Avoid Groovy Automotive

[Jon Bolden]

I can't believe they tried to stick you with a baby in the trunk. That's crazy

[Spaztique]

That baby isn't enough. It's the several kilos of cocaine right next to him that really get me, though.

[kbadr]

Not that anyone cares at this point, but I have another update.

The AC compressor that Groovy installed in my car...has a bad clutch. That's exactly the problem they claimed my AC compressor had before. So either they never replaced my compressor, or they replaced it with a used/bad part.

FUCK
GROOVY
AUTOMOTIVE

[Justin D.]

Not that anyone cares at this point, but I have another update.

The AC compressor that Groovy installed in my car...has a bad clutch. That's exactly the problem they claimed my AC compressor had before. So either they never replaced my compressor, or they replaced it with a used/bad part.

FUCK
GROOVY
AUTOMOTIVE

I care, Kareem. I care.

Have you had any confrontations with them over this yet? Especially with this last scenario, I'd have to throw this back in their face and expect not to have to pay for it to be fixed. Hell, I'd try to take the car elsewhere and demand Groovy Automotive pay for it because they've proven inept at doing it themselves.

Brad's right in a sense that my last car did essentially catch on fire in the parking lot.

The mechanic was checking it (it being a 1994 Mercury Villager) out in the parking lot, had the engine running with the hood open, and said he saw a hose leaking in the back of the engine. While he was trying to shine a light on it, a small fireball shot out from it toward him. He quickly ran to get the fire extinguisher and sprayed it down, but I don't think there was an actual fire at that point. He then ran over to where I was sitting outside with my work laptop and said, "Is that Villager?"

"Yes."

"It just caught on fire."

Then, he opened the door, called for someone inside to come to the van, and the both of them ran back to my van.

I was probably in a bit of shock because I sat there for a few seconds before turning to the woman next to me and said, "I guess I should go check out my van since the mechanic just said it was on fire, huh?"

The mechanic said it was a case of not just an old hose, but car designers overthinking the design. Three tubes all connected and looped around to do what one tube could do. He's replaced a few others like that and it ran fine enough. However, they also said breaks, calibers, and so on need to be replaced or repaired to a cost of $921. There was no way I was pumping that much money in a 14-year-old vehicle Mercury Villager. Also, I had my breaks replaced just the year before, so that was weird.

And, thus, I now own a 2006 Nissan Sentra instead.

[kbadr]

Hell, I'd try to take the car elsewhere and demand Groovy Automotive pay for it because they've proven inept at doing it themselves.

This is exactly what I plan on doing.

I called the main office and left my name/number. I was told I'll get a call back. Of course, I was also told that 2 weeks ago.

My current mechanic, who seems honest and knowledgeable, told me to just wait until the compressor gives out completely before I repair it, unless I can get Groovy to foot the bill...but I seriously doubt that will happen.

The real kicker is that when I described the original AC problem to my father (a 25 year veteran in the automotive industry) over the phone, he said "sounds like a bad relay." I should have just spent the $1600 to fly him here and fix my car.

C'est la vie.

[Alex Nixon]

I used to go to them, but I've become disenchanted in the past year. Have at least three bad stories. Enough is enough.

The guy who used to run the one on Red River isn't there anymore; the new manager is dicey. . . .

Any recommendations for a good mechanic??

[kbadr]

Any recommendations for a good mechanic??

David, the owner of Tower, is knowledgeable and very friendly. They're on Lamar near 9th street.

[TeresaYork]

I just heard another complaint about Groovy. And, the Tazza Fresca next door on Guadalupe has terrible frozen egg salad sandwiches. Double wammie!

[K_Q]

Okay, Jon and David, the two of you are very talented and have WAY too much time on your hands!

Jon, couldn't you have picked an ugly baby?

Peace

[Munga]

Good News! Today's Austin Groupon is for 90% off at Groovy Automotive!

[Ruby W.]

Yes! THANK YOU Kareem for posting this because Groupon is doing a Groovy Auto coupon and you buy a package for 79 bucks and you get 5 oil changes. 5 OIL CHANGES!!! for 79 BUCKS!!! That's amazing!

And then I read the fine print....and you have to use your coupon all at once.

not. cool.

don't buy that shit.

[kbadr]

Ha! What? 5 oil changes at once? Blow me.

I wouldn't trust them to change a spark plug.

[Justin D.]

To be fair, that's Groupon's restrictions, not Groovy Automotive's. And, yes, they still suck.

Go to Gene Johnson Automotive next to I Luv Video/ColdTowne. Great place with good prices that gets things done super quickly.

[arthursimone]

Go to Gene Johnson Automotive next to I Luv Video/ColdTowne. Great place with good prices that gets things done super quickly.

Yep! Those guys are pretty swell, I never feel like I've been overcharged

[kbadr]

To be fair, that's Groupon's restrictions, not Groovy Automotive's.

Yes, but businesses can specify what the deal is. Groovy could have made it $10 for a $20 oil change, but chose not to. Because they are assholes.