Subaru Independent Svc Auto

I've been going to Subaru Independent for almost 3 years now. Avo is WONDERFUL! My Subie has 130,000+ miles and Avo keeps it purring like a kitten. You will also regularly pay 20-30% less here than you would at a dealership. more

Great, honest mechanic!\r I've never run into a more friendly, honest, or realistically priced mechanic in my life, let alone one who only works on Subies! When the new clutch on our WRX wasn't finished on time, he profusely apologized and offered to pick up the tab on a rental until the job was done (next business day). He also got the job done, with additional services, for $400 less than any other garage quoted me. Honest, friendly, and inexpensive? A winning combination for Avo and Subaru Independent! more

Can I give no stars? I called the guy trying to explain the issue with my car and he just cut me off, 'we don't do dat kind of wooourk' with this shut up go away tone.... Nice service schmuck. more

First let me say that there is no way to please everyone, so you may see one or two bad reviews, with the resounding outstanding ones for Avo and his Subaru Independent Service shop. All I can say is this guy is genuine, down to earth and operates with integrity and honor. I've been around the car world for many years having restored cars, worked on race cars and done plenty of routine maintenance. His pricing was VERY reasonable, his communication and honesty about required service spot on and just a pleasure to do business with. I have a 2004 Outback with 70k miles and we had a cracked CV boot and needed the major 60k service. After doing much research on the web and reading a great blog from a dealer in Washington state, I was both sold that I needed a Subaru specialist and didn't want to go to the dealer. As the boot was recently cracked, I was pretty sure I could get away without replacing the entire joint and axle. The only other ""independent"" dealer I could find in LA was what I expected...wanted to sell me a whole axle that was a rebuilt part from China or Mexico, not the better quality OEM part. I knew brakes were due as well and the price was better than any brake depot/quick tune type place. So, I did the drive from the South Bay to North Hollywood. His shop is very clean and organized, a great sign of someone who takes pride. He was two doors down from a rental car company, to which he personally walked me to get a special rate of $25 a day and the car was a brand new Hyundai with XM, nicer than I expected. His pricing was more than fair and half the price of dealers and he uses only genuine Subaru parts. Not only that but he also uses only Subaru fluids as well. All in including a few other services I knew it needed and it was over $1,000. And, I actually felt GOOD about spending the money. All and all one of the best auto service/repair experiences I've ever had! Pros: Honesty, integrity, knowledgable, friendly more

Moved back to l.a. after several years living in northern california. I?ve owned several subarus and have had disappointing experiences at various Subaru dealers throughout the state. The best Subaru mechanic I had was at a dealer in small town Auburn, California, where the shop treated its customers the friendly way you expect a small town shop to treat it?s locals and regulars. I was afraid I was never going to have a nice experience like that here in L.A. until I found this shop. And I live in South Gate where nobody really knows what to do with a Subaru, everyone drives Toyotas Hondas Nissans and domestics. I wasn?t in l.a. long when my Legacy GT tore up it?s CV boot, burning grease all over the place. It was late Friday, local Subaru dealer is closed on weekend (and I?ve had horrible experiences there at Timmons Subaru by the way, so didn?t really want to go there again), so I hopped on the internet, found Avo?s shop, called him first thing in the morning, he told me to come by right away, he would squeeze me in on Saturday morning, I was there at 8am sharp, he had the part, fixed my GT back up in a few hours, at a reasonable price. We chatted, he immediately noticed lots of the prior work recently done to the car, and gave me tips on how some expensive repairs I?d done he could?ve done differently and cheaper (like my speedometer that died, he said next time he can fix it, don?t need to replace the whole thing as I was told at another shop and paid big bucks for). I immediately knew Avo was going to be my man. I?ve been back three times for various minor repairs. Everything?s been smooth. I?m happy I found a ?small town? Subaru shop in fast paced L.A. Pros: Reasonable prices, clean shop, clear explanation of the problem, cheap car rental available next door Cons: Limited weekend hours. more

This is my first review ever. I'm a Subaru person having owned four since 1980. The one thing I've learned other than Subarus are great cars is that you have to have a Subaru mechanic. There are Subaru mechanics and mechanics that say the can work on Subarus. At Subaru Independent, Subarus are the only cars they work on. I found Avo at Subaru Independent when a mechanic at the dealership where my car had been for a day and a half without solving the problem pulled me aside and suggested that I take my car there. I took my car to Avo that afternoon and it was ready the next day. Over the six years I've been with Avo, I have found him to be a very ethical, honest person, and a master mechanic. If you're looking for a place to service your Subaru, give them a look. I believe you will be very satisfied.\r more

