My car wouldn't turn on, even though I had a new battery. Must be the starter, right? I had it towed in and dropped off my keys. *Do wear a face mask! They forgot to tell me when I called to make my appt.* Received a call later that they couldn't replicate the issue and it was available to pick up- no charge as the car had turned on just fine. My neighbor's son takes his car here and I'm definitely bringing mine here in the future! Highly recommend. read more

I've only taken my car here twice. They are always honest with me and fairly priced. I don't feel like I get overcharged or scammed when I'm there. I've even talked to them about future cars I've wanted to purchase and they have given me honest answers about their maintenance and problems. They are only open M-F 7-5 so you have to drop your car off first thing but they respond with your quote by text and email. read more

I never feel swindled here. They genuinely care about their customers. They always take care of my car. Pro tips: Last time I was there, there were still enforcing masks. Be sure to bring your mask with you. Call them to make an appointment for an oil change or inspection. Sometimes you have to wait a few days before they can get you in (which I totally understand but I'm a last minute type of gal). Overall, I'm thrilled that this shop is right by my house. I feel confident recommending this place to others for all car needs. read more

Quick, helpful, affordable! Best car shop in town, they explained all the issues to me very clearly and gave the best advice!

Called about getting an oil change and 45k service check for my 2017 Prius. They scheduled me for a couple days later, I left my car in morning, they had it ready the same day, $153.33 total ($90 oil change, $50 inspection, plus tax). I expect the 5k and 10k service would be cheaper (not as many items as the 45k service), and that the 30k service would be more expensive (more items than the 45k check). Also, I skipped the tire rotation, even though it's a 45k service item. Yes, they require masks. They told me that when I made the appointment. I wear one anyway, because I got COVID last year the one time I didn't wear a mask, and can't afford to be out of work for 10 days again (including the rebound). They have the same motivation: it's a small shop, of someone gets sick, the whole shop has to shut down. read more

I have been going to Gene Johnson for 10+ years. They are men of their word, always go the extra mile, do everything they can to get the job done quickly at a reasonable cost. Full of integrity. This is an Austin staple. I love that they don't have a computer and it's all scheduled on a hand written calendar. Good guys even better service. read more

They are very thorough and did a great job on my daughter's car. They explain everything they did and showed me what they found. Would highly recommend them to anyone. read more

There is no customer service here. Was rudely told that I needed to wear a mask after I called to schedule an appointment and no one informed me of their policy. I have no issue with wearing a mask, just don't carry them on hand. I would steer clear of getting your oil changed here as a they are extremely overpriced for just an oil change. read more

Honest mechanics doing great work, I'll never bring my vehicles anywhere else in Austin, TX.

I got my emissions test completed here. The staff are efficient and kind and the job was a very reasonable price.

I went to get my car inspected. The older gentleman working there was on the phone, speaking rudely over the phone to someone, perhaps another customer. He forced me out to put on a mask, even though I am fully vaccinated. I complied and came back in with a mask on. He eventually turned his attention to me and I asked for a car inspection. He rudely replied that they were not doing inspections at the moment. When I asked if I could wait, he said no, without any explanation. This man was incredibly rude and told me to leave his shop instead of offering assistance. Not a customer service forward business. read more

I am new to the East Side and had a maintenance light on that I needed checked out. I selected this organization based upon the great Yelp reviews. It look quite a few days to get an appointment but I dropped off my car early in the AM and they were knowledgeable, honest and quick. I have a Toyota and they didn't "overdo" the recommended repairs, only checked the items that were required by the mileage. This company provides good value for the money spent. I will be back! Thank you! read more

I went in today to get some help with my son's vehicle. I have never in my 65 years been treated so rudely ( I tried to stay polite). First he told me I couldn't come in without a mask on! Are you kidding me!!! So I stayed outside the door And talked to him. It went from bad to worse with his rude behaviour. I finally had had enough and asked him why he was wearing a mask. He preceded to yell at me and call me stupid! Unbelievable that people like this can still be in business! I wouldn't go to them if they paid me! read more

I just spoke with a man over the phone, and despite him not being able to help me with my issue was still so kind and understanding I had to immediately come and right a review. Kindness goes a long way especially in stressful situations like car troubles. So, I just wanted to thank him for that. read more

I got my inspection for my registration completed here. Speedy, same day service. I love supporting local. Everyone was so friendly.

