Subaru Crew: Official SOA Presence (aka Patti)

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  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    is an SSLP dealer. Subaru Service Loaner Program is for when a vehicle is in for warranty repairs, but some dealers are making the smart decision to use the program for service visits. Long and short of it - these dealers "buy" new model vehicles that are used as service loaners. Subaru helps with the expense (sorry - I can't go into the details, but a dealer can if they choose). So - check with your dealer? You may get to test drive a new model when you are getting a repair. The participating dealers are not listed on any SOA sites, so you should just ask - you informed owners, you!

    Patti
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    dude, I am not and never has asked for sympathy. I am just posting an aggravating experience and asking for some assistance. In NYC how else do you get around except for subway and bus? the time I spend on mass transit to get to another dealer is the same as if I drive over a hundred miles to get to a dealer. I use to live in Buffalo, my dealership up there had coutesy rides, since there are no mass transit available. Maybe I am spoiled with good dealer service, but I am still not asking for sympathy.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Where at in NYC are you?
    The only dealership that I know of with a subway [E train] around the corner is "AutoNetwork", I believe is the name now, over in Hillside, Queens.

    -Dave
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    I had a SSLP '05 base OBW when my '03 OBW was in for warranty work at Rafferty Subaru (Newton Square, PA) in September.

    I think it's a smart move to offer current model Subaru loaners versus a worn Chevy Cavalier. It would be interesting to see statistics on how many purchases resulted from driving the "new" loaner car.

    DaveM
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    Dave,

    It's actually the F train, the E bypasses that station most of the time. (I take the E to work from Kew Gardens, what a mess that line is.) AutoNetwork, that is the dealer I went to. The techs did a fantastic job on the head replacement, but that's also the place where my cabin was ransacked and money went missing. I live 10 minutes away by car in Kew Garden Hills. the next closest dealership is toward the valley stream area but like you said no train station, not even sure if there is a bus line there, LIRR maybe. Then there is one in LIC, that may do for routine service but if my car has another catastraphic failure its a bit of a drive to tow it there. With AutoNetwork I live close enough to it that I can patch it up and limp it there without doing damage. Have you or anyone had any experience with either of the other dealerships in terms of service? I will have to stop by and try one of them a couple of times to average out the experience.
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    I just check Subaru.com and my old dealer in Buffalo is Stellar Performer Certified. No wonder I was so happy with their service! Sad part is all the dealers near me are not certified, closest one is in Hicksville, that's 30 minutes away on a good day. Oh well, for Stellar Performer Certification I am willing to drive.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Used to take my cars in to AutoNetwork, formerly Lichtenberg. Although the service was satisfactory then I did not feel comfortable with bringing the car in for future services as I witness the establishment evolve to predominantly Mazda.
    I take my cars to Metric Subaru in Huntington now, which is a good trek from Brooklyn but worth the trip.

    -Dave
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Valley Stream Station (LIRR) is a few blocks away on the north side of Sunrise Highway.... (grew up in Massapequa)

    Steve
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good idea Patti. That's the best way to sample a new car for 24 hours (or however long it takes). I bet if my wife had a loaner Legacy GT sedan, that she'd want to buy it instead of returning it!

    We've had a loaner minivan and a Benz wagon. I guess because Fitz sells several brands, not just Subaru. They probably get lower fleet prices for the other cars, because I still don't think they have SSLP Subies.

    -juice
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    I guess that Flemington particpates in this since when I had my 60K service done in June they gave me a Forester X overnight. It gives you the feel of the car for sure. Unfortunately, you can not ask for a particular model - it's whatever they have available.

    I will say it was a nicer feeling than having to go through Enterprise (which was usually covered by the Subaru Gold warranty). No more having to race out there after work to make sure I get there before Enterprise closes.

    Mark
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The dealership I use, Santa Cruz Subaru, will rent you a Subaru for a very reasonable rate (about $25/day) while your vehicle is being serviced. They also offer, for a higher fee, a regular car rental service with Subies.

