Toyota Mechanics
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Looking for good Toyota mechanic
April 2012
anyone have a good ongoing experience with a local toyota shop?
Recommended:
- Oceanworks W. Berkeley
- Tires and Brakes for Less MacArthur Blvd
Seeking Mechanic for my 2005 Toyota Corolla
Feb 2011I'm looking for a great, honest and hopefully reasonably priced mechanic for my 2005 Toyota Corolla. Would prefer an independent shop in Berkeley or nearby in the East Bay. Thanks! Need a New Auto Shop
Recommended:
- Automasters N. Oakland
- Oakland Auto Works Oakland
- RC Imports El Cerrito
2009 - 2010 Reviews
Non Toyota Dealership Mechanic
March 2009Bought a new Toyota last summer and I am looking for a great *non Toyota Dealership* mechanic in Berkeley, Albany or EC. Thanks. JJ
Recommended:
- Art's Automotive W. Berkeley
- Autometrics W. Berkeley
- Beyond Repair W. Berkeley
- Oakland Auto Works Oakland
- Oceanworks W. Berkeley (2)
- Yen's Automotive W. Berkeley
2007 - 2008 Reviews
Good mechanic for Prius?
Sept 2008Hi everyone, Does anyone have a good mechanic that can work on a Prius in/near Berkeley? Thanks! Tami
For three years, we've been taking our Prius to Daniel Santos at RC Imports in El Cerrito. He's factory authorized and takes great care of us. I know it's not in Berkeley, but he _is_ right next to El Cerrito Plaza BART and the Ohlone Greenway bike trail, so it's a really convenient location for traveling after you've dropped off your car. I usually just pop the front wheel off my bike, drop the back seats in the Prius, and lay my bike in the back with no trouble. Call him at 526-8084. Good luck! -Jeff
Mechanic for a 1990's Toyota
August 2008Can anyone recommend a good shop or mechanic for a 1990's Toyota? Everyone always recommends Art's -- and I think they have a great shop. But for reasons not worth getting into, I need to find another good Toyota mechanic.
Old Toyota owner in need of a non-Art's solution
We LOVE Daniel Santos at RC Imports . He's been servicing our cars (old Acura, Honda van & Prius) for about 10 years. His staff is friendly, and he always gives good advice about what kinds of service we need (or, more importantly, can avoid). We've referred several friends there, and they in turn have referred their own friends, so he's got lots of cred as far as I'm concerned. He's on Fairmount in El Cerrito, right next to El Cerrito Plaza and the BART station, so it's super-convenient to drop your car and use BART. His number is 526-8084. Jeff
We have enjoyed Oceanworks for years, which is at Carleton and 10th. They are reliable, explain what is happening well, and help save unnecessary money. Hilariously, Angus the owner also sells fancy foot push scooters as a way of encouraging less driving. We were referred by old family friends and now most of the Toyota drivers we know go to them. - satisfied customer
Try Oceanworks , which is on 10th, not far from Art's. Unless you need to get in quickly, Oceanworks is great. They do imports and Angus, the owner and main contact, seems very upfront with you, will get refurbished parts if he can, and is super environmentally minded. Cost is about the same as Art's, from what I remember. But I think they are pretty popular, as there is usually a 2 week wait, unless it is an emergency. Bryan in Oakland
I cannot recommend highly enough a Berkeley institution, Oceanworks at 10th & Carleton in southewest Berkeley, 849-1383. Angus Powelson runs a union shop, specializes in Toyotas and Hondas, and will spend much time answering your questions and explaining what is going on with your car and what your options are. We've been going there for years. peg
Toyota service for a classic Prius
July 2007I need to have my 2002 Prius tuned up and would like to hear about your experiences. Do I need to use a dealer or is there a good independent who can work on hybrid cars? I loved using Berkeley Minicar for my Hondas, but they will not work on a Prius. ann
Recommended:
- Marty's Motors
- Steve's Auto Care
Scheduled maintenance for Toyota Matrix
June 2007I'm looking for a Toyota dealership with great customer service in the Oakland area to perform scheduled maintenance on my newly acquired 2005 Toyota Matrix. I've never owned a newer car still under warranty, and I'm not sure where to take it. matrix owner You don't need to take your car to a dealership for service. I take my Nissan to Art's Automotive on San Pablo, 2 block's north of Ashby. Art's does a lot of Toyotas, too. Art's is a very skilled and honest shop. They know the cars they work on well, they are professional and pleasant to work with. I've been taking my Nissan to them for 10 years. I took my Toyota to them before that. When I was looking for a car 10 years ago, I got a brand that I knew Art's would work on. By the way, they also do work on Priuses. Anon with Nissan
Good Toyota mechanic in the East Bay?
