David Daniel Smith Automotive

I was wondering how an auto repair shop could have all 5 star ratings when I called Dave with my problem. After trying two other highly rated Unilocal shops in the Palm Springs area, and being told I’d be charged just to look at my car, I talked to Dave who told me to stop by and he’d take a peek. True to his word, Dave looked at the car, confirmed my suspicions that it would probably be too expensive to fix, but assured me that although the problem might be annoying, the car would continue to be serviceable as it is. I drove off convinced that if I do decide to have the problem fixed, or have some other issue arise, I would return and let Dave fix it. I truly appreciate Dave’s no-​hustle, honest approach to doing business.

I don’t usually write reviews but I am about to drive to Daves to get my car fixed and I feel compelled to tell people that you won’t find a more honest and reasonable Mechanic than Dave. There are a lot of crooks in the desert who will overcharge and upsell but Dave is as honest as they come. If you’re looking for a new Mechanic don’t hesitate to go to him. Anywhere else you go, prepare to get ripped off.

Fifteen years ago, I went into the Palm Springs Auto Zone store to buy an automotive part for my car (exhaust manifold). I asked the manager who would you recommend to install it. He referred me to Dave. I called him and got an estimate. I also contacted the local Buick dealer too. Dave was three times less expensive. He fixed the car. I was happy. I’ve been a regular customer since. If you want quality service, affordable cost, and dependability, go see Dave. He’s a throw back to the 1950’s and the Norman Rockwell era. His honesty is his integrity that was born out of his sincerity that makes his world and our world worth living in.
Phillip Mac O”

I have been taking all of my vehicles to Dave for over 12 years. He’s the best! Not only does he always take care of me and my cars, he never gouges me for extra money. In fact, there have been times when I was fully expecting the repair or service to cost hundreds of dollars and he fixed the hose, or replaced the fuse, etc — and charged me $ 25. As long as I am living here in Palm Springs I’ll be taking my cars to Dave.

David Smith is amazing and affordable. My alternator went out on my 2004 Subaru Sunday afternoon over Labor Day Weekend, and I knew no one would be open the holiday weekend but I called David anyway and left him a message. First thing Tuesday morning David called me back and I had my car towed into his shop and within a couple hours he had it up and running, saving me hundreds of dollar over what it would have cost me if I took it into Palm Springs Subaru. David is definitely my new mechanic.

After a horrible experience (getting ripped off) at a much more expensive shop a co-​worker recommended in Palm Desert, I went to David’s shop for some repairs, as well as routine maintenance on my older model Buick. Every time I have been there, he has been knowledgeable, honest and reasonably priced. His shop is a little difficult to find. (I believe the suite number on this Unilocal!listing is incorrect, though the address is correct.) His waiting room is not fancy. But as a single woman with no particular automotive knowledge, I don’t need fancy! I need a good mechanic who really knows his stuff, is honest with me about what needs to be done, and charges fair prices. If you value the same things, take your car to David Smith Automotive. He is a truly nice guy, and his integrity and automotive knowledge are invaluable.

Dave is wonderful. My husband and I came all the way from Reno to Palm Springs for our one year anniversary and my car at about the halfway mark started misfiring at higher levels of speed. We were really concerned that it could be a transmission issue, and an expensive repair.
We brought the car in the next morning and he knew what it was before even looking at it. The coil on my spark plug had gone out, and needed to be replaced. He ended up fixing it in a matter of hours and my car was as good as new! We were both so relieved.
A lot of auto repair places aren’t reputable or honest like Dave is and he knows his stuff.
I’m so happy I went off of all the positive Unilocal reviews!

Had a great experience. The guy is genuine, honest and will not charge you or sell you anything that is not needed. Will definitely go there again when needed!

I had a re-​occuring problem that no one could figure out. David did and it ended up being a lot simpler than what it could have been. He didn’t try to over charge or tell me it was anything else than what the problem was, which ended up being a simple fix. I’m definitely going to go back to David in a couple months for my brakes. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong with my car in the near future, but if anything does, he’ll be my first call. Very nice, courteous, and a «straight-​up» kind of guy.

Shortly after I moved here, my car’s alternator died. Not knowing any mechanics, I turned to Unilocal for a recommendation. The five-​star reviews for David are well deserved. He is honest, competent and reasonable, and more than that one cannot ask. I’m happy to add my five stars to all the others.

David is honest and fast. I came in with a check engine light and he gave me great advice and did not charge me to reset it! His suite is through the iron gate. Thanks David!

While leaving Palm Springs the day after Christmas with my entire family my explorer started overheating. We realized this vehicle was not going to make it back to Orange County. I first called a AAA recommended repair shop only to be left feeling like I was going to be paying quite a bit even if it was a small problem. I then went on Unilocal and found David, thank goodness! We managed to get the vehicle into his shop and he was extremely nice and accommodating. He quickly ordered the thermostat and it arrived within 30 mins. Within another 30 minutes he had it ready to go! Amazing service from an honest mechanic! His bill was very reasonable. Cannot say how thankful we were to find him!

David is the best! Although a little difficult to find his shop, once you get there you’ll soon realize you have found an honest mechanic. Great service, reasonable prices and as the saying goes David is as honest as the day is long!

I went to Dave today to get my whole axle boot and CV joints done and got my car back within an hour and a half which was great. He was very nice, honest and the best mechanic that I have ever been too. Another reason we know he’s a very honest mechanic also was because my husband was getting an estimate on his car to get his belt replaced and he looked at it and told us that it was still in good condition and didn’t need to be replaced, when all the other mechanics said it needed to be changed. Definitely go to this guy when u need some work done! He’s awesome.

Great service and staff. No hassle no pressure shop. Complete honesty and great work.
Bring your vehicle here for the real deal. Won’t play around with you or add any additional unnecessary work.
This should be your first stop!

We have been taking our three cars to David nearly two years now. This morning we took our Mustang over for it’s usual oil change but we had noticed the engine service light came on several days ago and our car seemed to be sluggish to start. David found the gas cap wasn’t sealed properly and this being the problem. He called a few hours later saying the car was ready, charging us for the oil change. He is very knowledgable, honest and he really loves your car. It’s very comforting for us to know we have an excellent mechanic we can trust. Highly recommend!

Dave knows his stuff, very pleasant, he fully understood everything I requested he do. In my case I had been to a couple of other shops that were charging full price for the parts (and service), so I bought the parts on the internet at heavily discounted prices comparatively, threw them in the Sienna and had Dave install. His price was very reasonable in comparison to the two other quotes (non-​dealer) that I had received prior to having him do the work. I felt very confident in his abilities and his shop looked to have everything necessary for solving most of my automotive servicing needs. I will definitely be back especially given I live on the North side of Palm Springs near his shop.
Unfortunately for those just in town for weekends, he’s not open Saturdays, but he seems accommodating for those here during the week. He met the 5 stars everyone has given.

David is exactly the mechanic I was looking for. He is knowledgable, fair and honest.
He doesn’t sell you anything you don’t need and he is very down to earth. Nice guy, too. He drove me to the bus stop so I wasn’t stuck waiting for the job to get done.

Found David via Unilocal,took my 2005 Toyota Tacoma in for the 85K maint.
1. Easy to schedule, no wait when I got there.
2. Changed oil, rotated tires, checked fluids, etc. … total was $ 50.
3. In and out in an hour … very easy.
4. Very convenient for North Palm Springs.

David was great, quick and affordable. Like the other posters, I thought I needed an expensive repair (new starter) and David told me it was simply the battery. He easily could have charged me for something I didn’t need and make several hundred more dollars that day.
I will definetly go back next time I need a repair.