    They basically use whatever hasn't sold from the sales department and convert them into rentals. I've had a chance to sample quite a few vehicles through this program: WRX wagon, Forester, OB wagon, OB sedan, Legacy sedan. As a policy, they don't rent out the turbo models to anyone below the age of 25.

    Ken
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    That's the feeling I had too. the place put more emphasis on Mazdas than Subies, plus I see more Mazdas in for service than Subies. Metric Subaru is Stellar Performance certified, I will have to check them out. Do they offer courtesy rides or loaners for owners?

    Thanks,

    Mike

    Edit: They don't even show up when I do a search by zip code. Liberty Subaru is closer to me than Metric is, apparently. I guess Hicksville it is for me if I want a Stellar Performer. I think I will buy my next Subaru from Liberty, unless the Hicksville dealer is absolutly fabulous, then the decision will be harder. The Forester LLB edition looks interesting...very interesting.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If they allowed under 25 we'd see dealer loaners at FATT events. :o)

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Do they offer courtesy rides or loaners for owners?

    Haven't gotten to require it.
    I believe tehy have Enterprise waiting in the wings when a loaner is needed.

    -Dave
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I think all the dealers around me give loaners for service (other than oil changes). It makes it much more convenient, especially when taking care of little warranty issues.

    tom
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Grand Prix Subaru is in Hicksville, within a mile of Hicksville, LIRR station..... 40 minutes to Penn Station....

    Steve
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    Sweet, now I know how long its going to take me to get to work and back. Time to increase my Transportation Reimbursement account deductions, those LIRR tickets can add up!
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Patti, I think if Subaru wants to reach a more mature audience (meaning with more money!) they need to offer a more conservative rear spoiler for the Legacy GT. You don't see a lot of BMWs or MBs or Audis running around with these hideously large spoilers.

    I just had mine removed (it took the dealer a few months to finally get one without to switch with me) and the look is much cleaner. But a small lip spoiler (like they offer in Japan) would be a nice and reasonable addition, IMHO.

    It would also appeal more (I think) to those of us who aren't in our 20s anymore (even though we wish we were)!

    Just a suggestion if Subaru is really trying to move upmarket.

    Thanks Patti. Have a nice weekend!

    tom
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I highly prefer the Legacy GT sedan with no spoiler at all. I believe that Subaru did a good job styling the car and find it quite comely from head to toe with no spoiler.

    It would be even more attractive with no hoodscoop, so please convert it to a front-mounted intercooler. :)

    ~c
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Oh yeah, I agree about the hoodscoop too. It's something I need to explain away to all my friends (who laugh at the scoop) that it's actually functional. At least it's not the same size as the STi's scoop though!

    But I suppose it all depends upon who Subaru is marketing to. If it's an alternative to a Volvo, audi, or BMW, it's gotta lose some of it's youth attracting edge.

    tom
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Keep the hood scoop! It's the "identifier" for the turbo.

    I absolutely agree that a rear wing (or any kind) cheapens the look of the car. The real problem is virtually all Legacy GT Limited and Outback sedans sitting on dealer lots have this option. This comes across as dealers just "packing" the cars to make more money—certainly not a classy way to move the brand upscale...

    Bob
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Not only did every car on my dealer's lot have a spoiler, but every incoming car for months in my color! They finally ordered one without a spoiler so I could swap my trunklid.

    I totally agree with Bob, definitely not classy.

    tom
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    A workmate of mine got an extra trunk lid (minus wing) for his STi. We may be old, but we think it looks better... more of a stealth approach!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • jon_in_ctjon_in_ct Member Posts: 137
    rsholland wrote:
    Keep the hood scoop! It's the "identifier" for the turbo.
    Ah, so that explains why all the legions of 1996-2001 Subarus in the US have hood scoops and no turbo.

    The B11S concept had a twin-turbo 400hp engine and it didn't need a hood scoop. The "bonus car" that FHI designed for the WRC3 video game presumably was meant to be "realistic" (i.e. turbocharged) and it didn't have a hood scoop. Ditch the hood scoop. It's puerile, ugly and apparently unnecessary.
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    with the appropriate parties at SOA! Thanks for the feedback.

