John & Corky's Automotive Specialist

10/02/09

Money in the Bank

by Karen Misorek at Citysearch

I took my car in to the Local Honda Dealer for a Safety Recall on my airbags. I did not ask them to check anything else on the car. When I went to pick it up, they handed me an estimate for a $1000 worth of work that my car needs. I then took it to John and Corky's for a second opinion after reading about them online. They did the work for a much lower price and told me that it would be way too soon to do some of the other recommended work. My brakes still had about 30-40% life left in them, and the "oil leak" was hardly more than a trickle on my high mileage Civic. Thank you for being straight with me, you can be sure you will see me again!

• Pros: Trustworthy
• Cons: Don't have a Big Screen TV in Waiting Room

08/11/09

Pleased with Results!!!

by 94TAM at Citysearch

Wow, I am so pleased with the service work on my

94 Trans Am. They did a great job diagnosing and repairing the problem. It's youthfulness was restored!!!!

• Pros: Very friendly staff. Great service.
• Cons: none

08/06/09

Great Automotive Shop

by GaryCatfishBrigham at Citysearch

My 2002 Silverado would not pass inspection because of the engine knock sensor (questionable design by GM). After doing my home work on prices to fix this, I came to find the service writer Jonathan & the service technician at Automotive Specialists knew what was going on with my truck. Futhermore, they were very knowledgeable on how to prevent this from happening again. This may not impress many, but the two dealerships I called did not have a clue as to what I was talking about.

I'm happy that JC Automotive Specialist is in my neighborhood.

• Pros: Set your mind at ease.
• Cons: none

07/30/09

One Score And One Miss

by txptuff at Citysearch

Out of two dealings, they got points on one and failed the other. They diagnosed a seat belt problem correctly that was causing the SRS warning to come on. Then told us that the manufacturer would probably still cover that under warranty. They could have just fixed it and charged us big time. On the second visit, I had called ahead of time for a quote on regular maintenance work. After loading up the baby and delaying getting into work, I get there and I'm told the price was double what they said. Even more expensive than the dealer! The fact that they told me the new price before doing the work and their current reviews may mean I'll give them a second chance if I cannot find a different shop that I like.

• Pros: Clean facility, Knows How To Use A Scanner
• Cons: Work Quote Not Accurate

07/24/09

Honest mechanics

by arkfishhunter at Citysearch

I just wanted to say thanks for not selling me a full brake job when all I needed was my front brakes repaired. When I went in I asked for all of my pads to be replaced and rotors turned but your mechanicshowed me that my rear pads still had plenty of miles left on them and that I should wait to replace them.Thanks for the honesty.

• Pros: They only fix what needs to be fixed

07/24/09

Good Honest Mechanics

by godjm98 at Citysearch

No matter what happens with a car, there is always a cost. I'm always unsure about mechanics and their charges. Automotive Specialists treated me with respect, they were knowledgeable, and most importantly honest.

Their Rep. Brent knows cars of all makes and models. The mechanics work is impeccable. They worked on my Mitsubishi Diamante VRX without a problem. My car was in great disrepair and it needed worked on.

Automotive Specialists did a complete diaognosis after talking with them about verious problems. They came back and stated the what was needed and what was not. They had an opportunity to take me for allot of money and didn't. Many other mechanics would.

Based on my experience, this is an honest hard working outfit that is knowledgeable and very professional. I will always take my car back to them as I know they will get the job done at a fair price.

Since I got my car back, in a reasonable amount of time due to the work invovled. I have not had any problem with it. It's like when I bought it new.

If you are questioning your mechanic about cost and services, go to Automotive Specialists, they will help you and get ypour car back in good running order.

Finally, I waited over a month to post this review, I wanted to make sure the car had no issues and it does not.

Thi is a great company, with exceelnt professionals!

• Pros: New Location Next to Sun City
• Cons: None

07/08/09

Good service, but I felt like I was not very welcome...

by derekj4 at Citysearch

Okay, overall I was pleased with the work done. I have no complaints with that, so I was a little unsure what rating to give. Consider this actually a 3 and a half rating.

The problem is that I didn't feel very welcome or valued as a customer. I'm guessing it may have been because I had my tires delivered from TireRack. Maybe they didn't feel like they made enough from the job, and so I was less of a real customer than most.

But, the bottom line is that the only reason I was there was because of the relationship they developed with TireRack. I had even checked additional boxes on TireRack's website indicating interest in alignment and other services.

My tires were put on relatively efficiently, in about an hour and a half. Cool.

But, when I asked if the alignment had been checked, I was told that they don't do that with tire installs. The way he answered it, it sounded as if they didn't do alignments at all, so I inquired about that. "No, we do them, but there are now two people in front of you, and it would be another 2 1/2 hours."

This was very odd to me. The first time a tire installer hasn't inquired about alignment, which is pure profit I would think.

I also have a couple of check engine lights on, which is why I checked the other box. I'm taking it somewhere else tomorrow, but they had a chance to pull some more work out with a simple code check. A quick glance would have even produced the information that I hadn't been able to get the vehicle inspected because of the lights, and I needed help.

