This is my first time writing a review on any shop here and it's not that the other shops I've been too werent worth noting it's just that everyone knows how great they are already. Auto HQ on the other hand is getting on their feet and I would like to help them out by showing my thanks. I went in for an oil change/tire rotation two days ago and I have to say James and Lawrence are some really cool dudes. I kinda got lost for a minute called the shop for directions and James told me which way to go, plus he even offered to drive out and meet me if I still couldn't find the shop. :eek: talk about excellent customer service! While at the shop both of these guys were super friendly and helpful answering what ever questions I had. Honestly I don't think I've ever felt so comfortable right off the bat in a shop before. I have no doubt in my mind that these guys will go far. Great work guys!


Thanks!


-Ken

I think I should write a little schpeel about why you should go to AHQ. Although Kevin Wong is somewhat of a legend of a mechanic around the bay area, his shop is a new shop and the guys work really hard to satisfy your every need. They want your business but more importantly they want to be your friend and they really go out of their way to help you. And more importantly than that, Kevin's the real certified bona fide deal (not that other mechanics are not, but just pointing this out seeing as how AHQ's motto is "dealer service without the dealer price" and this is very accurate) Kevin is unbelievably meticulous: He does not come from a tuner background, he is not interested in crazy horsepower numbers of hackjobs to get better laptimes; because of his background he's concerned with the car holistically and above all makes his mission to make the car run as close to showroom fresh as possible. And that's what you want in a mechanic, isn't it?

It's something that more established businesses may not possess. No one should flame me for saying this unless you're a green thumb since it is pretty widely acknowledged in any industry, not just automotive: when you talk to guys who've been around for a while they will tell you of businesses that used to be super awesome but then they became shady as time went on. Most men, even the good men, have a certain threshold where they turn to greed. So that's one reason for going to AHQ; it's new and wants your return business.

Honestly, however, James and Kevin are probably among that .1 percent of men who will never turn to greed or become shady. Both had good jobs working for Namco and Subaru doing stuff they absolutely loved in the frst place, jobs most anyone here would like to have (James loves video games and worked on creating the Tekken project, the number of mechanics without work to do due to requests for Kevin speaks for itself). James and Kevin chose to start AHQ because they love this stuff, and hell they were working their other job full time for the better part of a year just so they could start up AHQ in their spare time. Neither of them need their current position at AHQ to put food on their plate, and most of the time when people get shady with a business, it's because they need it to put food on their plate.

Another big thing AHQ has going for it is that it does NOT sell many parts. This is somewhat of a philosophical choice; AHQ feels that putting down thousands of dollars of overhead for tuner parts might tempt them to unceccessarily sell to customers to get rid of inventory. Thus, they only keep on hand a few parts (such as brake pads, fluids) which are currently on their own personal cars; if you don't buy it from them no big deal, they'll just put it on their own cars next time they need replacements. Nothing else.


So there you have it, even if you mostly do your own work, do give AHQ your business because the world needs more good men like them.

i PM'd them a while ago and i was looking for a place other then the dealership to do my 30K service, so ill be there when i hit 30K.

-Ave

Lawrence detailed my car last weekend...came out and met me at the shop and did a great job! Even treated some rust spots for me! It looks great inside and out now. Super friendly and i can definately say I felt comfortable and taken care of.

--reid

I just took my 05 wrx wagon in for a 60k service. The price was cheaper than any other place I got a quote. I hung out while they did the work and it only took like 4 hours. They let me drive the 400+ whp shop wrx (in fornza on the xbox) It was apparent they all had a passion for cars and i felt at ease giving them the keys to my baby.

thanks again
-Walker

Definitely a great place to have service done for your car, I had min done at 60k. One different detail that wasn't mentioned was Bryan the sales guy. Although the shop does an excellent job in the service department, I was disappointed with Bryan trying to sell/undercut other shops. Getting an estimate if about 1900 for a 105k+sparkplugs, then some bargaining went down to around 900 (which he said yes to, told me he'd write up the quote, and never sent it in, instead I received an email that kevin said it was too low to do). Paul at DBTuned who gave me the flat number of about 1150. IMO I don't like the horsing around and bargaining deal (i might as well go to a dealership and bargain with their car prices), I would rather have a shop that stands by their work and parts with reasonable prices. I wouldn't mind paying an extra few bucks for the labor as long as the work is quality and gets done.

Some strategies for companies is to undercut the neighbor next to you. This was not the case when MedicSTI was there, it was a simple flat rate and he stood by AutoHQ's standards without undercutting other shops. Although, he was a bit pessimistic, he was more in tuned with Kevin and the holistic view of your LIFE and your Car, rather than just pushin for cash and parts and tunes.

