Honda Of Oakland

I have a 1993 Civic, owned since new, and have taken meticulous care of it. I transferred jobs to downtown Oakland so thought I would try them out for service.

#1 - My air conditioner was no longer blowing cold so I took it in. When I picked it up, the service manager said the system was shot and advised a total replacement of the system for over $1200 plus labor. I said no thanks and figured I'd live without aircon for a while.

#2 - I needed simple coolant change along with some other regular maintenance. When I started to drive off, I noticed the coolant gauge on the dash was no longer working. I returned to Honda of Oakland and was told that it was a coincidence that the gauge was broken the very same day the service was done. Since I was going on a road trip the next week, I took it back the next day and they said it was a faulty thermostat and I had to spend more than $100 to replace it.

I got the old part and tested it (basically put it boiling water to see if the spring opened the valve). I think they forgot to plug in a wire or something minor and yet charged me to replace a perfectly working part. Lesson learned: always get a second opinion. When I called the service manager to complain, I never received a call back. I should have called the Bureau of Automotive Repair instead.

#1 Redux - After the thermostat incident, I did take my car to Midas for a small muffler repair and mentioned the weak air conditioning. They did a check and found it was a faulty $2 valve that leaked the Freon out. That was it. I didn't need to spend over $1200 like Honda of Oakland advised. My total cost to fix was about $80 as it needed an injection of Freon.

I simply don't trust them after these two incidents (with the same service advisor). I wrote a detailed letter to them and never received a response or a call back. Seems typical for them in looking at the other reviews.

Posted 10/26/09 | Report Abuse

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We recently bought a Fit from Honda of Oakland through the cash2clunkers program. It was frustrating from the government end (changing the requirements hourly). We spent the entire day getting them all the paperwork - but the staff at the dealership was pleasant, helpful, and direct. They gave us the lowest price in the Bay Area by about $1000 and did not try to hype us or sell us other services that we did not want. The salesman, finance officer, and receptionist were all very good. Their selection was the BIGGEST in the entire area. We wanted a light blue Fit with a manual transmission. NO other dealership had ANY manuel trnas cars - so we got the best price and the best selection.

Posted 09/08/09 | Report Abuse

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I have an '03 Pilot that I bought through the on-line service at Honda of San Leandro in Sept of '02 because they gave me the best price but I have had all the service done in Oakland. I have been very satisfied with the maintenance checks, brake replacement, tire changes and the solving of minor problems. They even washed my car for me on one service. The service people are always friendly and my vehicle is always done when promised. I am sorry to hear others have not had the same experience. I am very happy with my experience with them over the last 6+ years.

Posted 05/19/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I was reading the other reviews and noticed there wasnt a whole lot of good talk about these guys at Honda Of Oakland. However I still choose to do business despite of all the bad talk of Car sales people. I see why its hard to please everyone, as majority of all would like to get the lowest possible price. I Shopped other stores and talk to a hand full of sales guys. After spending all that time looking around other Honda stores, I was annoyed and tired of sales pitches. Realizing that I was already aggravated with sales people I had to be fair to Honda of Oakland because thats where I was buying my car. They had the lowest price out there and they got straight to the point, especially having to deal with a Manager directly. Honestly these guys are not that bad, compared to all the others out there. Dont expect excellent service but expect good enough service with the lowest price. I almost didnt want to post anything on there because I was ok with the service, I would definitely come back again. So what ever your reading keep in mind there must be a hand full of happy customers out there that didnt spend the time to write. I am glad I shopped at Oakland. I now have a brand new Fit at a price that Fitted.

Posted 01/12/09 | Report Abuse

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First of all I would like to say that I am a vary paced buyer, I do not fall into all the hype or excitement of whos selling what at what price. My main focus was mainly on customer service and if the establishment is well managed. I was emotionally touched when I had met the sales team at Honda Of Oakland. All their staff and especially that Supervisor name Ray Kwan was extremely helpful, Listened to all my needs and tailored the right plan for my financial needs. As a savvy consumer, I didnt mention to the sales team that I have already shopped around and done all my homework on the best price. Without having to say too much they gave my the bottom line and it was surprisingly much lower than the other competitor like San Leandro, El Cerrito and Dublin Honda. Vary pleased with an outstanding job in listening to my needs and sold me a car without the hassle. I am highly recommending Honda of Oakland for a job well done. I felt like I was buying a Rolls Royce!