I have taken my Subarus to Avo for 25 years. In fact in all that time we have bought only Subarus because Avo is still around to take care of them. Recently we bought a new Forester only because we knew we could count on Avo for expert, honest and cost friendly service. He is absolutely the best mechanic anywhere! Over the years he has always treated me and the rest of his custumers with complete fairness and consumate integrity. His prices are way below dealer charges, often less than half of what a dealer would charge for equivalent services. In addition, Avo not only excells in his work but he is also always on time. When he promises to complete a job at a certain time, it gets done! I trust Avo 100% and rely on him to keep our cars in top form. Avo's assistant, Vasgen, is also a terrific and knowledgable guy who shares Avo's passion for honest and hard work. more

The owner is Avo; he is a Master Mechanic, and a master at low prices (compare his estimates w/ any dealer)--you will pay at least 40% lower than the dealer, and a master of the best work, guaranteed. This man is completely honest, one of the reviews on this page reported that Avo was dishonest, and let me tell you, that is not possible. Avo has been repairing my many Subs since 1988, when he was at the time w/ North Hollywood Subaru, and I have continued to go to him now 20 years later. When he speaks to me about other customers, he is caring and often will be sorry that a customer had to have a hugh repair. He feels our $$ pain, and he cares for each person he (as he says) ""serves"". If Avo cannot do the work, he will send you to another place, call ahead and give you a contact to meet with. He can also refer to body shops, tire dealers, etc, etc. You will need your head examined if you take your car anywhere else!! Pros: All more

Oh my Gosh, What a nightmare! This guy AVO is ambiguous as hell when it comes to diagnosing a problem.\r \r The scan clearly indicates a sensor called Solenoid is causing the problem but instead of suggesting a repair or replacement of this part, he recommended a transmission flush and if that doesn't resolve the problem then he will have to open up the transmission which will lead to complete overhaul. \r \r Not knowing anything mechanical about Subaru, I almost fell into his trap but a honest mechanic I later went to see told me that if the scan indicates solenoid sensor issue the parts can be replaced without opening up the transmission. \r \r To make the long stroy short. I didn't get an straight answer from this guy AVO. I recommend people who own Subaru with transmission problem to try AAMCO or other reputable transmission place. \r \r AVO charged $75 to scan for codes. The job which took less then 15 min. At AAMCO scanning to identitying the problem in your car is free. They will give you a free estimate cost of the work with accurate diagnosis and a realistic solution to the problems. \r \r If you want to avoid runnig around trying to figure out what's wrong with the car AVOID this place with all your might. I spent good money for nothing and wasted half a day on worthless attempt to fix the car. \r \r I hope AVO reads this review and stop taking advantage of people who are not mechanically inclined. AVO should know honesty is the best policy for a successful small business like his.\r Cons: This place is a money pit!!! Don't get trapped!!! more

I've been going to Avo at this location for over 10 years--first with my used 50K 1987 GL (until it was totalled!), and then my new(!) 1999 Impreza. From oil changes to transmission replacements, Avo has always given me a fair price, explained my options, given me his advice, and searched for least-cost solutions to keeping my cars alive and well for as long as possible. I wouldn't take my subaru anywhere else. more

The owner was trained at the Subaru factory & really knows his stuff. We've had terrible experiences at the Subaru dealerships in Culver City & Van Nuys, both of whom lost their certification with Subaru.\r \r This owner/mechanic has a small repair shop & he's actually found & repaired problems (the clutch) that the dealership missed or did not properly fix.\r \r Excellent repair & price... definitely need an appointment. Open Saturdays by appointment only. more

Avo, the owner and chief mechanic, is my favorite mechanic and one of my favorite people anywhere. I first went to Avo when I couldn't afford dealer prices for a major repair, and he completed the work for about half the price the dealership had quoted. Later, when the suspension was damaged in an accident, Avo spent hours locating used parts to save me money, even though he would have made more money by using new parts. Even though the damage had been severe, the repair and alignment were perfect. When my engine died--usually fatal--Avo replaced it for a reasonable amount of money, installing a used engine that ran like new. When time came to buy a newer car, I bought another used Subaru because of my good experiences with Avo. You will meet people in Avo's waiting room with hundreds of thousands of miles on their Subarus, and Avo keeps them running. Bottom line--Avo is a good person and a first-rate mechanic. Pros: Avo is a true pro. Cons: Many mechanics are real cons. more

Ive never met a nicer or honest mechanic than this guy, he provided me with every little detail about what he did to my car and what it needed, he showed me why parts needed to be replaced and what needed to be done to my car. I have a 1997 Legacy and now my car moves like it just came off of a dealership show room. Great Asset to the Automotive District. I highly Recommend this Mechanic shop for all your Subaru Needs. Pros: Clean and Air Conditioned Waiting Room, Clean Overall. more

Ive had problems with my Subaru before, but ive always taken it to other mechanic Shops, and they always charged me for stuff I never needed. This Subaru Mechanic has been in the Automotive Industry for over 35 years and his shop has been open for 10. I recommen this mechanic shop, because they do a clean and very nice job. My car has never ran better than now. So if you need your Subaru fixed by an Experienced Mechanic, take your car to Subaru Independent. Pros: Cleanest Mechanic Shop Ive Ever Seen. more