IMO 105k+sparkplugs = over $1900 was pretty outrageous to me, but I guess if you got the money you wouldn't mind the pricing issues.

talk about an old thread :ohwell:

bump from the dead

Definitely a great place to have service done for your car, I had min done at 60k. One different detail that wasn't mentioned was Bryan the sales guy. Although the shop does an excellent job in the service department, I was disappointed with Bryan trying to sell/undercut other shops. Getting an estimate if about 1900 for a 105k+sparkplugs, then some bargaining went down to around 900 (which he said yes to, told me he'd write up the quote, and never sent it in, instead I received an email that kevin said it was too low to do). Paul at DBTuned who gave me the flat number of about 1150. IMO I don't like the horsing around and bargaining deal (i might as well go to a dealership and bargain with their car prices), I would rather have a shop that stands by their work and parts with reasonable prices. I wouldn't mind paying an extra few bucks for the labor as long as the work is quality and gets done.

Some strategies for companies is to undercut the neighbor next to you. This was not the case when MedicSTI was there, it was a simple flat rate and he stood by AutoHQ's standards without undercutting other shops. Although, he was a bit pessimistic, he was more in tuned with Kevin and the holistic view of your LIFE and your Car, rather than just pushin for cash and parts and tunes.

IMO 105k+sparkplugs = over $1900 was pretty outrageous to me, but I guess if you got the money you wouldn't mind the pricing issues.

Uhh... I never quoted $1900 for a 105k with spark plugs.. You left out that you were looking for a 105k minor service, spark plugs, AND a timing belt service.. That is $1300...

Even a 90k major service with a timing belt job is $1550...


Some strategies for companies is to undercut the neighbor next to you. This was not the case when MedicSTI was there, it was a simple flat rate and he stood by AutoHQ's standards without undercutting other shops. Although, he was a bit pessimistic, he was more in tuned with Kevin and the holistic view of your LIFE and your Car, rather than just pushin for cash and parts and tunes.

I believe you also have some other facts mixed up... MedicSTI never worked at AHQ..
Please get your facts straight before you bash me.. I think another shop quoted you the $1900.. I know it wasn't me..

At AHQ we do believe more in keeping your on the road and in tune rather than pushing cash and parts.

Steven, if you are reading this I am not bashing you.. Just what the guy said..

Thank you
bryan

He got a username wrong, for a past employee, I'm sure it was just a slip and will be corrected. Posting personal experience with a shop isn't "bashing", it's a review; iLoquin is entitled to his opinion as are all users with personal experiences, positive or negative.

Thread moved to the correct forum (this thread predated the review forum).

I just took my 05 wrx wagon in for a 60k service. The price was cheaper than any other place I got a quote. I hung out while they did the work and it only took like 4 hours. They let me drive the 400+ whp shop wrx (in fornza on the xbox) It was apparent they all had a passion for cars and i felt at ease giving them the keys to my baby.

thanks again
-Walker

Walker, your welcome!

Uhh... I never quoted $1900 for a 105k with spark plugs.. You left out that you were looking for a 105k minor service, spark plugs, AND a timing belt service.. That is $1300...

Even a 90k major service with a timing belt job is $1550...


Some strategies for companies is to undercut the neighbor next to you. This was not the case when MedicSTI was there, it was a simple flat rate and he stood by AutoHQ's standards without undercutting other shops. Although, he was a bit pessimistic, he was more in tuned with Kevin and the holistic view of your LIFE and your Car, rather than just pushin for cash and parts and tunes.

I believe you also have some other facts mixed up... MedicSTI never worked at AHQ..
Please get your facts straight before you bash me.. I think another shop quoted you the $1900.. I know it wasn't me..

At AHQ we do believe more in keeping your on the road and in tune rather than pushing cash and parts.

Steven, if you are reading this I am not bashing you.. Just what the guy said..

Thank you
bryan

First of all, I am not a liar, I remember exactly that I spoke to a Bryan and it was from AutoHQ. You did quote me 1900, and because you never EVER even out of the multiple times I asked you to send me a PDF email, I never got a hard copy to actually show the quote. If you want to say some other shop did it then maybe I'll show my ins and out of my cell phone for which shop I called. Your shop, paul's shop, and GST are the only ones that I have in my phone book, and my phone bill will show that I spoke to you.

I guess the version is different for different groups. 105k Service for a different vendor included the timing belt, so when I mentioned 105k service that's what I was expecting, not a separate cost. Still that 1300 never matched up.

