Goose Auto Repair- Castroville — Local services in Castroville

After almost two months and at my wits end, at the extent of my knowledge of working on cars, and having exhausted the resources I could find through YouTube videos on how to get my 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera back on the road I went in search of a shop that could not only get my car back to working order but that specialized in European cars.

I found Goose Automotive and JD Ramirez welcomed me amiably. JD immediately documented the issues I was having with my vehicle, arranged transport, informed me the vehicle was being dropped off at Goose Automotive Flores location - where classic cars are repaired, and gave me the name of the person who would be working on my vehicle - Gary Thompson.

Although I did not know a thing about this shop and thoughtlessly reached out, but simply by the level of immediate attention demonstrated by JD, I felt confident I had made the right choice!

I stopped by the shop after a couple of days to drop off some parts for the vehicle and met Gary in person. After speaking with Gary for just a few minutes as he started to explain his findings in detail, I realized the work my, nearly 40-yearold, car needed was complex and way beyond my scope of knowledge.

If JD’s immediate attention made me feel confident about choosing Goose Automotive, it was Gary’s display of passion, knowledge, open communication, and attention to detail that confirmed and bolstered that confidence I had made the right choice.

Gary might just be the crown jewel of Goose Automotive. Gary confidently assured me he would restore my car back to Porsche performance conditions, just as he had previously done on countless classic and modern 911's over his 36 years of experience. Gary's level of understanding and how he demonstrated he knew 911's inside and out inspired the utmost of confidence.

While I was without my 911 for the better part of 4-5 weeks, which may seem like a long time, it certainly did not feel that way due to daily updates via calls and/or texts on the state of repairs from JD. This was very appreciated and I could see that communication between the front desk and the garage was paramount - they turned that into communication over to me and this kept me from worrying. In fact, it had me singing their praises to anyone who asked where my car was.

Gary’s passion for his craft and these classic cars was even more evident towards the end of my cars spell at the shop. Although by anyone else’s standards, the car could have been delivered back to me, Gary was not ready to release the vehicle and asked me if he could keep the car a few more days in order to sort out one or two minor things that weren’t absolutely perfect.

Gary's attention to detail to achieve, primarily his 100% satisfaction about his work coupled with JD's constant communication left me beyond impressed for the quality of work Goose Automotive promises and undoubtedly delivers.

Once Gary was done and was satisfied and before me taking delivery of the car, he requested a ride along where I drove the car as he explained the entire scope of repairs accomplished to bring the car to his standards for delivery.

Once I took delivery of the car, I can wholeheartedly report that the car indeed performs and feels like a completely new experience, rock solid and eager to respond to my inputs without hesitation. It truly feels, drives, and sounds like a Porsche!

I find myself driving this classic 911 even more than before, despite owning a modern 911 Carrera. The car breathes new life after its stay at Goose Automotive. It's an almost criminal understatement to say that I'm overly satisfied with JD and Gary's work, which did not end when I took delivery of the car. I was pleasantly surprised of the follow-up call a week later to make sure the vehicle was running well. Should my car need anything further in the coming years I'll look no further than...

We really wanted to use this shop but will not be going back. After a not so great experience at another Goose location we decided to come here because our work was still under warranty. After they corrected the work, we set up an appointment to replace the timing belt/water pump, and valve gasket cover. This needed to be done and we thought we could trust this shop to do it. Unfortunately, accidents happen…but it is the response to the accident that is a redeeming factor for a shop. After the work was completed, the lower radiator hose had not been attached correctly- or at all. Upon leaving Goose, I immediately noticed the acceleration was off and there was a slight “whine” noise. I don’t live far, and had a toddler in tow so I proceeded to drive. White smoke began pouring out underneath the car and from the hood. As soon as I pulled into our driveway, there was a massive leak and severe burning smell. I tried to start the car to get it out of the driveway and it barely started. I called the shop and was told a tow would be sent the next morning since it was closing time. I received a text the following morning around 8:30 letting me know a tow would be sent. I had an appointment at 10:00 but told them I would be home by 11:00. I texted the shop just before 11 letting them know I was home. When I didn’t hear anything by 11:30, I called and was told the manager was sending a tow at some point today. I asked if they could provide me an exact time and was put on hold so this could be discussed with the manager. I was told they would have someone out within the hour. Tow was sent, and I followed to the shop asking to be provided updates as to what happened/needed to be done. I was assured they would clean all the coolant and double check to make sure everything was ok. They said it would take a few hours because they were going to replace the hose- cost was on them. I got a text around 4:30 saying it was done and was there 20 min later. The manager came out to inspect the car with us, only to find NOTHING had been cleaned. The coolant was still all over the underside of the frame, battery, and most other components under the hood. When I asked why it wasn’t cleaned she told us their pressure washer wasn’t working but that she could give us money to go get a car wash. I declined. I expressed my disappointment and she responded that she completely understood, and didn’t know why it wasn’t cleaned. A pressure washer out of order isn’t an excuse. They took it back again, to be properly cleaned and then Jesse walked me back to show me it had been cleaned. I had to wait over an hour for it to be properly cleaned and I was really upset at this point. If this shop couldn’t simply clean off coolant after being told it would be done, only to try and cover it up by saying the pressure washer was out of order, I don’t trust the work done for other things. When I asked how they knew engine damage wasn’t done they said they did a block test. I don’t have any confidence in the work done, or reassurance that damage wasn’t done. After we got home I double checked the radiator, only to find the coolant reservoir next to the radiator was bone dry. Filled it myself. Fast forward less than a week later,reservoir is almost empty, I am still finding my acceleration to be lacking, and after running a few errands the car was struggling to turn on. We are taking it for a second opinion. I really wish things did not go this way, but too many mistakes made. Big mistakes. The only reason I’m giving two stars is because of how kind and apologetic Jesse was (hope I’m spelling that correctly). I feel he had way more knowledge than the manager mechanically, and he apologized over and over. I could sincerely tell Jesse wanted to...

I brought in my wife’s 2011 Jetta for an AC recharge after making an appointment on a Thursday afternoon to drop it off Friday morning, May 16. I dropped the car off at 10 AM and was asked if I needed it back the same day. I said no, I wasn’t in a rush.

Later that day, just before closing around 5:50 PM, they called to let me know they wouldn’t be able to get to the car until Monday. I was fine with that since I understand shops get busy.

Monday comes around and I don't hear anything all day. I get a call around 5:45 PM saying they tested the AC twice and it was "blowing cold." They said they'd test it again in the morning. They also mentioned adding UV dye to the system, supposedly to check for leaks. From what I gathered, they probably didn’t actually check for leaks since they felt the air was cold enough.

On Tuesday, May 20, I received a text at 10 AM saying the car was ready for pickup and that the shop closed at 6. I showed up around 1 PM and spoke with Jesse, who told me they tested the AC a third time that morning and it was blowing cold. I paid \$270, got an itemized receipt showing they added R134a, and left.

As I left the shop and turned onto Hwy 90 back to San Antonio, I rolled the windows down, turned the AC on full blast, and rolled the windows back up after about a minute. It took about 15 minutes for the car to go from warm to cool, and it never really got cold. Honestly, it felt the same as before. There was no noticeable difference, and I feel like I wasted my time and money.

I wish they had just checked for a leak and tested the car during the hotter part of the day when the system is under real pressure. Testing early in the morning or in the shade does not reflect how the AC performs in real driving conditions (they said that they drove it but again, I don't know when that was exactly). If they tested it three times and still think that air is "blowing cold," then something's off.

I will most likely not be bringing my wife’s car back to this place. I expected better communication, more accurate diagnostics, and results that matched...