Hello,

 

Are there any Subaru dealers located in the Cleveland area that can be recommend for servicing my 97' Outback? I need a tuneup and replace the cam and/or crankshaft seals.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies,

 

 

STL808

not trying to be smart , go to subaru .com and do a dealer search , it will give you locations + phone # 's

Hello,

 

Are there any Subaru dealers located in the Cleveland area that can be recommend for servicing my 97' Outback? I need a tuneup and replace the cam and/or crankshaft seals.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies,

 

 

STL808

Look for a local shop that specializes in Subaru’s, they will generally do a much better job than a dealership.

IMO

Try the mechanix section at cartalk.com, best place I've found. You probably won't find a Subaru specialist there, but plenty of general foreign auto shops have undoubtedly worked on them.

Look for a local shop that specializes in Subaru’s, they will generally do a much better job than a dealership.

 

IMO

Have to disagree here............ I have had major HORROR stories from private shops as well.

 

I either case, take the time to talk with the service manager at the dealership or private shop.

 

Dealerships usually have the best equipment and best trained staff.

 

If you use a private shop............. Make sure they charge by Flat Rate. You don't want to pay for their education by straight time billing. I had a timing belt changed at a private shop once. They charged "only" $45.00/hour. It took 5 hours ($225.00). Later, I checked with the dealer and they used "Flat Rate" at 3.5 hours and charged $55.00/hour ($192.50).

Have to disagree here............ I have had major HORROR stories from private shops as well.

 

Dealerships are parts swappers, if you have a know issue that needs to be fixed then they are ok.

 

I have several friends who are factory trained techs and they will tell you this themselves. Dealerships make $$ from parts. So they will tend to throw parts at an issue rather than trouble shooting the issue. There is also a huge disconnect from the service writers to the technicians.

 

So even if you give them a full description of the issue, this might ever get to the person fixing you vehicle.

 

 

We have very lucky here in Colorado, there are a lot of very good Subaru only shops here.

For things I can't/ don't want to deal with, I go to a private shop run by the former head mechanic from the local dealership. Best Subie mech in the state (besides Snowman) at a better rate than the dealership. He's got a sliding scale for cars he likes to work on, like mine.

I have issues with dealers as well.

 

I knew what the problem was, requested the repair.

Wife took car in and they talked her into other parts instead of what the car needed.

 

I had a used rack which needed to be installed. Binding in the steering.

I had to get a used rack as it was a postal legacy with right hand steering.

I wanted them to do it so it could be aligned right away.

 

they sold her on an axel shaft and a ball joint, instead of the rack.

By the time I found out about it I had them take their parts back out and put mine in.

They charged Remove and replace twice of course because my wife authorized the repair.

First though, I had her drive it around the block, and steering was still binding. So their diagnosis was wrong.............mine was correct. After getting the rack changed, no more problem.

 

Dealers make money on parts, mechanics don't make any money unless they sell more service, that's the way dealers work.............

 

I know, I worked at one several years ago(Ford). I didn't make out there too well as I was too honest.....................

 

swi66

Dealers make money on parts, mechanics don't make any money unless they sell more service, that's the way dealers work.............

 

I know, I worked at one several years ago(Ford). I didn't make out there too well as I was too honest.....................

 

swi66

I could not agree more!

I have yet to find any good independant Subaru mechanics here in Cleveland, but have had good experiences at Ganley Subaru in Wickliffe. I've heard that their west side shop (Lakewood?) is good as well.

 

Avoid the dealer in Warrensville at any cost. They failed to diagnose my head gasket problem and are more of a VW shop IMHO.

I would be interested in an answer to the original question also. I have a relative living in the greater Cleveland area who will be looking for a dealer or independant shop to service the 2005 Outback. Does anyone have specific knowledge regarding this subject and for this geographic area?