very reasonable prices for parts and labor and he stands by his work - which is very reliable. read more

Dan is the Saab specialist. If you own a Saab, especially an older model, this is the place to go. The man is passionate, honest and really truly knows his stuff. His prices are extremely fair, and I have never felt like he has given me any B.S. What a refreshing change of pace from past experiences with Auto Mechanics. I wish I would have known about him sooner because I feel I spent way too much money at B&B and Specialized. If you have a Saab and need service, call Saab-O-Rama first. You won't regret it. read more

I had initially brought my car to Dan because I read nothing but good things about his shop here on Yelp. When I got my car back from him I can confirm absolutely every good thing mentioned about Saab-O-Rama is true. Don't be off-put if you don't own a Saab; this guy knows how to fix everything. The first time I took my Volkswagen in it had a busted coolant system. These guys fixed it right up at a very reasonable cost and did an awesome job. The second time I took it in my car threw an error regarding the catalytic converter. After I explained my skepticism regarding the previous mechanic's diagnostic, Dan confirmed the issue and provided me a comprehensive explanation as to what went wrong, how this could effect my car and why. Unlike other mechanics, however, he showed a strong level of transparency regarding the issues at hand. He never tried to push his services or up-sell products; it really just felt like he was a guy who loves working on cars and cares about his clients. 5 stars, 10 stars if I could! read more

Dan is the most helpful, knowledgable and reasonable mechanic I have ever worked with... He will take his time with you and your car, give you several options and keep you and your car running. Thank you Dan! read more

I called Dan when my Saab started acting up with the check engine light on in San Jose. I described what happened and gave him the CEL diagnostic code. Dan spent 30 minutes on the phone helping me figure out what was wrong/if the car was safe. He had me send pictures of the engine and was able to figure out that a tube on the engine had become disconnected. I was able to make a quick fix so that the car would make it back down to Santa Cruz without a tow, and I'm going in tomorrow to get a final safety check on the car from him. I expected to call him and have him quote me expensive services/diagnostic fees, but instead he just told me how to fix it myself! Dan seems like a stand up guy and seemed to genuinely want to help me over the phone out of concern for my safety. Definitely a mechanic that's not scamming you for money! read more

I brought my car in an emergency breakdown situation. Dan was amazing!! he gave me answers right away, got my car on a lift and immediately helped me to get out of town with a new serpentine belt. Then he also slowed down my oil leak with a new PCV valve. He has immense knowledge of Saabs and was very present to questions and went above and beyond. Not to mention his prices were the best I've encountered thus far. I wish I could bring my saab to Dan all the time, he is a wizard! read more

The mechanics at Saab-O-Rama are good people who do a great job on a regular basis. They are trustworthy, even telling me when I can wait to replace parts instead of telling me that everything has to be replaced right away (which some mechanics always do by default). I love the way I'm treated at Saab-O-Rama. I am never talked down to, and when I ask questions they always answer thoughtfully in a way that I can understand. Dan has even taken me out to see my car up in the lift part so that I can understand the issue better (because I'm interested in that). I also love that I can tell Dan "My car started making this sound _________" and he will ask followup questions and often come up with a pretty good theory of the cause and go and confirm it. He's like the mechanic version of Dr. House crossed with the guys on Car Talk. It's just fun. When else have I ever said that going to the mechanic is fun? Never, I promise. read more

Dan and his crew at Saab-O-Rama are top-notch!!! Very thorough and dedicated to resolving even minor, intermittent issues. The car drives great now. Thank you Dan! read more

I never write reviews of businesses, but Dan and Saab-O-Rama really do deserve praise. Dan runs a very good shop, period. If you have a saab or any car for that matter (he's worked on my girlfriend's civic), bring it to him for your maintenance and installation. His rates are very reasonable, he goes above and beyond explaining issues, your options for repair (including what you can do if you really need to save as much money as possible), and is as honest a mechanic as I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with. Do not bring your Saab to another mechanic around town that works on all makes and model, trust me. This is from personal experience. You will spend more time/money than you intended to and your problems may not be resolved. Saabs are finicky cars, and while I absolutely love my 9-5, you really do need to have a specialist deal with these cars. Hell, he's one of few (if not the only) mechanic around town that carries a full set of torx sockets, as they are generally not used on many other makes of cars. I brought my car to wheel works on front st once and they took a whole additional day installing brakes because they needed to borrow the tools from Dan! Bottom line, bring your Saab to Dan. You will know immediately what an honest mechanic feels like to your conscience, wallet, and calendar. read more

I bought a Saab knowing it would need some work, and the folks at Saab O Rams always have any problem that. With 30 years experience in the field, they have taken care of any issue in a timely fashion. Also, friendly/honest staff makes makes this the only place I take my 9-3! read more

