Georgetown & Round Rock Auto Repair

"You know what? Forget about it." First of all, if a mechanic can afford to be closed on mechanic Christmas (also known as Saturday), you already have to be asking yourself how they make up the lost business from the weekend. But we'll get back to their outrageous prices... These guys are not trustworthy, hostile to customers, and incredibly overpriced. So, I knew that I needed a new radiator. My old one actually squirting coolant out directly from the radiator was a pretty good sign. I called up the shop that someone had referred me to and the incredibly bitter and miserable Mike was ready, willing, and able to not help me. Like most people, I work for a living, and if I was going to swing this no weekend nonsense, I needed to have a pretty good idea that they were going to be able to have the part available and time to install it on whatever day they had the car so I only had to troll for rides once. Mike wasn't having it. Of course, I understand that customers are not always right, so I didn't expect them to take my word for it that a new radiator was required sight unseen, but I did want to know their price for a radiator and the part availability. Mike categorically refused to lift a finger until I brought it in. I knew I needed the work done, so we coordinated a time that afternoon for me to bring it by for the eval part and I would bring it back the following day for the work. I juggled my schedule, took a partial day off of work and showed up as demanded. He rolled his eyes and made it clear that it was a huge imposition on him that I brought the car in with only an hour and a half left in the day for a pressure test that he had insisted upon. He had assumed I was leaving the car with him despite all the discussion we had already had about that. So, I sit down in the uncomfortable waiting area with horrible wifi and wait an hour until somebody finally got around to it. Surprise, I needed a new radiator. Mike calls me over and delivers the bad news. The estimate is about $900. He wants over 3.5 hours of labor (It turns out the job is only coded for about 2), and he wants $350 for a part that I had seen online for $125. He launched into a well-rehearsed story about how that's the internet, and this is retail so it's different. I called another mechanic after I left and they quoted me $200 and the 2.2 hours of labor and checked the availability of the part so I could get in and out on... Saturday. Shocking how retail works, huh? When Mike and his cohort finished their tag-team spiel about how my car was a deathtrap and shouldn't be driven off the lot, I asked for my keys. Mike laughed and said "So, you aren't going to pay for the pressure test you just had me do?" (He has a really short memory). It was my turn to roll my eyes, but fortunately, he had the good sense to say sarcastically, "You know what? Forget about it." Stay far away from these guys unless you have money to burn (and a second car lying around to use while they have it). They jacked up the estimate of everything, tried to add in a lot of distracting details (he rambled for 3 minutes about freon and how he wouldn't charge me for the freon they take out of my air conditioner and put back in if they had to drain the air conditioner), and clearly have worked out high-pressure sales routines. I guarantee you they wrote any positive reviews below. Every stereotype about mechanics was true here.

I brought my 2001 Mazda Miata to them for a loss of power and engine shake on March 15, 2013. Thy had the tech Andy Seevers take a look at it, and came back with the transmission was slipping. The quote was $2,800 for the repair. This seemed high to me, nor did I ever noticed the transmssion slipping, not ever feeling/showing on the RPM gauge. I picked the car up, paid the $65.00 diag fee. I took the car over to Mazda South, and was told by the dealer that the u-joints were gone, and would be $956 to replace the drive shaft. I picked it up there, and took the Miata to AAMCO, who told me the u-koints were gone and would be $950 to replace the driveshaft, with new, replaceable u-joints. AAMCO could find no problem with the transmission. I talked with Jonathon at JC auto, and he could not give me a reason other then the mechanic took it for a test drive, and thought if felt like the transmisson was bad. I was really disappointed in this, I took it to them from S. Austin after reading the great reviews. Use at your own risk, it seems their mechanics are trying for more repairs for higher commision.

People like me who know how to fix their own car but don't have the tools or time come here. That is all you need to know. These guys are 100% honest, 110% competent, and will work with you to meet your needs in terms of managing repair costs. They also understand motor sport and are happy to advise on and perform modifications to make your car more track-friendly. They are a Tire Rack install partner. I once took them a car with a failing ECU, and they managed to repair it rather than replace it ... the car was laid up for a week but I saved a bundle, and that was what I needed at the time. If you like dealer credentials, John is a Mazda Certified Master Technician, and they don't give that out lightly :)

Our 1999 van needed the starter replaced and we took it to John Long's because that was where AAA recommended. They replaced the starter and I have no complaints about that service. However, while the van was in the shop, they called me telling me that there was a rather large pool of fluid under the van and that was the power steering and would cost $500.00 to repair. We declined because we basically keep this car as an extra and we didn't want to put any more money into it. We figured we'd just keep an eye on it and fill the power steering fluid as needed...It's been 6 months since we were there. We have not had a drop of any kind of fluid under the car in that six month period. I've checked the levels under the hood and they remain full. Clearly, this was a $500.00 repair was was not needed. I don't think I'll go back to this mechanic because I no longer trust their recommendations.

