Walkers Renton Subaru

As my 1997 RAV4 started to die, I knew I wanted another one. I also knew I wanted a manual transmission, and Toyota stopped making RAV's in manual transmissions in 2005. So, I started diligently searchin one. I also knew I wanted a manual transmission, and Toyota stopped making RAV's in manual transmissions in 2005. So, I started diligently searching for a 2005 manual transmission RAV4 with low miles. After about 8 months of searching, I received a notification from AutoTrader.com that there was a RAV4 at Walker's Renton Subaru that fit my criteria. I live in Northern California, and I decided that if the car fit my needs, it would be worth the trip to drive it back from Washington. I called and spoke with Tahir, who was very polite and helpful. He had to gather information about the car for me, as it was so newly listed, there were not even any pictures posted yet; I was the first person to call about it. I then received a call from David saying it would be a good idea for me to put down a deposit on the car to secure it; if I did this, I could relax knowing the car would be taken off the lot and secured until I got there to finish the purchase. Traditionally, the amount of the deposit is $1000, and it is NON-REFUNDABLE unless there are "major mechanical" issues (transmission, engine). I thought this was fair, but I wanted to have that in writing, and I wanted an independent mechanic look at it because I was so far away, and no one had offered me a CarFax or AutoCheck report. Tahir said it would be fine if I did this. Luckily, I have a good friend that lives in Seattle, so he went and test drove it for me and said it seemed fine, but he is not a mechanic and I was still searching for one who would go to the dealership. Originally, Tahir had said the car had not been in accidents, but when my friend got there, he found 2 dents and a cracked bumper and sent me pictures of it. Obviously, it HAD been in an accident, so admittedly, I became a little leery at this point because that had not been disclosed at the very start. Because of this, I wanted to have a a sentence added to the text regarding the deposit refund that said my money would be refunded if there was frame damage. I thought that was more than fair, especially because there was no way for me to tell by a picture, and it was not something my friend could help me with. I then asked for the AutoCheck report, which, in fact, confirmed one minor accident. While Walker's was willing to let someone come in to do the inspection, it was the last weekend of the year, and they did not really want to wait for me to get someone there, nor did they want to add a clause to the contract that said I would get a refund of my deposit if there was frame damage. It was very sudden (after saying they would take a deposit), and seemed as if they were taking my requests personally and were offended by them. I saw it as business, and it made absolutely no sense that they changed their minds since I said I would still be willing to give them a deposit. I felt like I was in a bind, because it was the Friday before New Years Eve, and I did not know how I was going to find someone to go out there on a holiday weekend, but if they would have just added that sentence, I did not see what the big deal was; I would get someone there as soon as I could. Then it hit me, they just wanted to make the sale and make their numbers for the end of the year! When I said this to Tahir, he admitted there was truth to this. He just wanted to sell the car (he kept saying it was his manager that was dictating all of this, which took the pressure off of him). We actually got into a fight on the phone because, while he kept repeating what a good reputation the dealership has, my perspective was that they were going back on their word by first saying they would take a deposit so I could secure the car, and then they changed their minds. At the end of the day on that Friday, I stuck to my guns and said I would only put down the deposit,if they added the clause OR if they waited for me to get a mechanic there. They were not willing to do either, so I decided to let it go; maybe I was not going to get this car after all. Then, late Friday night, I received a return call from a mechanic who said he could go to the dealership the next day, Saturday, and check the car for me. I called Tahir in the morning and arranged it. The mechanic went, gave it a clean bill of health, and I gave Tahir a deposit over the phone that afternoon. Once I got to Washington to pick up the car, I was picked up from the airport by David who was very, very nice. He was very personable and