VIP Auto Wrecking JunkYard in San Diego (CA)

Armando is super helpful. Even if he doesn’t have an item, he has always tried to help. I needed a rare transmission and if it wasn’t for him I could have bought the wrong model. I will continue to go their for all Subaru parts. As far as pricing, some people don’t realize the cost of parts. If you think the price is too high, talk to him. He’s not going to give stuff for free but he has worked with me in the past. Also some people don’t understand his demeanor. He is a quiet, reserved person. Don’t mistake this for indifference.

Never thought I would be writing a review for an auto wrecking company, but so was so impressed with them that I had to do so. My local Subaru mechanic recommended them to me to find a replacement for a broken roof rack part from a 15 year old car. The dealer only sold the entire crossbar and clamp assembly an wanted an arm and a leg for it. I only needed one part! Well, VIP had it. They communicated back and forth to me via text, including photos until we were certain it was the right fit. They even shipped me the part to save a drive down to Chula, and I was still being super COVID cautious so shipping was ideal. Turns out, the part they sent ended up being for the wrong side (this was almost impossible to distinguish by pictures as the clamps did not look like they had sided orientation!). They found to other (correct) side for the clamp assembly and sent it to me! Now my rack is fixed! Really exceptional customer service and communication, especially when faced with replacing the part from the wrong side. Thanks! Can’t recommend them enough!

Took a 2.5hr trip to find some parts, luckily I was one of the first there and the shop owner Armando helped me a ton and had what I was looking for. I appreciate the effort of sorting what I needed and I’m excited for another round soon. Prices are a little on the higher side for me but you can swap parts for a small discount. He has almost everything you would ever need

I have been looking for heads for my forester for about 2 months now. Obviously trying to save some money I hit these guys up and the pricing they had seemed completely fair but the only problem is that they didn’t have the heads. For a week they told me that they had to search for the car with good heads so I gave them the benefit of the doubt and waited a week. Next week comes along and I ask them for the heads. They stated that all the heads they had on the foresters were bad so I had to wait for a Legacy GT coming in next week. So I wait until next week for the Legacy to come in. It takes them another week to get the heads off, then when I message them again for the heads they apparently stripped one of the bolts for the cams so they have to “send it out” to a machine shop to get it properly fixed. I waited another week to have them dodge my texts and calls. I have my technician give them a call and they pick up first ring. Turns out they didn’t send out the heads at all and offer to sell to as is. At this point 2 months without a car, I finally decide to pay the price at the dealership because I can’t wait any longer. I wish they would’ve been straight up with me to begin with, I wouldn’t have waited the 2 months even though I would be saving significant amounts of money. I rather just give the dealership my money then this small business due to how they handled everything.

Good family owned Subaru wrecking yard. Very friendly. It won't be a quick trip so don't have plans. They have lots of stuff but even if you call ahead they won't have it up front and it'll take a while to get. Check online for parts prices first. Overall this is a good business and I will continue to go here for parts.

Solid experience. I have an 06 wrx wagon with an sti wheel and dash. The cluster wasn’t working right so I contacted him via Instagram and asked if he had an sti cluster that will fit an 06. He did and told me it was 295. Right around the price maybe a couple bucks cheaper than what I’ve found elsewhere on the internet. I live an hour and a half away from where he’s at so I called before I left to make sure he still had it and I mentioned where I’m coming from and he said he can bring it to a shop in my town the next day for an extra 15 bucks. Figured I’d spend more in gas I had him bring it up. Something came up with the shop he was dropping it off at and he actually ended up bringing it to my house, 10 minutes or so past the shop. Great customer service. Nice guy. Will definitely go back to him when I need more parts that you can’t get new.

If you want used parts for domestic market Subaru in SoCal then these guys are the solution. Especially WRX/STI. Good luck finding any at the salvage yards. Prices range wildly depending on quality of part. But consistent with other sources (if you can find them). Check them out.

