Houston Auto Repair

The Auto Doc... What a huge disappointment. I went in for a check up on my Jeep. All the systems were working fine, but I had a given a coupon for a free oil change and checkup to make sure everything was good under the hood. (I am not a mechanic.) They gave me a coupon for a coffee at the coffee shop around the corner and I waited for the verdict. They told me that the main belt needed to be changed as it was quite old and the throttle assembly needed to be cleaned. I figured that they were honest guys and they thought that that was what needed to be done to make sure my car was safe. So I agreed to the work, although the quoted price was quite steep (over 600 dollars). They did the work, and I got my car back. After a couple of days, the throttle started idling high at stop lights, nothing too bad, I just had to pump the gas pedal and it would drop down, but this was new behavior. And in the system that they had 'repaired'. Worse, the air conditioning system started to intermittently blow warm air. I had to leave the country for a planned trip and didn't get a chance to bring the car back to them, but my roommate, who used my jeep while I was gone, did bring it back to them. She told them that they had changed the main belt and now the a/c was only working intermittently. The mechanic told her that the pully clutch on the a/c system was shot and the compressor needed to be replaced even though he demonstrated that compressor was still fine (touching it and showing it was cold), and they would do it for $1000. She declined. When I heard that I was shocked. I did my own research on the internet and found out what can cause the pully clutch on the a/c not to engage. The #1 reason? Low refrigerant levels. Had the mechanic said anything about that? No. He just said that he would do a really expensive replacement of a working part. That tells me that they are either incompetent (they should know what causes malfunctions) or they are cheats (they do know but they sell unneeded repairs). I added some refrigerant myself to the system and it has worked fine ever since. I don't have enough evidence to prove it, but it seems to me like they could very easily have let a little of the refrigerant out to cause this problem. Whether this was intentional or not, the resulting recommendation to replace the working (!!!) compressor tells me all I need to know about this mechanic: do not return.

As a female, I am always worried that I am going to get screwed when it's time for some auto repair on my 2003 element. Well these guys couldn't have been more honest. I showed up at 9 on a tuesday morning expecting to just make an appointment to bring my car back at a later date. However, they were able to take my car right then, and have it back to me by 5:30 the same night. Before they did any work, they called to tell me what was wrong and what needed to be fixed. They also told me some things could wait if I didn't want to spend all the money at once, which has never happened to me before. Chris is very friendly and walked me through everything. I have found my new mechanics. I will never go anywhere else!

Job was done well and in a timely manner but sure was expensive. If it wasn't for convenience, I would have gone elsewhere.

Substandard parts were installed in my car. Why would any mechanic not stand behind the new parts they install if they were honest.

This place epitomizes the old saying "We do work that is fast, good, and cheap; pick any two."I find them to be fast and good. If you're looking to save a buck, you should probably shop around a little, but when you want it done right, they do it right, they meet the deadlines they promise, and they stand behind their work. I had a repaired item fail nearly a year after they'd originally fixed it. It was under warranty, so they repaired it again, quickly and for free. Respect.Under all the cutesly old gas station signs, this is a a clean, friendly, well-run, and seemingly honest place to get your car repaired. And yes, sometimes your repair bill should come with a free tube of personal lubricant, but on balance, I think it beats the crap out of being overlooked, lied to, and ultimately STILL gouged by the sleazy repair thieves at the dealership.El Rauncho Grande

Very surprised at the negative reviews. This is the friendliest, most honest car shop I have been to in Houston. Yes, agree, the prices could be better. But after getting horrible service at some other places, I realized that I would rather pay a little more to be treated respectfully by honest and professional staff.If you are solely looking for the cheapest car shop to do your work, this may not be the right place (but if you go, do ask if they will match a price elsewhere, see if they have any coupons, and don't forget your AAA card for the 10% discount).Dave, the owner, is very friendly and helpful. They recently opened a coffee shop/boutique next door, with cute seating, wi-fi, and real coffee drinks--they will even make you a custom drink while you wait for your car--that sure beats stale drip machine coffee that has been sitting on a burner all day.

Superb. First, I yelped it, and then the reviews came, I was pleased. As we all know, finding the right auto shop is one of the toughest things to do. My husband and I are new to the area and as I said were pleased with the yelps. The location was near us too. The towing was timely. From the first moment I spoke with Karl, I was sold, real nice guy. The diagnosis was quick and the repair quicker, they had a straight forward answer for every question that you knew was not BS. When we got there to pick up the car we noticed an art car in the drive, they said they service alot of the areas art cars. I was sold. You will feel comfortable here, I promise, almost at home.

This family business is wonderful!They are fast, friendly, and reliable.I am continuously recommending friends to check this place out.The staff is personable and tries to be on a first name basis with customers. On my last visit, I needed to get a ride home instead of waiting in the shop. The blonde woman that works there (receptionist? partial owner?) road with me back to my place and then drove my car back to the shop herself. She was extremely friendly.I told her about the blogsites and reviews of her business. On other sites they are all positive. She had no idea!Give them your money!