This rating is based on customer reviews, inventory size, pricing, and service quality
Downtown Radiator - Houston in Houston, TX scores 89/100. Reviews are mostly excellent: customers praise honest diagnostics, fair pricing, clear communication, and fast turnarounds—many same-day—plus strong radiator/AC know-how, even on vintage cars. The shop can look cluttered, but work quality and customer service often impress. Downsides: some reports of overcharging, rude or condescending staff, a bad used-car sale, and animal-care concerns. Not a self-serve yard, so inventory variety, yard organization, and part-finding aren’t addressed here.
What clients say about Downtown Radiator - Houston in Houston (TX)
I had a really positive experience here and wanted to share it.
My 2013 Ford F350 (160k miles) suddenly started shaking badly, smelled like gas, and threw a P0302 code (cylinder 2 misfire). I first took it to a large chain shop. They scanned it and suggested it might be an engine issue, possibly needing a replacement engine ($4,000+), and even recommended considering replacing the vehicle due to age and mileage.
Since this truck is used for transporting employees for my business, I was understandably concerned.
I decided to get a second opinion and found this local shop just a few minutes from my restaurant. The shop isn’t fancy, but they actually took the time to diagnose the problem properly. It turned out to be a broken internal spring inside the ignition coil.
Total cost: $258.52 after tax.
No engine replacement. No upselling. Just an accurate diagnosis and honest repair.
Because I had a backup vehicle, I was able to take my time and get a second opinion. I’m very glad I did. This shop saved me from making a very expensive and unnecessary decision.
If you’re looking for a place that focuses on actually fixing the problem rather than jumping to worst-case scenarios, I highly recommend giving them a try.
Had my daughter's car in for repairs and he ordered the part. Part came in twice and it was wrong so he ordered a third one and it came $300 cheaper. Not many mechanics would tell you that but Manuel told me and refunded us the $300. So honest. He is the only mechanic I use for all my cars and trucks and I own a fleet for my business. Nice to know honesty is still around.
These guys are awesome! My radiator broke and they were able to quote me a fair price for the parts and labor, source the necessary parts, and get my car fixed in record time! I would 100% recommend these mechanics to anyone and will be using them again for a windshield replacement in the next week.
Miguel is extremely knowledgeable, and is able to explain your options to you well. He was able to get me back on the road with cold AC in 30 minutes for less than I had figured. Big recommend.
Excellent knowledgeable shop on old school radiators. I took my radiator for my 1975 BMW 2002 and he let me know what I had and what some possible options were for repairs. Started with a hot tank. Ended up repairing the tanks and they were able to save the core. Very affordable and very thorough. It's good to have a knowledgeable and affordable shop able to work on these old radiators. Would highly recommend
My experience with this business is limited to witnessing evidence of the owner’s cruelty and neglect of the dog they keep in the yard next to the business. People who can’t or won’t take care of an animal properly can’t be trusted to take care of other business. I urge anyone reading this not to do business with people who would treat an animal this poorly. All of its ribs were showing from being underfed and it was living in squalid conditions. If the owners read this, do the right thing and adopt the dog to someone who will give it a loving home.
I thought of giving 1 star but thought maybe business is poor due to COVID and this is the reason for the over charge. Emmanuel over charged my niece and nephew to install a starter and the price of the starter plus included a diagnostic fee of $50. He also charged them $60 to put on a 5 inch hose. Top concern is that he tried to convince them they were happy because it was fixed regardless of the charge. I intervened informing them I felt they were over charged. He attempted to make my niece husband feel inferior by saying that I was running things and not him as the man!
At this time I would not recommend his shop perhaps he is survival mode or he saw an opportunity to take advantage. I'm not sure but I hope it is not the latter.
My radiator busted in March 2017 and visited this business. Manuel offered me a great quote to weld the radiator crack in a timely manner, can't remember the price but it was way cheaper than replacing the radiator. I was iffy at first because it could burst despite the warranty. Well....it's been nearly 4 years and I have not had any issues with the radiator DESPITE wrecking the front end of my car (had to replace the bumper and hood). Man, that weld the mechanic did must have super powers. Great job and craftsmanship! Would totally return if I need a mechanic in Houston. Superb value.
They repaired a front and rear windshield same day with no notice, we called in the morning, dropped it off at 1, it was done by 4 pm. They did a great job, and for all this shop looks a bit cluttered, the work was awesome and the price was about $150 cheaper than the next closest.
Honest, exemplary work at reasonable cost. Chief mechanic knows his stuff backward and forward. I would definitely recommend, especially if you have bad experiences with other shops.
A friend of mine named collin years ago told me he is friends with owner. I was in need of a car. He said one the customers was wanting to get rid of her car. A Suzuki xl7. They worked out payments. I bought the car from them. I went and picked it up. Didn't get but a few miles down road before engine began smoking. Wasted 2500$ buying a car from them. Can't trust them to look over a car before taking money. Cant trust them fix a car.
