Subaru Crew: Official SOA Presence (aka Patti)

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Comments

  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    how this goes. Send me an e-mail directly if it is not handled correctly. I'll try to make a call or two for you.

    Patti
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Patti, for sure will let you know how things go, the mechanic thinks resetting the computer will do it. I am not so sure 3 CELs in 3 weeks says something not right to me and I don't think it is bad gas, anyway we wiil see. Once again thanks for the offer.

    I know this is way outside your area.

      Cheers Pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    My economy always goes up in the spring/summer v. winter.

    -mike
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Pat,

    I'm sorry to hear about your CEL problems. And being out of warranty by only a week. Bummer. I can sympathize with you. BUT, I refer you to post # 998.

    (Sorry. Couldn't resist!)

    Len
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    No fair comparing apples to oranges. You were way outside the warranty window while Pat is just barely. Still one does wonder why Pat didn't go ahead and take it in to get looked at and documented before the warranty expired ;-)

    -Frank P.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    well UNDER the warranty mileage also? he's just over on the years by 1 week. Len was over on mileage by a fair amount IIRC

    -Brian
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Hey guys, I agree completely. I just wanted to point out the irony of the situation. People definitely see things in a different light when it affects them personally. I do hope Pat gets it taken care of under warranty. For the dealer not to do so would be ridiculous.

    Len
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Frank, I did phone the effin dealer and was told it was probably a misfire, The first was right after getting gas so the first thought naturally was gas cap.
    So I reset it was fine for a week. 2nd time was I attemped to start it with the remote starter and it did not start so I thought misfire and reset. on both occasions I called the dealer but the service advisor neglected to note my call even though I requested that he do so, and I gave him the reason as the 3 year warranty was about to expire and I wanted it documented.

     Now I know you are just yanking my chain, but you have a point I took a service advisor at face value and may get burned because of it.

     Len, I do not look at things in a different light when affected personally. In your situation being over the warranty by 24K miles if I recall I would have no argument about paying. I am out of warranty by one week and under the milage by 18Kmiles you cannot even come close to comparing the two incidents.And I still stand by what I said to you then at some point you have to suck it up and pay.

     And I wish to express my disappointment that a member of this crew would take such a jaundiced view as to point out when you are affected things change. Our two situations are poles apart, and had this situation occured several more months down the road I would'nt even dream of making a fuss about it.

      Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I will be even more incensed if I have to pay, the advisor said there would an hour labour to change. BS. the friggin sensor is right on top of the engine in plain view a ten year old kid with no experience could change it in 15 minutes tops.

      Cheers Pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    No offense but in general any kind of service is rounded UP to the nearest hour. They aren't like lawyers who bill in .1 hr incriments!

    -mike
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    Patti,

    The service rep told me it was a 12K mile warranty when I picked the car up last night. maybe he confused the 12 month with 12k miles, he did look all fazzled at 8:30 last night. Well regardless, the car runs like new, purrs like a kitten. I am so glad to be back in my Forester, driving that Neon rental was hell: can't see, can't steer, can't go...ugh But the brakes were very solid on it, that's the only thing I wish the Forester had, a more solid feeling brake peddle, but I digress.

    I'll go with Juice's and your answers, I don't expect any problems in the next 12 months. Hey, for ~$1400 I got a virtually brand new car! sort of.

    Okay, enough rambling from me...

    Mike
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    You are correct that there hasn't been any activity since October. I have been trying to be patient and methodical about this. I'm planning on taking it into the dealer again and just wanted to touch bases with you to see the best way to handle this. I'll probably call SOA tomorrow and ask for Samir if I don't hear from him before hand.
    (I'm actually looking forward to getting off of winter blend gas. Like Paisan, both of our Sube's get slightly better MPG in spring and summer.)
    Thanks for your help,
    Ron
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Flemington charges in 1/2 hour increments. :-)

    -Dennis
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    They charge what is called flat rate ther is an established rate for a given job and i think the increments are half hour. If the thing has to be changed I am going to ask up front if it is covered or not.

    If it is not covered I am just going to buy the sensor and swap it out myself.

      Cheers pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    might as well do it yourself if it's an easy job.

    -mike
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    The mechanic that I use when I have to outside of the dealer charges for actual time, if he works 15 mins on your car that's what you pay for.

     I know of another shop that charges the same way.

      Cheers Pat.
  • Hi Patti. I could use a little help from Subaru on an issue with my 2000 Legacy GT Limited sedan (less than 47,000 miles).

    Here's a laundry list of the problems I've had so far with this car:
    1. Clutch disk, flywheel, and bearings replaced because of severe judder.
    2. Original transmission rebuilt piece by piece over many weeks until there was nothing left to replace.
    3. New transmission installed because of failed original transmission and unsuccessful attempts to repair it.
    4. Front differential replaced.
    5. Rear differential failed and replaced.
    6. Two door moldings replaced at different times after originals pealed.
    7. Various interior pieces have broken off without even touching them (repaired myself out of warranty).

