Service in Austin

[rbirling]

Who does everyone use for service in Austin? I have been bringing up some things I found out about the price of parts I've found out lately here:
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44388
Of course, to really get parts for a good price, you have to order online or mail order from the NSX-price-friendly dealers.

So now I'm wondering if anyone uses someone for service beyond routine maintenance that they're happy with, both quality- and price-wise. I don't mind paying more for good service, but lately it seems I've had to pay a lot more for mediocre service. Any input?

I haven't mentioned any dealers or mechanics by name yet, I was wondering what others thought before sharing the little I know. Thanks.

 

[NormRD]

I used to get all my service done at Tybrid Performance. However there is a current investigation now concerning them (can search local news for the story) so will be looking for a new place for service.

 

[rbirling]

Yeah, and unfortunately, Scott, who used to work at David McDavid, then went to Sterling, had just started with Tybrid right before they were busted. I get the impression that Scott is the guy I really want working on my car. Hopefully he returns to one of the dealers.

I used to get all my service done at Tybrid Performance. However there is a current investigation now concerning them (can search local news for the story) so will be looking for a new place for service.

 

[Osiris_x11]

Out of sight...

hmmm... I'm across the pond, namely the atlantic. What has happened at Tybrid? (I've been away for about 4-5weeks)... :frown:

Bob, if you can deal w/ the travel... I'd recommend Goodson Acura w/o hesitation. Susan Tableman is invaluable in her insights and prompt service advice. Look into it... drive up & fly back on Southwest for like $39! Just food-for-thought. Only other alternative I can think of is Brad @ Autologic in Houston. A bit more informal & subpar in aesthetics compared to a posh workshop or dealer service center, but the work is 2nd to none- especially for alot of the lil' things you need done (I assume). The Houston crew can give you the 411 on that. Again, flyback on Southwest. :wink:

I'm in the process of gettin' some work done in North Austin near Hutto off rte.79, it's an imports shop; the mgr is a gentleman named Lee. I can put you in touch w/ him if you would like to explore that option as well. :smile:

I'm sure Ojas will chime in about other viable alternatives.

 

[synergy004]

Scott when he was at David McDavid serviced my car and did some minor tweaks in thew ride. Ran 100% better after. I was wondering where he went.

gil

 

[rbirling]

Re: Out of sight...

The Austin American-Statesman Dec. 10 issue has an article about Tybrid titled:
"Hot-rod shop was front for theft ring, police say". It says they arrested 2 guys, not Tyrone or Scott. "Tybrid Performance has gone out of business as of today. It's a crime scene now." was a quote from a police officer.

hmmm... I'm across the pond, namely the atlantic. What has happened at Tybrid? (I've been away for about 4-5weeks)... :frown:

 

[rbirling]

Does anyone know anything about Gunn in San Antonio? I know they'll ship parts for 25% below list. How is their service department?

 

[NormRD]

I find it better to buy through Neillo acura as they will honor the discount and no tax since they are out of state.

 

[Ojas]

Does anyone know anything about Gunn in San Antonio? I know they'll ship parts for 25% below list. How is their service department?

I will never take my car there and will never do any business with Gunn due to this incident (EDIT: please see comments below) and in their complete lack of interest in resolving the situation. I am now aware of two other NSX owners who experienced the exact same, very costly failure immediately after having their NSX serviced at this dealership. In all cases, the engine was running fine before Gunn touched it.

I order parts from Goodson. I have ordered from Niello in the past. Both are great. Personally, I don't mind paying a little sales tax to support a dealership that’s relatively local and supports the NSX community & race team.

EDIT: After I posted, I realized the there are some facts absent from the thread I referred to: 1) In the thread, I mentioned that the tech at Gunn claimed my connecting rods were not OEM (yeah, I know it sounds crazy) and this was the primary reason why I’m on my own when it comes to repair costs. Turns out he was lying - I assume to cover his or the dealership’s butt. 2) The tech who worked on my car (one who came highly recommended) is no longer at Gunn.

 

[Ojas]

Considering the what’s going on right now, I think I would have major work (clutch, timing-belt, etc.) performed by Goodson in Dallas or Auto-Logic in Houston. This is mostly based on the recommendation of others. I don’t think McDavid or Sterling would do a bad job, but since you’d be taking your car to the dealer, it would be nice to have an NSX-tech work on it. I have not had a good experience with McDavid, so I would not go there even if they did have an NSX-tech.

