Gene Johnson Automotive Services

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Gloria So
4 months ago
Great service, prices, and scheduling! Really nice guys I trust to be honest with me. I got an oil change today, and they were fantastic with communication. I like that they still wear masks because it shows consideration for others and our health and safety as it s a local business. Will continue to be a customer and would definitely recommend - thank you!

  Mark Nite
2 months ago
This place is truly amazing and I would highly recommend using them if able. Stopped in last minute with and over heating car and had to go out of town the next day. He original told me it would be a day or two because they were busy but once he found out my situation they fixed it that day. True customer service is hard to find these days, I know because I ve worked in the industry my entire life.

  Tuscan Harrington
2 months ago
Best mechanic experience I have ever had. They fixed my car in just a few hours after the Toyota dealership had it for weeks trying to rip me off. I will never stop bringing my car here and recommending it to everyone I know.

  Courtney
5 months ago
I would not recommend coming here. My first impression was being scolded for not having a mask when I wasn t told to bring one in the first place. I wasn t resisting wearing one just simply didn t know and was accused of lying after front desk said well I scheduled you and must ve said something .Oil change was incredibly expensive and overpriced ($97). Overall would not recommend to anyone.

  Grace Barbettini
a week ago
I had the kindest phone call!! They didn t make me feel silly and I spoke with someone who troubleshot with me on the phone and I was able to resolve the issue. I won t forget this place!!!

  Phyllis Mosby
3 months ago
I love taking my vehicle to them! I have been a customer for 20 years. They are honest and fair.

  Dorson Willson
5 months ago
I stopped by one morning to have him listen to a ticking sound in the engine area... He said I can't help you because you're not wearing a mask.... Then suggested I take my 2010 Nissan to the dealership....

  Jonas Miller
9 months ago
Super honest. Super reasonable. Here are some old-school mechanics paying attention and treating customers with great service. I've been taking my cars here for years, and I recommend this shop to everyone.

  Parker Blackiston
5 months ago
Honest and fair mechanic. You do still need to wear a mask but would be nice if they kept disposable ones around as mask wearing is not the norm anymore

  sydney cavinder
10 months ago
So I was just on this part of town for the first time. I was looking for Lola s Donut shop but had just passed it. I parked in THIS parking lot with multiple open spaces. I got out and walked around the corner to make sure the donut shop was there, which it was. I then went back to my car and as i got back in my car the OWNER of this auto shop came running up HITTING my car with his fist/wrist MULTIPLE times. He called me a piece of shit for parking here. I apologized and said i was leaving. He continued screaming, saying he called the cops and was towing my car, when I was already leaving! I would never come here with an owner who acts this way and would vandalize someone s car??? I wish the cops had come!

  Ben Wu
7 months ago
I came to drop off my car and didn t realize the stringent Covid rules in place- didn t allow entry to anyone without a mask. I totally respect that, but I hadn t thought to bring an extra mask to just drop off the car. The guy wouldn t talk to me, except for just telling me to leave. You would think you would have extra masks for those that forgot? Anyhow, I can t write re: the service, because he went even let me inside to drop off my car.

  Kate Rohald
a year ago
These guys are the best. We've used them regularly for maintenance and repairs in the past and have always had a great experience. This last time, before bringing the car in, they suggested something we could try to fix the issue ourselves and it totally worked! Appreciate that they can get the job done, but don't trick you into paying for something unnecessary.

  Drew Dupuy
a year ago
When I moved to Austin 20 years ago, a longtime local recommended Gene Johnson's to me for an honest, good mechanic. He was my go-to for the 9 years I lived there (including my last 3 years when I coincidentally lived two doors down from the shop).Usually when you take your car in for service, you anticipate the estimate is going to be worse than you expect (possibly with BS, inflated, or fake diagnoses). Not at Gene Johnson's: my estimates were often *below* my expectations.They were sometimes a little gruff, but they're straight-shooters who don't pad your bill with unnecessary repairs.Admittedly, I haven't lived in Austin in over a decade; but I also haven't had as good/honest of a mechanic since.Services: Electrical repair, Engine repair, Oil change

  Kaley Hanrahan Hart
a year ago
Make sure to bring a mask! Unfortunately didn t get my car serviced here as they won t let you drop your car off without a mask, and I don t always have masks on me anymore. More than happy to wear a mask, but they didn t mention it when I called ahead to schedule, nothing on their website, and they don t have any onsite.

  D M
a year ago
First off, I live within 1/4 mile so I was excited to support a local business. Sadly, it was an awful experience from the moment the man rudely said put on a mask before coming in . I don t even have masks anymore I just needed a battery swap, already had the battery, and he said he doesn t do any service with parts from elsewhere. If he was polite about it, I would have returned the battery to the auto zone I got it from and bought the part from him. Bridge burned, theatre man.

  Brandon Watson
a year ago
Super rude about wearing a mask, there is no need to scream at people about this. I m willing to wear one, but at this point I don t keep them on me. If you re going to be that intense about it you should have some paper ones up front. I live next door but will go elsewhere from now on

  Lindsey Spillman
2 years ago
A little frustrating that they don't always have someone to do inspections. Got there right at 7 to have my inspection done before work and was told to come back around 830. I ended up being able to come back later and get it done pretty quickly. Something to keep in mind and plan around.Otherwise, great service and no other issues.

