Barrett Auto Care

11/05/07

Not recommended for domestic vehicles

by mb75048 at Citysearch

Not a place recommended for domestic vehicles as they appear to be clearly inexperienced with fixing them. Contact me to get my long saga. Basically, they didn't know how to perform a relatively simple repair on my truck and let me on the road in a condition that could have caused engine damage (or maybe already did). They weren't upfront about their lack of experience (but admitted it after I asked them straight out) and refused to make a partial refund so that I could take it to a place that will fix it right - they insisted on continuing to work on my vehicle even though they had already messed it up badly. I drove the truck to work and it started to ping really badly at part throttle, making it where I couldn't maintain 60mph on the highway without the truck sounding like a can of marbles. I panicked and took it to the dealer who was able to work on it the same day. Here is what they found:

- Intake gaskets were replaced but they are causing vacuum leaks in the engine.

- Tube was left off the DPFE sensor, which led to one of the check-engine conditions.

- The sensor was not installed properly, which caused the engine timing issues and led to the generation of the second check-engine light code.

- Since the dealer was going to have to go in to fix their bad workmanship, I was going to have to pay again to have the entire procedure re-done, to the tune of $700.

- In summary, I am out 200 for the rental + 700 for the repair with nothing to show for it. Basically, the dealer will charge me the same amount of money + another set of rentals to get my truck running right.

I feel pretty bad generating the first negative review for these people but they certainly did not work well for me at all. I wish I hadn't taken my truck there - I only did so based on the reviews on this site so far. I hope my review can save some other poor soul from making the same mistake that I made.

• Pros: Good communications skills, appears to be a family run business
• Cons: Don't seem to have experience with domestic vehicles, refused to make things right

11/11/09

Honest and Knowledgeable

by doug holtzclaw at Citysearch

One of my cars was in Austin, I was in another city, with no knowledge of any local garage. The Barretts diagnosed the problem , kept in touch with me as they repaired it, and charged a very resonable price. I would recommend them to anyone.

• Pros: Very good experience

09/12/09

A++++ Exceptional Car Care Specialists

by Lovebuglola at Citysearch

My husband and I have lived in the area for 9 + years and have trusted several mechanics/garages with our cars only to be disappointed time and time again. Luckily, we found Barrett and Holley and could not be more satisfied with the care and customer service we have received. They are very friendly, honest, and affordable. Finally, we have found a car care specialist we can trust........what a relief! We take all three of our Toyotas to Barrett Auto Care and recommend them to our family and friends. I only wish I could give them more than a 5 star rating!

• Pros: Honest, Trustworthy, Outstanding Customer Service
• Cons: Absolutely NONE

04/04/08

The Most Amazing Repair Shop EVER!!! Friendly people, and high-quality repairs.

by sistergray at Citysearch

Barrett Auto Repair is definitely going to be my choice for auto repairs from now on. They specialize in Toyota and Honda, but when I called about my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee they were willing to take a look. We had gotten a really high over-the-phone estimate from the local Jeep Dealer, and another high one from another repair shop, in person. My husband had called Holley at Barrett Auto Care and talked to her on the phone, and since she seemed so caring about the whole issue, we paid the other guy for his estimate, thanked him for his time, and drove on over to Barrett. They didn't give us any false hopes - they said they'd let us know exactly what they could do due to the fact that it's a vehicle type that they don't typically work on. And...they did.

Holley and Barrett were also nice enough to break it down for us - to only fix what HAD to be fixed at the time...and not fix the things we couldn't afford to fix that were minor and not going to cause any damage. We're gonna go in throughout the year (or attempt to) to get the other things fixed (as we can afford to).

I've never dealt with two nicer people, especially in the Auto Repair business. They are very honest and warm and friendly. You really can't go wrong with Barrett Auto Care!

• Pros: They get the job done well and won't do more work than you can afford
• Cons: Absolutely NONE.

03/24/08

Honest, timely, and personal

by FankWorblies at Citysearch

Barrett Auto Care is top-notch, no doubt about it.

I took my 1995 Mazda MX-6 to Barrett Auto Care with a busted transmission. This husband and wife duo could not have been more helpful. All of my correspondence, whether in person, via phone, or email, was answered in a warm and forthcoming manner.

The service on my vehicle was well done, they found a way to save me some money on a quality part, and the labor cost was very reasonable. Barrett himself even stayed a little later one evening so I could come after work and test drive the car. THEN, he drove me home when he determined that there was a little more he could do to get the car running smoother.

In short, the folks at Barrett Auto Care did more than the minimum required to help me out. I will certainly continue to take my car to these exceptional people for any service needed.

02/19/08

Excellent Repair Shop

by dmkh at Citysearch

This repair shop is honest and fair. They will get you back on the road in as little time as possible. Friendly and great to do business with. We would highly recommend them.

• Pros: Honest, Reliable, Hard Working

10/03/07

***Exceptional***

by peanutmms at Citysearch

Holley and Barrett are wonderful! Other businesses could learn a thing or two from Barrett Auto Care. The quality care that I have received from them has by far surpassed any other experience (not just with auto companies). ***Exceptional*** Now if they would only expand into home repairs.

• Pros: Ethical, Dependable, Outstanding Customer Service, Impeccable Work

10/02/07

A Honest Shop in a Sea of Sharks

by jnjsteele at Citysearch

Outstanding customer service from the start. All my questions were answered in detail and very promptly. Holley and Barrett provided guidance on if we should proceed with the repairs and the which ones were most important based on our budget. Many times the auto repair shops explain the repairs using technical lingo that only others in the industry can understand. Barrett Automotive gives you a honest assessment in words you can understand. You do not find this many places in Austin. There is a reason they are Highly Recommended. I usually only take the time to warn people if there is a business not worth going to, so Barrett Automotive made a huge positive first impression. They have earned all my business going forward.

• Pros: Honest, Friendly, and Fair
• Cons: None

09/27/07

A Car Doctor You Can Trust

by galealbertson at Citysearch

My wife and I moved to Austin in June and as you know trusting your auto to a new mechanic is risky. However, you won't have that worry with Barret and Holley - owners of Barrett Auto Care. I heard about them from a neighboring tenant in my apartment complex, but wasn't sure I remembered the name correctly. Even if I got the name incorrect, I found the right company. I've received professional and friendly service, and free recommendations from them about auto care, Barrett is willing to take the time, like a good Doctor should, to discuss the situation with me and give me his "honest" advise. If he doesn't know what's wrong and can't fix he problem he'll tell you. He won't do more than you ask and he won't do more than he needs to. At least that was my first time experience with him.

• Pros: Excellent and honest service

09/27/07

Honest and quick service at a reasonable price

by pnlawlor at Citysearch

Being new to town, I was apprehensive about finding a mechanic to work on my truck when I noticed something awry. After thoroughly researching my options on the internet, I settled on Barrett Auto Care due to its positive reviews and feedback. Also being a student, it was difficult to schedule a time to bring in my truck, but they were very flexible and worked hard to find a time that was convenient for me. Once the parts arrived at the shop (from the manufacturer), the labor time was negligible and I had my truck back in working order very promptly. I still haven't had any problems and I am very content with Barrett Auto Care's service.

• Pros: Honest, quick service
• Cons: If anything, labor cost is slightly higher than I expected, but they also don't mark up the prices of the parts used. This, however, isn't very significant and I still recommend BAC