Let me give you the "logical" analysis. You quoted me from the start for 1900 for 105k sparkplugs and labor, without the timing belt. Then the price began dropping, and we ended up at 875 with the sparkplugs, where you said you would do 875. I have the gmail chat log to prove that.

----------------------------------------------------
from Auto Headquarter <autohq@gmail.com>
to iloqin@gmail.com
date Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 1:48 PM
subject Chat with Auto Headquarter
mailed-by gmail.com

hide details Mar 18


Reply


1:44 PM me: Hey
If you're here, this is my email addy, see if you can email me a quote. I like having a hard copy of everything.
1:48 PM Auto: I guarantee it to be $875
All Subaru Oem
1:49 PM me: I trust you, I just still like a quote paper instead of by word. I get it for anythign done with my car. (sorry if I sound anal about it)
1:50 PM Auto: ok, writing it right now


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


Then I get an email a couple hours later stating Kevin doesn't approve in response to the email I sent to you asking for a reply with a hardcopy PDF.
And in fact your facts are incorrect, mixing up the timing belt and 105k without the parkplugs

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Wong <iloqin@gmail.com>
to Auto Headquarter <autohq@gmail.com>
date Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 2:16 PM
subject Email me here..
mailed-by gmail.com

hide details Mar 18


Reply


Incase you lossed the email address. Go ahead and reply here, look forward to that quote by the end of the day.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Then this was the reply, notice the time stamps


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Auto Headquarter
to me

show details Mar 18


Reply


from Auto Headquarter <info@autoheadquarter.com>
to Stephen Wong <iloqin@gmail.com>
date Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 8:33 PM
subject Re: Email me here..
mailed-by gmail.com

hide details Mar 18


Reply



Stephen,

I would like to give you $875 for your 105k and timing belt. Kevin and I talked on it and there is no way we can do it for that amount with all genuine parts. I hope you understand where I am coming from and hope you may come to us again at another time.

Thank you,
Bryan

--
Bryan Cheng, General Manager
Kevin Wong, ASE-Certified Master Technician, Honda, Subaru, and Lotus Official Master Technician
Shigenori Ara, EcuTek instructor (Japan)
Auto Headquarter
650 Broadway St. Unit 4-A
Redwood City, CA 94063

------------------------------------------------------------------------



Now you're saying 105k, sparkplugs, timing belt is 1300?
Something here to me doesn't add up.
As for MedicSTI, I probably assumed the wrong name. It was the white guy that went to Stanford for Medical school that left before you came in. I assumed that it was MedicSTI for obvious reasons (medical school and drives an STI)

I agree your service is excellent, but if you are the wrong guy to speak to when speaking about quotes then let me know. I'll speak directly to Kevin instead. I'm sorry, I don't like to bash on a review, but if you straight flat out lie to me and the people who read these reviews that some OTHER shop quoted me that insane quote, then yes I am bashing you for trying to con your way out of your own words.

Found out his name, it was Brandon.

Ilogin.. Sorry, not trying to con my way out of anything.. Maybe it was just a lack of communication somewhere.. People aren't perfect. I am not perfect. Sorry we couldn't do business this time around. Yes, I was trying to give you a good price. You haggled on the price to. I tried to meet your needs, but I couldn't. I am sorry for that.

Anyhow, I hope you received everything in fair order wherever you went. I am not the wrong guy to speak with at AHQ.

Stephen, sorry but $1900 is very outrageous.. If that's what I typed, it was a typo.. If it was over the phone, then it was mis-communication... I have never quoted $1900 for a timing belt service to anyone..

Some days I am absolutely swamped with things at the office and couldn't give you a hard copy. I have usually given an email quote one way or another..

Again, I am sorry..

"Let me give you the "logical" analysis. You quoted me from the start for 1900 for 105k sparkplugs and labor, without the timing belt. Then the price began dropping, and we ended up at 875 with the sparkplugs, where you said you would do 875. I have the gmail chat log to prove that."

Stephen, there has to be a misunderstanding somehwere... $1900 for a 105k minor and spark plugs .. I know I didn't do that .. a minor service is $300 and even with spark plugs it would be just $145 dollars more.. ($85 labor and $60 for the plugs)...

"Let me give you the "logical" analysis. You quoted me from the start for 1900 for 105k sparkplugs and labor, without the timing belt. Then the price began dropping, and we ended up at 875 with the sparkplugs, where you said you would do 875. I have the gmail chat log to prove that."

Stephen, there has to be a misunderstanding somehwere... $1900 for a 105k minor and spark plugs .. I know I didn't do that .. a minor service is $300 and even with spark plugs it would be just $145 dollars more.. ($85 labor and $60 for the plugs)...