Don’t be fooled by the seeming lack of organization when you walk in the shop....they are experts at radiator repair, and Manuel is not trying to run a surgical suite. He does great work (he’s done the radiators on 4 or 5 of my vintage cars over the years) and he’s very fairly priced. I wouldn't even consider going somewhere else. steve meltzer
My first time coming here and I was a bit hesitant. Being a single woman and going to a mechanic, we have to be careful so we dont get taken advantage of. With that being said, I found this gem due to the great online reviews it had. Located in the Montrose neighborhood, it is an easy find. I came here because I thought my radiator was giving me problems. The gentlemen here looked over and found it wasn't my radiator, thank God, but my thermostat that needed replacement. The cost was very reasonable and I didn't feel that I was being upcharged for the service. Manuel also gave me some advice about other car repairs I need too. In the end, my car is fixed and my pocketbook is happy. I will be returning and recommending my friends here too.
I just had a minor repair on my car's battery terminal. I thought it was the engine starter but the repair was much simpler. The owner is honest, has fair prices, and knows what he is doing. I recommend Downtown Radiator and Automotive.
I have a classic Chevy apache truck, I do not let just anyone work on it, but after a referral from a friend I had Manuel rebuild the radiator and let me tell you he is very good. He is very reasonable, and gets the job done in the time and price he quotes you. Great people to do Business with!!!!
I have been using Manny for radiator repairs since 1995. I own a repair shop, so I know a shady mechanic when I see them. He has always been honest and highest quality of work!!
Very honest guys. Manuel the manager is very upfront and doesn't up charge on fixes. These guys actually fixed my radiator back in January of 2017, and I wanted to come back to get my AC looked at after saving some money. Thought I would have to spend $400+ all in to get my AC blower fixed but I really overestimated what I actually paid. Manuel gave me a good deal and I paid a fraction of that, and still ended up with cold blowing air conditioning. Give these guys a try if anything. Their garage is very old school but they are very upfront with you and are willing to work with you.
The employee was rude & unprofessional, specifically, he was condescending.
When asking for a rough quote, he presumed details that didn't apply & insisted I stated my question wrong. After clearing up what he misunderstood & he begrudgely accepted it, the price quotes were outrageously high!
I won't ever bring them my business or refer any customers to them!
WARNING! Beware of the people you are about to do business with. THEY ARE NOT REASONABLE IN PRICING. I wish I had known what I was walking into prior to dealing with Downtown Radiator & Automotive. I was in a fender bender and as a result my radiator and bumper needed repair. Back home (south Texas) a $400 repair, here a $1500 repair. Mechanics refused to give me a receipt for the parts purchased. After investigating, I found that they charged me $200 for a part that cost $89 plus labor (additional $100)! Though the quality of work is undoubtably good (my car is back to normal), I feel it is not worth the absurd fees and hassle. BEWARE, find mechanics that don't try and steal from the innocent.
Best mechanic shop in the great city of Houston. These guys are just as good as the dealership they are A1 mechanics. Manuel is definitely the real deal.
Downt to Earth - the real thing, mechanics that know what they talk about. You're in good hands here, and they surely don't overcharge.HIGHLY recommended!
These guys did an excellent job. They helped save me money by letting me know that my radiator only needed to be cleaned and not replaced. I was able to take back the radiator I bought and saved about $300!
I trust these guys. I have taken my 2002 Subaru Forester there multiple times and have always been happy with the service and the price. They have never tried to extract extra money from me for unnecessary repairs. The other day I had my AC go out (middle of summer in Htown not good). It was a Saturday after 3 PM and they fixed it right there for under $250.
I brought a cracked radiator off my MR2 to this shop and I was very pleased with the service. One of the shop workers assisted me during non-business hours and all of them were very friendly and honest. The price was reasonable, the service was quick, and the quality was excellent. I brought them a 20 year old radiator and it looked brand new when I picked it up. Good shop!
Manuel was wonderful with my 1996 TransAm- flushed my coolant quickly and for a very reasonable price. I will be going there from now on for everything for my car. Honest and trustworthy!
Love this place! I would recommend this place for any repairs. Manual has never done me wrong. The last honest mechanic in Houston. Fair prices. The first time I took my car here to get a second opinion after a mechanic told me that my power steering pump needed to be replaced during inspection and would cost 600$. Manual takes a look and explains to me that their is nothing wrong with the pump and no leaks. he shows me how he evaluates and that the signs are not there. He explains that with older vehicles light seepage is normal and there is no need to replace. He didn't even charge me for the analysis! I was a lifer after that!
I'll agree that the shop ain't exactly a surgical suite, but these guys know radiators. They did some minor repairs to the rare and irreplaceable radiator from my vintage Maserati. When I dropped the radiator off for evaluation the guy who helped me (? Manuel?) immediately recognized it as coming from an old vintage car. They charged me a very, very fair price and had it done in 24 hours. The shop is a mess, no argument there, but you could tell that they know what the hell they're doing on radiators. I'll use them again (hopefully I won't need to, however!).
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