Don's Automotive Repair
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Review highlights
"… y car in) he was super understanding, kind and reassuring. They were so quick with their evaluation, yet so thorough. I thought it was going to cost me thousands of d …"
"The vibe of the place tells me that the mechanics like working there."
"Great work and honest service."
Overview
Categories
Auto repair shop
Directions
1636 S 1st St
Austin, TX, 78704
Phone number
Call: (512) 447-9032Website
View websiteHours
Sunday
Closed
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
Closed
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Reviews
Nov 25, 2024
Amazing to work with. Helped me out with my car and will always go back
Nov 21, 2024
We got in an accident right outside the shop and Jim, Tony and the rest of the staff jumped right in and helped. They were incredible. So kind, helpful and professional! They went above and beyond in ways they didn’t not have to, as we were not customers and they treated us like we were. Highly recommend anyone in Austin go to them! Thank you again!!
Nov 06, 2024
I had a great experience with this shop when I was living in Austin and had a car on its way out. It's difficult to find a shop you trust as a lone woman in a new city and they were very honest, helpful, transparent, and affordable.
Sep 27, 2024
Called to get a quote on repair work for my vehicle because another shop recommended them. I was spoken over and talked down to for 20 minutes by the man on the phone. I simply called to ask if they were capable of performing a specific service and, if they were, to go ahead and quote it. Instead, what I received was a lecture about how terrible the car I have owned and personally maintained for over ten years is, how I don't have any idea what I'm talking about, and how I would be better off selling the vehicle. I was looking for a quote so that I could make the best informed financial decision for my vehicle, not a lecture about my personal finances. The sexist undertones were so unbelievable, it was almost comical. I am used to misogynistic interactions with mechanics and shops, and can usually ignore it if the work is good, but this was so bad that I would never recommend that anyone take a vehicle here. While I can't say that I ever got a quote, at least I got a good story to tell!
Sep 27, 2024
Great work! Highly recommend.
Sep 27, 2024
I can’t believe I’ve managed to find an honest mechanic!! Jimmy is so smart he was able to diagnose my problem over the phone and you can tell has your best interest at heart. He’s not in it to rip people off, he genuinely wants to help people. My boyfriend and I go to him for everything and have always felt he goes above and beyond to help.
Aug 27, 2024
By far the most honest and generous people I’ve come across. Called to get a quote on an alternator, after some questioning they said that I don’t even need to replace the alternator ($900 with labor and parts) and told me to go replace the battery instead. Didn’t even charge me for that information and saved me $900+ Will be my go to mechanic for any future situations. Thanks guys!!!
Aug 27, 2024
Great and quick service. Also, Jimmy is the best!
Aug 27, 2024
I’ve been taking my cars to Don’s for close to 20 years. They have always treated me and my cars with respect and care. They recently fixed my boyfriend’s car after he had no success with two other places he had tried. Don, Tony, and Jimmy are a class act.
Jul 27, 2024
Been coming here for many years. Always the best service. Great prices. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, authentic humans. A staple of Austin local small businesses. A+++. Highly recommend d.
Jul 27, 2024
Worth the wait. Great communication and price breakdown. They did the work for half the price of another shop I went to, and went out of their way to give me options based on what I could afford and was comfortable with. Truly a pleasure to work with.
Jul 27, 2024
don is horrible
Jun 27, 2024
The best car repair ever. I mean EVER. Super honest and straightforward, explains stuff in language I can understand, great prices.
Apr 27, 2024
This is a good, reliable "no frills" shop where they don't try to up-sell you. The vibe of the place tells me that the mechanics like working there.
Mar 27, 2024
Exceptional Service & fixed my code quickly and efficiently!! Highly recommend.
Mar 27, 2024
This team are the best. They are always honest and fair. You can be assured they will do quality work. Highly recommend their service if you need auto repair.
Feb 27, 2024
I've had the pleasure of bringing my car to Don’s Automotive, and I must say, they are a gem in this overpriced city. Don's Automotive is not only nice and fair, but their prices are some of the best around. For example, they once worked on my car for 3 hours but only charged me for an hour—a rare find these days! The office manager, Jimmy, is a real asset to the team. He's always a great time in the office and manages multiple cars with a timely manner. He's funny as all heck and makes dealing with car repairs a bit more enjoyable. Tony is the heart of the place, like the big brother you wish you had. It's impressive how much they accomplish with just two people. Tony also makes the language of cars easier to understand, which I really appreciate! My partner and I have different names, and it's never been an issue when making appointments. Just remember to have common courtesy if your name is different from your partner's on the schedule. Don's Automotive is so patient and fun that you'd be silly to go anywhere else. Don himself is a hoot and a half. His hot sauce is ridiculously delicious and tangy, and his love for pizza is so cute! Be sure to try his hot sauce—it's a must! Overall, Don’s Automotive is a top-notch mechanic that I would recommend to anyone looking for quality service at fair prices.
