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How To Find An Honest Mechanic In Los Angeles
I was waxing nostalgic about the good old days recently and was thinking about my teen years. I spent much more time thinking about, and racing cars, than school. My first muscle car was a dark blue Ford Torino 390 cubes with four on the floor. Man did I think I was hot. I could fill my tank for about $10.
I was waxing nostalgic about the good old days recently and was thinking about my teen years. I spent much more time thinking about, and racing cars, than school. My first muscle car was a dark blue Ford Torino 390 cubes with four on the floor. Man did I think I was hot. I could fill my tank for about $10.
Every Sunday afternoon I would head outside my hometown of Hattiesburg, Ms and race that Torino down the quarter-mile track at Hub City Raceway. I’ll never forget their radio ads with the announcer yelling “Sunday, Sunday, Sundayyyyyyyyyyyy!”, with each Sunday getting louder and louder.
The question always arose among fellow racers, “Who was the best mechanic in town”. Since that time, I sold or wrecked and/or rebuilt about seven other race cars, probably my fastest being white Pontiac Tras-Am with a 454 cubic inch engine in it. It was the second year they came out and Pontiac only made them in that color. My shelf was aligned with trophies, thanks to the Pontiac/Chrysler Motor Company and my quick reflexes at reading rpm’s and shifting.
The days of my teens seems like a thousand years ago. But as much as things change, some remain the same. One is finding an honest and capable mechanic, not easy in L.A. or any city for that matter. I found him last week. It was like a miracle when my clutch broke.
It was on my newly bought used Saturn that was perfect in every other way (sans the clutch). I had even driven it across the country with no problems.
It was towed to a man of whom I’d never heard, named Vladimir Morsach, a Russian Immigrant who had learned American cars while here. And learned them well. He knew exactly what the problem was and quoted me $200 cheaper than the mechanic on the other side of town, in Woodland Hills where the car stood for several hours.
Vlad called the next day and the car was ready.
So off to Vlad’s I went with a friend. I still had my out of state checks as I’d just moved from Arkansas, and since there had been some unauthorized charges on my Mastercard, I had canceled it and could not use it. He had to take my word that the check was good. Vlad was trusting and compassionate. He took my check. I was astounded. This was not the usual modus operandi of Business L.A.
By far, based on my experience, the best mechanic, at least my choice, in America, is not even a native-born American. But don’t let that fool you. He fixed it as professionally and courteously as anyone with which you could hope to deal.
In addition, he said, if there was anything else wrong with the car, he would let me know before fixing it. I thought “Uh oh...what is coming next”, based on my experience with so many mechanics with which I’d worked in the past. He called me again to let me know it was only the clutch. Now that is honesty, and certainly worth driving a few miles (or in my case having it towed, to get it fixed better, cheaper, and from a very nice person, Vladimir Morsach). Welcome to America, Vlad! We are very glad you are here!
Vladimir’s garage is at 18440 Vanowen Ave, Reseda, Ca in the Valley. His phone is 818-719-8610. He’s great to talk to also. Sounds like I’m his p.r. agent, I’m not. I simply am a very happy customer and glad to know he is so nearby. Since that time I’ve talked to others who have had similar experiences with this engine-magician. I have a feeling you will too. Keep in mind, I am picky about my engine. I raced cars. I want someone who knows his stuff, and I can smell one who doesn’t. Vlad knows it better than anyone, regardless of the make.
In the process of writing this piece, some news came to me about Vlad that I found interesting so decided to add it as a footnote. he is a mechanical engineer, went to the one of the best University’s in Russia and had many years of experience working with cars from every continent. Vlad is not in good terms with languages, so he feels, but I understood him very well. But he believes he can’t learn English and states that he’d better do what he knows best and it is repairing cars, remodeling, and more… For him, it is NOT just about cars, it is about his passion, but mostly: his honesty and integrity. He guarantees his work for one year and if your car is NOT working properly and has same problem he will repair it for free.