anyone know an honest mechanic in Sacramento Ca area? Or central Ore?

I'm looking at trucks and may need to find a mechanic to do a vehicle inspection. Anyone know someone in Sacramento, Oregon, or Santa Cruz/Montery areas? East or South SF Bay areas?

 

In Central Oregon I would go to Happy Danes or Brandys Auto repair in Bend. Both have taken care of me before.

 

I like Shannon's in Folsom, and they specialize in Toyota's. Don't know if they would do a pre-purchase inspection, though.

 

Thanks guys I guess Oregon is out. I actually found a good deal but the guy wouldn't guarantee a California smog. Don't really blame him. I guess no one smogs in Ore except near Portland.

If anyone's looking for one though I found a 4runner 4x4 3.4L with 140K miles for $5000 or $5500 in Florence ORE. I won't buy it because of the smog gamble. Yes... I know... but I won't.

 

If it didn't pass smog how much would it cost to fix, a couple hundred? My little sister has a 4 Runner, about the same thing (not from Florence though) 250k miles it passed fine.

My 98 tacoma passed just fine. However, that was right after getting a new California catalytic converter because someone stole mine with a saw in the middle of the night.

My roommate had a PoS Volvo, early 90s, it didn't pass. Took about 500 bucks to fix it up. If the price is good enough that you can still pay to fix then it might be worth it. Kind of a long drive from where you are at though.

YMMV

 

"If it didn't pass smog how much would it cost to fix, a couple hundred?"

Couple hundred to a couple thousand depending. Not really worth the risk to me.

I have plenty of time, don't really need the 4wd for another 6 months to a year, depending on when I get a chance to travel. I've been looking for about 2 weeks and I see the same trucks come up over and over as "new" listings. Those 1996 trucks & runners with 200K miles just aren't selling for $6500 to $8000. Go figure! I'll just wait.

Cat stolen? What did that cost you? I guess they sell the metal for all of $50!! Sheesh. I read up on car and cat thefts in So Cal and Arizona. I guess the stolen ones are imported to Mexico, re-papered, then sold all over the place. Once I find a truck I think I'm going to have a kill switch and hood lock put in.

 

The Master Technicians in Auburn, just up the highway from Sac. Best mechanic in the area, I go to them for everything.

http://www.mastertechnicians.net/

 

Thank you, really appreciate the feedback!

 

Yea sometimes I can't believe what used Toyotas to for these days.

The cat was stolen when I lived in the Bay Area. It was a really bad day at work. Stayed until 3am, went home, slept, got back out to my truck at 7am and it got cut out in that 4hr window. I was parked next to maybe 30 luxury cars, not one of them touched (BMW, Mercs, Lexus, so on), but they are all low to the ground. I still have the receipt somewhere, think it cost about $495 to fix. I had my smog test right after that and passed.

Pics aren't that great, but I made a short post here when it happened-
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/201169-catalytic-converter-stolen-diy-take-shop.html

 

Yeah. I love toyotas but they just aren't worth that. But, just 'cause they ask that much doesn't mean they get it. I'm seeing the same trucks posted over and over again. & I think new trucks are a better deal mile for mile at this point & they are giving more car loans. Soooo.... I'll wait & see.

Glad your cat wasn't the $2300 one. I like the razor wire idea in the other thread. I was thinking of rat traps myself.