Sonora Subaru

Long story short: I dealt with Michael Demello, via email. They have (car may still be there), listed on their website, a 2016 Crosstrek Limited with lots of goodies. Their price of $ 27,144 is untouchable! I asked several dealers if they would match that price and no one would. Michael was GREAT. Why didn’t I buy the car? The drive would have been 2.5 hours, but the boss wanted a different brand and a local dealer. Buying new? Check their website, deal with Michael.

MUST READ BEFORE GOING.
We drove 1 hour to come to this dealership.
Let me start of by saying Michael helped us out so much and thank you for his time!
Now on the other hand financial manager JAY, he was rude and unprofessional. JAY is the reason why Subuaru LOST a sale/​customer. I WILL NEVER recommend anyone to go there.
We were in the process of buying Audi Q5.
Michael helped us out as much as possible and forward our information to Jay and had him review all our info. Took Jay about 1 hour and a half and still did not come out to say it will be a few I’m still working on it. Nor did he call us in the office.
Later Michael came to tell us what JAY had said (in this process why didn’t Jay for himself come and tell us? Yeah I don’t know either) that the banks wanted $ 10,000 as a down. Umm… Yeah I’ve had 3 cars that I’ve financed and not once was a I asked for a down-​payment. (Including a Mercedes, no down necessary) so we left.
I THINK IT IS VERY UNPROFESSIONAL FOR HIM TO NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE US.
Then 30 mins later I received a call, surprisingly by Jay, Jay stated there was «good news, there was a bank that responded and asking $ 5,000 down with 5.9% interest» yeah 5.9%.
Now Jay, why on earth would I put 5k down with 5.9% interest???
My car I have now I put 0 down with 2.9% interest and LOW monthly payments.
You know what JAY told me. It had to do with me making below minimum wage. Hmm really? How are you one to tell a person what they make is below or average? He has no right or authority to do so. That was the first time I’ve ever been told that. And fyi full time is between 30 – 40 hours JAY.
Then he stated he’d love to have our business. Yeah I would never do buisness there! EVER!
& there was no issue at all for us to put down the 5k down, but after the way Jay treated us, we decided to take our business elsewhere.
Also, on the Audi Q5, it says «Service needed»… Not sure why it wasn’t done before was put out on the lot…
I called asking to speak to the owner, of course he’s not in but a message was taken down. Now, lets see if the owner will actually care that an employee of his, is being rude, disrespectful, and not caring to earn business here.
Also, I should’ve looked up Unilocal before going here. Would’ve saved us some time, since other people have had similar customer service experience here.
But again thank you Michael for your help and time!
I found an Audi Q5 elsewhere and will go this weekend for it.

Drove almsot 4 hours to check out a car. Guy was really rude on the phone, and not even helpful when we got there. Took the jeep out for a test drive, heard an odd noise and the dealer said «I don’t hear anything.» overpricing on the jeep, would not even CONSIDER any price drop. Made me fill out an unnecessary finance form. Not to mention belittled me for even trying to get a car. WILL never come here again NOR will I EVER recommend this dealership. Go somewhere else.
Update: I got my identity stolen! This was the only place I filled out a form with my social. Either they or whomever they were trying to get me financed through got it. BEWARE!!!

Complete crap. They don’t deserve a single star. I took my wife’s car in to have the valve cover gaskets replaced. They kept the car 3 days to do the job. The next day after the car was picked up, my wife called me to complain that her car was dripping oil. When I checked it, the car was completely drained of oil. I immediately called the service department and let them know. The guy who helped me the previous 3 days answered and had no idea who I was. After a while of explaining everything and that I wanted it fixed right because I just paid almost $ 500 for it to be, he had the nerve to ask me if u had AAA to have it brought to them. This is the worst service I have experience and will no longer conduct business with them.
If you want quality work at a fair price, DO NO GO TO SONORA SUBARU FOR ANYTHING!

We recently moved to Sonora from the San Francisco Bay Area, less than 6 months ago. I decided that as I was a wimp with regard to driving in the snow, which I have never done, and that it occasionally snows here, most of the recommendations I heard from people here were to get a Subaru. Chris Simmons at Sonora Subaru was super knowledgeable about the cars, which we appreciated. We ended up buying a used 4 year old Outback as we did not expect to use the car much. Unfortunately the car came with only one key. The manager (forgot his name, from New Zealand) arranged for a new key to be made, gratis. We also had a battery problem early on, and although the car was sold «as is,» they put in a new battery free of charge. I get the idea why they say we’re in the Subaru family. Would buy again from Sonora Subaru? Definitely.