Car needed an oil change before an out of town trip. Took a chance and trusted the positive reviews on Yelp. Was not disappointed. Very nice people and super helpful. And QUICK. And no upselling. Will defintely make repeat visits. read more

Trust is a big deal to me when working with mechanics, especially as a young woman. These folks are honest, they'll give you a heads up if they think something will cost a lot, they're very communicative, and most importantly aren't bullshitters. I work on cars a lot and only bring my car to a mechanic when I don't have the proper tools to handle something. I know enough to catch when someone is lying to me or over inflating an issue. That has NEVER happened at this place. These folks are ethical and will make sure you're properly taken care of. read more

Exactly what I was looking for in a mechanic, knowledgeable and timely service. They mainly fix mechanical issues but have given great recommendations when the issue with my car weren't within their expertise. They've never tried to up sale me or given me the little lady treatment. read more

Gene Johnson is fast, communicative, and reasonably priced! Both times I've contacted them when mysterious sounds are coming from my car they have been able to schedule an appointment within 1 day and complete repairs that same day. They are excellent at diagnosing and addressing the issues at hand and not trying to force unnecessary repairs down your throat (especially to someone who knows little to nothing about cars). I will definitely continue to use them in the future! read more

These guys are great. Honest, dependable, and fairly priced. Great place to go for whatever ails your car.

I've been here again and I'm always like, "I think I need this expensive thing," and they are like, "Lemme look at it for you. Hmmm...I think you need this cheap thing. Go to O-Reilly's and get this and bring it back if that doesn't work." I pay $0, go to O'Reilly's, and they never see me again. They also did an excellent job replacing my wheel bearings. I love these guys. Like, if I could marry an auto repair shop, it would be this one. read more

Great people, great service. I was in and out in a few hours. Convenient location. I would highly recommend.

Very rude owner. I went there to ask for help with my car and he yelled at me to move my car off his driveway. I'm a freshman in college having car troubles and this man was not at all helpful. I had a much better experience at the Firestone and the workers were so much more patient and helpful. I do NOT recommend Gene Johnson Automotive at all! read more

Just want to give these guys a shoutout for consistently being awesome! They embody all the Austin vibes!! They're straight forward, no BS, won't take on jobs unless they have the personpower to do so. And they always greet you with that happy, yet chill, attitude Austin is known for. I won't take my vehicles to another auto shop as long as they're around, which I hope is for a very very long time. read more

Break your car. Right now. Go pull a random wire. Poke a hole in your muffler. I don't know, just do it. And then take it to these guys. You will be glad you did. This morning was my first experience with Gene Johnson Automotive, and it's almost like being in love: I feel safe, cared for, and like I can stop looking for someone worthy of my trust and hard-earned socialworker dollars. When I took my car to First Texas Honda for a warranty repair, they told me I also needed a $600 compliance bushing job. This morning I took my car to Gene's for road-trip prep and a looky-loo at these bushings. The mechanics looked my car over, said, "Oh, we see what they're talking about," then told me, "you've got a long time before you need to worry about that." Then they told me I did need new brake pads. I happily gave the go ahead. A few minutes later, they called back and told me that once they got the wheels off to rotate them and got a better look at the pads, they think they spoke too soon. The pads were fine, they said. The cost of this $600+ repair visit? THIRTY BUCKS. THIRTY. BUCKS. Not thirty-leven, not thir-hundred, but THIRTY. As long as my beau and I don't break down in the fiery wilds of New Mexico this weekend, I have found my new mechanic. Oh, and a bonus: after saving all those bucks, I asked the fellow on the phone if they could do an alignment. He told me they don't do alignments, but they send folks to Walker Tire and they're confident in their honesty and good work. I called Walker Tire at ten this morning, and have an appointment for an alignment at 1:30 this afternoon. Cost? Approximately $75. Cheapest estimate I've ever heard for an alignment. Now where's my Trapper Keeper? I need to draw some hearts on it with "GJA" in the middle. read more