When I left, there was no eye contact, no "Thanks", and no attempt to get me to return for more. I felt like I was just a "one off" Internet customer with no potential.

Very odd.

• Pros: Prompt, clean, good work
• Cons: Customer Service

07/08/09

Another Review from a Customer, not the Owner

by 13billy at Citysearch

I am VERY Unhappy with the work JCAutospec has done on my car. I took it in 4/30/08, (yes last year) to replace the oil pan gasket with a new one as it was leaking awfully. The car was not running, so I had it flat-bedded up to Round Rock.

It sat for a couple weeks once in the shop, and I could not get a hold of the service writer, even after calling multiple times a day, every few days. I waited for a quote for the oil pan gasket labor, but instead, I got a call a couple more weeks later saying my car was ready to be picked up/towed off.

They told me the bill would be "$560.83" with the one way tow. Without ever even estimating me on how much it would cost, they went ahead and just did the work. My father very upset about this went to go check the car out because I was busy at school. He looked under the car to see how it looked, and there was oil dripping everywhere! He pointed it out to them, and they took the car back in, and did it all over. Week or so later the car is "done" and it gets towed back home. When I get home from school, I notice about 6 new dings, on the hood, roof, trunk, doors. Something I could live with, but still upset about.

As I started working on my car to get it running again, I noticed all of my downpipe nuts were replaced with some generic brand nuts? I put my finger on one of them, and it FELL OFF. This worried me, so I checked every nut. Same thing, not even hand tight. I then checked the turbo lines, oil lines, water lines all loose. I had them all torqued down before I even put the motor in the car, so I know something was going on there.

Another thing, once I was able to crank the motor over (a couple months after getting the car back) There was oil all over the ground yet AGAIN!! Yes it still leaks, and its not a small leak. I get under the car to see where it could be coming from, and I notice the passenger side motor mount bolt, is replaced with yet ANOTHER generic brand bolt. Not even the same size, maybe not even the same threads, but the bold was clearly stick about an inch out. I dont know if thats because they could be different threads, or if it was never tightened down, as most of their work has been done *hand tight*.

Everytime I go to park and look under the car, theres a good half a cup of oil on the ground, and I always have to keep a spare quart of oil around.

Anyways, I would NEVER do buisness with JCAutospec ever again for any kind of work. And I warn everyone about their work.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Dishonesty, bad mechanical work

06/15/09

This is a REAL REVIEW From a Customer not the owner

by jenstray at Citysearch

Well I am only writing this review because the other REVIEWS were obviously written by the owners of the place. This was no where near close to my nightmare with Dan (The used car type salesman) Manager there.

I used these reviews to take my vehicle to them for a Diagnosis for emissions. I had just gotten a voucher from the STATE of TEXAS for the TexasAirCheck Program that offered up to $600.00 to get my vehicle to pass emissions. Mind you it passed fine last year but since this program went into effect, everyone is getting failed and referred to the program so these rip offs can steal the money out of STATE and then on top of getting the $600.00 from the STATE they try to up the Co Pay from $30.00 per the AIrCheck Aprroval Letter to almost $50.00 to perform a Diagnostic after which you get to approve or decline the repairs. The letter says...$30.00 co pay so make sure you clarify it before you leave your car....if you go to this place.....don't say you were not warned by a REAL customer.

They took my truck at 11am on Monday telling me they would call me in two hours...no call.....not all day or night...I called the next day where I was informed that my Emissions Repair would be over $1300.00....they were getting $600.00 or up to that amount from the STATE and wanted $700.00 MORE from us. The program is for people needing help not needing to be ripped off more.

I declined the repair and took it to another place in Round Rock where it will be fixed for under $600.00 easily.

I reported this to AirCheck and they advised also filing a complaint with the TX Dept of Transportation which I am going to do next. They are also going to start taking rip offs like this place and Lambs for the excessively high estimates. The other places submit normal ones but this place and Lambs try to rip the customer off as well as the State.

BEWARE!!!!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Fraud Warning

05/18/09

FHR - Friendly, Honest and Reliable

by IMATXQT at Citysearch

Okay, I'm not one to usually write any reviews, but felt this was absolutely necessary and well deserved.

I went online with hopes of finding a good reputable mechanic in Round Rock. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have found such a honest and reliable place to take my car. They are friendly, upfront and will give you an alternative if possible. I must admit, I was skeptical at first after reading the reviews thinking they couldn't be that good. I was wrong, they were better than I expected. And I admit, I'm a bit of a perfectionist. Walking away knowing a company has not "wronged" you is so rare these days. With JC Automotive, you walk away with such a wonderful experience, knowing you got the best deal possible without having to search numerous places for the best deal.

I hope this will help you in your decision next time you need a mechanic. I feel so confident with them, I have taken my daughter's car there for repair today and know I'll get an honest estimate with no doubt whatsoever.

Thanks so much for your help JC Automotive!

• Pros: Reviews problems and alternative options
• Cons: None