Natale’s Auto Service Center

I am a new customer to Natale’s and I was very satisfied with the service that I received. My satisfaction seemed to be what Papa Joe cared about the most. The shop spent more time on my cars problem than they had initially intended without changing the bill. Their sense of fairness is unsurpassed and I would be happy to recommend them to friends and family anytime in the future.

This place rocks. I live in Monterey and drive a Land Rover. Of COURSE I have become familiar with car repair services! (Although I avoid the Land Rover dealer like the plague, but that’s a different review.) These guys are incredibly experienced, fast, ethical, and great. Joe helped me not have to get a new car. That made me happy. A lovely family business.

Service In a. n hour and the nicest people to help me with my car. They had me handled and knowing all the steps to repair my car. I had a hit and run and they helped with all the places and what I needed to do. Thanks so much!

I stopped by for a quick oil change today and was impressed with the customer service and cleanliness of the facility. I make it a point to find an automotive ship to frequent wherever I get stationed and Natale’s Auto Service Center will be the shop I use while I’m in the Monterey area!

Papa Joe has an ’ Diagnostic Ear ’ that is second to none! Mechanic David has expertise beyond his years!
Very happy with service!
Mae Lamb

I have found Natale’s Auto Repair Center to be staffed by highly skilled, professional mechanics. They diagnosed and repaired my electrical and mechanical problems quickly and efficiently. I highly recommend them.

THANK YOU «papa joe» at Natales. Can’t believe how quick and serviceable you were when our son’s car (TrevorSimsby, Web. comTour) broke down up near Black Horse and Bayonet golf course on Oct 6. He was there to defend his championship at the Battle of Bayonet and on day 2 barely made it to his T-​time due to engine trouble. YOU GUYS ARE HEROES. He finished at 6^th place but you kept him on «course» and on the road to start the Monterey Open tomorrow.

OMG. I would say they are the best in the business. (And I have been in the business with MBZ for over 35 years) I have always know they are great on GM’s, but the tech that worked on our 2 Dodges did a fantastic job. They both run SO MUCH better and at a very fair price. Thanks Papa Joe and the entire Natale’s Family.

So after buying a 1969 Camaro RS/​SS, and finding out that Dodi’s Auto lies about what they are selling you, I have com here to try and get her in good condition. I am not an engine guy, but I love muscle cars. So lets talk about this place…
So far they have been great about going over the car and making me a list in order of what needs to get fixed as far as priority and nice to have. And before they do anything, I tell them my budget, they tell me how close they are and what else they can do. They also understand that I am lost when they start talking too much shop talk and they have been great at «dumbing» it down so I can understand. There is still a lot of work to be done, but so far what they have been doing has been great and in a good timely manner since the know I want to drive my new baby.
The only reason I gave them 4 and not 5 stars (wish I could give them 4 ½) is because they do charge to look at each thing I mention. Maybe this is common practice, but I would hope if they know I am going to have them do all the work and they will be my go to place to have the car worked on, they could wave some of the fees or cut me a better deal on them. Plus I think on the site it has a classic car discount and a military discount and I don’t think I have received those, but that might be on me for not mentioning it to them.
Now that I have stated the only bad I have fond, let me go back to good. Papa Joe is an easy to get along with gy and he knows his stuff. Wish I could take the time to listen to him teach me about cars because I am sure he has more knowledge than anyone else I will meet. Now Bobby, he always takes the time to listen to what I am hoping for, and so far he has been great at recommending other places to me to get other things done. As soon as I told him a quote I got for the interior he told me hell no, call this guy, and gave me card. He seems to know someone to help me get what I need done. I am looking forward to getting the mechanics finished on the car, and maybe after I mention the discount program and that gets applied, I can change my review to 5 stars.
Seriously though… If you are not car smart, go here. They won’t make you feel like a fool and they even tell you what you need so you can look it up and see they aren’t ripping you off on price. Some people say they are pricy but you get what you pay for and they are working on classics. Hopefully I can return the favor and use my knowledge base for them and build them a new AR or mod out any rifle or pistol they want and give them some shooting classes for close quarters. These are the type of guys you could have a beer with.

Natale’s Auto Service Center is a friendly, family-​oriented shop that I have used for many years to service several older cars. They have always been prompt, thorough and fair. I recommend them without reservation.

Charged us $ 98 for a diagnosis. Very poor cimmunication. Twice he said he’d call back with the answer in 10 minutes. No call back, and he didn’t even have the answer yet when we called him an hour later.
Only gave a vague descriptiin of the work needed and cost. Pushed to do the work, but wouldn’t provide a detailed written description of the work and no written estimate of the cost. I think my $ 98 shiuld have covered that.
Once before, they charged several hundred dollars more than the estimate they gave us — without calling to get approval first.
Absolute scammers.

