5

TL;DR Only because I can't give them six stars for their professionalism and customer service. Enthusiastically recommend. Short version: Professional advice and work, reasonable prices, lengendary customer service. Because of their knowledge and advice, I have saved over $5000 in expensive repairs. They will be my go-to repair shop until JT and Doug leave. Long version: 1st visit-- 2012 VW Sportwagen needs shocks and front brakes. Because Austin Automotive Specialists [AAS] had just opened in Leander, they were running a first time visitors special. After calling other shops and getting quotes, found that AAS prices were in line so the coupon was going to save me about $100. Cool. Scheduled the service, talked to JT who explained all the options and his recommendations and answered ALL of my questions. left the car with promise to get back tomorrow. Following day, I get "the phone call"-- you know the one where the shop has "found something else"--EXCEPT this wasn't like that. JT is calling to let me know that after looking at the strut mounts, there is no need to replace them, so he put them back in the box and LOWERED THE REPAIR PRICE ANOTHER $100. Now, we had already agreed on the price, AAS could easily have just put that money in their pocket, but their focus is on always doing right by the customer. [total savings so far by using AAS instead of another shop-- about $200] 2nd visit-- 2015 Honda Fit. Wife's car is making a rattling noise on start up. I've looked at everything I know to no effect, so I bring the car to AAS. Hour later, I hear from JT that the variable timing valve controller needs to be replaced. I ask if they can do the service and JT lets me know that there are specialty tools that his shop doesn't have so they can't do it. Then he says, "By the way, I think this might still be covered under your warranty. The car is 5 years old, but you only have 33,000 miles on it. I pulled the technical service bulletin [which JT printed for me] and the part should be part of the powertrain warranty which goes to 60,000 miles. I also looked up the vehicle in service date and if you will want to get the car to a dealership this week before the warranty expires" I look over the information, thank JT, then ask how much I owe for the diagnosis. "No charge". ( Most shops in the Austin area will charge you $80-100 just for looking at the car) Two days later, take the car to the dealership who first tries to charge me a $95 diagnosis fee. Nope, I have the diagnosis already in writing hand the service advisor the technical service bulletin to go with it. They agree to do the work with the diagnosis and will get back to me with an estimate [I had told them the car was under warranty on the phone] Dealership calls and says the cost will be $1,900+ dollars to which I remind them the car is covered under warranty. They try some BS to say the in service date was 7/17 so not covered but I SHOW them our delivery papers of 7/25 so yes it will be covered. [Remember, JT had looked this up for me so I ALREADY KNEW it was covered]. Car repaired next day, no charge. [total savings so far $2,100 +] 3rd visit-- Wagon has a check engine light. Googled the code and found it needs intake manifold replaced. Called JT, asked him to take a look. They use their knowledge to dig deeper into the code and come back with a laundry list of other things including a warranty covered software update which they printed up for me Since this is a more specialized repair for diesel engine, car has to go elsewhere. I had brought the car in hopping on a bad ankle, so JT offers to call VW specialist shops and deliver the car to them! Who does that? Take the car to the dealership and ALL the repairs on the car end up being covered because of that software update. Intake manifold, exhaust gas recirc, and diesel particulate filter would have cost $3,500 if not for the advice and service from JT. [Total savings $5,600+] They do great work and treat customers fairly. Why go anywhere else? Comment from Stephen M. of Austin's Automotive Specialistss Business Manager 8/5/2019All I could say at first was WOW after reading your review Marc. Thank you so much!!! Reviews like this and customers like you are the reason I love coming to work each day. I am so happy to hear about all of the money you saved based on our research and TSB's we provided. I hope your ankle gets healed up real soon. Sincerely, J.T. Matteson Manager Read more

5

Elite '2020 Elite '2020 Fast, friendly, accurate, and at a decent price. Rare winning combination found here. If your vehicle has a light cone on or you hear a rattle give them a call. Comment from Stephen M. of Austin's Automotive Specialistss Business Manager 8/5/2019Thank you Brian! We are here to help. Read more

5

Austin Automotive has worked on two of my vehicles and both times they were nothing less than amazing!!! Professional,honest,timely and didn't even roll there eyes with my saying that Google "says"!!! I highly recommend them and I will be a customer forever!!! Comment from Stephen M. of Austin's Automotive Specialistss Business Manager 8/1/2019Thank you Linda! will pass this on to Andy. Read more