I have a car curse on me. I swear, I have the worst luck with cars, and I've joked that anyone should be wary leaving a car in my care, since they might not get it back in the same shape. However, I may have finally found an antidote to my "curse," and that antidote is Gene Johnson Automotive Service. As usual, my car was having issues, and it got to the point where it was barely drive-able. We did a little research, and my boyfriend asked advice from some of his mechanic friends, and they all recommended Gene Johnson. Feeling trepidatious nonetheless (you never know what to expect when you take your car somewhere), we brought it in, and I got a call back later that same day. In fact, they'd already fixed the problem, since it was so simple. When they mentioned that a belt was loose as well, and I ought to get that fixed, I asked how much it would run me, and was flabbergasted to hear "40 or 50." "40 or 50 /dollars/?" "Yep." That sold me right there. I mentioned one other problem the car was having, they fixed that the next day, and my car was good to go two days after I brought it in, all for the sweet tune of about $250. End result: reasonably priced, fair, fast (although that's not always the case -- they're a small mom-and-pop business and can't always promise quick service), and honest. Plus, they understand that us po' folks sometimes can't afford to get everything done that ought to be done, so they'll at least make sure you can get from point A to point B. Which is all right with me. My curse may finally be lifted. Just to be safe, though, don't loan me your car! read more

Sir, first of all, you cannot create an account to review your OWN COMPANY and give yourself 5 stars. I am sorry you had to "wait" for THREE minutes to call you back. I have the time stamps on my phone. You said to take my time and call my insurance about the battery. I called promptly the next morning and picked up my car within 24 hours. I was not called or consulted before my lights were "fixed." I paid even though this was obviously a rip off. You may have been polite to my face, but you spoke ill of me behind my back to my fiance. That is disrespectful and in incredibly poor taste to wish my battery would have died on me. Never returning or recommending after the messages you have posted and sent to my fiance. read more

I don't write many reviews but when I saw the two recent one star reviews, from a couple claiming this place is sexist and incompetent, I decided I really need to put my two cents in... I brought my car in for some broken thing (I can't remember what- my car is such a heap I can't keep track) and the guys fixed it and sent me on my merry way. Fast forward a few months, and special dumpy (my loving pet name for my decrepit little Beemer) is exhibiting new signs of distress, or so I thought... Are you ready for this? Dude calls me and tells me my repairs are going to cost me nothing, because while they were rifling through my glove compartment for previous service records, they found an old receipt that showed they had already fixed the problem my car was having- it just didn't work the first time around. THAT'S RIGHT. THEY WERE THAT HONEST. I would never have known the difference. I would have happily paid for their mistake and been none the wiser! I still can't believe it, and this was like, two freakin years ago! There are plenty other great things I could share, but seriously, that one takes the cake. So yeah, being a woman myself, for anyone to suggest this place takes advantage of my gender in in any way is ridiculous. Those one star guys can put their reviews where they suggested the owner's thumb might be. In their buttholes. Bam. read more

The office at Gene Johnson Garage is, well... lived in. That might scare some folks off. Too bad for them, because these guys are good at what they do, and honest and reasonably priced. I know that sounds oxymoronic for an auto repair shop, but they're actually the real deal. I took my 2nd car in for a sticker inspection with my fingers crossed. It's an ancient SUV, and the underside is a dead giveaway that it spent much of its life in northern climes where the winter roads are heavily salted. Worryingly, the exhaust note had recently changed, and the power had dropped a little, and I feared the worst. I did not want an expensive repair on a vehicle I rarely use anymore and which has little resale value in a world of $4 gas. On the other hand I hate to part with the beast because it's just so darn useful when I want to haul something too big or too messy for my sporty new high m.p.g. ride. The bad news, delivered in short order... No Pass. And as I had guessed, an exhaust leak was the culprit. The worse news was, it was in a very tough place to get to, requiring removal of several other parts to gain access. And the worst news was that the holey part and everything around it was kind of rusted together like it had just spent the last couple of years at the bottom of Lake Travis. And they couldn't break the necessary nuts loose from the rust without the risk of busting other stuff. BUT, they offered, if i was willing to leave it, they'd try letting that rust ball soak in penetrating oil a while longer, checking periodically to see if anything would give. So I did, and they did. And eventually, many days later, it did. So my patience and their persistance were both rewarded, and the bad part was replaced without any collateral trauma, and then the car easily passed inspection. The final bill was reasonable and fair, especially when measured against what replacing all that OTHER stuff would have cost in a more typical scenario at a more typical garage. It's a little sad to have to say that a competant, honest, fairly priced mechanic is an exceptional find in our times, but it is. And Gene Johnson's Garage is exactly that, an exceptional find. read more

Service is great. From two visits, the customer service is a little rough around the edges but it's ok.