Whenever possible and unless I screw things up, I try minor and routine things on my own, so I don’t have a lot of experience with shops for these type of services. I do have a few suggestions, though:

SoulSpeed: This shop specializes in alignment, brakes, suspension, and mounting tires. I have not take my car here yet, but I know several people who have been very happy with them. The owner is a track enthusiast. They can also do fluid and filter changes. Based how others praise the quality of work, their prices don’t seem too bad.

Flamingo Automotive: Routine maint. This shop works does a lot of work on Honda and Acuras. The owner is also a track entusiast. He does not works on many NSXs, but I talked with him for a good while during a tech inspection for track event. I think I would feel comfortable letting him handle most routine work.

 

[David]

Tybrid

The whole Tybrid thing was just he cops finally working through their grudge against Tyrone. I can't wait for them to finally admit that "The Holy Grail of Chop Shops" turned out to be one punk kid who was renting storage space behind Tyrone.

In the mean time, they have put an honest mechanic out of business. They confiscated every tool in the shop so that Tyrone can't make a living and none of his employees can get work. It is sickening.

 

[NormRD]

I agree with David....seems the cops and the news went a little overboard with the "chop shop" stuff. I have always had good experiances with tyrone and his shop. Anytime i needed something done regardless of the time and situation he always came through.

David, saw a nice silver widebody NSX in the statesmen's pictures

-richie

 

[Ojas]

It’s very unforunate what’s happened to Tybrid.

I’m sure you guys understood the context of my previous post, but to clarify for those who may read this in the future: My previous post assumed the option of Tybrid is unavailable. If Tybrid was open (and the minute it re-opens), this is the place I would take my car. Tyrone consistently goes beyond the call of duty, especially it seems for the NSX community.

BTW: Here’s that picture from the Statesman: (I wish my NSX looked like this)

 

[LeftLane]

Augie at Gunn in San Antonio is no longer there, so they have no NSX tech with any meaningful experience. I had some work done at Tybrid (pre-bust), and I have to tell you - his place is an absolute pit. I had to swallow hard when I drove up to get some work done. There were cars everywhere in all manner of assembly. I'm sure Tyrone knows his stuff, but it was not a pleasant experience because of how disgusting the entire shop was.

Arrowwood in San Antonio is a shop started by the head techs when Arrowwood Acura was bought by Gunn several years ago, so they know their stuff.

 

[kurt_bradley]

Tyrone and Scott Caffey combined make up the greatest mass of knowledge of NSXs. Like it was said above, the second this matter on the "chop shop" is cleared up, make a reservation.

 

[NormRD]

When I sold my car the buyer had a PPI done at a dealer in Round Rock called John & Corky's Automotive Specialist (jcautospec.com) 512-472-4977.

They had a number of performance cars (300z, modified miatas, rx7/8's, etc)

And said they had a number of NSX's they work on. Might be another alternative for work in Austin.

 

[Karl]

"Guess whose back....back again....."

Hi guys!!!! As some of you know I've been racing Spec Miatas for some time rather than tracking the NSX. That lead into complete car development and motor rebuilding which has now put me in partnership with Mr. Ed in a new 5000 square foot shop south of town. We’re still moving in, but feel free to come take a look. You can see what a deer can do the front of an NSX if you get here in the next few days.

I’ve done all the work on my NSX since I bought it in 1992 and we even have a pending deal with Susan up north to rebuild their Legend motors. Have not seen any yet, but we’ve been too busy setting up shop to bug her. In any case, come by and take a look at our very clean shop. We are geared more toward racing, so we don’t offer AC service (even though I’ve changed out my E coil) but we can do just about anything else.

p.s. We are good friends with Corky and John (who just teamed up with Corky), so if you go by their place tell them we said hello.

Karl Zimmermann
Applied Racing Technology LLC
115 East Saint Elmo Rd Ste C
Austin, TX 78734
(512) 707 8869
www.appliedracingtechnology.com

p.p.s. I have a new personal email address (Andy, Ojas, et all), first part remains the same just change the end to austin.rr.com

 

[Ojas]

woohoo!

That’s great news Karl! You guys are just down the road from me. Next time my NSX needs work, I’ll bring it to your shop.