Jan 2007Can anyone recommend a good 'trusting' toyota mechanic in the east bay? My regular mechanic moved to Dublin and I've been dreading taking the truck in for a tune up. Thanx Truckin'
Recommended:
- Art's Automotive (4)
- Mekatron
- Model Garage
- Oakland Auto Works
- Oceanworks (2)
2005 - 2006 Reviews
Mechanic for 1991 MR2
Feb 2005Hi. I own a 1991 MR2 and am looking for a good mechanic to do 150K mile service. It's been no fun jumping from shop to shop with our vehicles, and I'd really like to establish a relationship with a shop that's fair and honest and does high-quality work. Thanks for any input.
Recommended:
- Art's Automotive W. Berkeley (2)
- Oceanworks W. Berkeley
- RC Imports El Cerrito
- Walnut Creek Toyota Walnut Creek
We were unhappy with service at our local Toyota dealership and now take our car to Art’s Automotive in Berkeley.
Art's Automotive - they're the best!
Second to Art's. I've also liked Nate's Green Garage--we go with whoever has time when we need work done. Both have extensive hybrid experience and in my experience are very transparent about options and costs. We take our non-hybrid Subaru to both too.
We always use XYZ motors in Oakland. Huey is the best!
Model Garage in Berkeley sounds like just what you are looking for. We have been taking our cars to them for years and have always felt like we are in good hands.
Arts Automotives on San Pablo- honest, kind, straightforward. I am youngish and female and only semi-car maintenance literate and have on the past been worried about being taken advantage of in auto repair situations. I’ve been going to Arts for years and have never felt so comfortable at an auto shop.
We have been taking cars to Berkeley Minicar for generations. They specialize in Hondas and Toyotas.
I can second the recommendation for Art's Automotive as we have been taking both of our Hondas there and have been very pleased with the service. Honest and reliable and will not perform any work which is unnecessary.
Hi,
I took my 1993 Toyota Camry to the Model Garage In Berkeley since I bought it barely used, and after selling it a couple of years ago in great working condition, I now take my Prius to them. They are reasonable, knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. I wouldn't take my Toyota anywhere else.
Yup, we have loved Arts automotive for our Toyotas too!
They’ve never upselled us anything. They’ll let you know when there are any unexpected things they come across that need to be done on your car. But they are honest with pointing out whats urgent or what can wait.
Art’s Automotive in Berkeley! They are Toyota specialists. No up-selling, just clear communication. I’ve been going to them since 2006 with Subarus and now a Toyota. Absolutely love them!
I've been a fan of Nate's Green Garage (1809 San Pablo Ave) in Berkeley for over 10 years! Solid work, fair price, transparent communication, compassionate team. He has consistently provided quality repair/maintenance for myself, friends, and family -- including multiple Toyotas (Prius, 4Runner, Camry, Tacoma).
Art's Automotive is great; we've been going there for many years.
We've been going for a few years to Patti's Auto Care in Berkeley (corner of Bancroft and San Pablo), (510) 981-9007. Good work, no upsell, and Patti has a tone of personality.
I was very unhappy with my treatment by Art's Automotive, so I took my business to Nate's Green Garage and have never regretted the decision. They're honest, fair, and highly skilled. Strongly recommended.