Alan Rice Automotive

I had only lived in Santa Cruz for a few days before my truck started making weird sounds. I had no problems whatsoever dropping my truck off early, and for once in my life the mechanic (Alan) actually LISTENED to what I thought may be the diagnosis and had some questions. (Usually I am blown off by busy technicians since I’m not necessarily a ‘car guy’.) Turns out my alternator had died! It was still under warranty so they next-​day shipped my dead alternator down to Anaheim where it was purchased and VERY patiently waited a week for the new alternator to arrive. Once the part arrived they were QUICK to get my truck back together and running like a champ! They had to deal with pushing my dead truck around their garage and parking lot for 8 days and never once complained to me about it. THANKS SO MUCH ALAN RICE AUTOMOTIVE! 100% recommending this place based on my great experience.

I had my car towed here for what I thought would be a major fix. The lady who got my information was very sweet and helpful. Alan called me later in the day and the repair was already finished! He explained what had gone wrong, exactly what he did to fix it, and the state my car was in after the repair. These are very honest people who work very quickly!

Alan Rice just fixed my car and allowed me to get it smogged after a SAGA! He is just a really nice guy, and went out of his way to help out with this issue that took serious detective work to get to the bottom of. He explained it all to me also, and supported my learning of what was going on.
After the first time I saw him and he took care of issue #1, he invited me to stop by for free in order to give feedback and help with my smog process. In the end, my car is fixed running great, and smog certified (with the core issue fixed finally after numerous mechanics beforehand trying and not succeeding). I feel so liberated!!!

Alan is a sincere and genuine person. He’s honest and fair. His daughter works there also, which makes the gendering that goes into car shops not as present. Being a female I feel that auto shops tend to take advantage of, not to seem cliché, female’s lack of car knowledge. Shops tend to tell us things that aren’t true just to make the top dollar. However, Alan’s shop doesn’t operate that way. Plus he’s efficient and helpful. I highly recommend him, I will definitely return.
Thanks Alan!

Alan Rice is honest, fair, and accommodating — also a superb mechanic. I’m 87 years old and he has serviced my car for almost 20 years. (I am posting this for my mother, who wrote it but doesn’t have a computer. I would like to add that I feel like Alan treats her like he would treat his own mother, and I am so glad he is there for her.)

I was referred by a friend to go to Alan and I now know why. I went to get my AC looked at and explained that I am semi mechanically inclined and if he could give me a few suggestions I might be able to do it myself. He told me he was extremely busy but still took the time to look over my vehicle and give me suggestions. I took his advice and he was right on the money. I wish there were more mechanics like Alan rice. Honest and willing to help without hesitation. Alan rice will have my business from here on out.

Alan is great and gives you great deal. He actually gave me options. Super rare in the automotive field. I’m happy

Alan is great, he’s helpful and takes the time to explain whats wrong and makes sure your fROM is right when it leaves his shop. I personally don’t trust mechanics normally and I bring my car all the way from Oakland to have Alan work on my old Subaru. He does a great job every time and my car probably would no longer be on the road if it wasn’t for him. Thanks Alan

I don’t usually put up 5 star reviews… but this guy is amazing. When I brought my Miata to him after getting an unreasonably high dealer quote for repairs, he fixed it at about ²⁄₃ the price the dealership had offered. And when I had a sudden problem and needed to get to work, he fixed it in 10 minutes in the morning and didn’t even charge for the quick work!
Definitely the best in the Santa Cruz area. I’m moving out of that area now… I might still go back to him for future repairs.

Alan is a great, friendly guy who really knows cars and is efficient! My boyfriend and I have both taken out vehicles to him and were extremely pleased with the results and left with a confidance that our cars were in good hands! We live in Oakland, but will continue to drive the distance to Alan with anything our vehicles need!

My UC daughter lives in Santa Cruz; I live in SoCal. She recently took her car to Rice, based on Unilocal reviews. She was treated very well, and the repair went smoothly. I spoke to Rice on the phone as the job progressed, and was impressed with his candor and honesty. I would recommend this shop to anyone from out-​of-​town who needs a mechanic in Santa Cruz.

I would recommend Alan Rice to any of my friends and family. They were professional, honest and prices were extremely reasonable… not to mention their terrific customer service! I called around and got quotes and A.R. was best by far. I won’t go anywhere else from now on– GREAT job guys!

Awesome. and for you Ladies, this guy is true blue through and through.

I LOVE Alan Rice Automotive.
I have lived in Santa Cruz for 16 years, all the while trying to find an honest, fair priced, communicative and reliable auto shop…
and I found it 4 years back on a friends recommendation.
Alan Rice is usually there, he knows me and my car and is more than willing to fit me into the fairly packed schedule.
Even better, yes as much as I hate saying it, it does suck to be a women who doesn’t know every damn thing about my car. Alan and his staff speak to me in layman’s terms without making me feel like a complete douche.
And that my friend, I did not get from any other car place in Santa Cruz!

Fair prices.
Reasonable suggestions to mechanical problems.
Extremely nice owner.
I’ve been a client since ’99 with 3 different cars and have never once been disappointed in their service or quality of work.