I'm trying to not let my nearly $500 bill of car repairs bias my review, although its difficult. The staff did a good job explaining what happened with my vehicle and breaking down the costs. They personally went out of their way to ensure they kept my bill as low as possible and kept the costs to a minimum. They called me to let me know what was happening with the car and prepared me for the good news and the bad news. Next time, give me the bad news first as it was quite a downer (the last time they called telling me it was $140 so far, then called again to drop a bomb on me that it was $450 so far). Ouch! Or give the customer the option, what do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news? Just a tip. But, overall I still gave them 5-stars because I felt satisfied with their service and know they did a good job on my car.

These guys shoot you straight, have competitive pricing and do quality work. You never feel like you are being sold additional services. I take both our cars here for everything with the exception of oil changes at times just because of some great deals at other places with good management and time. Also, it's worth noting that they are closed on Saturday and Sunday. I think that speaks volumes about the management to value the time and lives of their employees. It's evident their employees like working there (which I can say about no other auto repair shop).

6 years ago, I got a quote from the VW Dealer in town on what a brake job would cost on my Jetta. And it was outrageous. I talked to the engineers I work with, and given that I don't own a garage/wasn't able to turn the wrench myself, the consensus was I should head to JC Automotive. and I have been coming back ever since. Customer Service is what they are about - this place will explain what you are having done to your car, what is broken, with quotes attached that break out part costs vs. labor. If excellent customer service, transparency in repairs, answering your questions, and advising you on how to approach complex repairs sounds good to you, well you just found your next shop. They councilled me through the purchase of my next car, a used Inifiniti. I go here for all my oil changes and general maintence as well. What more could you ask for, from a fantastic independant shop? Coffee, wifi, etc, while you wait. Worth every penny!!!

It's hard to believe I haven't written a review for this place yet. Three generations of my family use JC Auto Spec; they are the most honest auto shop we've found. Even when just a word or two of caution or worry might make us think about replacing parts or getting work done, the folks here don't bother with trying to leave doubt in our minds about when we need or don't need work done or parts replaced. Not only are they honest, their pricing is fair and very transparent. They always tell us - in detail - what was done to our vehicles, how long it took and what the possible ramifications and consequences of that work is. They don't do any work without checking with us to make sure we're okay with it. Their customer service is fantastic; theey offer free wi-fi while you wait, online tracking of service records, email coupons, AAA discount, shuttle service and staff who are willing to take the time to sit down and explain things step-by-step until you understand what they need to do to get you driving again. That level of honesty, fair pricing and great customer service add up to the one auto shop we trust to take care of our cars. I also feel it's necessary to add that no one is perfect and mistakes happen: it's how a business handles mistakes that's important. The very few times there have been any kind of problem with a vehicle we've left with JC, they have fixed the mistake and taken care of the the extra work without charging us anything. You can't beat this shop.

I love Automotive Specialist in Round Rock. A few times I have even taken my car in, they've looked at it, and it was such a small issue, they fixed it for free. Told me to come back when I had a 'real problem'. Now that is service. And when my A/C went out, they discussed 3 various cost options for me, and even talked to me about the value of just selling my car and buying a new one. Helped make recommendations on low cost, high value new cars as well since my car had 150K miles. What place turns down a repair to recommend to their customer they buy a new car, knowing they will lose business since I will have a new car? Jonathan there is AWESOME. I now will do all of my automotive needs, oil changes, etc. there. HIGHLY recommend them.

Really, when it comes down to it, I feel confident bringing my car to JC. I've had a '96 Accord for almost 8 years, so I've seen my fair share of auto shops. I also am a younger woman and used to get SO nervous to take my car in. I felt like a bullseye was painted on my credit card! Everyone that works at JC is very knowledgeable and not above answering ALL of my questions. If I ask why the labor is a certain charge, they will literally explain what had to be taken off and why. The service is very transparent, and that is key! Recently, I had a coupon for an oil change at another shop down the road, and they told me I needed to have the timing belt replaced. They gave me a quote that almost made me cry! I went down the road to JC and their quote was $600 less and they actually were replacing more for me. They also have an easy shuttle service that has never failed me, and a 12 month/12k warranty on all work. The ONE AND ONLY problem I have with them is that this shop is busy. My car is usually there for over 24 hrs. However, this isn't even enough to touch the 5 stars & their popularity is only an indicator of how many people trust them!