    Patti
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Jon

    You and I both know that only recent Subarus use the hood scoop as a turbo model identifier. As to whether it's necessary, well it's derived from the WRC racers in which the scoop is indeed a functional item. As to the B11S, no it doesn't have a hood scoop per say, but it appears to have hood louvers or a top grille which probably functions much in the same way a hood scoop does.

    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    the hood scoop on the WRC car is actually there because the production models still have it, LOL.

    the hood scoop feeds the air intake, not intercooler. the intercooler is of course a huge front-mounted unit.

    they need to switch to front-mounted intercoolers and ditch the scoop on production cars.

    ~Colin
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I much prefer to drive a Q ship.
  • totalledwrxtotalledwrx Member Posts: 1
    "
    I'm really surprised that you folks wouldn't have contacted us to report something this serious before and would choose to leave a car parked in a garage rather than get it fixed?
    "

    Patti -
    Don't be surprised because people who contact SOA get turned down and dealers don't know anything about this "mysterious" problem. It is all over the Internet, hundreds of people are reporting it, there is a case at NHTSA and dealers haven't heard about it. Right.

    I had my accident with my 02 WRX in December 03. It is basically totalled and I was lucky to get out of it. Ironically couple months before the accident I had taken it to the dealer and they couldn't reproduce it. After the accident I contacted SOA, offered them to check the vehicle but they didn't even bother to take a look at it.

    Here is an open invitation, the car is still in my garage in accident condition but I will soon give it to salvage yard. I have been keeping it for almost a year as evidence for a possible class action suit. If you have enough saying inside SOA have someone check it out. My email address is aozoren@yahoo.com to continue the discussion, to indicate that you have read this message and to arrange a visit since the car cannot move.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    And how many rallies did Subaru DNF because the FMIC got borked, and the engine overheated due to snow blockage, rocks and splashing through water. At least two or three this year, right? :-)

    -Dennis
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    the engine overheated because the radiator was blocked--not the intercooler. this happens to all marques, not nearly just Subaru.

    it has nothing to do with production cars, though. :)

    ~Colin
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Maybe I'm in the minority but I happen to like the hoodscoop (must appeal to the boy-racer hidden deep within). However, I prefer the scoop on the Legacy over the FXT's since the Legacy's is smaller and better integrated into the lines of the hood.

    -Frank
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    I believe it is in your wife's name in our system. I'm VERY familiar with your situation. As indicated at the top of this board, I won't get into the details of a specific case via the web. I'm guessing this response is related to a post and discussion from about 10 months ago? I have reviewed the file and, while I'd love to share the details of the case here so folks would see both sides, I'm going to stay true to my word that I won't do that. I will say that I'm very comfortable with the case handling and the decisions related to your situation. I'm sorry you remain unhappy.

    Thanks.

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    checked. You took a quote a bit out of context didn't you? Before, you were posting this complaint about a Baja under the name Regista? I believe some of your post were deleted so it may not make a lot of sense to others. Now you are saying it was a WRX? Did you buy a second Subaru and have the same concern?

    Patti
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Frank, I agree. There are hood scoops and then there are hood scoops. I much prefer the subtle styling of the Legacy hood scoop to the in-your-face STi hood scoop.

    Colin stated that current WRC racers have a hood scoop because the street car has it. He may be right, but if that's true, that's like the tail wagging the dog. It just doesn't make sense. Race cars have scoops, etc., because they need them to help them win. It boggles my mind that Subaru would put a hood scoop on a race car because they think it looks cool. That's almost as bad (phoney!) as NASCAR applying decal headlights to their racers. I would hope that Subaru wouldn't stoop that low.

    Bob
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Did they have FMIC's as well?

    -Dennis
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Colin stated that current WRC racers have a hood scoop because the street car has it. He may be right, but if that's true, that's like the tail wagging the dog. It just doesn't make sense. Race cars have scoops, etc., because they need them to help them win. It boggles my mind that Subaru would put a hood scoop on a race car because they think it looks cool.