polite and I felt very comfortable with him. Tahir had gone home sick that day (I surmised he probably did not really want to meet me since I was probably a pain in the butt to him, nor did he want to look me in the eyes since he had not disclosed the accident at the beginning of our conversations. Our bodies do some interesting things on an unconscious level...). I went to the dealership and "met" the car. They had the dents fixed, but I found another ding that went down to the metal. It was RIGHT next to one of the dents that was fixed, and I thought it was absurd that they just did not fix that one, too. It was not just a surface scratch and anyone who was paying attention should have noticed that; I saw it immediately. I asked for a credit because I would need to get it fixed when I got home. We settled on a $75 reimbursement, as I had a check for the original agreed amount. It took MULTIPLE phone calls, most of which were never returned, and FOREVER to obtain. (and, it did NOT cover the cost of the repair here in CA, but that's another story). I took the car for a test drive, and it felt fine I felt like, all in all, I was getting a good car, despite the frustrations I had encountered over the phone. Through this process, I have to commend David for being so patient. I toyed with the idea of purchasing an extended warranty agreement. David "encouraged" me to do it, but he never pushed; he said just enough to make me really think about it, which I thought was very good. Finally, after a long deliberation, I decided against it. He was very gracious about the whole thing. I actually felt bad because I knew he would not make any additional money on the transaction because I declined and he was so wonderful about the whole thing! I would have liked to have met Tahir, too, since I spent so much time on the phone with him (I brought him a box of chocolate as a "thank you"), but like I mentioned earlier, he had gone home sick that day. I had already arranged to take the car to another mechanic after the purchase to put it up on blocks and check it more thoroughly while I was there, just in case. They pointed out a few things that the first mechanic didn't; missing fog lamp cover, corrosion on the water pump (which is probably a Toyota thing), and some rust under the car, but nothing serious and all acceptable for a 6-7 year old car. Then I took it to my own mechanic for service. He said they did the front brakes, but were "lazy" and did not do not do the rotors. Not a huge deal, but disappointing to hear. How's that for reputation?? One place I screwed up was my price negotiation. I asked to pay $12K "out the door". Here in CA, that means with tax. Well, being that I was purchasing a car in another state, that did not apply. When I brought this up to Tahir on the phone, to please charge me CA tax, he said they don't do that and there was nothing he could do (which was not true, I now know). He and I both knew I was screwed because I had already given him a deposit that I would not get back if I did not take the car. So, I ended up paying $1200 more for the car than I wanted/planned. It was somewhat of a hardship because it was not in my budget plan. When I got to DMV here in CA, they told me the dealership really could have negotiated that with me, and they also could have taken care of the tax for me while I was there instead of me having to go to DMV, they just did not want to deal with it. All in all, my experience was pretty good, but I advise anyone going into ANY used car dealership to go with your eyes wide open and to be really clear about what you want and what you are willing to accept. There were a few things that left a bad taste in my mouth, and I fully acknowledge that it's simply the nature of the business of used car sales; they just want to sell cars, and if it's the end of the month or the end of the year, they will "bend" the information they give you just enough so they can get the job done. They get around it by omitting information; it's not really lying, but they don't necessarily tell you everything until you ask. You almost have to be a detective, and then, if you ask too many questions, they seem to get annoyed. I think all my requests were perfectly reasonable, especially since I was in another state. Cars are major investments, but for some reason dealers seem to forget what it's like for the buyer when they just want to make the sale. Which brings up another point: if you are utilizing internet sales and coming from another state, get really clear about what you are paying and how tax will be handled!!! Don't do what I did and end up paying more once you get home!! More

