Dave’s Perfection Automotive

I am very impressed with the service I received from Dave’s Perfection Automotive. I had my car towed to the shop after-​hours and by mid-​afternoon the next day, my car was fixed and ready to go. Steve was absolutely wonderful to work with; straight forward and honest. I highly recommend Dave’s Perfection Automotive and will always take my car there in the future.

I found Dave’s shop on the Car Talk site when I first moved here 5 years ago, and what a lucky break. I’ve got a twenty-​something year old Ford that needs mechanical love on a regular basis. Dave will always let me know over the phone if he won’t be able to get to it right away (he does not employ a secretary, but he’s pretty good about answering the phone and will always return your call if you leave a message, though lately his wife has been answering the phones on occasion), but he is almost always immediately available.
I feel like his prices are right-​on, I never get the female mark-​up. He has taken the time to explain what he’s fixing and why without making me feel dumb. Last year I brought it in and asked what we need to do to make it last at least 5 more years — he worked out a list of things for right now, fixes for the near future, and stuff that could wait. When husband and I were buying a second car, he (basically) said about our first choice, «if that’s what you really want, I get it, but there’s a reason there are places in town that only work on VW’s. If you want another 20 year car, here’s what I’d get.»
His delivery *is* dry. One visit for a rattle in the front end was answered with (and picture this in Hank Hill’s voice) «well, I don’t know if it’s what you were hearing, but your wheel’s about to fall off.»
Dave himself has been out of the shop recently, but the guys he’s got working for him are equally spot on. I get reasonable prices and a quick turn around. I trust that if for some reason if something isn’t fixed right the first time, they will absolutely take care of it. Highly recommend. But always leave through the back alley, that driveway is a doozy.

I would like to update this review. So that U-​Joint that was fixed about 6 weeks ago destoyed itself, and I have no idea why. It could have been negligence with the install, or maybe just a bad part. BUT after having to leave my truck in a random parking lot, I called Dave and explained the situation to him.
Despite the frustration of the situation, he promptly sent a tow truck over to pick it up, and fixed the U-​Joint immediately and guess what… … wait for it… waaaait for it… HE DID IT FOR FREE. Dave has earned himself a loyal customer.
That is all.

I took in a 1964 Cadillac convertible for Dave to look at. Our relationship didn’t have the smoothest start. He came across sort of crusty, and out of sorts at first. Turns out he had the flu which can make anyone not seem friendly. Since then he has been the way everyone on here says. Laid back, no high pressure, great guy. I had a laundry list of things to do to the Cadillac, and Dave called later with an estimate which I told him to go ahead and do. He got everything going great that I had asked him to, including some wiring issues which can be hairy. Not only did he do everything, but came in quite a bit under what he had quoted me. He really does know his way around classic cars. Not sure if I want to spread the word, or keep him my «secret». I think this secret is too good to keep to myself!

Referred by a trusted friend, and not disappointed. They got me in fast, addressed the issue, and billed fairly. Thanks Dave!

Some mechanics are real friendly like. Your best friend. And they talk real slow with a smile while they hold your hand. But then they (and thus you) miss the fact that your alternator belt is looser and goosier than your definition of what constitutes a good auto mechanic.
Dave knows his shit. And he is cool and honest. I was a 6 year customer, but then moved out of town… now relieved to be back in town with a mechanic I trust.
He is especially the man for classic cars, muscle cars, and good ol american trucks. His garage is constantly filled with 56 chevys and what-​not… which should tell you something if classic car gearheads trust their babies to him.
I can’t speak towards his knowledge on electronic board 2008 communist cars, but I’m sure he could take care of that easily as well if you request.

I am also a female customer of Dave’s, and I could not disagree more with the assertion that he takes advantage of or talks down to his female customers.
I have a 1992 Volvo that needs the usual upkeep repairs from time to time, and I have a usual shop, but they’ve kind of turned me off lately. So I was looking for a new place. My mom recommended Don’s, but when I called, Don said they don’t do European cars and recommended Dave to me. I gave Dave a call and set up a time to get my car to him on the next day (this never happens at my old shop).
When my guess on the car repair was wrong, Dave gave me a few choices as to what it could be — either just the battery or the battery and the starter. We talked for a while and decided to just do the battery and save the starter for another time if this repair didn’t do the trick. No haggling, no «really, ma’am, trust me, you need this starter» when I didn’t. It was refreshing, and I got my car back that afternoon, good to go. The next time I need anything done to my car, I will be calling Dave.