    How "stock" do WRC vehicles have to be? Can they change body parts like that? I don't know so I ask.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Patti: our Edmunds hosts are pretty good about smelling a troll and eradicating it.

    That's all I'm going to say about it. :o)

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Remember this guys origional posts and thinking troll at the time there was a lot to be suspicious of what he was posting.

      Cheers Pat.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Don't want to go too far off topic, but given the already long overhang of the boxer engine, wouldn't a FMIC further exaggerate that layout?

    Ken
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    not at all. there is plenty of room for a front mounted intercooler and it occupies space that would be otherwise unused up front. you will have more open grille area, which could/would influence styling, but there is plenty of frontal area on a car for a radiator, AC condenser and front-mounted intercooler.

    ~c
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ha! A reason for the new "face". ;-)

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    FMIC, maybe in Kansas FMICs are ok, but here in NYC that FMIC would get trashed pretty quickly. Stones, and what not are constantly being kicked up from construction zones etc. I like the stealthy legacy hood scoops (both old and new).

    As for the spoiler, I like the lip idea or one similar to my '94 Turbo Legacy spoiler.

    -mike
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Yes! Lip spoiler. I will have one by next spring, one way or another! ;-)

    tom
  • goldencrvgoldencrv Member Posts: 6
    It all started this June (it always happens right after the warranty expires). I've got four alternator failures on my 2001 Outback in the past five months which let me seriously question the competence of Subaru and Subaru dealer. One day in mid June the battery and break warning lights stayed on after I started up the car. Went down to the local Subaru dealer. I was told the battery was bad and it cost me ~$180 for a new battery. Drove out of the dealership and 4 hours later I was stranded on the road for exactly the same symptom. The dealer refused to toll the car in so I had to pay $80 for the toll. This time I was told the alternator was out. Fine, ~$300 later I got my new alternator. This one lasted a little more than a month. So did the 2nd and 3rd replacements. Now I'm on a 4th replacement alternator and looks like it's on it's way out as well (the warning lights started blinking this morning). The dealer did contact Subaru on this case and was told this could happen on "older" Subarus. Well, the same design goes up to the 2004 model year.

    Called Subaru to get a case number but no resolution yet.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    it's difficult to install an alternator wrong, or to imagine that many of them failing on their own that quickly. you probably have a wiring problem that they are incapable / uninterested in troubleshooting.

    ~c
  • vince_lmtvince_lmt Member Posts: 25
    Hi Patti,

    A somewhat recurring maintenance problem that appears within the Subaru forums has to do with brake rotors that warp. Could you please offer me some advice as to how to correct this problem on my 2000 OB.

    I've had the car since new and have had ongoing problems with the front and rear rotors. Initially I attributed the problem to incorrectly torqued lug nuts. Proper torquing has not corrected the problem.

    With 64,000 miles I am on the 3rd set of Subaru rotors on the front and the 2nd set on the rear. The rear rotors again need to be machined but I know the problem will only reoccur in 5 or 6000 miles. My latest set of front rotors are beginning to show signs of warping after 6000 miles.

    I don't drive aggressively and have never over heated the brakes and have never encountered this problem with any other vehicles.

    Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated.
    Vince
  • goldencrvgoldencrv Member Posts: 6
    I was suspecting there was something wrong elsewhere with the car. Last time the alternator failed I got the service manager (20+ yrs experience) and the master electrician at the dealership to check the entire electrical system. They didn't find anything wrong.
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    but I cannot find a case file for you. This morning I searched for all of the "Johnson's" in our system with a current case that own a 2001 OB and I cannot find anything? Can you please post what State you live it? That might help me. Just so you know - I'll do everything I can to make sure you are satisfied by working with the Rep. that has your case. I'm sorry about the problem.

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    1-800-SUBARU3? Please make sure you have your VIN handy and the name of the dealer that is doing the work. Also, please let the Rep. that is handling your case know that I'd like to see the case file. Sorry about the issue, but we'll do what we can to get you a solution.

    Thanks!

    Patti
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