Posted 07/12/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I bought my Honda Accord from Honda of Oakland in 2000. I knew exactly what I wanted and what I was willing to pay from on internet research. I had to walk out and get called back but got what I wanted.

I would not have liked to go there without being so well prepared; but I think that is true of any sales situation.

Recently I've had it serviced there after many years at <CRAFT> in El Cerrito which is pretty far from my home. I was treated fine but the car just didn't seem to run as well -- nothing specific wrong just the "feel" of the car wasn't right -- so I'm now going to Oakland autoworks on McArthur which came highly recommended.

Posted 01/16/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I did extensive research via online and contacted every Honda dealer in the bay area and not only was Honda of Oakland able to beat everyone else's price, they made the whole buying process such a cinch. For those in the market of buying a car, don't bother going in to make a deal... just go in to test drive and walk right out and do all your negotiations with the internet dept. and have them compete for your business. I would absolutely recommend them--but do your homework beforehand and know what you want.

PROS: Internet dept. folks
CONS: showroom sales people--don't bother dealing with them

Posted 09/11/06 | Report Abuse

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We purchased a new 2006 Honda Odyssey on April 8, 2006 and paid cash and also bought a $995 extended warranty. I was 8 months pregnant at the time. Consumers have 60 days to cancel an extended warrenty contract per the DEALERSHIP'S OWN PAPERWORK. I changed my mind and told them I was cancelling the warranty. Between April 8th and the 20th, I contacted the dealership and finance manager (Brian), seven (7) times. I called, left messages on his voice mail, spoke to another finance manager (Sid) and he lied to me about the "warranty computer website being down" and therefore he couldn't help me. It was so obvious he was lying. I told Sid, "You mean to tell me that if I came down there now, and bought a car, you couldn't sell it to me because the computer is down?" I spoke to Brian on the 14th and he said he would fax the "cancellation paperwork" to me over the Easter holiday weekend. I never received it. I spoke to him on the 17th and he said he had the wrong fax # and then he said the paperwork wasn't printing up and could I write him a formal letter cancelling the warranty. I went to the dealership on the 20th and spoke to Brian and gave him the cancellation letter he requested. He assured me he was going to "send the paperwork" upstairs and it would take "1-2 weeks" to have a check sent out. I called on the 28 of April to speak to the Assistant General Manager Cathy? someone. I left a message on her voice mail explaining the situation and never received a call back. It is now the 5th of May. I am due any day now and am so upset that this dealership is literally taking food and baby necessities out of my unborn baby's mouth by not returning our money. My blood pressure has increased and this is really stressing me out. I am going to file a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the general manager of the dealership and the PSC owners of Oakland Honda AND with American Honda.

Posted 05/05/06 | Report Abuse

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the place was small, they have a very small selection to choose from, and the service they give you is...well i dont think im allowed to use that word. the sales person was very rude, cars salesmens are supposed to be pretty pushy i guess and trying to make you buy the car, but this guy was way overboard. he wasnt a bit helpful at all and trying to help you find a car that you would want to buy.

Posted 11/28/05 | Report Abuse

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I would never go back again to the Honda of Oakland. The salesman that assisted my husband and I was very rude. He kept pressuring has to buy a car that we wanted but in the wrong color. When we finally said we were going to leave he just gave has a nasty smirk and left. I would not recommend the place at all.

Posted 11/25/05 | Report Abuse

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The Honda dealership in Oakland is a relatively small store with just a few cars in their small showroom and a very small lot. The salespeople seem to care only to make a profit and were not at all helpful. I was very unhappy with the people I delt with and would not recomment anyone shopping for a Honda car to even bother going to this dealership.

Posted 09/04/05 | Report Abuse

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So they might not be wearing white leather shoes or sporting fake gold chains, but the salesmen at Honda on Broadway are the stereotypical used car salesmen. Im sure theyre all nice guys, and are knowledgeable of the cars they sell, but any place that doesnt list the asking price of a used car, and makes you wait for over five minutes back at the office while they talk to their manager is pretty sketchy. They use high-pressure sales techniques that leave you defensive and suspicious. Unless you know exactly what you want and how much you want to pay, or can resist the charms of the smoothest of used car sales people, think twice about purchasing a used car from here.

Posted 07/04/05 | Report Abuse

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