I called regarding an advertised car and spoke with Roger. He described the car as being in excellent condition inside and out. Being an older used car I questioned him further as my drive to see the car was 1 ½ hours one way. He again confirmed excellent in all aspects. I made the drive and when I opened the car door I could see that the steering wheel had an after market cover on it, which was hiding the fact that wheel was well worn. The headliner was sagging and the overhead consul had been glued back using silicone. The exterior of the vehicle which roger had told had no scratches or dings had several scratches and the hood had rust issues which was evidenced by the paint bubbling. Roger was pleasant enough to talk to but his misrepresentation of the vehicle (and I didn’t do a thorough inspection I’m sure I would have found more issues) wasted my day and lead to this review which could have been avoided had he been honest about the condition.

What a great group of people! I have never been in and out of a dealership that fast in my life! The staff was extremely hospitable and made the process easy and stress free. I love my Subaru! Thanks a bunch guys!

Hello guys attention please.. I drive one half hour believe I am going right place to buy my dream car. they passed every thing I signed all papers. we are waiting for my answer about safety of break because I heard weird sound during my test drive. They Said because we are unable to sell this car for long time that is why rustic is form that’s why weird sounds is coming they are cleaning and 20 minutes it’s ready so we complete the paperwork when I said you can’t sell car with out proper safety check out. California’s law. gentlemen Jason sudden change and said sir in toyota camery 2004 xle from Florida have abs sensor problem which cost us $ 900.you already signed a paper we can deliver it by tomorrow .so basically they are liar you think what you want to do. i take my all paper work back. Thanks to god. I am saved?

I have purchased vehicles three times from Sonora Subaru. Each time better than the last. Straightforward professionalism! It was almost too easy. I felt like a friend more than a customer. No need to shop around just go to Sonora Subaru because I know they can get the best price around.

Drove from Sacramento to check out a car on their lot. I was a bit skeptical about the price of the car they had listed. It was listed below other dealers. I thought I would take the risk and check out the vehicle. I was pleasantly surprised with the used car. The previous owner kept a meticulous record and I felt assured that the vehicle was help in good condition.
I wish Je would have helped me out in two areas. Tires and floor mats. Even thought I has to pay for these two items the price they gave me for the vehicle was worth the drive out to Sonora Subaru.
John and Je were good to work with. I felt like I could trust them and I received a fair price on the vehicle. Can’t ask for much more when looking for a used vehicle.
I would buy again from them because it felt like a fair deal.

Dealership more like a corner car sales lot! A disgrace to even consider themselves a dealership. Corporate Subaru needs to shut this place down. Customer service sucks. Salesmen just looks at you while your walking around looking at cars no help at all, not even a «can I help you»

What a great experience I had at Sonora Subaru, the salesman and staff was very friendly and helpful, went over the car I wanted and everything was awesome. Bought it right then, the follow up has been great too, from going in with questions to the service dept, very friendly and helpful, would recommend anyone looking for a car to visit them first.

If you want to pay their price for a vehicle, than that’s a place to go. Don’t bother asking for a better price, because they won’t give it to you. There was a USED car there that we kept an eye on for 4 months, and went there and was thinking that since the car has been there that long, they might just give us a good deal and finally get rid of the car. While waiting for an approval, an customer who bought a USED car from them came in complaining that the car they bough three days ago is making strange noise and parts was falling off the car. Sales person who was helping us didn’t want us to hear the conversation, so he took the customer outside. My wife told me, another customer posted on Unilocal that they also bought a USED car there and broken down too. So we had second toughs about the car we were looking at, but I told her, we could always buy extended warranty. So we waited for about 2 hrs and they gave us some numbers. So I told them since you guys had this car for so long, can you guys give me a better deal. And they said they wish they could. So we went some where else and bought from another dealer. Two months later, car is still there, total of six month since they had the car. This dealership shouldn’t even carry the name Subaru, cause they have as many different make and model of other cars. It’s more consider as a small use car lot dealership.

I recently purchased a used Chevy truck from Sonora Subaru and felt the process was handled extremely well. The vehicle I purchased was quite popular the day I made the 3-​hour drive to Sonora. In fact, upon arriving, I saw another customer test-​driving the vehicle. Fortunately, I called the previous day to share my interest in the vehicle and to get pre-​approved for financing. After I quickly test drove the vehicle, I met with the financing person to initiate the sale while the other customers were also working to purchase the vehicle as well. Understandably, this put the sales staff in the difficult position of telling the other interested party that the vehicle was sold. They too had driven quite a distance and were understandably upset. I was thankful the Sonora Subaru took into consideration that I called to get prequalified and therefore gave me a priority status for the truck. Their service was excellent and the process was handled thoroughly and quickly. I was impressed with the «above and beyond» efforts of the sales team who joined in with the detailing staff to clean the vehicle. I’ve not seen that level of customer service at any dealership. It really highlights their team mentality to make the customer happy, regardless of job description. I love my new truck and really feel like I got an excellent price. I would definitely make the 3-​hour drive to Sonora again to purchase a vehicle from Sonora Subaru. Even after my purchase, they continued to provide top-​notch service. I was at another dealership in Fremont to purchase a car and I forgot my proof of insurance. I knew the Sonora Subaru had a copy and they happily faxed it to the Fremont dealership on my behalf. This caliber of service is difficult to find these days. Way to go, Sonora Subaru!

