The full post is here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=676019

Your comments are welcome.

 

wow that was long. do you ever notice its easier to write a rant when youre venting, but not as easy to read it?

 

I was surprised u even bought the car from them in the first place...

Had several bad experiences with them, one was when buying the car, the endless amount of BS they spewed out wasn't even funny. Walked right out of the door and went straight to Carlsen Subaru. The other was for a $25 gift certificate for test driving a new Legacy. Needless to say, we got ignored by all of them (for a good 45 minutes), and when we confronted them, the BS spews out again, something to the sort that all their salesmen were busy (which they weren't considering that they were just standing around talking to one another) and that time is money, blah blah blah. At the end, we didn't get to test drive (even though it expressly states that we are required to test drive in order to receive the $25).

After all this, I would say Ron Price Subaru ranks 2nd (behind Steven's Creek Subaru) in every negative category.

 

Ron Price sucks. I bought my car from them and had one service done. They are possibly the worst dealership I've been to. However, I was able to file a formal complaint against them with Subaru of America. Maybe you should do the same.

 

He noted the use of Castrol synthetic: I was told their dealership does not use synthetic, and when I got a major service done there they put normal, not synthetic, oil in my car.

 

I had a bad experience there recently. I had a few leaking oil seals that I wanted to have them fix under my extended warranty. Also my fuel gauge was erratic. I knew from the oil my front crank seal was leaking. Possibly the rear main, since the oil was leaking onto the exhaust. I knew the fuel gauge problems were related to a sending unit. I just didn't know which one and it wasn't worth it to me to check it out if I could have it fixed for free.

They start off by guessing on which sending unit to replace. At least they chose the more costly one. The service advisor told me "we weren't sure which one was bad and Subaru wouldn't let us replace both". How do you not know? Did you not perform even the basic diagnostic test? I didn't care because they did replace the fuel pump which is the one I would've replace too given the cost.

On to the leaks. They replaced all the front seals(crank, camshaft)and the rear main. however it still leaks from the front diff and they charged me extra(~ $300)for "rust and corrosion". While my car is from NY and it is pretty bad. I work at a dealership and we never charge the customer any extra for rusty parts. Either the technician takes a hit in time or the shop will give him extra time for the job and won't charge the customer.

I only went there because it's the only Suby dealer close to SF. Since I work in the a.m. I needed to drop it off and get a rental or take BART in order to be back to work on time. I dropped it off on a Thursday and they kept it over the weekend and wouldn't give me a rental because the advisor hadn't called Subaru to get approval for the repairs. What a dick. So over the weekend I was driving a BMW... BART, MUNI or Walk. Also when I did get my rental on Monday. They stuck me in a PT Cruiser. Not their fault but... WTF? I finally got the car back on Saturday, it was finished Friday night. So over a week, 2 repairs. One a wild guess, the other a shoddy job. Stay away Subaru folk, stay away.

 

So which dealership would you recommend I have a coupon for 30k service and don't really know which place to bring it to.

 

Carlsen Subaru in Redwood City or
Santa Cruz Subaru

 

What was the result of your complaint? And how can I file one?

 

When I was dropping the car, I asked about the kind of oil and the guy confirmed that it was synthetic. They also put "synthetic" in the service papers I got after picking up the car.

 

I wrote a letter to Subaru of America with a list of my complaints. After they received it, they wrote me a letter of apology. They included a phone number to call if I had any questions for them. I called and talked with a customer relations rep. She had called Ron Price and told them about the letter I wrote and my complaints. Ron Price Motors told the rep that most of my complaints were false and apologized anyway. The customer rep filed a formal complaint against the dealership with my name on it. She told me that if more complaints were to be filed by customers against Ron Price Motors, then they would be put under review by Subaru of America. So please, write a letter and file a complaint against Ron Price Motors.

 

I would recomend marin mazda-subaru. I bought my wrx there and my parents got there 04 out back and 05 legacy gt there and ehy have great prices and even better service. Its been a family own dealership for over 30 years. I cant speak enough about that place. If i upgrade to a STI i will by it there and wotn go anywhere else.

 

I added my story to your NASIOC post. I won't be going back to Ron Price.
I have been to Carlsen in Redwood City and not had anything bad happen
to my car.

File the complaint with SOA!

 

Wow I love getting conflicting stories from dealers. I wasn't mad they put normal oil in my car as I didn't specify what was my preference, but now I hear they only use synthetic...WTF? Is this only for Sti models or are WRX owners getting the synethetic treament at Ronald Price?

Carl has written down my "modifications" for future reference