Feb 27, 2024
Legends! 11/10 experience! Thanks y’all!
Feb 27, 2024
We have gone to Don’s for literally decades (almost four) and they have kept our used cars humming along waaaaay past their expiration dates. And Jimmy recently went above and beyond by allowing me to impose on him to review an estimate from another shop for someone whose car I help maintain. Highest ratings always! They will restore your faith in mankind (and mechanics)!
Jan 27, 2024
After having bad experiences with another shop, I came here! They’re the best, always straight forward and honest. My o my complaint is they’re so popular it’s sometimes hard to get in. But, if I have an emergency of any kind, they make it work! They’ve kept my Honda Odyssey running with over 310,000 miles!
Nov 27, 2023
Always appreciate the hard work, fair prices and honesty here
Nov 27, 2023
Don's is the best! I had my my 2013 Prius V towed to Don's in April 2023, when it broke down and wouldn't go more than 25 mph. Jimmy ran the codes and they indicated a battery problem...but not quite. We kept researching the strange symptom and discovered a "quiet warranty enhancement" on the Prius issued recently by Toyota following a class action lawsuit. Toyota paid to tow it to a dealership for a free fix. Jimmy was patient, helpful and as intent as I was at finding the right fix, even though it meant sending my vehicle on to another establishment. Don's provided me with good old-fashioned, customer-focused service and saved me $$$. I highly recommend.
Nov 27, 2023
Called for a quote/estimate. Person on the phone was rude and unprofessional. Avoid this place
Nov 27, 2023
Can’t express enough how grateful I am to these gentlemen. They kept it direct and honest about what needed to be done on my Mazda. I was told it was more than likely going to be into the next week cause of scheduling and sheer quantity of cars; but I got the car back the very next day! They went above and beyond to provide quality service and have gained a loyal customer. Top notch establishment with top notch people.
Nov 27, 2023
I've been to Don's quite a few times to help with my Nissan Xterra. Their team are very fair priced and communicate very well about what they need to do. I felt confident every time I needed something fixed and took it to them every time. They were also very kind with my toddler when I had to bring her with me. I appreciate everything they do! Thanks so much! This was a review I've been needing to do!
Nov 27, 2023
I’ve been calling different mechanics all day to get a quote on a repair. Every shop I’ve spoken to was able to quote me no problem. I called Don’s because another shop recommended them. The guy I spoke with was so rude & condescending. He started berating me over giving me a quote over the phone after he already said he wouldn’t even be able to take on the repair for weeks. So unnecessary. It cost’s nothing to be polite to someone during a time that’s obviously difficult.
Nov 27, 2023
Old school south Austin shop. Don is a treasure. Always wrong to advise for free and even send you elsewhere if it would be best for you
Nov 27, 2023
Over many years, I’m now on my 4th and 5th vehicles that these guys take care of. Don and Jimmy and the crew are excellent. They consistently take the high road and make careful choices about what to do. I’ve never had a doubt about the work done or the bill. Highly recommended. A+
Nov 27, 2023
The mechanic was unhelpful and rude. He was very impatient from the start and i had to take my business else where.
Nov 27, 2023
We had an absolutely horrible experience after years of great service here. It took them 10 HOURS to change the oil and brake pads, despite having a reservation. Why? Because they forgot to call when the car was ready and were completely disorganized. The manager told my wife he'd need to find the key and ask the guys in back if it was read. The key was on his desk, in front of him. They were also dismissive of our service request, which we had called head about -- getting new brake pads. When my wife told them why she was in there, the guy said, "Don't tell me what you need. I'll tell you what you need." We literally came there from the Subaru dealership after having called to confirm they could replace our pads so we didn't have to pay dealership prices. We sought YOU out! Then when my wife mentioned my/husband's name, ad the guy became very understanding. The sexism is unreal. Girls don't know anything about cars, but guys do? Poor service, rude management, sexist treatment, all in 10 hours -- and we even got the pleasure of paying for it! What a deal! I've recommended this place for years, but I can't do that in good conscience any more. Unfortunately, we'll have to find a new mechanic and I'll have to tell people to steer clear.