Marcus Webb
Marcus Webb covers cars for CityDesk: routine maintenance, repairs, and how to tell whether an estimate is fair. He translates shop-talk into plain English and is unapologetically on the car owner's side — calling out common upsells and explaining what's actually worth paying for.
CityDesk reporting is produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editors.
What Austin Drivers Need to Know Now That Texas Ended the Annual Vehicle Inspection
HB 3297 took effect January 1, 2025. Here's what changed, what didn't, and which Austin shops still have a lift and a diagnostic scanner if you need them.
How to Handle an Austin Hail Damage Claim Without Getting Lowballed
Central Texas hail season peaks March through June. Right now, with spring storm claims stacking up across North Austin and the Cedar Park corridor, thousands of drivers are running the same decisi…
Should You Buy or Lease a Car in Austin in 2026
National lease calculators won't tell you about Austin's sales tax trap, Georgetown commute mileage overages, or why a Tesla lease is a different conversation entirely.
Tesla Service in Austin Is Backed Up. Here Are the Alternatives
With Giga Texas deliveries flooding the metro and a single full-service location handling demand, Austin Tesla owners are discovering the independent shop market — if they know where to look.
How Much Does Car AC Repair Cost in Austin Right Now
We called a dozen Austin shops this week. Here's what they quoted, how far out they're booking, and what to watch for when demand is this high.
What Business Insurance an Austin Small Business Actually Needs and What It Costs
From LLC formation to flood zones, a cost-grounded guide to what's mandatory, what's smart, and what Austin's storm exposure is doing to commercial property rates.
Which Austin Auto Body Shops Work Directly With State Farm and USAA
State Farm and USAA steer policyholders toward specific Austin repair shops. We looked at which shops are on those lists, what they give up to be there, and whether you're better off choosing your …
How to Register Your Out-of-State Car in Texas After Moving to Austin
A step-by-step guide to Travis County's offices, documents, fees, and what happens if you miss the 30-day deadline.
We Called Six Austin Mobile Mechanics and Asked What They Charge
Oil changes, brake jobs, and battery swaps. Plus which neighborhoods they actually serve and when a mobile mechanic saves you money.
Where to Charge Your EV on a Drive Between Austin and San Antonio
For most modern EVs, this is a no-stop drive. Until it isn't. Here's which fast chargers actually work, which networks to avoid on a summer Saturday, and what to do if a station is down.
What Austin Toll Roads Are Charging in 2026 and How the Rate System Works
From dynamic pricing to pay-by-mail penalties, here's what Leander-to-downtown drivers need to know before their next trip.
Where to Find Reliable EV Charging in Austin by Neighborhood
A block-by-block look at Mueller, East Austin, SoCo, and the Domain. Which networks hold up. Where fast chargers actually exist. Why East Side drivers are left doing the math on empty.
What to Know About Summer Coolant and Overheating Repairs Before Austin Hits Triple Digits
Austin's first 100-degree day typically arrives somewhere between June 10 and June 25. In 2023, it landed on June 14, and that month recorded 13 days at or above 100°F. By late May, afternoon highs…
How to Get a Texas Vehicle Inspection in Austin Without Waiting Half a Day
Texas vehicle inspection is one of those tasks Austin drivers put off until the registration renewal notice arrives, then scramble to complete before the month ends. That's precisely when every ins…
A Guide to Parking Near Austin Venues for the Summer Concert Season
If you're trying to find parking for a show at Stubb's, ACL Live, or the Moody Center this summer, here's the short answer: none of these venues have easy parking. Free parking is largely a myth wi…
Where to Park Downtown Austin on a Weekend Without Getting Gouged
A note on sourcing: Rates, closing times, meter enforcement hours, and app prices in this guide are drawn from direct calls to garage operators, SpotHero and ParkATX screenshots pulled within 48 ho…
How Austin's New I-35 Express Lanes and HOV Rules Actually Work After Reconstruction
The old upper-deck is gone. Before you merge into a managed lane for the first time, here's what you need to know about eligibility, tolls, transponders, and access points along the Capital Express…
How Austin Commuters Are Getting Around the I-35 Construction in 2026
The Capital Express Central project is rebuilding 8 miles of central Austin through at least 2033. Street-level guidance for commuters from Slaughter Lane to Airport Blvd — organized by where you a…
We Priced the Same Used Cars at Carvana and Three Austin Dealers to Find the Real Out-the-Door Difference
On a 2022 CR-V, a 2021 Camry, and a 2021 F-150, Texas's $150 doc fee cap shrinks Carvana's biggest selling point. The warranty, title, and financing questions are a different story.
What Austin's Used Car Market Actually Looks Like in Summer 2026
A reported price check at Covert, AutoNation South, and the independents on S. Congress finds a market that has shifted since last summer — here's what buyers need to know before they sign.
How to Get a Home EV Charger Installed in Austin and What It Will Cost
From electrician quotes to Austin Energy's rebate program, here's the all-in number — and why your ZIP code matters more than you'd expect.
