I needed a bunch of things done on my FJ Cruiser. I had a bunch of lights on, I knew I was over on transmission fluid, coolant changes and oil changes. All these things grew as I had been laidoff and didn't want to spend my cash on repairs until I landed a new job. Well, i got a new job and I brought it in early around 7:30am and was greeted very nicely without an appointmnet. They even gave me a ride home because they needed to have my car overnight. Good guys.

Referred to Oak Hill Automotive by carriagemotorhouse dot com; I brought my 2004 Infiniti G35 in for minor preventative maintenance - specifically Rear Brakes, Windshield Replacement, and Serpentine Belt replacement. I had already taken the car to the dealer for warranty work; so I had an idea which services I would need. Being extremely busy at work; I was unable to call Oak Hill for a service appointment - so I sent them an email requesting an estimate and appointment time. Hank called me the next day to setup an appointment for the following day. Hank's team identified the same issues as the dealer but also identified an issue with the parking brake being out of adjustment - A problem only my wife had experienced on occasion. Hank spent over 30minutes discussing the situation with me - explaining the history of Nissan/Infiniti brake systems - and why the G35's brake shoes only lasted 1-2years.

The estimate for the repairs from the dealer was over $1500 while Hank's team did it for almost $600 less with higher quality longer lasting ceramic brake pads.
Hank didn't try to sell me unnecessary services or parts I did not need. A welcome break from the dealer looking to make a fast buck.

Additionally; Hank located a shop in San Antonio, TX which would be able to install an after market Air Conditioner into my 2000 Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck for under $2000. A job I've been looking to complete since moving to Austin, TX in May 2006. For some reason no shop in Austin would take the job... or offer any suggestions on who Might be able to do it. Many thanks to Hank and Oak Hill Automotive for their super hero work on this one.

I'd recommend this shop to anyone at AMD's new Loan Star Campus or the Travis Country neighborhoods.

Tomorrow; I bring the wife's Suzuki Side kick in for a muffler repair.

Kudos to Oak Hill Automotive for a clean, respectful, professional, trustworthy repair shop.

I had heard unfavorable comments about this shop years ago, but they had moved and they were now close to my house so I decided to try them.

I can't say this clear enough....beware!

I have since learned this shop has a reputation among other shop owners in Austin as a shop that invariably charges more than most places for their work. (Citysearch guidelines restrict the term overcharging, so I am not going to do that.) Cheap does not always mean you'll be better off. Neither does paying more, however.

Here's how I learned the hard way. I took my car there for a relatively routine repair. They called with the estimate (quickly, in all fairness to them).

I then called three other area shops, all of which were almost 40% less for the EXACT same work. I compared apples to apples.
When I called back to tell them I was taking my car somewhere else, their true colors really showed.
"I will have to see how much we have to charge you for diagnosing the problem..." Excuse me?
Don't you think you should have said something about that early on?
The kicker was the owner told me I offended HIM for finding his policy offensive. That just might take all.
Some people just don't understand simple business practices.

After doing some further investigation today, two completely independent people told me this shop is not to be trusted.
Shame is, I know the garage advertises in area church bulletins.

There are good, honest, fair car repair people out there - heck, you can find them on Citysearch all day.
Unfortunately, I just don't think Oak Hill Automotive is one of them - at least in my experience.
Times change and people change, so if you are reading this far down the road from when this was written, just do your homework before committing.