Routine Service at Subaru Dealerships - Scary?
 

Just went for my second routine service and I'm still a little shaky bringing it in.

I overheard the service techs talking and asking the main question: "Who makes the BRZ; Toyota, Subaru, or Scion? How do we service this thing?"

As soon as I heard that, I started shaking in my "boots".

So far the car hasn't broken down. I guess they know what they're doing. But everytime they question "how" to service the dang car, I get a little shaky.

Hopefully I'm not the only one......

One of the reasons why I do all the routine maintenance myself. Or find someone who does. :) Though, I agree, I am a little scared about taking my car to the dealer for them to work on something major.

I'm reminded of Car and Driver's long-term test on a 2008 STi. The tech at one of the dealerships said something like “Oh, that thing has a V-6, huh?”

And of course that car wound up getting a new transmission AND an entirely new short block.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...d-test-wrap-up

Not real confidence-inspiring.

Bringing mine in for a possible fix on my taillights that were collecting water and the hpfp replacement. Service techs and managers alike were dumbfounded and nothing got completed. even with a TSB in hand. I have no trust in most dealerships ability.

The mechanics at my shop came to us when the nearby dealership closed. The stories they tell me, smh... Yet so many people always think the dealer is the best choice.

Some of it depends upon what problem surfaces. Warranty issues, for instance, must be considered. Also, not all non-dealer shops can be recommended. So, it is buyer-beware, dealer or non-dealer.

Either way, I go the extra step and self-qualify the shop, dealer or non-dealer, by use of word-of-mouth, meeting with the actual mechanic(s), fully describing the problem, making sure my request is in writing that anyone can understand, random communication/checkups and whatever else I cannot remember at this time.

If one does his/her homework, it shold not be "scary". After all, It IS a $28,000+ machine.

If you're in WA, I recommend Ishii Motors in Bellevue the owner has an FR-S and the techs there have a lot of experience working on our cars and Japanese cars such as AE86 and Supras. Great group of people who are good at what they do and you know they won't do anything crazy to your ride.

www.dealerrater.com

See if there's one local to you with good feedback. Or do what I do and service the car yourself. It's easy and extremely rewarding!

My dealership is great. The techs were a little on the uneducated side when I first went in to pick the car up, but they were all shipped out for training the week after that. I spoke with a couple of them after they got back and they were totally up to date with their info. They've handled everything I've needed to take the car in for, and I've had zero issues.

If I have the warranty, I might as well use it. Once it expires, I'll probably start taking my car somewhere else, but not because of incompetence on the dealer's part, but because they charge such a premium over an indy shop.

i knew one of the tech at van nuys subaru, not sure if they still exists. and he was the only i guy i would take my subaru to. However the subaru dealerships are notorious for messing things up, mainly blowing up engines.
When i first bought my sti, i took mine to santa monica subaru and they gave the key to some 16 year old kid to do an oil change in the corner of the shop with a pump jack alone. it just look so unprofessional and unsafe. Although simple oil change is an easy job, somehow they managed to strip the drain plug and forgot to put the oil cap back on.
So i wouldn't take my car to any dealership unless if it is related to TSB

Got an 02' WRX wagon in 02', got an 05' STi in 05' and didn't think anything of it..............Still dont and I have an 13' BRZ now in 12'..............I say NO WORRIES :thumbup:

My dealership has been excellent. One of the techs has a brz and frequents car meets. They also have several techs that went to get trained to work on the Brz's. What all that means I dont pretend to know. However they will change my oil for free ever 3000 when I asked. So as its stated above look around for ones with better ratings.

- Alex

My dealership has two dedicated techs that are the only techs who are allowed to work on BRZs, which is nice. Had a chat with one of them the other day, seemed knowledgeable.

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My dealership only has one tech qualified to operate on the BRZ. As a rule of thumb, I only go to dealerships that have Subarus only vs dealerships that have multiple manufacturers. I have found that they are more knowledgeable and give better service. I also ask several questions before they work on my car.