I'm happy to see the dealer reviews up and in place, these should prove helpful! Anyways, Valley is where I got my SubE. I knew exactly what I was looking for, so it didn't matter that my salesman knew NOTHING about Subaru! On to the service department- I have had my problems with these guys. They seem uncaring and I have not been convinced of their knowledge of Subarus. For example, I believe my Sub's throw-out bearing is going. I brought it up, and was told the Service Manager drove the car (around the block) and assured nothing is wrong. Oh yea, what's that sound?! Also up until recently this service department ran on a first come first serve basis. Talk about a mess!! They have finally realized the concept of Appointments-how nice. I am due for my 30k tune, I just called these guys and was quoted $465 (ouch!) parts and labor. Is this about the norm? Should I go elsewhere? Overall I can not give praise to these guys. I may have to start trekin' out to Thousand Oaks!

Dont know too much about the service the the salesman were dicks. They took one look at me(18 years old) and decided that i wasnt worth their time. So, i was pissed and just drove off, and the idiots realized that they lost a sale. Oh, one dude tried to run to my car but i sped off. damn people. heh

I cannot recommend them as dealers as they tried to pull a fast one on me that almost made me walk out on it.

The "good cop" will write a low offer on the sale paper, then hand that off to the "bad cop" who will try to give you a high rate, you talk him down, he writes down some figures (why on a different sheet of paper?) all seems fine until you get to the finance office where the finance guy will ask you if you want to add everthing you possibly can to the car with no discussion of price (I say no to all).

then the finance guy prints out the contract, I'm about to sign, and my wife says wait... whats that? I look where shes pointing at the final cash price and its back up to 800 over msrp! what happened to the original offer the "good cop" gave me? wheres the original sales sheet he wrote up with the offer on it? oh there it is, oh wait, the low offer is crossed out? when did that happen? why didn't we see it? the finance guy says "that was your offer to us" umm no, he said he could get it for us at that price we never mentioned that.

watch for this switcheroo, I almost walked out but after all sorts of hemming and hawing they came back down to a price that I thought was fair so I took it.

I love my new WRX! but no repeat business for Valley Dodge Subaru-Van Nuys

Van Nuys are the perfect example of the kind of dealer scum that gives car sales such a bad wrap.

Try Thousand Oaks or Irvine for friendlier more straight forward sales reps. Ontario are worth a call too.

Santa Monica are not too bad really, just don't be put off by the markups on showroom cars (only been in there twice, saw a 2001 RS marked-up $1000 and they wouldn't even agree to MSRP on a WRX pre-order.

I got my RS at Ontario and my WRX at Irvine.

- Richard.

I also went to this dealer and was big time dissapointed. First the salesman didn't know a single thing about the car, but at least he said he didn't, which is better than making up stories. Anyway my freind and I test drove the car and when we get back the salesman asks if I'd like to see what price they can give me. OK. Then this guy comes out and trys to tell us the WRX is the best car ever, and says it will beat anything on the road. When we asked why according to the brochure they gave us a second ago the Integra type R beat it in almost every catagory he just pretended like he didn't hear. Also he said it would beat a Porsche Carrera 4, when in the same brochure it say the Porsche is a full second faster 0-60. Then he said it will beat a new Porcshe Turbo, not a 1980 turbo, which might be belivable! Ah hahaha thats priceless, my friend and I had a good laugh over that one. Why the hell was he trying so hard to sell us on the performance anyway? I wouldn't be looking at a WRX if I could buy a Porsche. It gets better. After I tell them I can't buy the car today because I want to sell my car and get my mom to co-sign with me, they say they will see what sort of deal they can make me. He comes back and they are going to offer me $1000 for my old car (bluebook says its worth $3000). Then they say I can get the car now, with only 23% intrest! I didn't say I needed someone to cosign for my health. What were they thinking? When I do buy a car, it wont be from these SOB's.

Go to www.subyspecialties.com for service. They have the best service in town and low prices or just read this thread http://i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79751. Although it may be a drive for you guys, it takes me 30 minutes from Encino (where I work) to Monrovia.

Mike

Perhaps it seems to be a treand with a lot of dealerships to treat young kids looking for WRX's with a crappy attitude. I can assure you that the same or worse happens if you try and look at a porsche. It would be like winning the lottery to actually get a test drive.

