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 Houston Car Dealers Are Actually Allowed to Charge and Which Fees You Can Push Back On
Texas sets no ceiling on doc fees. We walked through a real Houston dealer buyer's order line by line, separated legally required fees from dealer-invented ones, and mapped the difference across fr…
How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You Buy in Houston
Before you hand over a check, run this sequence. Harvey-era and Beryl-era salvage inventory is still moving through Houston's private-sale market. The next storm will add another wave. Here's how t…
How Much Does Car AC Repair Cost in Houston Right Now
From a $150 recharge to a $2,800 compressor job, here's what five Houston shops quoted us, which neighborhoods have the shortest waits this summer, and how to read an estimate before it costs you.
Where Are the Affordable Full-Service Car Washes in Houston That Won't Scratch Your Paint
From tunnel washes on the Katy Freeway to hand washes on Bissonnet, here's what each format actually costs — and which ones are worth the risk in 2026.
How to Vet a Mobile Mechanic and What They Can Actually Fix
Texas has no mechanic licensing law. Here's what to check instead, what repairs are genuinely mobile-ready, and what three Houston operators readers have actually used.
Dealership or Independent Shop for Car Repairs in Houston
A guide to Texas warranty law, how to compare repair costs, and when each option has the real advantage.
How to Get a Fair Hail Damage Repair in Houston and Spot Storm Chasers
What every Harris County car owner needs to know before signing anything or filing a claim
How Houston's Summer Heat Kills Car Batteries and What to Do About It
With a seven-month heat window and humidity that corrodes terminals year-round, Houston drivers face a battery lifespan far shorter than the national average. Here's what local mechanics are seeing…
What the EV Charging Map Actually Looks Like Along Houston's Highway Corridors
The short answer to the question Houston EV drivers keep asking: yes, there are gaps, and some of them are serious. The longer answer requires going corridor by corridor. The difference between a w…
How to Buy a Used Car in Houston After a Hail or Flood Season
A flood or major hail event can put thousands of damaged vehicles back into the retail market within 60 to 90 days. Here's how to protect yourself at any Houston dealership, from the lot to the tit…
Which Houston Auto Shops Are Open on Sundays and What They Actually Service
A verified shop-by-shop guide to chains, independents, and mobile mechanics — what each will do that day, what they won't, and where your options thin out depending on your side of town
What to Do If Your Car Flooded in Houston
Your car is sitting in a foot of water. Here's exactly what to do next—in order—and what the insurance company isn't required to tell you unless you ask.
Is Owning an Electric Vehicle in Houston Actually Practical in 2026
Three Houston households — a Katy commuter, a Midtown renter, and a Woodlands homeowner — on charging gaps, summer range loss, and the real math on their electricity bills.
Where Houstonians Actually Take Their Cars for Honest Mechanic Work
Neighborhood by neighborhood, what the independent shop field looks like and what Texas law says you're entitled to ask before you hand over your keys.
