I ended up at Friendly's after mistakenly trying a highly-rated mobile mechanic place. When i made my appt with the mobile guys it was at night and i asked them if their truck was set up with enough of a light source and all the equipment to do the repair. They assured me that it was so. My Mazda tribute would not start and made a terrible noise. I was prepared for the worst. The guy shows up with a flashlight and his personal SUV. He looked under the hood, mumbled some stuff about what the problem COULD be (maybe a timing belt, maybe internal engine damage) and then said his company doesn't fix those kinds of things anyway. 5 min inspection, some really bad attempts at diagnosis and $75 down the drain. So-- Read about Friendly's here on yelp and called and talked to Krystal who immediately impressed me with detailed knowledge about my car. Has a timing chain, not a timing belt, for example. We talked about some of the possibilities for my car's problems. Worst case scenarios would require very expensive repairs--maybe even $2000-4000. I told her that there was no way i could afford that kind of payment and as my car is a 2006, and no way i would want to put that kind of money into it. Still i took it in hoping i might get lucky and get a better diagnosis. I got the news back a day after i dropped off the key. QUICK! I was not lucky, it was a blown head gasket and the repair cost was in line with the worst case scenario above. Even though she knew i would not be able to afford the repair, her attitude never changed. Krystal continued to help me, gave me some phone numbers of people who might want to buy my car, helped me determine how to price it, and even gave me a sales strategy. They even fixed a flat tire for free when i went into settle my bill, which was actually less than what she told me the diagnosis fee would be. I believe they were fair and honest with me at every step. Money was an issue and Krystal was prepared to check in any time additional money might have to be spent. I believe these guys are fair and honest and didn't treat me like the mechanically naive soul that i am. I will recommend them to everyone and I continue to be grateful for Krystal's friendly and helpful demeanor. read more

This is the ONLY place to take your car! I went to friendly's the first time based off of the super awesome yelp reviews. My car was malfunctioning in a big way! They were able to fix my vehicle efficiently and under budget! I am very stereotypical when it comes to women and cars. It is a hard fact for me to admit. My biggest fear is being alone and stranded on the side of the road. That being said I make it a point to get a new car every 3-5 years and keep up with all scheduled maintenance. As far as checking under the hood for anything, I am totally lost (except windshield washer fluid of course). I have always depended on the dealership or whoever changes my oil to inspect all of that. Today at 10:30 Friendly's auto repair shop, led by Krystal Strack (Krystal with a K) hosted a class for becoming familiar with your vehicle. This class covered checking all fluids (there are more than I thought) for level and quality, checking the wear on belts and hoses, how to jump start a car, and how to change a tire. Krystal also explained a plethora of other information as well as answering any and all questions with very detailed information! I trust Krystal and Eddy with my life! They have helped put me at ease by helping me to become more aware of my car and recognize potential problems. If you're in Austin and don't have a trustworthy auto mechanic please do yourself a favor and save the frustration and get your car to Friendly's Auto Repair shop! They are absolutely amazing!!! I look forward to Krystal's next class on car buying!!!! read more

Friendly's is awesome! I know very little about cars and when my Honda started to make a strange noise right before a long car trip, I was nervous that it may leave me stranded. I called Friendly's around 3pm knowing that they closed at 5 and asked if they could just take a quick look and determine the problem. They told me to bring it in and they would see what they could do. When I got there Eddy looked under the hood and then we drove my car around so that he could hear the noise. When we got it back to the shop he looked closely at the engine, checked my fluid levels, and even checked my tire pressure. I had recently purchased new wiper blades and Victor came over and changed those for me as well. The customer service here went above and beyond. We eventually determined that my brake pads were starting to wear thin and that was behind the noise. While I was waiting for an estimate Eddy brought over a new and old brake pad to show me the difference and why it starts to make a noise when it wears thin. Like I said, I know very little about cars and I appreciate that he took the time to thoroughly explain everything to me. I will definitely be returning to Friendly's for future auto repair needs. The employees were all very professional and helpful. read more

I've been here a few times now after initially being referred here by Austin Body Works. Friendly's Auto Repair has been above and beyond exceptional every time! The staff is incredibly friendly. All of the employees (particularly Krystal and Nick) have been fantastic and have taken the time to explain everything that my car needs and exactly what they are going to do. I just got my brakes repaired by them, and Krystal showed me all of my old brake parts, where the wear was, and how they worked. As someone who is not very car savvy but also very skeptical about paying money to fix my car, I can always count on Friendly's to take as much time as I need to understand what is wrong with my car, what needs to be done, and why. They also do great work as far as I can tell. I haven't had any issues with any of the repairs I've received! And everything is priced reasonably. I have never felt pressured to get any repairs done that I don't need to get done (and that is saying a lot because I ask every time whether or not I can put off the repair!). I am so grateful to Friendly's for making the scary process of getting car repairs a lot less scary. Bonus: They have really cute pups around the shop. read more