Maybe it was a misunderstanding, but asking for a quote multiple times without receiving one in hardcopy (so there is no misunderstanding, I know what I get and what it costs) would have been a lot easier. The labor quote was about ~$65 bux per hour, for 7-8hr's of work. I'm not here to look for an apology. I just wanted to state a review (not really much of a review since I didn't actually go in for service) but how it was approached and why I chose not to get my service done with your shop. I was appalled at dealing with the sales and service. I know you guys are top notch when it comes to service, I wrote a separate good review of AutoHQ when I received my 60k maintenance there. Dealing with the financial part of it was why I became irritated along with hearing that I was somehow imagining the phone conversations with 1900+ dollar quotes.

...i've never worked there...?

I'm very confused from all the numbers flying around. I was thinking of going to Auto HQ for all the great reviews everyone gives them but I was quoted a pretty high number as well....hate to look around farther than I have to but $$$ definitely makes a difference.

I'm very confused from all the numbers flying around. I was thinking of going to Auto HQ for all the great reviews everyone gives them but I was quoted a pretty high number as well....hate to look around farther than I have to but $$$ definitely makes a difference.

How much was the quote they gave you?

How much was the quote they gave you?

Out of respect for AutoHQ, I didnt want to publicize it so I sent you a PM

That price you were quoted is just nuts. Who would pay that much for a 105k service is beyond me.

:crazy:

That price you were quoted is just nuts. Who would pay that much for a 105k service is beyond me.

:crazy:

actually that quote was for timing belt service, 90k service and iridium spark plugs. it isnt that outrageous but still pretty high

actually that quote was for timing belt service, 90k service and iridium spark plugs. it isnt that outrageous but still pretty high

Totally unrelated and my apologies for posting in AutoHQ's thread but you shot us a PM but we cannot respond to it as it says you have selected to not be able to receive PM's in your setup of you account.

Mike

That price you were quoted is just nuts. Who would pay that much for a 105k service is beyond me.

:crazy:

You quote high and then bargain down so the customer feels like they are getting a "good deal."

Totally unrelated and my apologies for posting in AutoHQ's thread but you shot us a PM but we cannot respond to it as it says you have selected to not be able to receive PM's in your setup of you account.

Mike

Sorry I think this thing is on crack....or maybe I was :joker: it should be fixed now. If it doesn't work feel free to email me cswinsf@gmail.com

thanks!

You quote high and then bargain down so the customer feels like they are getting a "good deal."

That WAS the bargained price....:sad:

To turn this thread around a bit.

I have only had one experience with AutoHQ and it was fantastic.

Got the job done right the first time. Great prices. Good Customer service. Jerry is an awesome mechanic. Kevin is hella nice as well, and from what i saw at end of day he takes care of his employees too.

If they werent so far away i would take my car to them for minor services.

Been there a couple times with the new whip and these guys are the best.

Having a car under warranty, I was reluctant to bring it anywhere but a stealership due to warranty reasons. Why?, considering bringing it to other people doesn't void your warranty. Well, within 8K I spun a rod bearing and did my own oil changes with AMSoil, and showed all my paperwork and they almost didn't honor the warranty.

Anyways, started bringing my car to the stealership and my oil level was always over the expansion mark almost an inch. So, where do I go a still have SOA be cool with it. Hmmm...how about Kevin @ AHQ, a Subaru Master Technician, that was a hard one.

I got my Cusco coilovers adjusted and some installs done by Jerry and my car handles like it never has before. Jerry is a superstar technician and I wouldn't let anyone but him and Kevin work on my ride. Jerry's portfolio is ridiculous.

Lastly, what sold me the most was their persistance in having a Shiggy Tune. With most of my automotive knowing being inline with Toyota, specificly blown tacos (supercharged tacomas), hearing how Shiggy tunes subies was exactly what I was looking for. When I first got my subie, I really dont like the fact all these shops Dyno tune or flash pre-fabed or custom maps with an Cobb AP. I only learned how to tune a tacoma in real-time while driving with a URD Kit (http://www.urdusa.com/), wideband, OBDII piggyback, laptop, and software. When I heard that Shiggy does partial throttle tuning real-time on the road with EcuTek...and thats all AHQ recommends b/c its the best, I knew this was the only shop to take my ride to.

Why I go there:

Shop's labor rate is inexpensive.
Certified Subaru Master Tech.
Jerry's Snap-On tools.
Shiggy Tune.
Atmosphere. Hangout and watch.