Connecticut Dealers [Archive] - New England Subaru Forums

birmy

02-12-2010, 11:40 AM

I am hesitant to make a thread like this but I am in need of your opinions. I am starting the search for a XT Limited Outback to replace my 97 Expedition. I have found very few cars that actually will fulfill my demands. One car is at the dealership in New York Bill Kolb which doesnt have the best reputation. The other is at a dealer in Natick, MA which after a quick google search also doesnt have the best reputation.

Is there a particular dealer most of you go too? Is there one with great tech department or sales staff? Any opinions would be great.

Thanks .

adam

02-12-2010, 12:24 PM

I personally use Suburban Subaru in Manchester CT
They have never steered me wrong

TankGirl

02-12-2010, 12:27 PM

I bought my car at some tiny place in Mass, but I go to Harte Subaru in Hartford and have always gotten great service.

Kojak77

02-12-2010, 12:33 PM

I personally use Suburban Subaru in Manchester CT
They have never steered me wrong

Same here.

:drink::drink::drink:

Berge56

02-12-2010, 12:42 PM

I know its not in CT, but I used bertera subaru in west springfield ma when I bought my wifes Legacy. All of the people down there have been great and they are a mod friendly dealership!

ScrapinSti

02-12-2010, 01:02 PM

Planet Subaru is a good place but up in MA, Harte & Suburban are also good..

slvrstrk04

02-12-2010, 01:24 PM

+1 for both Harte subaru and Suburban

birmy

02-12-2010, 02:28 PM

Hmm mod friendly? Is this a major problem? Warranty issues come up a lot?

TankGirl

02-14-2010, 10:32 AM

^^ I've never had an issue with mods and when I still had my warranty Harte always put everything under it :) Frank is an awesome dude

skijay

02-15-2010, 10:01 PM

I bought mine from Bertera Subaru. I shopped at Suburban and made the trek to Steve Lewis (NoHo, MA) only to get the best deal & sales experience from Bertera. I work closer to Harte and have used them for service. Impressed with the service.

birmy

12-29-2010, 07:53 AM

Back from the dead :)

I have located a car that I am interested in but it seems as it was a trade into a dealer that is not a Subaru dealer. 07 Outback XT Limited

I would like to get the car inspected and check to see if the oil line recall has been taken car of, is it as easy as calling a Subaru dealer and having the vin checked. Can someone recommend a shop to do an inspection? Would any of the local Hartford vendors do this? ECS or Subimods? Has anyone used East Granby Motors for this type of service or for any service for that matter? I guess also add the local dealers that have been mentioned above as well. Thanks again for your opinions and the help.

AExiOn

12-29-2010, 08:32 AM

I'd stay away from east granby motors

The guy there takes forever to perform warranty work on their own cars. Buddy of mine waited 4 months almost for a new transmission. Would of been half the time but the guy bought the wrong transmission :rofl:

I use suburban only because they are close

Though when I brought my car in after ****ing it up pretty good on a curb and wanted to see what was wrong with it. I knew there was something wrong with the engine, I asked them to check it out, they didn't. I drove the car onto the flatbed to get towed to my house with a spun bearing :unamused:
I think they where focused on diagnosing the suspension however, they claimed that I bent two struts, but didn't..

birmy

12-29-2010, 08:42 AM

Ouch, not good. But I am not surprised to hear that about EG Motors

What did the suspension problem end up being? Who did the repair on the spun bearing?

Side Note: Is Frank still at Harte?

AExiOn

12-29-2010, 09:33 AM

Harte is now called something else, i dont know any one over that way

I bent the front control arm, rear hub assembly, though sense I was under the impression that my struts where bent, I got D-spec adjustable struts, and threw some h-techs on there.

Engine with the spun bearing was scrapped, or well, sitting in my gerage lol

I had EFI build me a hybrid engine using my existing heads

birmy

12-29-2010, 10:37 AM

Hmm I am scared at buying a turbo car without an inspection but the dealer apparently has a good rep but I dont trust any of them. The last car I bought I bought from a private seller and he was very particular about up keep so I wasnt as scared.

hiprsha666

12-29-2010, 10:46 AM

It is never worth buying a car with out getting it checked out. I've seen a lot of people get screwed doing that.

Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk

AExiOn

12-29-2010, 11:49 AM

I kinda lucked out on mine with 83k when I bought her

about 40k miles later I spun a bearing but I run her hard :D

Though what I know now I probably been more of a stickler when checking the car out. IE: bolts missing form heat shield, TMIC looks like it was taken out repeatively and the hoses show this, finding a knife all the way in the bottom compartment where the car jack goes....

Kojak77

12-29-2010, 12:37 PM

tacoornot

12-29-2010, 12:57 PM

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g7IQUpT7Nr8/TFsbEhn5QMI/AAAAAAAABoU/JGAiuO9TbPM/s400/CrocodileDundeeWithKnife.png

AExiOn

12-29-2010, 12:59 PM

Now thats a knife! :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6G3tjVtfi0

birmy

12-29-2010, 01:00 PM

AExiOn

12-29-2010, 01:08 PM

PM subimods, see if they can do it sense they actualy have a shop with a lift (unlike a certain CT based "performance shop" on this forum) :rofl:

If not subimods could redirect you to a place they work with or recomend.
Could try suburban but I dont know how in depth they will go, there is a subaru dealership in the frankland area heading to norwich and the casinos on rt31 (I think)

birmy

12-29-2010, 03:27 PM

pm sent to Subi mods. Thanks

Berge56

12-29-2010, 07:20 PM

Kojak77

12-29-2010, 07:46 PM

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g7IQUpT7Nr8/TFsbEhn5QMI/AAAAAAAABoU/JGAiuO9TbPM/s400/CrocodileDundeeWithKnife.png

birmy

12-30-2010, 05:13 PM

Subimods will be doing the pre purchase inspection for me and Rick at Suburban did a vin check for me. Thanks guys. I hope to be joining the ranks soon. Thanks for te recommendations.

AExiOn

12-30-2010, 05:19 PM

np man!!

good luck with the purchase, hopefully shes a keeper ;)

birmy

12-30-2010, 05:37 PM

So far it seems like a good car. Only warranty item was a wheel bearing. If Subimods says it a good car and all the vin numbers are where I think they should be I will be getting rid of my gas pig of 14 years, although I love it. :(

tacoornot

12-30-2010, 09:19 PM

Did calvin touch the car on the inside?

tacoornot

12-30-2010, 09:27 PM

Every time I look at this thread title....
:ctatv:

birmy

12-31-2010, 06:12 AM

Did calvin touch the car on the inside?

Calvin has not been inside the car yet. :eek:

birmy

01-03-2011, 04:48 PM

The car checked out (Thanks Subimods) and the dealer I am buying it from actually drove the car over to them for me. (Thanks Bill at Liberty Mazda). It is a sad day though as I love my Expedition but the costs of ownership after 220,000 miles and 14 years of service is getting to much to bear.

boxxer joe

01-03-2011, 04:55 PM

hart is now owned by betera i know a few techs that now work there i always have gone to and like suburban subaru

birmy

01-03-2011, 05:17 PM

I also spoke to Rick at Suburban a couple of times during my search and research, he is very helpful.

Thanks for the suggestion, it seems like there are a lot of good Subaru people in the area.

AExiOn

01-03-2011, 05:47 PM

The Expedition is over sir!

Time for the rally! :D

birmy

01-03-2011, 06:04 PM

It sure is, I pick the newer car up tomorrow at noon.

boxxer joe

01-03-2011, 06:46 PM

It sure is, I pick the newer car up tomorrow at noon.

gana sell the expadition i need a new 4x4 beater :lol:

birmy

01-03-2011, 06:53 PM

I am trading it. If you show up tonight I sell it to you :) On second thought I couldn't it has to many issues for me to feel good about it, pawn it off on a dealer so they can wholesale it.

boxxer joe

01-03-2011, 08:11 PM

I am trading it. If you show up tonight I sell it to you :) On second thought I couldn't it has to many issues for me to feel good about it, pawn it off on a dealer so they can wholesale it.

dude i have a 82 f150 with 372k on it now that i still drive here and there im sure your expedition dosnt compair :lol:

birmy

01-03-2011, 08:36 PM

dude i have a 82 f150 with 372k on it now that i still drive here and there im sure your expedition dosnt compair :lol:

Could be. I just dont want to sink more money into it. Low compression in one of the cylinders means rebuild, I dont want to spend more the half of its worth to maybe get another few thousand miles. I cant tell you how sad I am that I have to do this but I just cant afford the 8 miles to the gallon and constant down time. I need a reliable daily and its just not cutting it anymore. :(

Besides I have another car to sink money into, I dont need two.