Dan and Saab-O-Rama saved me while driving my 1990 900S from SF to Monterrey. Engine light on? No worries. "Use the rest of the gas, then buy nothing but Chevron high test with that additive. Not Shell or any other gasoline. Chevron only. Think of it as buying your car a cup of coffee every time your fill up," Dan says. That put it in perspective for me. He could have gouged me 'looking' for the issue. Result? No more engine light on. Now I'm driving from SF to SC to have Dan take care of my Saab this week. I've finally found a mechanic who really really really knows Saabs -- and is honest. Wow! read more

If you own a Saab this is the BEST shop (mechanic) in Santa Cruz or the entire Bay area for that matter. Dan (owner) is the most honest mechanic I have ever met. He even fixes other cars so if you need a mechanic give him a call to see if he can do the work. read more

I agree with everything good said about Dan and Saab-O-Rama. His prices are great, he seems to love what he does and I always feel like I just visited a friend when I leave his shop. While it looks like just a Saab shop, I often see other types of cars being worked on as well. Because I'm pretty clueless about cars, seldom like mechanics, but that's not the case with Saab-O-Rama. Plus the name is pretty funny as well. Recommended highly! read more

Dan and his staff are AMAZING. I would not take my SAAB anywhere else and would recommend this shop even for non-SAAB vehicles due to their integrity and quality of service. Countless times Dan has helped me with minor fixes in a matter of minutes, at no charge and with a smile. Call before you show up - this is a popular shop for good reason!! read more

Does your car need repairs or servicing? Are you tired of taking your car to get serviced and wonder if someone is charging you too much and/or for services you don't need. Saab-O-Rama is the place to go for expert service!! Dan and his team will work with you to keep costs down and take the best care of your car. You don't have a Saab? Either do I (Honda owner)! And either do my friends that take their cars there (Toyota owners). Care about your car? Want expert, honest, caring service? Saab-O-Rama is the place to go! read more

Dan is the man!!! We brought a car to him to have inspected before purchasing it. Although we didn't buy the Saab (per his advice) he did become our new mechanic for our Toyota and will be our mechanic for our new Saab. He's honest, fair, does great work and stands behind everything he does! The best mechanic I've EVER had! I would advise anyone to bring their Saab or Toyota to him for any service large or small. read more

Very honest and upfront place. I have been going here since I bought my Saab 5 years ago, and I would not take it anywhere else (and that includes the SAAB dealer). Prices are very competitive with other places, and have done a number of things for me over the years to help keep costs down, they won't nickel and dime you. These guys are just flat out Saab experts, very good at spotting things that need attention before they cause serious problems later. My car has ran smoothly the whole time. Dan is the Man! read more

Dan is the man when it comes to Saab's. I have been a customer for nearly 8 years and have nothing but good things to say about this business. read more

Dan is a Saab fixing machine. Unstoppable. Very fair. Highly recommended!

I'll make this review short and sweet. I was seriously considering buying a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero wagon I found on eBay. Not ever owning a Saab I stopped by and talked with Dan. Now I just pulled in an announced and with no immediate business for Dan but he took the time to answer all my questions and not only gave me the info I was looking for but he went into great detail on potential pitfalls of my purchase. He wasn't trying to scare me off but rather provide me with the power of knowledge in what to potentially expect. I decided to pass on this particular Saab due to the distance to perform a pre auction inspection but I truly appreciated the level of information he gave this non-customer. If I do get a Saab I would definitely bring it to Dan. read more

Saab-O-Rama - This was the 2006 9-3 Aero wagon I was considering. - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

This is the first Yelp review I've ever cared to write...and I have to do it because Dan and the folks at Saab-o-rama are the best mechanics I've ever been to. I immensely appreciate the time that Dan takes with me to explain what is going on with my car and the strategies he uses to save me money. He also ALWAYS makes sure that I make it out of shop in the time that I need to. MUCH GRATITUDE for all that you do Saab-o-rama! read more

We've been taking our audi over to Saa-o-rama for several years now.It's an older car. I completely trust Dan and the folks at Saab-o-rama. He gives straight up advice even if it means not doing work and in some cases even recommends other places that specialize in the service rather than doing it himself. (wheel alignment). His rates are great and he's my first choice for service in Santa Cruz. read more

We've been taking all our cars (even the non-Saabs) to Dan for decades. He's intelligent, resourceful and the charges are reasonable. The only downside is that he is so popular that sometimes it is hard to find a place to park near the garage. read more

Dan is not just a mechanic, he is a Saab whisperer. My trunk was recently jammed because the strap of one of my cheap cloth bags (instead of paying for a brown paper bag) got stuck in the contraption that secures the trunk when it closes. I brought it in to Dan. He jiggled it and it opened in a jiffy (never mind how many times I, and my friends, tried). I know most places would $$ for the service but Dan did not charge me at all. He has also fixed my clutch, my fuel injection, the seat when it got stuck and would not move back or forward-I have a 17 year old Saab with 175,000 plus miles, and quite frankly, Dan is the one keeping it on the road. His prices are reasonable, he will not make "add ons" or try for unneccessary repairs, he is honest and hardworking. He is also mellow and meets his "when will it be ready?" deadlines. I recommend Saab-O-Rama! read more