    While having the coolant conditioner installed today, I asked them to inspect a high-pitch whine coming from the alternator. Turns out the front alternator bearing is now failing and will cost me around $350 to fix.

    I'm asking Subaru for a little goodwill gesture and helping out with this repair. This many and severity of problems at such a young age and mileage has made my ownership experience a nightmare from a repair perspective. I'm more than a little frustrated at this point. Just when I thought we had all the "bugs" worked out of the vehicle, this alternator situation appears.

    I talked with a SOA customer service representative a short while ago, and she is doing research into the matter. She didn't report a case number.

    Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

    Ty Hendrickson
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Us some pre-defined guide to how long each job takes/costs. No matter how long it takes. You can get burned badly if you pay per hour... I've had some jobs take 2hrs and other jobs (same job) take 30 minutes. On average you charge 1 hr worth of time so the 30 min folks seem to pay more and the 2hr guys get a discount....

    -mike
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    history. I'm really sorry you had the problems you did. I think there were more issues involved with the repeat problems than just the vehicle. But, none of that matters from your perspective. It was just bad.

    We'll do our best to make you feel better about Subaru.

    Thanks for your patience.

    Patti
  • Thanks Patti! I appreciate the quick response and for you looking into the situation. I've loved everything about the vehicle other than the repeated dealership visits.

    For anyone looking into purchasing a Subaru: don't let my experiences scare you; this is definitely one of those odd-ball and rare situations. Subaru makes reliable, dependable vehicles.

    -Ty
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Thats the same system as the flat rate here, the mechanic is also paid on the flat rate system at dealerships.

    I had a buddy who was a mechanic at a dealership who's name I will not mention here, now most mechanics specialise in a specific area, one guy brakes one guy trannies another engines you get the picture..

    Well over time if you do the same job day and day out you learn shortcuts and you get faster it is only natural, then the flat rate system becomes a licence to print money for the mechanic.He told me it is not unusual for some mechanics to get paid 12,14,hours in an eight hour day.

     And thats on a lot of days, some days on rare occasions they will run into a pig of a job and lose, but that only happens once in a long while.More often than not they are ahead of the game.

      Cheers Pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yup, AZP now can do complete springs on a WRX from first lug to last torque wrench tightening in 25-30min. That's after doing about 200 spring jobs :)

    -mike
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Pat,

    Sorry if you took it personally. It wasn't meant that way. Probably a bad choice of words on my part. I really hope the dealer does the right thing for you. Not obliging you for being one week out of warranty is absurd. And where do you drive (or NOT drive) to put on so little mileage in 3 years? I'm jealous.

    Len
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Apology accepted, we walk a lot now that we are both retired, walking is part of my ongoing therapy in order to stay out of a wheel chair.

     Maybe strolling would be a more apt word given my level of ambulatory ability. We live close to stores, they are all within walking distance. the car is out maybe twice a week in winter.

     Summer is when it collects the most miles between here and our summer place, but then again it is parked a lot there too as we are in the country and walking is a thing we both love to do.
    When we were younger and given to traveling all over hell's half acre then twenty to thirty thousand miles a year was more the norm.Ironically although the car has low miles 90% of them are long distance and very few city.

      Cheers Pat.
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Pat- If you ever sell Titan some lucky soul is going to get a mint condition vehicle!

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I was gonna say....lemme know when you're selling it!

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Frank, not to boast but I have to agree with you, but the advantage is I never have trouble selling my cars when the time comes and always for over Market value.

     The guy who bought my 93 Accord wagon actually has dibs on this one. He said when I am selling let him know and it is sold, when I told him he would have a long wait he said he did'nt care.He reminded me two weeks ago that he was first in line

     juice if we are still in the land of the living when the time comes I will keep you in mind.

     Update, the CEL came on again today and I called the dealer, sensor is out of stock until Tuesday and I have booked Wednesday morning. The bright side is he says they will probably cover it under the warranty, not definite, but probably.

      Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hold up, I don't want to wait, put me in your will!

    Just kidding. Well, not unless you'd really be willing to...never mind. ;-)

    Dealer will do it, just wants you to acknowledge it's a "favor". That's fine, sounds par for the course to me.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    CEL is on and off like a hookers underwear. Came on Friday so I called the dealer as posted. Went off Saturday morning then on again Saturday afternoon on way home.
     Started this morning and sure enough there's the friggin thing off again wonder how long it will stay off this time.

     Hope it is on at least Wednesday morning when I take it in to get the sensor replaced so they don't think I was arm wrestling them to get it changed.

      Cheers Pat.
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    The codes should be stored regardless if the light is on or off when read.

    DaveM
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Dave, the service advisor and I have a difference of opinion about that, the first two times the light came on and when off again he maintained no codes would be set.

