No 1 Japanese Auto Service

08/26/2008 Posted by Raul0610

Bill and his staff have shown great customer service and very honest systems approach not only in troubleshooting the root cause for my defective catalytic converter but at the same time on designing best possible resolution to the problem. My Acura RSX-S was diagnosed in Chicago originally where I moved from oxygen sensors malfunction not much of cat conv. My cat conv as Bill explained to me has been exposed to rust, salt, snow, rain, pollutants, etc. that literally deteriorated my cat conv. as confirmed by my original theory. I did ask him for some after -market cat conv and he implied that I should not trust that. I ignored his advice but when we tried to have it assembled, the cat conv did not fit. This time I did listen to his advice and just got one from him from dealership. It is expensive but it is the right size and metal components. My car is running great now. His labor charge was rational and he did extra stuff for my car. I'm planning to have my car serviced here from now on as I can trust these people. Besides, being a chemical engineer, I 'd like to see how this cat conv is assembled and its systems dynamics so he let me check on it while being serviced with precautions of course. So I highly recommend this shop for its honesty, integrity and expertise.

Pros: Customer Service, Honesty and Expertise, 3 Blks from where I live!

Cons: None

05/24/2008 Posted by nina1974

Bill is great. He explains things until I get them. When he can he shows me the parts involved in the repair and once he even got me under the car so I could really understand what was going on. They are willing to think out of the box and come up with inexpensive repair options that other shops never recommended. They fixed my loose heat shields quickly and effectively instead of expensively which is what the other guys wanted to do. Recently I needed AC work and he recommended a great shop. I have total confidence in No 1 Japanese Auto Service. I love my Subaru and they take care of it so I can keep loving it.

03/07/2008 Posted by sukhostar

Honest, knowledgeable, fair, affordable, great customer service, great vibe, and an over all excellent experience. What more could you ask for? This place is definitely a diamond in the rough. Came in needing something big done (clutch) without calling ahead, they still took me in and finished the job in a day. Thanks again guys. Highly recommended.

Pros: Honest, old school shop - just the way I like it.

Cons: none

10/30/2007 Posted by sethharris

I came to No. 1 Japanese Auto based solely on the reviews from this site. I wasn't disappointed. It's no frills, no BS, honest work. You won't get up-sold and they'll give you the option of new vs. used parts. Just put their contact info in your phone and call it a day. No complaints.

Pros: they do exactly what they say they'll do

Cons: nothing for me but if you want a plush waiting room, you won't find it here

09/11/2007 Posted by k_pine

We used No 1 Japanese Auto nearly a year ago to get a new engine for my partner's new car. In 3 short weeks after buying a used car, he had the engine seize because the previous owners never changed the oil. The dealership, of course, was of no assistance and being young and me a woman, we were treated like we didn't know anything. I found No 1 Japanese Auto on City Search and immediately contacted them for the repairs. Not only did they treat me like an equal (hard to come by in the auto industry when you're a female client), but they gave us honest advice and price quotes. The work was done on schedule and we were even given straightforward advice on how to deal with the warranty and dealership. I recently bought another Asian import vehicle and, surprise surprise, am having problems with the check engine light coming on. While I have been told to visit the dealership for repairs, I have no doubt I will return to No 1 for their honest advice and price quotes as well as their excellent customer service. I wish there were more shops that treated women and younger folks this way!

Pros: Honesty, customer service, quotes, ability to describe repairs in an understandable way, friendly atmosphere and staff

Cons: they closed for a week over X-Mas/New Year's...but can I blame them?

07/12/2007 Posted by dianyla

I brought my 91 Civic in about 6 months ago to have a whole laundry list of items taken care of. The over-the-phone consult was very straightforward and pleasant. More important, I never got the slightest patronizing tone of voice that many mechanics seem to adopt when talking to female clientele. Their estimate was about 25% lower than Clarke's Honda quoted me over the phone for the same scope of work. Fast turnaround, they found and fixed even more problems than we initially discussed, yet they stayed within the agreed-upon expense limit. Overall, a great experience.

Pros: Respectful to Women

05/12/2007 Posted by meglet8629

Everything they've said was true, fast, friendly honest, well priced, no bs. However, when I had a problem they couldn't diagnose and therefore couldn't fix, I was told I was safe and not to worry about it. I decieded to play it safe and have the dealer check it out. They found that bump bump I heard with every rotation of the wheel was due to lug nuts that were worn out and holding the wheel on properly. I really don't know much about cars, but that seems like a fairly straightforward thing to fix and not safe to be driving with, as in my wheel would have eventually fallen off. Also, while at the dealer they gave the car a total check-up and found that the pressure hose which No 1 had recently replaced didn't have "O" rings on it (ironically a part they told me they had trouble getting and caused a delay in the completion of the work). So, yes, nice guy, good service, will try to save you money, but potentially at the expense of your safety - not worth it to me. I'm going to folk out the extra money and go to the dealer you know that penny of prevention, pound of cure saying just might have something to it when it comes to cars...

Pros: Explanations, price

Cons: Improperly completed work, bad diagnosis

12/03/2006 Posted by frankirby

No 1 Japanese Auto Service is the best auto repair service I have used in Portland. I have used them for the past three years for a variety of big and small jobs including an engine replacement in a Mazda van and a valve adjustment in my Honda. Not only are they prompt in diagnosing problems, they are reliable and stand by the work they do. I've never had a repair shop explain work so clearly and patiently. These guys make you feel like you're talking to NPR's Car Talk guys!

Pros: Cars left for repairs are parked inside the garage, not on the street.

Cons: There really isn't a formal waiting area.

12/01/2006 Posted by seeourx

This is the most reasonably priced, competent auto shops that I have experienced. The owner is friendly and knowledgable. I feel reassurred that my vehicle is getting service it needs and I'm not paying out of pocket for something misdiagnosed and not having to make return visits because of that. When I bring my vehicle in, it is promptly attended to and I'm on my way in a short time. A+++ Supplier.

06/26/2006 Posted by bootpdx

Straightforward, honest, fast-turn around shop. The owner is a great guy who will advise on preventive maintainence and other random factoids. I take my Subaru here and nowhere else.

Pros: proximity to my home in NW.

Cons: If you want a waiting room, go elsewhere