ME Gene Johnson Station & Garage

 

10

35

Jason F.

Washington, DC

The reviews for this garage were so spectacular, I just HAD to bring my car here.  All I needed was an oil change and an inspection.  

I called ten minutes before I showed up to find out if there was a line and what the wait would be.  The guy on the phone said no wait and no more than 30 minutes.  When I showed up the lot was pretty packed, and the guy behind the counter said about an hour.  The work ended up taking about two hours.  At least I could watch a movie in I heart Video next door.  Pretty standard mechanic timing.

I couldn't help feeling left out.  Where was my five-star experience?  Did I have to tip to get a happy ending?

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11

58

GoMichSt ..

Austin, TX

My sister introduced me to Gene Johnson's Garage several years ago and they've been nothing but great and honest people ever since.  As you know, it can be tricky finding a good, trustworthy and reliable auto mechanic, but these guys are honest and minus the sugar coat and bologna.  

The main two gentlemen I've dealt with are Bubba and Tommy, and they've always been very attentive and responsive.  There have been many instances where I (or someone I know) have compared estimates (quotes) and Gene's always comes in the at the best.  What's also great is that these guys are honest and tell you how what's involved and have been able to break down a complicated job or bill in an itemized fashion so you understand where your money is being spent.  

They've helped many of my friends who were in a bind, or who thought that the bill would be double than what they charged.  Bubba and Tommy provide great quality and trustworthy service that will leave you satisfied and recommending them to everyone you know.

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18

21

Doryan R.

Austin, TX

Ok. this is off of one experience, but I felt so relieved after this experience that I had to give them 5 stars. We'll see if it holds up!

I have a 96 subaru. It was about 6 months overdue for inspection.

I brought it in. It had failed another inspection months ago, but that was in Houston, and I thought maybe the inspection was different here. It used to be. Isn't anymore.

So, they call me up saying it didn't pass. Ask me a few questions, trying to figure out if I'd done something wrong, to no avail.

THEN...he just walks over to that wall. You know that wall? That one in the garage, not in the office. It has all these "certificate" looking things on it. They all look the same, and yet they say entirely different things.

Mostly, it's a wall depicting any hiccups, recalls, or any such other things that may go wrong with any car, especially in inspection.

EVERY garage has this wall! I've seen in a million times, and I just figure it's one of those useless things like a TABC license.
But no. It's bonafide.

A half hour later (or less) he says it passed and I can come pick it up. That and an oil change cost me $80 or so. Not bad for taking the time to really find out what the deal was with my car vs taking my money for a "diagnostic" computer readout.

I'll definitely bring her back.

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0

12

Ian S.

Austin, TX

ME Gene Johnson did a great job of fixing my car and making the experience easy and hassle free. I recommend them for anyone needing to get their car repaired.

My car, a mid 90s domestic, had a coolant leak. I was not sure where the problem was, but figured it was probably the radiator. I did my research on Yelp and was impressed with the online reviews. The garage and the team there did not disappoint me.

I called ahead the day before to verify that they could handle my problem. They made it clear that the would need to look around to confirm the source of the problem, but that they handled my car's make and model as well as the problem I had. I didn't need to make an appointment; I was told I could drop it off whenever. They offered me a ride to campus or the anywhere in the central Austin area. I didn't take them up on it because my wife picked my up, but it was still nice.

I dropped off the car the next day. The drop off was easy. It took about 5 minutes despite there being a couple of people ahead of me dropping off cars. Then I went to work. Robert called me back in 2-3 hours to give me the details on their repairs and the costs. The costs were in line with the estimates that they had given me before and what my research on radiator replacements told me the repair would cost. Then he called my back in another 2-3 hours to let me know it was fixed and to pick it up. I spent about 5 minutes picking itg up and was out of there.

Fast, easy, predictable. I have a new go-to car repair place in Austin. I recommend them to anyone needing to get their card fixed up.

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Elite '08

35

57

Christine P.

Austin, TX

I recently took our vehicle to ME Gene Johnson's for fear that if I waited any longer for a mechanic visit, we would have to convert our car into one similar to the Flintstones.

I asked them to prepare a quote for me before they moved forward on the repairs. They not only agreed to do so but they also dropped me off at work so I wouldn't have to take the bus or hitchhike!

The quote came back at almost the exact amount we expected it to; however, they didn't try to upsell anything at all. They were completely honest with what I should have repaired now and what could wait.

A quote for the replacement of one vehicle part was $186 less than the dealership. A quote for another part was about $30 more.

I think this mechanic is fair and the service is excellent. They all have a great sense of humor.

The place gets four stars instead of five for not being open on the weekend. This makes life as a 9-5er a bit challenging.

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0

2

Rindy F.

Austin, TX

Bubba and Tom are the car dudes!

This is the place to go to get almost anything done to your car.  I like them so much that I used them when my new car was still under warranty.  I knew I would end up saving money in the end.  

If you are leaving your car and need a ride, Reverend will give you a ride and wonderful conversation.  

House will make sure your tires have just the right amount of air and fill your tank if you are not in the mood to pump gas.  .

You can get your oil changed and fluids checked right next door.

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0

4

Brent W.

Austin, TX

I drove from Pittsburgh to Austin and shortly after my car was in dire straits.  I really didn't know many folks here, but I needed to find a mechanic fast.  I went to Johnson M E Gene Garage because of the things I read here and on the advice on someone my friend knows here in Austin.  I wasn't disappointed.  All the other places were giving me quotes ranging from $900 to $1000.  My car was fixed for just under $700 and it was done very promptly as well.  Not to mention Bubba seemed like a genuinely nice guy.  I'll definitely be going back to this place again.

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8

16

Angela L.