Now I am older >35yrs old, so my experience was fine with Valley Dodge/Subaru. I will say that a couple of years ago when my wife was in the market for a Durango, she was completely turned off by the whole dealership and salesman. echoing what has been mentioned here, basically walked away with a slimey felling. We jost got my '02 WRX in Feb. and was pleased with the whole experience. I will say that there appear to be some vestieges of of the old slimey dealer mentality, but I fealt that they were definitely trying to improve. Everything went very smoothly, and we were able to get the car for about 700 over invoice. They did try and sell all the extra goodies (extended service, etc.) but we didn't get even the slightest hard time when we said no thanks.

I would recommend them, but I will say try and deal with Selwyn Ward :cool: as he is one of the new good guy sales people, and not one of the old salesmen type.

I must admit it breaks my heart to see the previous posts. However; there's nothing I can do at this moment other than to apologize to the people who were made to feel badly or thought they were mistreated.
I can tell you for certain the owner and managers know nothing about this site (of which I will make them painfully aware tomorrow) and I can assure you that things will begin to change.
Big Valley has been operated by the same family for nearly forty years and I can tell you for sure, they're wonderful people.
Sometimes things can get out of hand on the lot itself. Occasionally, the salemen will "cherry pick" the customers thinking they can tell at a glance whether the customer is valid or not. That is absolutely wrong thinking and cannot be condoned. That it happens at all is deplorable.
Sometimes it takes a while for new ideas to settle in and begin to work. Those new ideas are being implemented here at Big Valley Subaru.
My name is John Eddins and I do hope that anyone who reads this message will come to me personally if there is ever a problem with service or sales. I cannot guarantee a solution but I do know that I will do my best to help solve any problem as this is really a good store and the people who work here are simply people who have families and mortgages and all the other things necessary to keep the spirit alive.
Please don't condemn the store because of what you read here. Because, reading through the lines I see disatisfied people. People who expected something either the store could not give or "would not" give them. There are two sides to every story.
Thank you,
John Rhys Eddins
Fleet Manager
Big Valley Dodge and Subaru Inc.
And proud of it!

I bought my car there and had my fair share of mis-dealings also. I am not a 18 year old was 33 when I bought my WRX in 02.
had the same problems of changing the price on the contract in the finance dept.
I would not go back!!
is sad because there are good people that work there just left a bad taste in my mouth!

My wife and I told John Eddins at Big Valley Dodge & Subaru that we were looking for a good used car. We drive all over the USA for our business and need a dependable and practical car. He called us a week later with news of a great deal on a low mileage Subaru. The Subaru Legacy GT Wagon was indeed a great deal and Patrick Todd and the rest of the staff at Big Valley were a joy to work with. We can’t say enough about both the staff and the wagon, (we’ve put 35,000 miles on since we got it with no problems). Mike Weisman and the rest of the service department have been wonderful. All car purchases should be this hassle-free.
Gratefully,
John and JoAnn Braheny

Hey Patrick,
Just a quick note of thanks to you and the staff at Valley Subaru. We were so excited that Subaru finally came out with a car that was big enough for our growing family not only because it was a Subaru, but because we would have an opportunity to do business with Big Valley once again. Because of the great experience we had with our first 2 Subaru's purchased from Big Valley and JOHN EDDINS, the EXCELLENT SERVICE that MIKE WEISMAN gives us when we are there, my wife had no issue going to you again. Other dealers are pushy and could really care less about your situation all they want to do is sell a car. Now I know that is true of all dealerships but the difference at Big Valley is they way the customer is treated. Always politely never making you feel like you HAVE to buy the car. The patience you showed when we were in a week ago with the kids acting up was way beyond the call of duty. We have been to many dealers in the past month and I assure that none of them were as patient and cordial as all are at Big Valley. Thank you for getting us into the B9. We can't wait to get the books so we can figure out what all those neat buttons are for!! (ha ha) Big Valley Subaru, the little dealer in the Valley is on top of the mountain!!!!!
Thanks again!!!!
The Roca Family
Vincent, Kristin, Gavin and Emily

I hate those guys. The lie, they wont help and all they want to do is sell you a car even if it's a POS. I swear they have built in ear plugs. Test drove a jetta 1.8t. the rear wheel bearing were grinding and the ignition had a dead spot. They wanted to sell it to me bad. I told them no way. Then they asked where I got my wrx. Then they ask why and I give them the truth with both barrels. These guys are the worst excuse for a subaru dealership. I'd rather go to any other dealer then to deal with them again.


throw out bearing neutral clutch out. Does it make noise then it's no good. $155 + install. I have my trans work done at Granada Hills transmition. Dan does a great job and no bs.

I had a good experience there (04), maybe because we had a hook up. Andrew treated us right.. remember that these guys are $alesmen, and know your rights as a consumer. I dont go to dealerships for service, because they rape you! I just had my 30k tune at Subaru Independant in North Hollywood (Lankershim Blvd.) $300 saved!! Avo is great, he uses subaru parts and guarantees work for a year.

