Monkeywrench

Don’t go here. I wouldn’t trust this guy. He doubles as a Craigslist car seller. Sold me a car then the check engine light came on right away. He wouldn’t even fix it for free EVEN THOUGH HE OWNS A SHOP. I had multiple mechanics tell me that all he did was reset the check engine light in order to sell me the car. I would have never bought it. All it turned out to be was a gas leak but I spent alot of money trying to find that out. I regret meeting him.

I have had my Hondas and Nissan maintained and serviced by Daniel for many years. He is fair does good work and I completely trust him. That and he picks me up and drops me off as well.

I’ve been taking my cars to Daniel for a few years now. He’s an extremely knowledgable mechanic who also happens to have a good sense of humor. When he tells me what I need done to my car it’s with a lot of detail, along with the rationale for doing the repairs and maintenance he recommends. I drive a 2003 Accord, and it still runs great. I know one of the reasons it does is because I bring my car in annually for Daniel to maintain. His prices are fair. Better than a dealer and some of the larger independent shops. I’m sure you could find a better price, but I see no reason to take that chance.

Had to get new clutch on my car. Daniel and his team got me back on the road in a day! Not only where they quick, but also friendly and extremely competitive with their pricing. I will definitely be going back for any future car service needs.

Super nice guy named Daniel owns the place. He loves cars. We talked for at least 30 min in his office about life.
Seems like a solid guy.
Price was fine, competitive with other shops around.
I never take my car to the mechanic. I’ve always fixed it myself, but what needed to be done was more work that I was up for and more difficult that I am capable of.
I’m pretty happy with it all said and done.
It’s hard to say if I was taken advantage of. I don’t think so, but I don’t really know.
I’d go back.
I think he is a good guy.

Over the past 7 years, I have taken my 2 son’s Honda Accords to Daniel. He has always worked diligently to make sure that he diagnosed the car problems without just starting to replace parts to see what will fix the issue at stake. Many times I have come by unexpectedly and he has taken the car in and returned it in an expeditious manner. On occasion, I have compared pricing at the dealer service, and he is always more reasonable. Whenever I have questioned him about what parts or expendables he is using, they are always original manufactured parts or recommended parts such as with fluids. There have been times he has even offered me a car to drive while the repair is being done or has offered me a ride home. Countless times he has brought the car into the shop when my son has had a fender bender and has helped return the car to serviceable condition without charging us for his time. As a professional, I find him to have incredible integrity, always friendly, well mannered, very presentable and maintains a well run shop. If there ever is a question about the service, parts or expectations of the repair, he is more than willing to discuss all of the above. Should something arise that is of concern, I have consistently found him willing to work with you to make you a happy and returning customer. If you are like me in that I am a type A personality with little tolerance for BS,.then Daniel is your man for excellent service.

I don’t know anything about cars, nor does 99.9% of the population today (especially given their complexity, what with dozens of microprocessors, etc.,).
Neither do I put any stock in claims like «I got my car serviced at A, they charged me $X, and when I took that bill to B, they claimed it ought to have cost $Y (less than $X) and so A must have ripped me off.» I don’t believe that B can make a fair assessment if they don’t get to inspect the car in its’ broken state (before it gets repaired). .. and who has time to leave their car for 3 or more independent diagnoses with A, B, C, etc.,?
That said, we 99.9 percenters are really left with only a «smell test» as to whether an auto repair shop is or is not (likely) being honest with us. Daniel at The Monkey Wrench passes that smell test for me. He does NOT do the things that the Acura dealership in Torrance does that suggests to me that they are BS artists:
a) SIPs* who are «TOO friendly» in that commercial, well-​trained-​in-​slick-​marketing/​sales-​techniques way.
b) calling me after their triage (inspection for what’s wrong with the car), giving me an estimate, then, hours later, «finding new things» with the car, and asking me (over the phone, so of course I can’t inspect it) if I want them to fix it.
c) talking too fast (so that the customer can’t retain or organize all the items that need fixing and the if/​then/​else decision trees the SIP verbally presents you with).
I repeat: Daniel & The Monkey Wrench people do NOT do these things, which is why I continue to return there.
* SIP = the dealership’s Service/​repair/​maintenance Interface Person. i.e., the guys who do the paperwork, hand-​holding of the customer, and act as a buffer in between the nuts-​and-​bolts guys who do the real work on the car. They’re the guys who wear a tie, have clean hands, carry a clipboard, and work behind the desks in the garage.

Daniel is very friendly and takes the time to go the extra mile for his customers. I wouldnt take my honda anywhere else. Neither would my brother. Thanks for all the great work daniel!

If you know anything about cars you won’t take yours here. daniel will nickel and dime you over everything from windshield fluid for $ 2.50 to using cheap non-​Acura parts. Had front rotors and brakes put on and after 5k mile rotors are wrapped! And he charges the same as a dealer!

This guys shop is clean and they do great work. I’ve been going to the Monkeywrench since I moved to Hermosa and I wouldn’t go anyplace else. I have a 94 Prelude and I use to take it to the dealer for services but was tired of paying the higher prices. Daniel does very high quality work at more affordable prices.
I would totally recommend this shop.

Daniel is great! I brought my little old volvo in for emergency repairs and he treated me with such honesty and respect. This little shop has great customer service and won’t try to rip you off or upsell you. I’ve been back several times and whatever the job, he usually finishes in one day.
He’s also willing to buy used cars for very reasonable prices!
If you are looking for great customer service without the hassle or the price, go here!

I have relied on the Monkey Wrench since I moved to California in 2003 and needed a good mechanic to service my Honda Civic. The owner, Daniel, and his mechanic have always been honest, helpful, and friendly, and I have never felt uncomfortable because of my gender (female). I bought a car from Daniel in 2006, and it was the best car purchase I’ve made. In my opinion, you won’t find a more trustworthy mechanic in this area, and I will continue to recommend his shop to anyone looking for a great mechanic.