MD/VA/DC Subaru Dealerships - Fitzgerald

[Rancho Unicorno]

As an update, we bought from Fitz. Were generally pleased with how everything turned out. They didn't quite get some of the stuff I was asking and I had to have it dealer installed, but they made the pricing work out appropriately.

[Snomad]

Avoid Fitzgerald service. My buying experience was okay but looking back, it wasn't great.

Their service is terrible. The staff is nice enough, at least until you point out their mistakes, and then they are not so nice. I have always taken my car to Fitzgerald in Kensington/White Flint and more often than not, especially in the last year or two, I get my car back with serious scratches and other damage to the paint like they took to it with a sanding wheel instead of a buffer. And they then dare to say it was like that when I brought it in even though their drop-off inspection sheet indicating scratches and dents doesn't jive with their claim. The last time I took it in, based on my description of the noise it's making (still) the service rep said it was the power steering even though the noise was like no sound I've ever heard from power steering. They replaced the PS pump seal and the same noise is still there. They didn't even drive the car before or after the repair to hear the noise. Some $200 and five days later the problem is still there and is getting worse. If you want a good experience, don't go to Fitzgerald for service. Online comments on their web sites are nowhere near positive. Stay away.

That said, does anyone in the Rockville, Silver Spring, Aspen Hill, Gaithersburg, Olney areas have recommendations for repair shops good with Subaru to diagnose and repair this problem correctly, with professionalism, and not rip me off?

Thanks.

[Sackajacka]

Originally Posted by Snomad

Avoid Fitzgerald service. My buying experience was okay but looking back, it wasn't great.

Their service is terrible. The staff is nice enough, at least until you point out their mistakes, and then they are not so nice. I have always taken my car to Fitzgerald in Kensington/White Flint and more often than not, especially in the last year or two, I get my car back with serious scratches and other damage to the paint like they took to it with a sanding wheel instead of a buffer. And they then dare to say it was like that when I brought it even though there pre-drop off sheet indicating scratches and dents doesn't jive with their claim. The last time I took it in, based on my description of the noise it's making (still) the service rep said it was the power steering even though the noise was like no sound I've ever heard from power steering. They replaced the PS pump seal and the same noise is still there. They didn't even drive the car before or after the repair to hear the noise. Some $200 and five days later the problem is still there and is getting worse. If you want a good experience, don't go to Fitzgerald for service. Online comments on their websites are nowhere near positive. Stay away.

That said, does anyone in the Rockville, Silver Spring, Aspen Hill, Gaithersburg, Olney areas have recommendations for repair shops good with Subaru to diagnose and repair this problem correctly, with professionalism, and not rip me off?

Thanks.

Snomad, I have had to revise my recommendation for Fitzgerald (see my previous post in this thread). I do like the service advisers but am afraid that the techs aren't all up to snuff. My problem was with recommended services that were unnecessary (since verified by two independent shops).

I HIGHLY recommend that you call Andrewtech Automotive (Andrewtech Automotive) and talk to Sam. They are a small specialist Subaru shop (a lot of race/rallly work) but know Subaru engines inside and out. It's in a small shop out in Gaithersburg but worth the trip. Pricing is very reasonable. If they can't figure it out I would be very surprised. Tell him I sent you and ask him why he hasn't called me about my rear sway bar yet!

Sackajacka

[Snomad]

Thanks Sackajacka.

I'll check them out. Sounds like the place I've been looking for and should have gone to years ago. I think this is a minor thing in terms of complication like a bearing but, of course, bearings aren't a minor thing when they fail. With their expertise in all things Subaru, I figure it won't take much to diagnose and fix it. But then Fitzgerald didn't do anything to diagnose it and it shows. I can hear it over the stereo.

[sleze]

Originally Posted by Sackajacka

Snomad, I have had to revise my recommendation for Fitzgerald (see my previous post in this thread). I do like the service advisers but am afraid that the techs aren't all up to snuff. My problem was with recommended services that were unnecessary (since verified by two independent shops).

I HIGHLY recommend that you call Andrewtech Automotive (Andrewtech Automotive) and talk to Sam. They are a small specialist Subaru shop (a lot of race/rallly work) but know Subaru engines inside and out. It's in a small shop out in Gaithersburg but worth the trip. Pricing is very reasonable. If they can't figure it out I would be very surprised. Tell him I sent you and ask him why he hasn't called me about my rear sway bar yet!

Sackajacka

Sam knows you by your Subaruoutback.org forum handle?

[Sackajacka]

Originally Posted by sleze

Sam knows you by your Subaruoutback.org forum handle?

Well, no, but if reminded about the guy with the Outback waiting on his sway bar he will probably figure it out...

[iainb]

So us folks looking to buy in Northern VA (I'm in Gainesville) Stohlman is the place to go?

But which Stohlman? They have two dealerships, one in Herndon and another in Vienna. If Yelp reviews can be believed the Herndon location looks to be the better one.

Any updated suggestions?

[island21638]

Try Annapolis Subaru, much better than Fitzgerald. Walk into a service department if it is clean and organized more than likely they will treat your car with car. Annapolis is spotless. Now look at Fitzgerald and compare.

[iainb]

I never mentioned Fitzgerald...

Until I've driven the Outback, and know it's what I'm buying, I'm not driving an hour and a half (each way) to Annapolis.

[Heffernan]

Originally Posted by island21638

Try Annapolis Subaru, much better than Fitzgerald. Walk into a service department if it is clean and organized more than likely they will treat your car with car. Annapolis is spotless. Now look at Fitzgerald and compare.

^this.