Is it worth getting my 97 Subaru Legacy serviced/repaired at a dealership? If not, what's the best place to get it done?

[AwaySubaruThrow]

I've always had my Subaru Legacy repaired/serviced at a dealership. My concerns that regular auto repair shop may not always have the best parts and/or best expertise in servicing Subaru's since they're not as common as other cars.

 

Is it worth continuing to get my car serviced there? Or will any place will do? If it helps, I am in the California Northern Bay Area. 

[keith3267]

A lot of ex Subaru mechanics (this is true of all the major brands) get sick of the dealer politics and will open a shop of their own or partner with another independent mechanic.  This would be a good alternative to the dealer.  I would recommend that you go to cartalk.com and find the link to mechanic files, it can help you find a good mechanic in your area.

 

I would avoid any of the quicky lube places, the mechanics are not certified, many aren't even mechanics at all.  They always try the upsell on you, that is sell you services that you don't need like new fuel filter, transmission flushes, fuel system flushes etc.  You not only don't need them, but often they don't actually perform the service they sold you, and that can be a blessing because if they do the service, they can and often do damage to your car, especially the transmission flush.  Even the national chain places are not the best places to go to.

 

But, car service is a business and you need to take a business approach to this.  Get recommendations from friends, coworkers and relatives.  If you go to church, check with other church goers.  Check that cartalk web site.  Check out each recommendation with the BBB web site in your area.  Do not automatically rule out the dealer either, some dealers have pretty good deals, some don't.  Visit each potential candidate and get some quotes for routine services and when you find someone you are comfortable with, then use them exclusively as long as you are satisfied.  If you are ever not satisfied, then go through the process again.

[AwaySubaruThrow]

Thanks!!! Went here on cartalk's mechanic files but it looks like no shops specialize in Subarus

http://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files/search?city=fremont&state=CA&radius%5Bsearch_units%5D=mile&radius%5Bpostal_code%5D=&radius%5Bsearch_distance%5D=10&keyword=&field_makes_tid=53355

 

Will try BBB next. 

[moosens]

Around here those type of guys are popping up more and more. Used to be just a couple in CT now there's at least 8.

 

Checking Craigslist might not hurt too. That's where I see a few here.

 

Stick with the dealer parts though. Shop subarupartsforyou.com or others.

[idosubaru]

i would have recommended quitting dealership service 10 years ago on that vehicle.  after 5 or 10 years dealerships ofter aren't good for maintenance unfortunately for a variety of reasons. 

 

egular maintenance is easily done by nearly any shop - plug, wires, knock sensor repair, timing belt job even - all easily done at a shop. 

 

if you're having a service done you can search or ask for suggestions on here - like which parts to use and what all to do for a particular job. 

most shops will gladly take good advice - but they'll need to differentiate you from every other customer diagnosis they encounter (which is a lot and poor on a good day)