Anonymous wrote:+1 for Stohlman. This is a dated experience given the current car market but we did everything via email. We emailed multiple dealers for the best out the door price on the Outback with the features we wanted. Once we worked out the price we went in to sign the paperwork and get the car.

That was my experience in 2017 for my first Subaru. I bought my second at Sheehy in Springfield and it was low-key, no hassle. I would recommend both - Sheehy had the model I was looking for at the time.

Buying from Fitzgerald a few years ago was fine. Didn’t really like them for service

Amazed to hear the positive comments about Stohlman. They're the geographically logical choice for us, but our two Outbacks came from Herb Gordon and Ourisman.

Never go to Stohlman for service.

They’re all the same OP. The main thing is to figure out the exact car you want, look at inventories online, and call around. Make a list of places and prices, even that are farther away than you want to go, BEFORE you go to the dealer near you.

If you want to protect yourself and get a reasonable deal, that’s the way to do it. There’s no finding a “nice” dealer who operates significantly differently than the others.

OP here—thanks so much for all the advice!

Stohlman - just bought my second car with them. I always price shop, they are always the best and stack incentives. Breath of fresh air compared to the Kia dealerships stacking 10K about MSRP. I got an Ascent for 20K+ less than the equivalent Kia.

We've been happy with Stohlman, but have not bought a new car from them since the pandemic started - I understand that it's a whole new ballgame nowadays.

+1 for Stohlman. This is a dated experience given the current car market but we did everything via email. We emailed multiple dealers for the best out the door price on the Outback with the features we wanted. Once we worked out the price we went in to sign the paperwork and get the car.

We had a good experience with Farrish as well. When dh’s new Subaru had some wonky dashboard display issue, I was impressed how they stuck to it until they figured it out and gave us a loaner while they fixed it.

And several years ago I went in to them because my out-of-state sibling was looking to buy a Subaru and wanted to know what I thought. I went in to Farrish, told them the situation, and the guy got me a car to look at and sat with me for something like twenty minutes answering my questions. I was impressed that he would do that when I told him I wouldn’t be buying the car myself.

Anonymous wrote:Fitzgerald in Rockville, no haggling nonsense. And I’ve known Jack Fitzgerald for about 12 years now and he’s a great guy.

I tried to buy from them, but they seemed not as interested in selling to me. They were on backorder and didn't seem all that keen on working with me.

I went to fairfax, and got one easily.

we have been happy with stohlman. I am on my second car with them.

Fitzgerald in Rockville, no haggling nonsense. And I’ve known Jack Fitzgerald for about 12 years now and he’s a great guy.

Beyer has always worked for us. He has reputation to uphold witch seems to prevent the worst of the scummy practices

We (and some of our extended family) have had good experiences with sales and service staff at Farrish in Fairfax City. The Farrish patriarch is kind of a bully, though, so if
"voting with your dollars" is your thing, you might want to look into that.

Hi,
Can anyone recommend a Subaru dealership that has been ok to deal with for the purchase of a new or used car? Maybe even a particular salesperson? We are in Northern Virginia, and there are a few around to choose from.
I've bought our last 3 Hondas from the same guy at the same dealership, and he has been great. I've heard a lot of stories about annoying car buying experiences and am trying to avoid it if possible, but we want to look at Subarus.
Thanks for any advice.