Bigzach88

01-03-2011, 09:06 PM

got my car at suburban have had no issues w/ them but also have not had to deal w/ them since i got the car done regular maint myself and had no serious issues

birmy

01-04-2011, 04:35 PM

I took delivery of my new to me car today. Diamond Gray Metallic XT Limited Outback. Thanks for all the help and referrals.

Berge56

01-04-2011, 04:37 PM

Pics are a must!

birmy

01-04-2011, 04:43 PM

I will get some up, I have to use my phone to do it so they are not going to be that good.

Bigzach88

01-04-2011, 06:32 PM

where did you end up getting it? and yes i am to lazy to go back to the first page if it was posted there east granby motors or something i remember hearing or did u go somewhere else

birmy

01-05-2011, 10:13 AM

I bought it from Liberty Mazda in Hartford, they took it in as a trade a few weeks ago.

Bigzach88

01-05-2011, 06:37 PM

nice post up some pics :)

ImprezaRose

02-21-2011, 08:10 AM

I just spoke with the dealer and they said I can take it and have it looked at. They are going to get some more information for me but I am at a loss at who to take it too for an inspection. I would never buy the car without an inspection done to many horror stories. Does anyone have a shop name that would be willing to this?

I have heard good things about Quality Subaru in Meridel and Center Subaru in torrington.

I have heard nothing but complaints about all the harte dealerships, and shaller.

My husband and I have had personal bad experiences with Holmgren, Decor, and shaller.

The place I am buying my LGT from refuses to sell any type of sports car to Bertera. They were looking to buy the LGT off the dealer I am working with and he told me he wouldn't sell it to him if he was the only dealer left.

Also bill Dube Hyundai in mass are a bunch of* ***********

ImprezaRose

02-21-2011, 08:11 AM

Looks like I was a little late. Lol Grats on the new car!

tacoornot

02-21-2011, 08:46 AM

:ctatv:

birmy

02-21-2011, 09:44 AM

Well since it got bumped and I still havent taken pictures. I love this car but I can't get the A pillar off to hardwire the valetine. It has made me give up for awhile.

ImprezaSoldier

02-21-2011, 03:00 PM

I have heard good things about Quality Subaru in Meridel and Center Subaru in torrington.

I have heard nothing but complaints about all the harte dealerships, and shaller.

My husband and I have had personal bad experiences with Holmgren, Decor, and shaller.

The place I am buying my LGT from refuses to sell any type of sports car to Bertera. They were looking to buy the LGT off the dealer I am working with and he told me he wouldn't sell it to him if he was the only dealer left.

Also bill Dube Hyundai in mass are a bunch of* ***********

Quality Subaru in Wallingford is good, they have a pretty decent Maintenance shop. They have treated me good anytime I have gone there and are good about givin a Loaner if needed.
I bought my car at Secor, the guy it bought it from was pretty decent, pretty honest and straight forward.
Holmgren Subaru on 32 in Franklin just outside Norwich were very deceptive and only seemed out for a buck, The guy there just seemed very dishonest and unwilling to work with me.

ImprezaRose

02-21-2011, 03:30 PM

Quality Subaru in Wallingford is good, they have a pretty decent Maintenance shop. They have treated me good anytime I have gone there and are good about givin a Loaner if needed.
I bought my car at Secor, the guy it bought it from was pretty decent, pretty honest and straight forward.
Holmgren Subaru on 32 in Franklin just outside Norwich were very deceptive and only seemed out for a buck, The guy there just seemed very dishonest and unwilling to work with me.

My husband will never buy a car from holmgren again. we only buy parts there if we have to because its the closest parts place. They are the ones that leave your car doors unlocked outside when you bring it in for service, just to save you the cost of replacing a window should someone break into your car...or so they say. Husbands car got broken into in their lot and they did nothing about it. zilch. And almost everyone in there was really serious and worried except for this one kid with a smug smile on his face. I wanted to slap the smile off of it.

Secor screwed my husband over on some tranny work, costing us time and money.