Purchases a subaru engine from here that had around 52,000 miles for a fairly good price. I was given a 60 day warranty. Drove the car 1k miles in a span of 40 days and then the engine gave out. I contacted the owner by text. No response. Had to call the next day and then i was advised the car was going to get checked. Owner then advised me i had to wait 14 days since his mechanic had covid. He sent a mechanic to take my ECU and check it and then when i asked for the report, he refused to provide and said that he was just a mechanic that he knew. I then towed my car to his mechanic 3 weeks from the day i reported the issue and after a week of them having the vehicle he was advising the “warranty” is not going to cover because the vehicle was not tuned. I advised that i was running factory settings to ensure nothing voided warranty but apparently my car had to be tuned. All i had was an intake and downpipe, with a BOV. He did not give me warranty paperwork or anything advising car had to be tuned besides a text that said theres a 60 day warranty on the engine itself. He then advised he will pay $1500 out of the $4000 i payed for the engine and labor for an engine that was messed up from the start. He will find any reason to screw you over. I appreciated the $1500 but that does not fix the fact that he did not honor warranty on an engine that was bad from the start. Alternator didnt work either. Be careful when shopping for essential parts here with his so called “warranty”.

My husband love this place. Come here for anything Subaru. Better service than the dealer.

Your one stop shop for quality used Subaru parts! Amazing selection for a variety of Subaru vehicles. Reasonable prices friendly helpful service. Always a pleasure doing business here!

Came to get some rotors, when I called, they wouldn't answer but rather had me text then instead. Place is filled with various years of Subaru's. Just didn't like the pricing wise much because for the same you can get online. Overall it was OK for me.

This place is a joke! They don’t answer the phone at all, he says to text the number also never responds. When you go to the shop in person he stands there and barely acknowledges you and asks for your number and then texts you the prices instead of just telling you while you’re standing right in front of him. His parts are mostly damaged and worthless. Don’t waste your time here.

We are a Subaru Family and Armando at VIP took care of all our cars. He is a Subaru expert.

Armando is AWESOOOOOME! He helped me get my 2003 WRX to pass smog and get the correct parts on the car so it runs smooth and reliable. He also helped with some basic upgrades to make my WRX look cleaner for a decent price.

Surprisingly this most recent experience was much better than usual. He was quick to help me and gave me a fair price for what I was asking for. Usually I stand around for an hour or so and then get told almost retail price for a used piece. Idk what changed over the last 3 years from when I moved away but I hope he's like this for future interactions.

Parts are in good condition and reasonably priced, this is the only place i can get parts for my h6 wagon on the same day. Armando is knowledgeable and reasonable. They pull the parts once you are there so come in with about 30 mins to spare

This guy is an absolute scoundrel. Tried to sell a blown turbo for an astronomical price(about 200% what street value). Sold my friend a blown turbo and when he took it back (not even installed) charged him a restocking fee? 25% so he can put it back on the floor where he had it. Everything is way overpriced and not even in good condition. Literally better off buying new parts since most of his prices are close if not more

Best service ever, had all parts I needed, will be coming back, will highly recommend to everyone.

Best place to find what you need for your subaru. Local expert who helps you find what you need

Fantastic auto yard! Avid supporter of the San Diego Subaru community and clubs. Will definitely check here prior to ording many replacement parts If I don't upgrade it.

This place is good. You wont find a place like this anywhere else close by. The guy is nice and negotiable with prices. Has a lot of stuff. Just call before hand to see if he has the part you need. Will keep going here!

Armando sold me a transmission for my 2004 forester. The car is running great now. Thanks again

They have a lot of selection and pricing is very reasonable. Subaru wrecks only which is great when you need that specific part.

Really great service! Friendly and very helpful. If you have a Subie and need parts go here, you won’t regret it

Great resource for subaru parts. I have gotten numerous parts from Armando.

was in and out in like about 20 minutes or so. Do your research prior to going here. So you can bargain. Look at the part(s) that you are getting, if you see anything wrong with it he is flexible.

Definitely a great spot for any needed Subaru parts.