I found them here on Yelp, and it was possibly the luckiest find ever. I've been with them for over a year now. They're incredibly friendly, efficient, professional, and most importantly (in my opinion) honest. They work fast and fix everything that needs fixing. I've had an occasion when I already told them to go ahead with a repair job and charge me whatever it costs, when they called me after some more tinkering and told me there is no need to do it after all. They could have easily just replaced it and charged me, but rather they saved me the uneccesary payment. On another occasion, I went to do a regular maintenance in another place (which is closer to where I live) and got a 2-page quote with a total of roughly half the price of my car! I took it to Krystal and the guys looked it all over, tightened a few screws, and said I'm good to go for another 25,000 miles till this stuff actually needs replacing - thus saving me a LOT of money, for now. What I'm trying to say is - when something needs fixing, they do it, and if everything is fine, they won't try to milk you for your money! And did I mention how friendly they are? Seriously, I highly recommend this place ! read more

My daughter attends school in Austin, but I'm in California. Her check-engine light was on, and after checking Yelp reviews, I decided to take it to Friendly's when I came to visit. I'd already talked to Krystal via phone, and had an appointment. I was able to drop off the car the night before, so they could start work in the morning. They found the problem, corrected it, called me, and charged a very reasonable price for the work. I picked it up and all seemed fine until the next morning, when the check-engine light came back on. I drove it straight back, and was a little anxious, as we were leaving town the next day. But they took in the car and found what had caused the issue, and fixed it in time for me to pick up the car, and leave town as planned. What was truly amazing, was that they felt so bad about my having to come back a second time, that they only charged me for the part, and not for the labor. There are so few honest, classy places like Friendly's around, and I am so glad to have found them. My daughter now has a place to take her car where she can be confident that she can trust them. Thank you Krystal and everyone there for being so great! read more

Before meeting Eddie at Friendly's Auto Repair, I held mechanics in approximately the same contempt that people do lawyers and politicians, and thought honest mechanics were about as common as unicorns. Ladies and gentlemen, your unicorn is Eddie Strack. I'm not a local; I broke down on the way through Austin and was lucky enough to be directed to Friendly's. Eddie not only lived up to his shop's name in terms of service, but went above and beyond to fix my car and get me back on the road in a jiffy. He patiently explained every step of the process and every option available, and unlike every other mechanic I've ever been to, he never up-sold me on things I didn't need, nor did he charge an arm and a leg for labor. If anything, he actively sought out ways to SAVE me money, even going so far as to point out where the previous mechanic had overcharged me for parts. I drove away amazed. Friendly's Auto Repair is what you think a mechanic should be: up front, generous, hardworking, and on your side. And above all, honest-to-God honest. read more

I got a new car at a used super store after going to several other dealerships and trying really hard to get a good deal on a somewhat new car with low miles. I didn't know I could get the car checked out before I actually buy it so of course I had the so-called buyer's remorse after looking at the papers I had signed at the car store after driving off the lot. I got these guys to inspect my new Kia Soul out and see if it checks out. At first, I thought the reviews here on yelp were too good to be true and are made by bots. I was a little nervous coming in being a college student and all so I asked a trillion of questions to make sure these guys aren't taking me for a ride---and they answered all my questions, well Krystal did. So in conclusion I: -felt pretty confident that they're on my side, especially on my first visit to a mechanic on my own -was grateful to get a discount from them -will definitely come back/spread the word/tip them back the discount I received in my next visit Thanks Friendly's! read more

I went to Friendly's after my Jeep's starter went out. After a terrible towing experience, Friendly's lifted my spirits with their amazing attitude, talking me down after appearing like a psycho (because I yelled at the towing guy). They went above and beyond with me, really. As a young woman, I always feel like such an idiot when I see mechanics, and often feel taken advantage of with serious price gauging. My regular mechanic/family friend from back home warned me of a fair price, and Friendly's matched it completely without me mentioning anything about what I wanted to pay. They charge what is reasonable, and make sure you get back on the road safely with the best vehicle possible. The starter they gave me has a lifetime limited warranty. And everyone there was just...well...friendly. Now that I am leaving Austin, I am really bummed that I didn't start with Friendly's when I first got here. They really are great and make sure you feel comforted and at home while you are with them. read more

Friendly's Auto Repair is true to their name! The folks I met at the shop were kind, helpful, and most importantly honest. I went in for a diagnostics check and they told me straight up that they didn't notice any issues with the car during their inspection, and described to me in detail the process they went through. Krystal was very nice and made sure I was comfortable by offering me some coffee and sharing the Wi-Fi password with me. Due to a lapse in judgment I forgot my bike on the way out of the shop, but I got a call from them shortly after to let me know about the situation. That is some great customer service! Overall I would highly recommend this shop! I'll try to update this post again whenever more work is done on my vehicle. EDIT - The folks at the shop replaced my starter and were totally upfront about the costs and where they would go. They also gave an accurate ETA as to when it would be fixed. It went smoothly so no complaints there! read more

