Ask for Ray.
He's run Foothill Auto Works out of the same two bays in Los Gatos since 2005. If your car is acting up, he'll tell you what it needs and what it costs before anyone picks up a wrench.
Ray at the counter
Most people who call here have been burned by a shop before. Some of them tell me about it before they get around to what's wrong with the car.
So here is my word on it, in writing.
You hear the price before I touch anything.
See the posted pricesI show you every part I take off your car.
See what you get backIf something can wait, I tell you it can wait.
See a real listI don't sell you anything you didn't come in for.
See what people paid
If I ever miss one of these, tell me. I'll make it right.
Ray Delgado
Owner, since 2005
Ray Delgado opened Foothill in 2005 with two bays and a used lift. He's still here most days, usually under something. His daughter runs the books now.
Posted prices
Check-engine light, read and explained
$0
We read the code, then tell you in plain words what it means and whether it's urgent. No charge, and no obligation to have us fix it.
Oil and filter, with a 20-point look-over
$89
Usually under an hour. If the look-over turns something up, you get told about it. You don't get sold it today.
Smog check, STAR certified
$69
If it doesn't pass, you get the exact list of what it needs and what that costs before we do a thing.
Tire rotation and balance
$60
We'll also tell you honestly whether the tires have life left in them. Most of the time they do.
A/C not cold, leak found and quoted
$120
We find where it's actually leaking instead of topping it up and waving you off until next summer.
Front brake pads and rotors
from $340
Pads, rotors, and the labor. The range is real: it depends on the car, and you hear your number before we start.
These are the prices for most cars we see. If yours turns out to be different, you hear the new number before we start, not after.
When you pick the car up, the old parts are in a box on the counter.
You don't have to ask for them, and you don't have to know what you're looking at. Ray will hold the worn one up next to the new one and show you the difference. If you'd rather take the keys and get on with your day, that's fine too. The box is there either way.
A worn part, held up
The old brake rotor in Ray's hand, next to the new one.
24 months / 24,000 miles
Everything we replace is covered for 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. Parts and labor both. If it fails inside that, you don't pay for it twice.
This is the kind of list you get.
Two columns, one thing at a time, in plain words. What we'd fix today, and what we'd leave alone for now.
Fix now
Safety, or it gets worse fast.
Front brake pads
Down to 2mm. Another month and you're into the rotors.
Serpentine belt
Cracked through. If it lets go, you're on the shoulder.
Can wait
Real, but not today.
Rear shocks
Worn, so it rides soft. Not unsafe, and not cheap. Your call, no rush.
Cabin air filter
Dirty. Buy one for $20 and do it yourself, or we'll swap it at your next oil change.
Oil weep at the valve cover
A seep, not a leak. Nothing on your driveway yet. We'll keep an eye on it.
Front bumper scuff
Cosmetic. Costs real money and fixes nothing. We'd leave it.
I know nothing about cars and I've been talked into a lot of things I didn't need over the years. Ray drew me a diagram of what was wrong, then wrote out two lists: what to fix now and what could wait. That was two years ago. Most of the second list is still waiting.
What people paid
The dealer's brake quote, then Ray's.
Dealer quoted me $1,900 for a brake job. I brought it to Ray for a second opinion and he did it for $640. He kept the old rotors to show me what was actually worn. I've sent four people from work here since.
A check-engine light, the Friday before a road trip.
Check-engine light came on the Friday before a road trip and I was sure the trip was off. Ray read the code, found a loose gas cap, tightened it, and wouldn't take any money for it. He does all my service now.
A first car, made safe before college.
My daughter's first car needed work before she left for college and I was braced for a big number. Ray fixed what was actually wrong, told me the dents and the scratched bumper weren't worth doing, and had it back a day early.
What's it doing?
Tap whichever one sounds closest to your car. You don't need the right words for it. That's our job.
| Mon – Fri | 8am – 6pm |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9am – 4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Come by, or just call.
If the car isn't safe to drive, leave it where it is and call anyway. We'll help you sort out a tow.