Bumper to Bumper

Motorcycle Dealership

Santa Barbara Harley-Davidson 3501 Via Real, Carpinteria, 745-1911

“I would say our success is a combination of having the best motorcycles and the greatest staff,” said Shiva Miller, office manager of Carpinteria’s sparkling Harley dealership. The archetypal American motorcycle, which just celebrated its 105th anniversary, roars through our readers’ collective consciousness every year this time. “I think this is our 402nd win in a row,” said Miller, whose math has clearly been affected by the open road.

FINALIST

Ducati of Santa Barbara

New Car Dealership

Toyota of Santa Barbara 5611 Hollister Ave., Goleta, 967-5611

There has been movement throughout the years in this category-automobile fads and just the normal ups and downs of the marketplace. But most people know the story here: beyond the possible deals, there’s the surely justified claims of fine service. It’s the price of fuel, it’s the green-ness of this town, and it’s the Prius, which people have been all but fighting over on the car lot as shipments occasionally stray in. Sources say the dealership is getting much easier shipments and the car, which gets about 48 miles per gallon in city driving, is not likely to be sales eclipsed soon.

FINALIST

Santa Barbara Auto Group

Place to Get Tires

Big Brand Tire Co. 99 S. Fairview Ave., Goleta, 967-1917; 7 N. Nopal St., 963-0355; 900 N. I St., Lompoc, 736-1550; 1909 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, 346-6322

Chain stores do very well in our Best Of poll wherever big appliances are concerned. This chain offers to best any prices among the major brands it sells and promise no bait and switch games will be played. They do brakes, shocks, and belts as well and never get tired of serving you.

FINALIST

Ian’s Tire & Auto Repair

Car Rental

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Four locations; for reservations, call (800) 736-8222

With four locations in our area, including the crucially important airport/university offices, Enterprise is without doubt the most convenient of the half dozen rental agencies working here. With weekend and one-way to Los Angeles Airport deals, it’s no wonder the readers keep picking this big chain over the mom ‘n’ pop fleets.

FINALIST

Hertz

Car Stereo Shop

Santa Barbara Auto Stereo & Mobile Electronic Center 3234 State St., 682-2505

Customer service extends beyond slapping something electronic into your car, according to manager Kevin Kelly. They put it in your car and then show you how to use it, Kelly explained, admitting that they made a bit of a bonanza this year with car phones. But the store is also big on integration-“Lots of stereos are Bluetooth friendly,” he said. “And we’re big on showing people how that works and that’s why people like us.”

FINALIST

Circuit City

Auto Repair

Richard’s Accurate Import Service 401 Santa Barbara St., 962-1741

In stark contrast to their love of chains, the readers also bestow their votes on seasoned businesses-observe the number of winners who have more than two decades of continuing service in an ever-changing, partly tourist economy. Richard’s has more than three decades, and if you ask any old timers ’round here, they’ll tell you it’s because these folks fix what’s wrong with your car or tell you honestly why they shouldn’t.

FINALIST

Cory Motors

Car Wash/Detailing

Educated Car Wash 3735 State St., 687-8800

They offer an irresistible combination: reasonably priced car washes with, as they advertise it, the cheapest gas in town. With petrol prices swinging more wildly than Lindsay Lohan on a bender, that makes cleaning your car more profitable than driving it dusty. Hand detailed to quick rinse, it’s the intelligent person’s automobile-o-mat.

FINALIST

Fairview In & Out Car Wash

Used Car Dealership

Zoom Motors 335 N. Milpas St., 963-3989

Just the car, just the car you want. Perhaps uniquely adapted to a town of many moneyed people with some leisure time, Zoom offers to find you any car you desire dealing with manufacturers in the United Sates and Canada. From exotic items like gull-winged Hyperboles to everyday wheels like the Oldsmobuick you wanted when you were a teenager, Zoom says it can deliver. And the readers agree.

FINALIST

Milpas Motors

Quick Oil Change

Jiffy Lube 932 De la Vina St., 564-3393; 6015 Hollister Ave., Goleta, 683-4100

If the candidates are right and we can save America by checking our tire pressure, then Jiffy Lube is like some kind of superhero because that’s only a small part of the services this 30-year-old chain will perform for you. The bigger picture includes oil and filter changes that actually do help improve mileage and should decrease the amount of polluting your cherry ride is unleashing on the zoosphere and all the other spheres. The readers believe in this fast fix, and they want you to chip in for the Gipper, saving planets and dollars as well. Environment-saving may very void where prohibited by law.

FINALIST

Fast Lane Oil Change