These guys are the most honest and helpful mechanics I know. They always lay out what needs to be…read moredone and do it as quoted. They give you a run down on what can be left for later and never do unnecessary work. They have helped out my wife who is not car savy on a number of occasions. I will always take my vehicles there.

Great service. Didn't need a new transmission ... hurrah!read more

Babes is the best! Honest, reliable, & genuinely good people. They've always treated me fairly,…read morenever tried to sell me things I didn't need. I've finally found my forever Kootenay mechanics!

I brought a diesel in after it failed to restart after it was park overnight on the highway. Their…read moretech checked and couldn't get it going and all they can tell me was it is major engine failure. And will not be able to work on it until next week which is 3 days later. I drove out to check it out myself and held the starter for about 10sec the engine started and drove it home. I was nice enough to leave my number for them to call me so I can pay for what they have done. They charged me $204 plus $28 for diesel. I think that is excessive. Avoid this shop at all cost because they will take advantage of the situation.

Most honest mechanic in town. Not a gouger. Getting busy as population increases and people learn…read morethat Dave and Steve not only honest but good mechanics!

In the middle of our 10 1/2 hour journey, our Toyota Tacoma began smoking and we had no choice but…read moreto pull over on a highway about 30 minutes outside of Castlegar. With no cell service in the area, we eventually got the truck started and coasted straight into the Castlegar dealership. From the minute we arrived, we were treated incredibly well and were reassured that the service techs would get to the bottom of the matter and that they would have us on our way again. We are always wary of dealerships but since we still had a few hours of driving, wanted the job done right. And Castlegar Toyota did a great job of quickly finding out the issue, even calling the quick lube shop that had serviced our truck the day before to confirm their procedures and confirmed that mistakes had been made. They had us back on the road within 1 1/2 hours (with a free bbq tool too!). The cost of their services we felt were very reasonable and comparable to other shops. We're grateful to the staff at Castlegar Toyota for getting us to our destination safely.

I'm not quite sure what's up with this dealership. We are in search of a specific Toyota vehicle…read moreand I have tried emailing and visiting the dealership on several occasions and still haven't been able to speak to anyone. We stopped by again this past Saturday, walked the lot, went inside, tried to make eye contact with several employees and we weren't even acknowledged by the Customer Service desk, let alone a salesperson. This is the second time this has happened to us there. Guess we'll be visiting Nelson Toyota this weekend. Hopefully we meet someone who actually wants to sell a car there....

These guys have really been great with our Toyota Sequoia. They helped us swap out winter tires and…read morean oil change must less costly vs the dealership.

Hello do not use these guys. I purchased a transmission from them that was supposed to be in…read moreperfect condition. It turned out to be a dud. I spent $600 buying it from them and had to spend another $800 to get it repaired properly not including installation. I contacted owner Cory Scanlon and he was an idiot on the phone swearing and saying the people who installed it must not know what there doing. Funning thing is it was installed by a certified transmission specialist. He is not to be trusted and does not honor his word.

I want to thank the staff at Columbia Auto Repair for doing such a great job of determining the…read moreproblem with my sons truck and so quickly repairing it. He said it was a good expirence dealing with them, so pleasant and helpful.

High quality people!! Through a series of fortunate, and…read moresome unfortunate, happenings I was able to get my car into the shop while looking for a same day appointment. Not only did they get my car back up and running but they also gave a super comprehensive overview of how my car is doing, and what future work will need to be done. Doug took the time, after a long days work, to explain their findings in a kind and informative way. I am beyond grateful for the folks who worked on my car and would highly recommend Downtown Automotive.

Do you want it done cheap, or do you want it done right?…read more As a fleet manager with over 20 years in the automotive industry, I've seen how most shops operate. Too often it's the cheapest parts, every bolt rattled with an impact gun, and training thrown out the window in the name of tighter profit margins. It's frustrating, and sadly, it's become the norm in many repair facilities. Downtown Auto is the outlier. They pride themselves on quality, and it shows -- from their thorough inspections and clear reporting to the way they approach diagnostics. They don't just throw parts at a problem. Every issue is addressed with a methodical, traceable diagnostic process. When repairs are needed, procedures and specifications are followed to the book. Nothing is overlooked. What also stands out is their commitment to training. In the Kootenays, we don't have the luxury of a large, seasoned trades culture. At Downtown Auto, they take the time to mentor new technicians, ensuring their work meets high standards. That investment pays off for customers like me. As a fleet manager, this has been a game-changer. While other shops end up fixing the same problems repeatedly, Downtown Auto fixes it once -- and fixes it right. It makes my job easier knowing the vehicles I send to them come back reliable and road-ready. So sure, you can save a little by going somewhere else for cheaper parts and speed-driven repairs -- and end up with a work order that's as hard to understand as your teenager's text messages. Or, you can go to Downtown Auto and know it's done right the first time.