Gene Johnson Automotive Svc

I've been taking my Jeep here for 6 years (after a couple tumultuous years of questionable work at some other places around town). A close friend suggested I try out Gene Johnson on Manor, and I've never regretted it. They're trustworthy, nice, and do an excellent job explaining things to me (even though I know nothing about cars). My favorite story about them was the 2nd time I took my car to them. I drove up during the summer and my passenger floor was filling up with water. Richard and Jeremy (who helped me out), could have told me whatever they wanted and I would have believed them (and paid them). I thought I was going to have to get major AC work done. Instead, Richard took out a pencil, cleared out a clogged drain, and sent me on my way with no charge. This is why I keep going back to the Gene Johnson. more

These guys are great. They are fair, their prices are good and they are honest. It is so hard to find a good mechanic but I am sure glad I found these guys. The only thing I wish they offered was major transmission/engine repair/rebuild. They do, however, recommend other business that they trust for the few things that they do not do. I will continue to use them and recommend them to others. Pros: Honest, Fair Prices, and they finish the job on time Cons: they do not offer major transmission work or engine work more

A few years back I had gotten quotes from two shops who told me my AC needed to be replaced. A friend suggested I talk to Richard at Gene Johnson and surprise surprise I come to find out I only needed a new radiator fan - not a new AC. He had my business from then to eternity! He is honest, dependable, quick, and totally stands behind his work. I also like the fact that they will explain what needs to be done in terms I can understand without being condescending. Rangersfan obviously has issues and I seriuosly question if they have ever even been to Gene Johnson Automotive on Manor. I also have numerous friends - minority and students included - who live in the neighborhood and have nothing but good things to say about his shop. He business is all word of mouth - there has to be a reason he doesn't have to pay to advertise! His reputation speaks for its self! Pros: HONEST and DEPENDABLE! Cons: NONE!! more

A good friend suggested me to this shop about a year ago ""they were great, they fixed my truck at half the cost of other places and were really helpful"". Well I took this advice and went to try it out for myself, wow he wasn't kidding. Richard seems to always have the most competitive bid. Better yet when I start to describe the problem to him instead of ""bring it in, lets see how bad I can rob you"" he helps me start trouble shooting. He offers advice to fix it myself to save money opposed to bringing it into him, what mechanic does that?!?! When it's something I can't/don't want to do myself he does it properly, on time and on budget. Coming from a small business owner and a college student, this company really deserves props. My only suggestion might be to expand a little, the backup is often fairly long though as another person said, this is merely a testament to their quality. Pros: Budget Friendly, Respectful, Knowledgeable Cons: Often pretty busy more

I took my car to one place to get a quote on the ac. They said it would be $1000+, I was shocked!!! I decided to get another shop to take a look. My father has been using gene for a couple years, so I gave it a shot. They fixed my ac for under $100! I have since taken my car there three times and every visit has been under $300. My starter was going out, instead of just replacing the whole thing, they fixed the little parts on it to save me money. These guys are great. You just need to call and schedule a drop off date and time, this will save you the long wait. These guys are super busy, because they are super honest! These guys need to be voted the best of! Pros: Honest and fair more

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We've been taking our cars to Gene Johnson's for over 10 years. They may not always be the quickest, but I think that's a testament to their popularity. We've experience nothing but honest mom and pop type service, no corporate chain BS to deal with. Occasionally, we have had a situation where they will call and explain if they have to revise an estimate, but that's the name of the game. You never really know what you have to replace until you start to rip the guts out of the car...unfortunately it's the same with knee surgery ;). Pros: Family Atmosphere, Honest, What You See Is What You Get Cons: Well, the waiting room could use an update, but I know where that money would have to come from (higher prices). more

I wouldn't take my vehicle anywhere else. They stand by their work and will NEVER try to sell you a repair you don't need. It's a small shop and they may not be able to get to your vehicle right away, so it's best to call ahead and make an appointment. The other review that accused them of ripping people off is simply not true. These guys are honest and will be straight forward with you. Only once has the charge been more than the estimate, and that time they called me and explained to me the problems they had run into. Pros: Stand by their work. Never try to sell you other repairs. Cons: No frills. No waiting room. more

Just to comment on the bad review of Gene Johnson's, I am a woman and a minority and a college student and I LOVE Gene Johnson's. \r \r Gene Johnson's is yet another reason to avoid chains (like Midas) and buy local...Last time I got my brakes done I apparently asked Midas to install a $307 grinding noise called ?Midas VSD NAO Brake Pads?. I returned to a Midas in Austin to see if I could score some free brake pads for the crappy job the other Midas had done. They proceeded to type up a list of things I needed including new rotors. The grand total was $976.57 even with my ?Warranty?. \r \r He kindly put the list in a red Midas envelope and looked very concerned for my driving safety after I told him I couldn?t afford that. My Toyota and I squeaked down to Gene Johnson Automotive instead. They asked for $273.43 total, parts and labor. I brought them the red envelope from Midas and the Gene Johnson employees favorites were:\r Midas charging $193.99 per rotor while Gene Johnson charged $60. Gene Johnson?s new Toyota brake pads went for $40 while Midas decided their own $60 brand was the best. \r In all, I saved $700 and so can you. Gene Johnson?s is located at 2300 Manor, across from El Chilito. Pros: Care about you more than making money, will buy cheapest priced parts and cheap labor, friendly small town-like staff more

I am a mother of two and a proud Texan, and let me tell you: Gene Johnson's Automotive is without a doubt the worst car repair place I have ever seen. Gene Johnson has grown his business by overcharging the poor minority residents and UT students in the neighborhood who make the mistake of going to his establishment to get car work done. I had heard some pretty awful things about the place, but the work I needed done was not that serious and I thought ""Why not, I'll try it.""\r \r My experience was poor from the beginning. The staff was rude and dismissive, and acted like helping me with my problem was the last thing on earth they would like to do. I should have just walked out, but I stuck it out instead. Boy was I sorry.\r \r I needed to get the heater coil replaced in my '97 Ford Ranger. The truck has been owned and driven in Austin, Texas since I bought it from the dealership, and it just doesn't get very cold here. Nevertheless, the heater coil developed a leak and I needed to get it fixed.\r \r Well let me tell you, this bumbling pack of fools cannot do much more than a simple oil change, and even then they would probably screw that up. I was given an estimate of $830 for the heater coil replacement, that was parts and labor combined. Well get this: not soon after I got to work they called me on my cell to tell me that they would have to take off more of the dash than they thought, and that it would cost me ANOTHER $400 in labor costs! I said this is ridiculous--put back on whatever you've taken off and I refuse to authorize the work at that price. Well what do you know, THEY RUINED MY DASH! They cut one of the corners to shreds when they put it back on, and then denied doing anything wrong at all. Rather than admit to damaging my property, Gene Johnson himself told me to leave his shop or he would call the police! What a creep!\r \r P.S. I later went to a shop in south Austin, and the whole job--parts and labor--was done for $230. Gene Johnson is a bigtime con man! Pros: If you like to be overcharged and treated badly, they have you covered. Cons: You name it. more