Looking at an XT in Rochester tomorrow. Is there a shop anyone can recommend to do a pre-purchase inspection? Subaru specialist would be nice, but I'll settle for any reputable place.
The guy selling it is an independent mechanic and had some nasty things to say about Clements. I won't be influenced too heavily by his opinion, but I am interested to know if anyone knows of an independent shop they trust in the area as an alternative
Clements does have a very bad reputation when it comes to subaru. Have heard many horror stories from friends and former employees but have never experienced it for myself besides their horrible part department. I hope someone chimes in with a subaru friendly shop. Living in Rochester my whole life and owning my wrx for the past 5 years I have not found anyone I would trust. After recently being screwed over by a shop I have accepted the fact that if I need anything done that I couldn't handle I would be trailering my car to the cities.
Clements is pretty weak in terms of quality people there. If you do decide to go there ask for Jon. He is one of the Subaru techs there that is a stand up guy and I've done business with before. Other then that there is a lot of shops in town but no one that "specialize" in Subaru. Tom at All Star Auto specialize in imports, primarily Euro's but knows his stuff when it comes to automotive.
I'll back up the Clement's hate. Personal experience and at least four other individuals' stories back up that they are, at best, rank amateurs and at worse borderline con-artists. Rochester doesn't have Subaru specialists, we all have to do our own work around here.
TBH, just because it's a subaru doesn't mean you have to go to a SUBARU specialist. It's a car...... First thing i check is fluid. Oil, Trans, Brake fluid, Coolant "Is it green?". Ect... even check the windshield wiper fluid just to see if they care and are OCD like me. Secondly, rub your hands up and down on the inside rotor all around. Do you feel any uneven ware... Third, find a picture of what a engine bay should look like and cross reference... "If something isn't there, then ask why it isn't" Fourth, Drive the car "Take left turns, right turns and gradual turn's. Also, go over some bumps." Also, i'd stop over some snow or something for 5 min's to see if it's leaking oil. Fifth, ask if the 100k has been done "brakes should of been done by this time too." If he doesn't have receipts. Then offer what the car is worth minus the cost to do the work yourself or have a shop do. I don't take anyone's word for work done. The only reason i'd take it to a shop is if they were going to do a compression test.