4

Did my alignment here. Gave me this edgy feeling like being at a used car lot though & called my vehicle a Frankenstein before looking at it when I first walked in. It's an 80's Toyota 4x4 so yeah, not your typical Dodge Dart oil change I get it. He did not offer me any additional services which is good imo but I was also getting an alignment in the last hour of the day so all the time we had needed to go towards that. I offered to let them keep it overnight. The older tech seemed well versed & explained in great detail the nuances of the job. 4 Stars because not impressed enough to try them again for my next needs but slid me in the last hour of the work day & tech's knowledge was on point I could tell. Almost minused another star just because they took another job in at like 4:55 when I was checking out & not only did he check her in before getting me out, those poor guys in the shop looked like they had a long day & it was time to go! These are all just my opinions. Comment from Stephen M. of Austin's Automotive Specialistss Business Manager 7/26/2019Thank you Jeremy for the review. I jumped the gun on the "Frankenstein"comment before we looked at the vehicle, since we see similar older Toyota trucks that look like yours. It was pretty cool how much of the vehicle was original and the amount of work you did on the vehicle yourself. Matt, the technician that worked on your vehicle, appreciated the shout out in the review. Matt ishoping you got those rear brakes re-adjusted, since he had such a difficult time trying to roll the vehicle back and forth during the alignment. He also wanted you to know that he isn't paid hourly, so he needs to work on as many vehicles as he can to get paid. Our ownership also requires us to take vehicles in right up until we close at 5:30pm. If it had been my choice, your Toyota truck would have been our final vehicle of the day on Saturday and I would have told the techs to go home early. I truly care about my fellow employees and want to take care of them always. My employees are like my second family due to the amount of time we spend with each other on a daily basis. Sincerely, J.T. Matteson Manager Read more

5

I hit a curb and caused more damage than just a flat like I initially thought. Austin Automotive Specialists was honest with me from the start, explaining what exactly happened to my car. They told me my car wasn't safe, and they suggested I put a claim in with insurance. This was my first time to do so, and it was a bit overwhelming. Mike, the manager, helped me every step of the way. I can't thank him enough for making it an easy process. Once insurance approved everything, my car was done in a few hours! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for honest, quality car service. Comment from Stephen M. of Austin's Automotive Specialistss Business Manager 7/22/2019Thank you for your review Abby. Glad we were able to help you out. Read more

5

Always pleasant, helpful, kind and fast. Austin's Automotive Specialists at William Cannon always provide quick and courteous service.

Thank you David. Andy and his crew will be happy to know you are a satisfied customer.

- 8405 Research Blvd.
5

I would recommend the team at Austin's to anyone looking for auto repair or auto body services. We were having some trouble with our tires and happened to pull into the shop while waiting for AAA. The store manager helped us out with advice and assitance and we weren't even paying customers! They were generous with their time and genuinely looked out for our best interests. Customer service doesn't get any better than that.

Thank you Michael! glad we could help.

- 1800 S I-35 Frontage Road
5

So, many years ago, I worked for this company. Johhny was a consumate boss in the best possible of ways. He pushed honesty, kindness and understanding. He demanded that we never take advantage of any customer, ever. Fast forward roughly 15 years. I have a friend that had brake problems with her car. I suggested she take it to Austin Automotive Specialists. I did this because I knew that even after all of these years "My boys" would not lead her down a bad path. I was not disappointed. After several weekes of dealing with a questionable mobile mechanic, Austin Automotive Specialists fixed her car in under 8 hours. Not for the THOUSANDS of dollars she had been charged by some "chuck in a truck" but by seasoned professionals. They are led by a great man, Mr.Johnny Whitlock. My point is this. The men and women that built this business 30 years ago are still hands on, and I have yet to be disappointed by the customer loyalty and integrity they continue to employ Comment from Stephen M. of Austin's Automotive Specialistss Business Manager 7/3/2019Thank you Lux! Glad we could help and thanks for the referral. Hope everything in your world is Great!Thanks again. Read more

5

Brand new AAS store located on the corner of Crystal Falls Pkwy and 183. Great staff. Fair prices. Great work. What more do you want? Go here. Comment from Stephen M. of Austin's Automotive Specialistss Business Manager 7/1/2019Thank you Pwriftng! We are super happy you are satisfied with our service. See you next visit. Read more

5

Andy and his staff are excellent and totally trust worthy. Thanks to the great service I have always received, my 2008 Toyota Avalon has over 308,700 miles. Quite a surprise to everyone the original struts are still on the car. They have done all of the maintenance on 2 F150 PUs, 1999 Avalon and this Avalon for me. I recommend them highly and it is a place where women can feel safe and know if they are recommended to have to have something service, the service is necessary.

Thank you Sandy! We do our best to keep our customers vehicles running fantastic for a long time.

- 8405 Research Blvd.