I live down the street from Gene Johnson Automotive Service and I dropped my car off after lunch for an inspection. It was very simple. I left my name, number and gave them my insurance information. They called me around 2pm and it was finished! Simple, easy and no hassle at all. It was about 30 bucks. Right away when you walk in, you can tell from the slightly disheveled environment that they are local and don't waste money on waiting room ambiance. Perfectly fine for me. I like to support local establishments than those cookie cutter oil change chains that give you free bottled water. read more

The window on my Honda Element would no longer roll up because the regulator motor broke and needed to be replaced. It was about to thunderstorm and I had to make it to work in 3 hours. The magicians at this auto shop not only got me the part at a reasonable price locally, but also did the labor and had my car ready to go in the time it took me to walk back home in the neighborhood and take a nap. This auto shop is efficient, and is receptive to the needs of the customer. I highly recommend this place. Their prices are reasonable, and they get a job done quick and right! Thanks so much guys! read more

Gene Johnson's is where I learned about the good kind of oil change. They do it here - the one that serves as a kind of physical for your car. It costs 40 dollars when I could go elsewhere for 20, but they have spotted a couple of things in the times I've taken my car there where a stitch in time has saved me a much bigger headache down the road. They never try to upsell. They present options and valuable opinions about best paths to take when you have issues. It has been one of the greatest reliefs I can think of to not have to worry about finding an honest mechanic anymore. I've spent my entire life worried that I was getting screwed by the person working on my car. No more. No matter what happens, I've got that mechanic thing taken care of. I've sent a handful of people there and without fail they have all felt that this is the best experience they've ever had with a mechanic shop. read more

I went to Gene Johnson Auto for a coolant leak a few months ago. They charged me $120 to put stop-leak in my radiator. I told a friend who knows more about cars than I do and he was shocked. He said they really cheated me. Stop-leak costs $3 at Auto Zone and all it involves is pouring the contents of a bottle into the radiator. They charged me $12.99 for parts and over $100 for labor. I really wanted to like this place. It would have been so convenient to have a working relationship with a mechanic within walking distance from my house. Unfortunately it didn't work out. read more

These guys are always really helpful : ) I have been getting oil changes (and other odds and ends) for the past year. I trust the service here (they have never asked me to buy something that didn't need... in contrast to when I used to take my car to Jiffy Lube... ) Call and make an appointment because they are always busy, but they will work on your car in a efficient manner! read more

What an awesome place. I live right down the street so it's great to come and drop off for an oil change and walk home. I called though before I took my car in for the first time. I've come to terms with the fact that it's really not realistic to take your car in for an oil change and get it done within 30 minutes. They were really considerate though. They took down my name and number when I called. I told them when I was bringing it in and sure enough, when I brought it in, they knew exactly who I was. They had actually written it down and were expecting me! The car is about to be paid off so I wanted to make sure everything was in good working order. I asked for a quote on a tune up and got a call while they were working on my car. They said that all I needed was an air filter, nothing else was really necessary at this point! They even recommended some best places and tips to get new tires since I know I need to replace those soon. I walked up when they called to tell me my car was ready and just the most sincere guys I've met. I would recommend for sure. read more

Richard and Jeremy are straight shooters, hard workers and as patient as possible. It has been hard for me to find a neighborhood mechanic and I had a few issues (at least I thought) with my 9 year old car. In any case, they not only were to get me in last minute ( I made an appointment the day before) but also did not try and give me the okie-doke--when they surely could have. They told the truth, offered suggestions and even fixed an issue on my car free of charge. I will be sending all of my friends here. They are worth the drive even if you live on the other side of town. read more

These guys are awesome. The kind of mechanics that restore your faith in the industry. The place is not shiny and new when you walk in, but don't let that deter you...it's not what you are there for. And the guy sitting at the desk gave me the best send off...."we're all just trying to get through this life and most are doing their best"....my car was fixed, my attitude was fixed. Saved me more than money... read more

I've been coming to them for years and will never stop.. Ask anyone who's actually from here and they'll tell you they're the best. There's a reason they almost always have a long wait - people trust them. They're good at diagnosis and repair, but the biggest thing with mechanics is trust and as opposed to anywhere else, I've never felt like they were pulling a fast one on me. They're just the best. read more

What a lovely experience I had with these fellas about a month ago. Took my "Fix it again, Tony!" (FIAT) in for a horrible noise coming from a malfunctioning window opener situation and they found out what was wrong super fast, quoted me WAY under the Fiat dealership (no surprise there - those people are crooks) and had it back in my possession a few short hours later. 'till next time! (prob be soon since I drive a FIAT) read more