I had a problem with a large Buick service department...my request of them was to conduct a simple engine diagnostic check. My car sat at their service department for 3 days and my car was never looked at. Their 'service advisor' did not tell me until the 3rd day of mounting frustration that there was a back log of cars to be serviced. I took my car to Friendly and they completed the check in half a day...the best part was they found the problem I had with my engine...it was the result of a Recall Part that all Buick Dealerships had to replace at no cost to me. If not for their quick but thorough work I would have continued to drive with a defective part for another few weeks. Friendly Auto is just that...they should add to their name...it should be Friendly's Kick Ass Auto Service, cause it is y'all. Thanks guys and lady for you attention to detail and great customer service. read more

I am moving away from Austin, and Friendly's is one of the things I'll miss the most! Krystal is a fantastic teacher--she helps me understand exactly what's going on with my car, why a given fix is necessary, and when it can be put off or needs to be taken care of immediately. Another car place tried to tell me that my rack and pinion was in ruins and that I would need to replace it immediately, for about $800. When I took it to Friendly's, they were able to replace a smaller part (that ran about $45), and just keep an eye on the rack and pinion. It still leaks a bit, but they check it every time I get my oil changed. It's now been over two years, and the rack and pinion is hanging in just fine. The work they do is excellent, but the customer service is what really sets Friendly's apart. They are honest, skilled, and (like the name says) friendly! read more

Friendly's is the best auto repair shop in this town. I go to them for everything and in every single case they have had the best prices and best service. These people are great and really treat you right. Crystal remembered my name after two years! I can't say enough about these people. Fast, honest and competent. This business is run the way all businesses should be run. There is no fear of them trying to sell you on unnecessary repairs and they always find the most cost effective way to solve your problem. Friendly's will have all of my business in the future. Eddie is a great guy and knows his stuff. These people really personify their name, they truly are Friendly and treat you like family, not just a paycheck. read more

This summer when I was driving through the hot, barren California desert my tire tread flew off and shredded the plastic fender skirt thing and almost ripped off my bumper. It has since dropped and rubs and scrapes whenever I go over a bump and turn my wheel. After enduring stares and laughs for much too long I decided to fix it today. The first place I stopped quoted me $1000 and refused to do anything that wouldn't be dealer approved- not in my budget or really that I care about. The second place I went, Friendly's On Tillery and 5th, removed the ruined skirt and bolted my bumper back on in less than 15 minutes, and REFUSED TO LET ME PAY. Go see these guys, I certainly will be back. read more

Just went in for a little issue--I had to install new license plates but my bolts were so rusted into place that the heads were snapping off and I had all the wrong tools for the job. I contacted a few places knowing that shops might charge a lot even for such a simple job (with the right tools) to make it worth their time. I'd do the same thing, honestly. Friendly's was clear and concise when it came to communicating, prompt it getting the work done, charged me far less than expected and went the extra mile with the details! This time it was just something small but I'll definitely trust these folks when I'm ready to address my car's bigger issues! read more

I stopped in Friendly's Auto Repair for a second time last week. I was looking in to trading in my truck for a car and the new car didn't have a warranty, which made me nervous! So I called up Eddy at Friendly's and asked if he could take a minute and look it over before I bought. He stayed late and took the time to go over everything with the car that I should be looking at as a buyer and told me that everything looked great! The only "flaw" was about a $20 fix that didn't need to be done right away and could bring by any time should I decide to get the car. I bought the car with confidence and absolutely love it! Thanks Friendly's!!! read more

My daughter is a student at UT. When her car wouldn't start, I found Friendly's - read the Yelp reviews and called. I'm in Dallas and was concerned that this long distance transaction would be difficult - it was anything but. They recommended a towing service and had the car running the next day. I love that I can communicate with the shop by texting since my job doesn't always allow me to trade phone calls back and forth. I could not be happier with Crystal who runs the phone - she was reassuring and so kind. Now my daughter knows if her car gives her any other trouble, she's to call Friendly's right away. read more

The epitome of a chill and friendly Austin business that I'm proud to recommend to anyone. This has been the most delightful auto shop experience I've ever had in my life. Based simply on the call and explanation of every portion of what I need fixed and what can wait in such simple and kind terms, I literally can't imagine that I will go anywhere else for my car maintenance. No trying to mess me around because I'm a lady, no up-sales, just straight forward "here's the status, here's what could do to be fixed soon, here's what can wait a while." Thank you Friendly's for treating me right :) read more

Just a great group of people. It was suggested I drop by to seek advice on an issue I was having over at Pepboys S Lamar. Krystal took the time to listen to my issues, gave advice on what to look for and what questions to ask. I took that advice back to Pepboys and while my issues weren't fixed I wasn't charged any fees which were over $2000. So thanks to Krystal and my own stubbornness I saved myself from having to spend that $2000 and a receiving a vehicle that still wouldn't run even after spending the $2K. What's the takeaway? Support your local shops!! GREAT PEOPLE. JUST WONDERFUL!! read more