I own a 1979 Corvette stingray L-​84. Natale’s auto service. It’s an old car, and service is inevitable. Back in July, I blew the engine. It just stopped working. So after considering a bunch of auto repair places, I decided to have Natale’s do the work. We bought a crate engine that has the most power you can get, for a car, in Kalifornia, that you can get with all their Kalifornia’s smog garbage. I will tell you now how it went.
Natale’s are professionals. They don’t mess around. They don’t tell you that you need something when you don’t. And they tell you everything that needs to be fixed. The only thing I don’t like it’s that it’s really hard for them to give you an estimate.
They fixed the engine. Mark did it. He put a new one in, started it up, and something went wrong with it after about 2 minutes, he diagnosed it immediately, and within a day — we had to call the place that sold us the engine in the first place, and get them to give me a new one. They did. They paid for the whole thing. And they gave me a brand-​new engine with a 70,000 mile. 7-​year guarantee. We put that baby in, and after a little while (I had to get used to it) she purrs like a kitten. They installed a Hearst shifter, short throw, and that took some getting used to. I can now drive the Corvette, as a Corvette was meant to be driven. She’s fast. She corners like there’s no tomorrow. I love her; she’s my baby.
I also bought the car with digital gauges. I hated those d*** things. You could never tell how fast you’re going, or how quickly the engine was turning, so I had Natale’s do some custom work. These guys do custom work like there’s no tomorrow. Anything you want, they can do, and if they can’t do it, they will recommend someone who can. So they redid my entire gauge system. Billy, who’s in charge of that stuff, we did a custom panel — one for the tach and the speedo, and one for the clock, voltage, oil pressure, temperature, and one other thing I can remember. They reinstalled my $ 1000 stereo system. The thing I like about Natale’s is that if a part comes in, and there’s one little thing wrong with it, they send it back and get you one that’s perfect. «Poppa Joe» is always there, and he knows just about everything there is to know about cars, and if he doesn’t, he sends you to someone who does. They recommend things, and if you’ve got some bright idea in your head that you want something like headers or side pipes or something like that, they’ll tell you right off «I wouldn’t do it. You’ll just be wasting your money, and the car won’t run any better. Save your money.»
Listen, I’m not a gear-​head. I just put the key in, and it goes. And after having Natale work on it, I have all the confidence in the world, that for the next 7 years, that car will run like a top.
I have also been to them for suspension work, brake work, alignments, and other sordid and dirty jobs that I have little or no knowledge about.
So that’s what I think of Natale’s. They’re a little high-​priced, but you pay for what you get. And the service is impeccable. They always answer the phone. You can go down at any time, and see how your car is doing (or not doing, as the case may be). They always have time for all your questions. I think they’re a friendly, knowledgeable, good group of about 7 guys, who really know their stuff about old cars. I have no second thoughts about giving them my highest recommendation to anyone on the Monterey Peninsula who asks me «where do you take your car». (And I asked the people in my auto club who they thought was the best mechanic on the peninsula. They all recommended some twit, who didn’t «feel» like working on my car because it was old. He did a rotten job. And I would never go back to him.)
Natale’s is the place in Monterey where you want to bring your car and have it fixed right. The first time. Every time.
I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Carl Richmond, 230.1115

They have fixed both my Vette and my wife van her van went undiagnosed for three years by other «good» mechanics they fixed what others missed. As for my Vette… perfection yes you get what you pay for also I want it don right the first time… here it always has been !!! Say hello to Papa Joe

Get all my repairs and maintenance here. Oil change is same price as jiffy lube, but at least they actually check out your car here. Prices are decent and fair. Never have felt scammed, unlike other auto repair shops.

Seven years of continually knowledgeable, honest and reliable service.
Can’t praise Papa Joe and Natale’s crew enough. Peace of Mind…
Priceless! THANKS NATALE’S!

We were on a road trip and started having some break issues. Pulled off the highway in a pinch. Papa joe and his crew were completely honest, quick, affordable, and awesome. Hard to find this. Felt very lucky. Thanks papa joe!

Natales Auto Service was great. They found the problem with my car and fixed it quickly for less than I had expected. I really appreciate that they didn’t try to sell me something I didn’t need. They were very friendly and even offered to give me a ride to and from work. I’ll be taking all my cars to them!

Cannot fault this place. We tried them after having had some bad experiences elsewhere, and we found them to be great. They are a little pricey, but the service easily makes up for it, and hey — you get what you pay for. They’re the sort of place you’d go back to again and again, and really rely on.

Snakes with a smile is how I would describe them. My first experience with them they charged $ 50.00 more for a smog check then most shops. My second experience I had with them I had to keep on coming back for coolant leaks. After the third time they couldn’t understand why I was upset wasting all my time in the auto shop and got a attitude with me when I finally said «I’m not paying anymore till it’s fixed right.» It’s so hard to find good auto shops that don’t try to nickle and dime you!