Bob Baker Subaru, Carlsbad. Rated ★☆☆☆☆
I’m shopping for a car, and Subaru is near the top of my list. I wanted to come in and take a look at the Crosstrek and the Forester, as well as some similar vehicles from other dealerships. One thing — I absolutely cannot stand talking to car dealers. Used, new, cheap, fancy — I think they’re all liars and thieves. Many are worse than others. The only form of life lower than a car dealer, is a vehicle finance guy. I really don’t WANT to buy a car. Unfortunately, I need to buy one, since my current hoopty has high mileage, gets bad mpg, and has high service costs. Why is street parking so damned difficult around here? I believe it’s because dealers have their employees park in the street so potential customers will have to park on the lot. I believe that once you enter the auto mall, everything is designed to separate you from your money. I’m doing my walk-by. I like to see prices in the windows — preferably low, “no-negotiation” prices — which I still know are open to negotiation, but at least they start out closer to the target price. I would prefer all the information I need, on the window sticker, and for the salesman to unlock the door and leave me alone. One star for this place, just because the salesman creeped me out. I was walking by looking at window stickers and he starts yelling at me like a carnival barker. “Don’t just walk by! Come take a test drive!!” I looked at a Crosstrek, but he kept wanting to chat me up, so I couldn’t pay attention to the car. Still stuck on one star, because the next time I came by there was still no parking, and the same guy catches me again. Advice to myself, and to other car shoppers. If you don’t like the salesman you start out with (and believe me, you won’t), insist on talking to someone else instead. “No, I don’t need to talk to your sales manager — I just need to not talk to you. Ever again. You’re fired!” After having read the reviews of the service department at this place, I’m even more hesitant to return. And I’m even willing to pay a little more for a used Land Rover, because the sales people don’t creep me out, and I know where there’s an aftermarket service place I like.