Austin, TX

Tommy and Bubba, the guys who run this place, are the most personable and honest mechanics I've ever met.

I first started going to Gene Johnson's over 10 years ago with my Toyota. I'd been referred by AAA, who said Gene Johnson's was the only repair place in town recommended for Japanese cars.

My rear brakes had locked up and I had to have my car towed to the garage. Since the car wouldn't move at all, I thought the problem must be pretty serious. I was only 18 at the time and had very little experience with cars -- they could have told me it was anything and charged me whatever they wanted. Instead, they replaced a broken screw and charged me 67 cents for parts and ten bucks for labor.

I haven't been to another mechanic since.

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103

16

chewy c.

Austin, TX

All joking below aside, these guys are GREAT and HONEST. When my Honda had this mysterious starting problem, they were great in trying to  figure out the issue. They've worked on my car when I was so busy I had to leave it there with a post-it note after hours.

They've worked on our Scout too and have recommended other great places when it's been needed. I can't say enough great things about them...

These guys had just done brake work on my boyfriend's Land Rover (which was much, much less than what he was quoted at the dealer--surprise!) so when I ran over a screw the size of Canadialand the other day, I came straight here right away.

What a delight! Not only did they fix my tire immediately, I waited outside and had the best convo i've had with a stranger in a long time:

New BFF: How you doing today?
Me: Great, you?
New BFF: Man, I hate President Bush.
Me: Ya, I hate that mofo too. Totally ready for a new prez.
New BFF: Me too! But seriously, what the eff is wrong with John McCain's face?
Me: Skin cancer, I think. My dad nearly died from melanoma but his shit did NOT look like that.
New BFF: Shit, skin cancer?!
Me: Yep. I've got some sunblock in my car, you want some?

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Elite '08

73

65

Hoa N.

Austin, TX

Competent and honest. I completely trust them with our VW and have for years. They are great for basic things and inspections. Bubba is awesome. Everyone is friendly and respectful. They will even check and fill your tire's air levels for no charge; like an old fashioned full service gas station.

Prices are very fair; we've never been surprised.

If your auto work takes less then 30 minutes you can browse I Love Video next store. Nice bonus.

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4

11

Zach D.

Austin, TX

I was about to pick up my car at ME Gene Johnson's garage and I did a search for the phone nbr and came up with YELP and thought I should give them a 5 star review.

It's sad I did not find these guys sooner even though I live just down the road from them and pass by them all the time.  Someone recommended them so we started going as the other garage we went to was way South.

I can say without hesitation these guys are probably the most honest business people I have ever dealt with - and when you are talking about auto mechanics that says a lot.

I have been scammed by many many garages and it has taken me years to figure out that you almost never should trust an auto mechanic.  From Just Brakes, to Jiffy Lube, To Groovy Lube, and various other auto shops, they always seem to find something wrong that you don't really think is a problem or try and tell you you need to flush your fluids out or whatever - straight scams.  I have a special review for Just Brakes on Airport coming soon.

Anyways, I will stick to the positives about ME Gene Johnson - they have always been completely honest with us and only fixed what needed to be fixed.  And if nothing needed to be fixed, they told us that.  

They've fixed things for us from flat tires, brakes, a cracked radiator and now we just go there for an oil change as I really don't feel I can trust any quick-lube places (especially after an incident with JIffy Lube where they got me to go for the 'engine cleanout' which I found out later was basically them putting a $3 bottle of gas cleaner in my tank. They left the bottle sticking out of my gas tank and lost my gas tank cap!)

In summary, I bet you can't find more honest auto mechanics in town.  
I also have had no problems with things they fixed not being fixed.  I'm not even concerned with that because they are so honest if something did go wrong, I know I could take it back and they would make it  right.

Top notch - 10 stars!

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0

5

Caro D.

Austin, TX

OK, so this review is based ONLY on the plugging of a flat tire, but the experience was so super-easy and painless and cheap that I have to give them points.  I walked in one morning with a flat tire - they immediately sent someone out to check it out.  They plugged it while it was still on the car and charged me $10.50 for the trouble.  The staff was great and treated each other well, which is bonus and bodes well for good service.  I'll go back.  And update you when I do.

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2

9

Christy M.

Austin, TX

I love Gene Johnson's.  Through all of the traumatic used vehicle purchases that I have made, all of the transmissions that I have burned out, all of the oil changes, all of my delusional phantom hearing of noises that turned out to be nothing, they have been there.  Bubba and Tom talked me through what was wrong (or not wrong) and what needed to be fixed.  They never give a lady the run around.  I also really like that they open up so early.  And they don't mind my obsessive compulsive calling towards the end of the day.  
Great place and friendly people.

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23

29

Megan R.

Austin, TX

For the second year in a row I have taken my car to Gene's for my state inspection.  Okay maybe a little more than a year, as apparently my inspection sticker was expired for about 6 months before I noticed it.  Anyway, I recommend getting there early, as both times I have gone around 10am and there was already a line of 5 cars in front of me.
As I sat there for an hour waiting I saw that they seemed to have customers from all walks of life come in, and they treated everyone with the same respect.  They even sent a guy to another shop down the street because they would not be able to fix his car over the weekend but they knew this other place could do what he needed today.
Once they got to my car the inspection was quick and they did not try to sell me anything additional.  Its hard to find a car place that doesn't try to upsell unnecessary procedures and treats women with respect and does not patronize them, but so far I have found that this place is great in these regards.
The downsides are that the lot is always full of haphazardly parked cars so you sometimes have to park on the street a couple blocks down.  Also the aforementioned wait for inspections sucks.
Hopefully I will not need any car work done soon, but if I do I will be taking it over to Gene's.

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