  Julia Clark
2 years ago
I needed to get a vehicle inspection for Texas car registration and per usual, I left things to the last minute. They were able to do it same day. They were super friendly and I really appreciated that they wore masks and required customers to wear masks. I didn't feel patronized or laughed at, and I always feel a bit nervous about that as a woman at a car shop. I'd definitely go back for future services! Also super cool that they've been in business since the 1930s - they have an old cash register in the office and a gas prices sign from way back when.

  Grant Baker
2 years ago
Honest guys with honest pricing. They gave me a reasonable number compared to the other shops wanting to charge me over 1000 dollars for my repair. They have for sure cemented themselves as my Austin area mechanic and they ll be the first I call next time my check engine light comes on!

  Dub W
3 years ago
Been going here for almost 10 years. M�ltiple times they have done some minor additional thing for me without charging me, or told me to fix it myself for almost no money if it was easy. The level of honesty and generous customer focus I think is the number one awesome thing about these guys.Their prices are extremely fair as well. Usually the car is ready to pick up ahead of schedule.Best repair shop in the whole state.

  Jean Jarrett
4 years ago
The fact that this repair shop hasn't been gobbled up by Austin's insatiable growth is the first indication that they are doing something right. A step back in time where you immediately know that the guy you're talking to behind the counter has hands on experience and the common goal is to get you back on the road as soon as possible. Everyone in the shop shows some hustle, they are extremely polite, never pushy.Starting with just inspections I eventually moved our company's fleet repairs to them exclusively not only because of the quality of their work but also because as a female operations manager they don't dumb down or try to mansplain things to me when I have questions, as I have experienced in many repair shops and dealerships. I have never witnessed them doing it to other customers either - men or women. I feel like we work together to come up with the most economical and efficient solution for the issue at hand.Their prices are extremely competitive but what keeps me coming back is the quick turn times and the fact I haven't had recurring issues with their repairs. They don't push up-sells or unnecessary repairs but have brought to my attention details like the registration is coming due, would I like to go ahead and take care of the inspection while they have the car? It's that attention to detail is a huge savings to our company because it minimizes vehicle downtime. We are hard on our fleet and they keep us running which is invaluable to our operation.

  Steven Boydston
8 years ago
This shop is excellent. I have brought two of my cars here over the years. Several times they were willing to tighten something or diagnose a minor problem on the spot for little to no cost. The more involved projects have always been reasonably priced and they were clear about what was going to be done and the timeline. If there was a negative, it would be that there are times when they're too busy and can't schedule something for the next day.

  Mike Johnson
11 months ago
Richard Johnson is not only a great mechanic, but is also honest. Nice to take your vehicle to a mechanic that will properly diagnose the problem, and only repair what is needed at a fair price.

  Klaus Kroyer Madsen
4 years ago
I have been a customer here 10+ years and couldn't be happier. They do high quality work at a fraction you would pay at the dealership. Recently, my Volvo warranty ran out and I was so happy to be back receiving personalized and friendly service!

  Sergio Angulo
5 years ago
Recommended to me by another great shop (Precision Auto & Body), Gene Johnson Auto Service is great. I brought my BMW in with some brake issues, and I thought it was going to be some big expense with a lot of work, based on what another shop had told me. Instead, Gene Johnson suggested we try a super-cheap option ($40) to see if it fixed the brake issues, and it did! Instead of spending upwards of $600, i spent about $40. These guys are honest and trust-worthy. The problem I had was going to be really difficult to diagnose, and some shops could have taken advantage of that and just done a more expensive set of work. They also didn't take very long to do the work, I believe it was a bring in the morning, pick up later in day thing. I did have to schedule a few days in advance, but that's because they are busy, and they are busy because they are good. Anyway, I won't hesitate to bring my car here again, and I fully recommend this shop.

  Jessie Raye Bauer
2 years ago
This was a while ago, but as a broke college student, I brought my car in with the check engine light. They proceeded to do a bunch of work and fix things like my headlight without asking or getting permission. When I got the expensive bill, I asked why they did all the work when I never was consulted. The owner was extremely defensive and told me I wasn't allowed to come back to the shop. Not a problem, won't be back.

  Danielle Cotar
4 years ago
Thus mechanical shop is very honest. Once I went to them for an AC, that I was quoted over 1k on. Turned out to be about $60 with Gene. Another time I took my daughter's car in for a fuel leak, there wasn't one.I do suggest to call and make appointment. They are so good you have to plan when to drop your car off.

  Joel Johnson
a year ago
Brought the car in at 7am, as told the previous day, for a wheel bearing replacement. At 2pm with no word from them we called them and were told they drove our car a couple times but couldn't determine which wheel it was. Owner has already heard my feedback, but here's the review. No communication, full assumption of what the customer would want, no concept of time.

  Salvador Montenegro
9 years ago
This is where I take my truck when it's had issues. I used to have another mechanic and he was fantastic but his prices kept going up and up and up. Before I made the change I had researched other places and these guys kept popping up.Sure enough I had an issue with my truck and I decided to take it in. I had some issues with the A/C. I dropped by in the morning and they took a look at it and by the afternoon I was on the road again with a working A/C. Since then they have been fast, reliable and very reasonable when it comes to the pocketbook. Give these guys a chance and see if they become your new mechanic.

  Bobbi Cooper
6 years ago
Trustworthy, quality work at a good price!These guys are the only ones willing to work on my 1991 Toyota Previa. And Greg is hilarious. It s almost worth coming here just to listen to him wide crack.The mechanics that work with him are friendly and skilled.