EVO

is the best he installed my Prodrive PPP 3

Thanks,

EVO

i just bought my 07 Limited from these guys but cannot recommend them either. they did play games with the numbers, actually coming back with a second offer which was HIGHER than their original. Overall, the sales people i dealt with were extermely nice personally BUT from a customer point-of-view i can do without the pricing Shenanigans.

The service department on the other hand has been great.
I know they don't flag your car on the computer system when you have aftermarket equipment and will work FOR you instead of against you in warranty issues.

i work at a subaru dealership and i try to treat every customer the OPPISITE on how their service manager treated me. i guess thats why my olp reports are always 100%.

on a side note.. the salesman was great. he didnt know anything about the car but hey thats ok. i didnt have any questions that i couldnt already answer myself.

My wife bought an 05 Outback XT Limited from These guys. Will NEVER go back to them. Hated the experience. My wife is very used to buying cars and is used to the typical car salesman experience. Same problem as the other comments here - price switching, very little knowledge and flat out lies. Service was pretty much the same.

For service, we ended up going to Santa Monica Subaru. They were excellent about everything. Had no issues.

When we decided to change out both our cars over the holidays, we ended up buying an 07 Legacy GT Limited and an 06 Outback Sport from Santa Monica Subaru. Highly recommend them. They took their time, they listened and they were willing to deal with us on our terms (drove practically everything and they never had a problem with it). My wife was ready to "play hardball" with them. When we arrived to finalize the deal with Mike and Gerry, she was extremely happy with the experience (got everything she wanted and didn't have to argue even once with them).

We highly recommend Santa Monica Subaru and will NEVER go back to Big Valley Dodge/Subaru.

My name is John Eddins and I do hope that anyone who reads this message will come to me personally if there is ever a problem with service or sales. I cannot guarantee a solution but I do know that I will do my best to help solve any problem as this is really a good store and the people who work here are simply people who have families and mortgages and all the other things necessary to keep the spirit alive.

It seems this guy dealt with you personally and seems far from impressed.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=673191

:lol: This thread makes me laugh. I don't have any personal issues with them. However, I have always been aware of the bad reputation they have. So I just decided not to deal with them.

I lived in North Hollywood when I bought my '05 WRX....drove all the way to Ontario to get it.

Had a Dodge Dakota before that.....drove to Thousand Oaks to get it.

+1 for Suby Specialties!

heres an experience thats not done yet...

post #15 is the last update
http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54222

ill tell u one thing John Eddins Is the only guy i would deal with and i fuken work here.We get too many 17 yr old kids wanting STis and WRX with 0 down and payments of 250 a month. I cant personally say ive ever treated a client like **** i tell them what i can do and do it.

Had the pleasure of attempting to deal with the knobs at BV Subaru again on Monday. I needed a CV boot for an 02 WRX so in desperation called these clowns. A very abrupt and angry man initally picked up the phone and yelled "WHO?" when I asked for the parts counter. Put on hold for a minute. Then some woman picks up and says "Big Valley Subaru"
"Is this the parts counter?"
"Hold on, please."

Hold again for a brief moment.
"Parts, can you hold?" straight onto hold. No wait for an answer.
After 3minutes on hold I hung up.

DO NOT DEAL WITH THESE PRICKS.

I have been on hold longer then that, 10 min ez maybe more once. They do the same if you in front of them as well. some customer service. They are one of the laziest of all subaru dealers and incompetent.

I called them the other day for a service, THEY ARE NO LONGER SUBARU DEALERS!!!!
I have no idea what happened, after they took over the other lot south on the street just for subaru, but the Hummer dealer over the road now has the franchise. Are they the same company trying to build a new reputation under a new name or have they really lost it to someone else?
I would love to hear if anyone else knows what happened.
Oh and by the way, the new premises is tiny, the showroom has space for 2 cars and 2 desks. It is really like something out of a trailer park, the smallest dealer lot on the street now.
From sitting in the showroom for an hour while my car was being serviced I heard nothing that impressed me from the sales guys, I have a feeling they are going to be no better than Big Valley!!
I fear i am going to have to drive a far for a service still.

Interesting... I wonder what happened also. Never like them after a few problems. That and they were lazy at the parts counter. Being stuck on hold for 10min never helped how I thought about them. Yet they once in a great while had parts I needed but very rare. I hope if they stay in the area that they change and get better.

Big Valley has no more connections or whats soever in dealerships/services for Subaru....Totally new ownership/management.....thx God!!!