Came in for service appt. with engine light blinking after service at a different repair shop (not subaru). Service manager came out to take look. He went back in the repair shop for quick consult and c after service at a different repair shop (not subaru). Service manager came out to take look. He went back in the repair shop for quick consult and came back and fixed it. Very simple. He was courteous, professional and didn't even charge us. More

This is my first experience at Walker's Renton Subaru and based on this experience this is where I plan to come for all future maintenance on my Subaru Outback 2006. I made a last minute call in the morning based on this experience this is where I plan to come for all future maintenance on my Subaru Outback 2006. I made a last minute call in the morning after lights start flashing in the dashboard and was happy to find out that they could take care of it right away. I also told them about a recall notice I had received a while back and told me they could also take care of it at the same time. After listening to the few others things I needed to have done, they propose a package that would allow me to save money. More

After a long day I went with my husband to see a car he was interested in. Roman was extremely helpful at easing any worries I might have had about buying a new car. He got us a great loan rate (especially was interested in. Roman was extremely helpful at easing any worries I might have had about buying a new car. He got us a great loan rate (especially with being first time buyers) and made everything go as fast as possible. My husband loves his new Forrester and I'm at ease with the cost. Walkers Renton Subaru is a great place to buy a good quality used car. More

I was a first time car buyer with no credit history and Roman made it painless for me and my mom. He helped me from the very beginning to end. He made it a GREAT experience. I can say I got lucky since it' Roman made it painless for me and my mom. He helped me from the very beginning to end. He made it a GREAT experience. I can say I got lucky since it's hard to find a dealer like Roman. Everything was detailed and he answered all my need to knows. I had no idea about car buying at first but he helped me throughout the whole process. He even calls and checks up on everything, making sure everything is fine.Kudos to the whole team of Walker's Subaru who helped with this deal because they did everything they can for me to get this car. I finally got the car that I really really wanted and they made it happen. Roman is friendly and very outgoing. I totally recommend Roman of Walker's Subaru as well as the whole team! :) More

Very friendly and professional salesman. I was very comfortable purchasing my car from Walker Subaru. There was no pressure to buy and I felt I got a great deal on the car. I will recomend people to comfortable purchasing my car from Walker Subaru. There was no pressure to buy and I felt I got a great deal on the car. I will recomend people to go to Walker Subaru. More

Paul, and everyone in the service department, is great! They go out of their way to make it a pleasure to bring my car in for service. They go out of their way to make it a pleasure to bring my car in for service. More

I bought my Subaru Forester from Walker's because of the service department. I owned a 2003 Subaru that I bought from another dealer and the service was horrible at that dealership. I went to Walker's and service department. I owned a 2003 Subaru that I bought from another dealer and the service was horrible at that dealership. I went to Walker's and I was pleasantly surprised with the customer service and the honesty of the service representative. There were two service visits that was under warranty and they made sure that I knew that the items replaced would be at no charge. My new Subaru has received the same great service and care. My last visit was just as pleasant. Paul Monday was my service representative and as usual, the service was excellent and I will certainly go back to Walker's for my car needs. The people are honest, polite and informative. I am so happy with my car purchase and I have a sense of relief when I can call my dealer and get the necessary assistance and honesty that I have come to expect from Walker's Renton Subaru. Thank you so much! More

My husband and I came to subaru of Renton because of a vehicle we saw on auto trader, we were very interested in it after seeing it on auto trader (however I believe if they are going to be posting cars o vehicle we saw on auto trader, we were very interested in it after seeing it on auto trader (however I believe if they are going to be posting cars on auto-trader or any site, they put correct pictures on prices) we came in to check out this vehicle, we met David whom was very helpful and nice we told him the car we were interested in we test drove it david was so nice and friendly he even let my husband and I put our kids and their carseats in the car to make sure they fit well and we liked how the kids rode in the car then let me husband and I drive it alone with the kids in it this made me very happy that I was able to do this, however went we went back to talk numbers we were told the price was listed incorrect on auto trader however that they would honor it this was a good thing, but this is where they should be more attentative especially when people see that price and drive all the way there to see the vehicle also the picture listed was not the picture of the car it was just a general picture thought that was a bit odd. Overall we were very happy especially with david we got very close to the price we wanted to pay got the service issues fixed we needed dealt with Paul Monday at serivce and just to say he is AMAZING!! Very friendly and goes out of his way to help you. It took quite a while to purchase the car, we were there about 4 hrs (never purchased from a dealer maybe normal) I also didnt appriciate how about sales person tried to but in telling us the same thing david showed us when we were trying to work the price we wanted, It seemed a waste of time and pointless and like he was stepping on david's toes didnt appriciate that.. But overall this was a great experience and we would definatly go back, I got the vehicle I wanted for about the price I wanted and they worked with us all the way. Thanks for all your help David!! More

We recently purchased a use car from Subaru of Renton, we had to take it to the service department to have a couple of things done on it, I had the pleasure of dealing with paul monday all I have to say is h had to take it to the service department to have a couple of things done on it, I had the pleasure of dealing with paul monday all I have to say is hands down the best service experience I have ever had, he was wonderful he went out of his way to help me, gave me a loaner while they were fixing my car, explained to me what my car needed and fixed the issues immediatly, he was very understandable and kind and wanted to help. I would definatly go back after the wonderful experience I had thanks for all of your help Paul! More