Sonora Subaru where I got my car from, I don’t know what other review said about but for me they take care of me real good, they are easy to make deal with. I got good deal for my car and they still call me how my car run, sent me some new year card, b-​day card. I got this car over the year and they still keep in touch so other dealer never do that’ to me

This review is for the Subaru Service department where I get my car’s oil changed, tires rotated etc. Completely different from the sales center.
I walked into a friendly smile and happy hello. The staff is happy to talk to you with respect even if you didn’t go to school to be a mechanic (and you’re female). If it is possible to fix whatever the problem is in just a few minutes and no parts you will walk out with your payment being a sincere «Thank you». If there is time and parts involved it is all explained clearly and any replaced parts are brought to you for review and explanation. Nice people make all the difference in the world.

My experience is from the other side of the transaction than the reviews that are posted here, and my rating of the experience is also very different.
I listed my car for sale on Ebay and locally. I intentionally set the starting bid on the high side because I preferred to sell locally. Je’ Schneider, Sonora Subaru’s General Manager, contacted me through Ebay, offering a very reasonable price for my car.
We talked by phone, and he drove out (about two hours) to pick up the car the next day.
The transaction was incredibly smooth and quick, and Je’s approach was so low-​key and down-​to-​earth that I have a hard time believing he’s in the car sales business.
In any case, I would whole-​heartedly recommend Sonora Subaru based on my experience.
I personally feel you can tell the quality of an organization by the quality of its leadership — Based on my interaction with Je’ I’d say Sonora Subaru is in good shape.

Well there you have it folks! Sonora Subaru shows it’s true colors right here on Unilocal,further validating my dismal review of their dealership and it’s integrity. I guess I know now why the other poster on here was complaining about them pressuring him to fill out an unecessary credit application. It must be so that they could publicaly defamate his character. That’s ok though. Yes my name is Joel Fell and I’m a Firefighter/​Paramedic in Tracy. Anything else you’d like to know? My social? Address? You say you can’t wait to see me again? Why? I was able to purchase virtually the same vehicle as you were trying to sell me the same day from a far superior dealership (stand by for a review of said dealership). The only difference with the vehicle that I bought is that it was exactly as described when I got there and the sales person was able to tell me anything I wanted to know about it. It is fully loaded unlike Sonora Subaru’s truck which was bare bones stock and surprise surprise it was thousands less. So if your looking for a Subaru dealership that has integrity and will not publically scrutinize you if you choose not to purchase from them, I recommend going to Livermore Subaru. Whatever you do, DON’T go to Sonora Subaru. Oh hey Unilocal,can you make a way to give someone a zero star rating?

Just Horrible!
Their lot is nice, The sales person was nice as well. However that’s where the niceness ends.
The used cars are ‘trashy’ looking and Mark Wilbur (Service Manager) is as pompous as they come. He literally argued with me concerning the need to run my credit, even though I had an approved loan (blank check) through Capitol One. In the midst of the yelling, I walked out.
Everyone I tell this story to seems to have a story about this place themselves. I will never attempt to do business with them again.
UPDATE 12/​29/​2010:
Dear Sonora S,
Your refutation to my experience at you store further establishes the concerns that I have with Sonora Subaru. Rather than accept that a customer had a bad experience in your store and try to do better, you attempt to discredit and damage the reputation of a long time member of your community.
With that being said, let’s get a couple things straight. Whether he runs credit or not, Mark did in fact insist that he needed to run mine. He made it very clear that he needed to do a «credit check», not a verification of the pre approval status of our Capitol One loan. Second, Mark, a representative of you store and your brand, raised his voice to me. Not the other way around. You lost a sale and a customer that day because of his attitude, not to mention the customers that you may have had before they listened to my story. I’ve written many reviews for many businesses that I’ve came in contact with, both good and bad. My reviews have always stated facts and have been recognized to be helpful to others. I do not appreciate that you’ve attacked my integrity by telling readers to use «caution» when reading my reviews.
***One more thing. Unilocal is NOT known to «filter GOOD Reviews». Don’t insult honest Unilocalers. Unilocal DOES filter things like three 5 star ratings submitted by three brand new users all on the same day. Watch the video on the filtered reviews page to learn more***