I’ve taken my vehicle to Dave’s Automotive several times in the past. Although this place is overpriced compared to their competitors, the service and quality of their job is good.
Before arriving at Dave’s, make plans on what YOU want done. If they provide you a whole list of other problems that you know you canget cheeper elsewhere, decline them or simply tell them you don’t have the budget for it. They understand.
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Let me start this out by saying I hate writing bad Unilocal reviews, I have worked for a small business before and know how damaging they can be, and also, how hard you work for sometimes people to take a basic misunderstanding way out of context.
That said– here’s my bad review.
I was referred to Dave by a friend. I saw all these awesome reviews. I made an appointment for an oil change. I came for said appointment and he acted like I was putting him out just by showing up. He then told me they had no oil to do an oil change and that I should just go to a quick lube place. Funny Dave, said friend that referred you told me you told her to NEVER go to a quick oil change place.
I have an older car that needs work. I wanted to support your business and you lost it.
I get that maybe your shop just isn’t set up for oil changes and you want to do bigger jobs. Fine, then don’t take an appointment for an oil change. Don’t waste people’s time like that.

This guy has the nastiest attiutde I’ve ever encountered from a mechanic and let alone an owner of a repair shop. I am not sure if he woke up on the wrong side of the car or he just walks around with a chip on his shoulder. But after experiencing his hostile and sarcastic tone for a minute or two, I let him know that his tone and attitude was nasty and unwelcomed. After which, he hung up on me. Dave, I am glad you showed how unprofessional, hostile and obnoxious you truly are. I just wanted to know a day that I could bring my car in and for you to be able to look at it. I didn’t realize me asking for a specific day with an acutal opening was being demanding and difficult. Dave said, «that is what you do; you drop your car off at a repair shop and hope they get to it». Right, so I keep doing that everyday or leave it there (until when by the way). Hey Dave, news flash, not everyone has two cars. But no worries, I called Don’s automotive (down the road from Dave’s) who I’ve taken my car to on a few occasions. I told him my problem and he told me a day he has an opening (which was the next day). It was a very simple, polite conversation and as always Don was professional and appreciative of me returning to him. I just thought I would try out Dave’s based on the reviews I read here, but forget about it! Me definitely thinks not!

I disagree with the female reviewer that said Dave takes advantage of women who bring their vehicles to him for repair. I’m a woman, and have used Dave’s services and recommended him to women and men for over 10 years. He has never treated me badly or been arrogant or rude to me in any way. Dave has always treated me with respect, and has taken the time to explain things when I had questions.
He always consults with me before he does any work to let me know what is absolutely imperative and what is optional work that can wait until later, and always gives me an estimate up front. Dave always does the job he says he will do, and often times he charges less than the estimate. His prices are often way less than dealerships or other mechanics.
I wouldn’t take my car anywhere else!

Dave was great! I had an internal coolant leak that he diagnosed and repaired in the SAME DAY. For people who are not car savvy, he took apart the top half of my engine, fixed the problem, and put it all back together again in 8 hours! That’s a feat in and of it self.
His price was HALF of what the dealership quoted me, and he came in a couple bucks under that his quote when it was all said and done.
Its a major thing to have a good mechanic in your pocket, and I think I now have mine.

Dave rocks. I took my 55-​year-​old car in there for some work that I couldn’t seem to fix myself. He’s a straight-​shooter and explains everything in full detail. His prices reflect the quality of work and i’ll continue to go to him in the future if I can’t get the job done.

I had a favorable experience at Dave’s for a timing belt replacement.
Dave’s a straight-​shooter who will do the job you ask for without all that pesky commission-​based upsell crap that the other mechanics hit you with.
Working with Dave was pleasant as well. He was ready to go when I arrived with my truck bright and early in the morning. The work was done before the time/​day he committed to.
Another thing I really liked to see is that his shop was neat and organized, right down to the clipboard with the paperwork for my truck. I believe that says something about how he approaches his work under the hood, too.
As with one of the other reviewers, I gave one star shy of five because I felt his service might have been on the expensive side. To be fair, I did not get other quotes so I can’t say this with certainty.
Bottom line, I’ll bring my cars back to Dave again.

Dave’s is a class act. Knows cars and how to fix them better than anyone in austin. Personally, i have been working on cars (with my father) since before i was in jr high and i know 1% of what dave knows. he rebuilds cars for jimmie vaughn among other well known clients of his. There is nothing he cannot do on a car and do so better than anyone else.
However, i give dave 4 stars because his prices are high, in fact, higher than your local dealer (and everyone knows dealers are expensive when it comes to service costs).
So there you have it from someone who has worked on cars for over 35 years, if you want the best, take your car to daves, but you gotta have the money to do so.

Dave is one of the good guys. He is perhaps the best mechanic I have ever dealt with and he is exceedingly honest. Dave and his team know how to fix old cars and new ones, though I personally have only ever had him fix my 1950s and 60s era cars.
Dave has fair prices, fixes your car quickly, and explains everything that was done. If you want to be confident you’re being told the truth, bring your car here. One look around his shop and you’ll see what I mean — people trust him with their very nice, rare cars.
I have no idea how his prices compare to other shops because I can’t imagine going anywhere else.
No negatives except he’s not open weekends — but then again that means you deal with Dave himself at all times. Clearly a man who takes pride in his work.