Testimonials

A shop with true integrity- and a serious knack for reviving old cars! I discovered So-Hum Automotive in 2018... Three other shops before him dismissed my inquiry "to drive or not to... read more drive", one wouldn't even make eye contact with me while I made my appointment with him, and all kept suggesting I just buy a new car (which isn't an option for everyone, myself included). I was feeling pretty defeated, about a lot of things, by the time I arrived at Chaz's shop, until he ~literally~ stopped right in the middle of what he was doing to listen to my concerns. That alone helped ease my growing automotive anxieties! I had already been treated rudely and dismissed by other shops and expected the same treatment from him as well. To my amazement, still to this day, Chaz identified the problem within minutes (spark plugs/carburetor) and offered to have it fixed for me within a matter of hours (not weeks)! His willingness to prioritize his time based on basic human decency and understanding is something I've come to admire in his business practices. He has demonstrated to me on numerous occasions that he sees his customers as human beings with car troubles rather than dollar signs, suckers or annoyances. Chaz should rename his shop to Integrity Automotive, in my opinion, because he does business in a way that I've rarely seen anywhere between here and the Midwestern United States- and I travel via old-lots-of-people-doubt-it-can-make-it automobile A LOT. Adventurous? Yes. Having an honest, dedicated mechanic looking after things for such automotive adventures? PRICELESS. Thanks again, Chaz!

I am so greateful for Chaz and crew!! They have been a lifesaver!

I'm looking to buy this car, but not knowing too much in the way of vehicles, I wanted a mechanics' opinion first. Originally went next to Jim's (my mil had... read more her car towed there when it broke down), but I didn't know that they weren't opened on Fridays...good thing too cuz that prompt me to go check out SoHum Automotive. Asked if he could give me any advice, told him what i was doing, and showed him the videos (buyer is elsewhere)...right away he tells me that it would b a bad deal, that I would end up spending thousands more for an engine. Suggested I try Brown's Towing, then made a call to Redway Towing Service to ask about any available cars currently for sale. I am extremely grateful for him taking the time to help & for being so honest about it. 👍 🙏 💜 😄

Chaz is a legitimately good man, car having issues going down the coast and I ended up here. Was incredibly helpful and personable. There seems to be a couple that... read more has review bombed him with negative reviews stating he is sexist and procrastinates. I saw this man interact with 5 different female customers while I was hanging around the shop and he was nothing but as warm, personable, and straightforward with them as he was with me. He was also completely direct about the length of time fixes may take and the times when he is busy, so I would take those two poor reviews with a huge grain of salt and visit this guy if you’re in the area and need some mechanical assistance.

While on vacation from Arkansas our car was having an issue - it wouldn't start. We had it jumped and went to two places to have the battery checked... read more and both places said the battery was good. After three mornings of the car needing a jump start we decided to look up a local mechanic. We stopped I'm here to see Chaz. He diagnosed the problem within minutes. The battery was bad. Replaced it with a new one and within 20 minutes we were back on the road. He was very professional and welcoming. Also recommended some great places to visit and eat at. Highly recommend this guy!

I can’t say enough about Chaz and his young Jedi-in-training. I’ve been to many mechanics in my life (48 years old) from Las Vegas, LA, OC, and now Southern Humboldt... read more and he’s a Champ! The level of expertise, professionalism, knowledge, and care is beyond the average person expectations. He goes above and beyond for his customers/clients. I would recommend Chaz to anyone that is reading this to go down and see for yourself. He’s a busy shop but that’s because he does GREAT WORK! But everyone will receive the same level of care whether you drive a 2010 beat up black Jeep Liberty like mine to $100K super duty super tanks that come to his shop for work. I’ve never felt that his shop ever turned away from the work that needed to be done because he was busy. Thank you for all that you do.

My wife's Honda CRV decided to blow its engine, we maintained it but it apparently had been through some stuff, we were the second owners and it burned oil like... read more nobody's business. Had it towed to Chaz at Sohum Automotive, he found an amazing replacement engine and was up-front about all costs and estimated labor, ended up costing a smidge more but was still within the budget and it was a clean and beautiful engine with around 50-60k miles on it. Been running like a champ ever since and he even offered a free first oil change. Honest, hard working, fair, and kind to people, whoever had a bad experience with this place must just be $hitty people. Highly recommended!

Chaz is a great mechanic and a great guy. He's kind, honest, and communicative. He's more likely to do first come first serve which is unusual and great... read more but he'll take appointments too. I see some folks had some issues on this page and all I can say is that the women I've sent there think he's awesome. In Southen Humboldt there are only about 5 mechanics total so you've got to be patient and it pays off with Chaz. He doesn't overcharge and sometimes helps out the down and out, as well. And yes he has a fine, young second mechanic keeping the place going.

The best people!

The young man knows his stuff... He's willing to help and he doesn't charge an arm and a leg! My mom stopped in there to have something checked on her... read more truck and he was straight up with her he actually looked under her truck and under the hood told her what she needed said if she got the part he would put it in....

Super cool guy! Helped my boyfriend with his old Toyota that was sputtering up the mountain during a road trip from out of state. Took diligent care to diagnose the... read more issue in full 10/10 recommend 🙂

Chaz, the owner of this shop, is not only a great mechanic, but a great person. Very kind, very thorough, as is his assistant mechanic. Quality work, honest, professional.

Great shop!

Great to have a new repair shop in Sohum, nice staff, honest mechanic, quick service.

Great work and also a great guy. Charles the owner helped me out big time when I blew the motor in my Tahoe while visiting. The Chevrolet dealership was trying... read more to charge me 6k to replace it and Charles got it done for 1/4 of that and the truck runs perfectly. Highly recommend sohum to anyone that needs work done, super genuine guy who loves what he does!