    Thats why we were having a sort of a situation where they may or may not cover the sensor because I am a week out of warranty. Anyway now it looks like they will cover it, I will know Wednesday.

      Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I once heard someone suggest black tape over the light as a good permanent fix. ;-)

    Of course he had a turbo RS so he had to.

    -juice
  • beachfishbeachfish Member Posts: 97
    Actually, the permanent fix is to take an itsy-bitsy teeny-tiny drill bit and pop the bulb. The hole it leaves is not too noticeable.

    John
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    whaaaat? just unplug the sucker. this was easily done on my friend's '99RS turbo.

    ~c
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Hi.....!
    Boy! the level of tecnical expertise and advice is reaching new highs here. Oh well, I guess if we can't grin once in awhile and laugh at ourselves then what are we here for?
    I would like to make a suggestion to Patti. Don't want to be intrusive but I wonder if Subaru isn't following the letter of the law a little to rigidly in studying demographics and computer models when they select dealer locations. We live in snow country and the nearest Subaru dealers are many miles away. The Toyota and Honda and Mazda dealers are all much closer and doing well. I have been dealing with a five star Chrysler dealer for almost twenty years here. They have just built a multi million dollar repair shop and sales facility.Complete with waiting rooms with tv, a child play center, beautiful showroom. They have a good reputation and are looking for another line of automobiles in addition to chrysler. In our little office we have about 14 people and five of us have Subaru's. Could Subaru look at having the local chrysler dealer take on the Subaru line? We are in snow country and I think they would do very well.
    Jim
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's a franchise.

    -mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Anybody interested in opening a franchise in the UP of MI? Sounds like a good opportunity :-)

    -Frank P.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Anyone have $$$ to spare?... I'll open one or two :D

    -Dave
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is where my mother grew up. It's definitely Subie country.

    Bob
  • subarusaleshousubarusaleshou Member Posts: 161
    somewhere if I had the funds. If only I'd been born rich instead of so good looking!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I was in the UP for several days two years ago and I saw two non-Detroit big iron cars the whole time (Iron - get it?).

    One was a Bimmer and the other was a Forester. My in-laws sold their BMW when they moved back there and got a Buick (or was it a Lincoln?). It sits while they snowbird in Florida, so I guess I can forgive them for not getting a Sube.

    Steve, Host
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    great to have one closer to you. Mike is right though - we'd need to have someone interested in opening a facility. Maybe you could nudge the Chrysler dealer to open a Subaru facility?? Or - maybe get your co-workers to pitch in and y'all could open a dealer? Heck - I'd even consider coming to work for you!!

    A few friends and I have talked about opening our own dealer for years. If only I could afford the start-up costs!

    Anyway, please try to send an e-mail into us at Subaru.com - contact us. Let the Rep. know that you just want them to note your request so we can get it documented and reported.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Patti-
    What's the start-up cost to open one?

    -Dave
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    was just about to ask that.

    -mike
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Would be great to know what the number is.
    Take on some partners and some Federal grants, and if the numbers aren't far from reach, I'm game.

    -Dave
  • w8ifiw8ifi Member Posts: 78
    Hi.....!

    When I discussed this with the chrylser dealer here, he indicated that he approached the Subaru people and they looked at the population in our county and they weren't interested. I don't think that the facility would have to be mutually exclusive. In other words, he would have both subaru and chrysler lines. He has plenty of room for both. When I went to the one in Schofield I saw they were promoting two different vehicle lines. I think the one in Marquette also has more than one. I don't think the people I deal with here would find the fiscal needs to be a major barrier. Patti, could I tell him to get in touch with you? I think he would jump at the chance to sell subaru's and chryslers from the impression I got. If you give me the instructions on how to reach you, I'll pass them on to him and then bow out of the scene. I'm trying to encourage it, but I don't want to mess things up.
    Years ago I used to be a sales manager for a plywood manufacturer. Being a psychologist is part of being a good salesman. You are a good salesman!! A wonderful field. Thanks again everybody. Jim
    p.s. for Holland... we have a lot of birds dying up here....they have a canarial disease called chirpies and they can't tweet it....
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    There was a thread about the cost of opening a dealership somewhere around here but I can't put my finger on it. The cost was estimated to be right up there with a Krispy Kreme franchise (six million, iirc).

    Here's one thread about the costs:

    volvomax "Any Questions for a Car Dealer?" Oct 9, 2002 7:13pm

    [edit] Throw in another 25 mil if you want to buy an existing franchise:

    brentwoodvolvo "Any Questions for a Car Dealer?" Jun 11, 2003 12:19pm

    Steve, Host
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    sent an email about a friend late last week .. did you get that one?

    also, the other info is copied and will be on its way to you shortly ...
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    can you please re-send? Thanks!

    Patti
This discussion has been closed.

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