Affordable Auto Repair in Austin, Texas

March 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Finding a top quality mechanic has always been a nerve wracking experience. Most people rely on the dealership initially and are broadsided the first time they need to pay for out of warranty service. So how do you find an affordable option you can feel good about? Here is some general information and specifics about HK automotive services.

First and foremost look for a reputable repair shop thats been in business for at least a couple of years. Shade tree mechanics may offer great rates but will they be around to handle any problems? Look for a shop that uses only ASE certified technicians, this is a professional certification that has to be earned and is a clear sign your mechanic is competent. Finally look on a site like Citysearch (http://austin.citysearch.com) and find out what others are saying. So your basic checklist is simple:

1) Established Professional Location
2) ASE Certification
3) Good Local Reviews

Now that we've got the basics out of the way we need to focus on the hard part, actually finding out who does great work at the best price. Here is where we hit our first potential problem, a lot of the time we really need the mechanic to identify exactly what the real problem is. Normally that leads to this type of experience. You talk to a few shops who give you a "ballpark" estimate based on your description and offer to diagnose the problem...normally for roughly $85 or so.

So you end up picking the shop you feel most comfortable with and paying a diagnostic fee. Then end up with a price for your potential repair, and often a long list of other recommended repairs or maintenance items as well. Now your stuck with either accepting the repair cost or eating the $85 diagnostic fee. Of course your only other option is to agree to the ballpark quote and then wait on a call once the job has been started...or is it. What about free diagnostic service? Does anyone offer real (meaning in the bay under the hood) diagnostic service? HK Automotive Service does, after all how can we actually give you a fair and honest quote if we don't know what the problem is?

So now we have refined our check list:

1) Established Professional Location
2) ASE Certification
3) Good Local Reviews
4) Free Diagnostic Service

Great, so what else is missing? The last part of the puzzle is understanding basic cost structure. The bigger the overhead the more the shop needs to mark up the labor rate it pays each mechanic and the cost of the parts. Good mechanics won't work for below market rates and good parts aren't cheap BUT some shops need to mark those true costs up more then others. Often times managers get bonuses for selling work at the highest possible price.

One very strong indicator is a shop that doesn't actually publish pricing information but offers to beat any other shop by a % or dollar figure. If their pricing is so good why not just advertise it? The answer is really pretty simple, they want to actually charge each customer as much as possible. So look for a shop with real prices openly advertised:

Like these for Example

Clutch Repair

Prices below are based on model year 2000 vehicles although 90% of the time if the engine type is the same the prices should be the same or very close.  The prices include parts & labor on stock clutches, for high performance quotes feel free to call me for an over the phone estimate.  All clutch kits comes with a 1 year parts & labor warranty  Below are some of the most common 5 speed cars that we replace regularly if you don’t see your make and model please feel free to call (512-275-6114) and I will provide and exact quote over the phone.

All prices include complete clutch kit with pilot bearing & machining your flywheel but do not include tax.


Honda Civic - 1.6 liter DOHC           -     $498
Honda Accord – 2.3 Liter VTEC       -    $652
Acura Integra – 1.8 Liter      -   $556
Chevy Corvette – 5.7 Liter      -   $1,216
Ford Escape – 2.0 Liter DOHC   -   $483.75
Ford Ranger – 2.5 Liter      -   $586.50
Ford Mustang – 3.8 Liter      -   $536.25
Ford Escort ZX2 – 2.0 Liter DOHC   -   $483.75
Dodge Neon – 2.0 Liter      -   $598
Hyundai Elantra – 2.0 Liter      -   $559.46
Hyundai Tiburon – 2.0 Liter      -   $593.21
Isuzu Amigo – 2.2 Liter      -   $675
Isuzu Rodeo – 3.2 Liter      -   $779

All of our work comes with a 12 month 12,000 mile nation wide warranty and I guarantee that we beat any other shop’s estimate in Austin.  I appreciate your time and look forward to helping you get your car back on the road.

Here actual prices on timing belt replacement with water pump

Below are timing belt job that includes exchanging the water pump, the only additional cost is tax on the parts so less than $15 in taxes......you may come in a little cheaper when we actually do the job because I will be able to price shop the parts prices for you.

Honda Civic 1.7 SOHC - $329.50
Honda Accord 3.0 liter - $449
Acura TL 3.2 liter - $389
Chrysler 300M 3.5 liter - $349
Chrysler Concorde 3.5 liter - $339
Chysler Sebring 2.4 liter - $345
Dodge Intrepid 3.5 liter - $309
Ford Escort ZX2 2.0 liter - $299
Ford Focus 2.0 liter - $369
Hyundai Accent 1.8 liter - $349
Hyundai Elantra 2.0 liter - $339
Hyundai Sonata 2.4 liter - $309
Kia Optima 2.4 liter - $325
Kia Rio 1.6 liter - $345
Kia Spectra 1.8 liter - $389
Mazda Protege 2.0 liter - $335
Mitsubishi Gallant 2.4 liter - $375
Mitsubishi Eclipse 3.0 liter - $370
Mitsubishi Diamante 3.5 liter - $370
Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 liter - $370
Saturn L300 3.0 liter - $380
Toyota Camry 3.0 liter - $379
Toyota Sienna 3.0 liter - $395
Toyota Tundra 3.4 liter - $375


The prices above do not include tax but are exact. All of our work comes with a 12 month parts and labor warranty absolutely free to you with no deductable.

So now you have it?

1) Established Professional Location
2) ASE Certification
3) Good Local Reviews
4) Free Diagnostic Service
5) Open published Pricing

http://www.hkautomotiveservices.com

Save time and money, take your car to a shop you can trust.
The quality you want, the prices you need, the peace of mind you deserve.

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HK Automotive Services is Austins #1 choice for quality affordable auto care. We offer a nationwide 12 month/12,000 mile warranty on all work. We handle all repairs major and minor.