Superior Import Repair / Vancouver, Washington

Rating: ★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Body Repairing & Painting, Used Car Dealers

Address: 4443 NE 82nd Ave, Vancouver

Postal code: 97220

Phone: (503) 288-8634

Automobile Body Repairing & Painting, Used Car Dealers, Auto Repair & Service, Brake Repair, Auto Transmission, Auto Oil & Lube, Automobile Accessories, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Wholesale Used Car Dealers

amex, master card, visa

Sumner, Central Northeast Neighbors Incorporated

Tue - Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pmSat 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Had never been here but was recomended by a friend. Took my 1995 2.2 liter impreza to get checked out. Thought I may have a minor coolant leak. They said bad head gasket, though it`s very rare in this model, $1000+ repair. Took it to another place for a second opinion and they became enfuriated and told me that it was absolute fraud. The mechanic said he was going to stop in there and call the owner a liar to his fac... view moree. He said there were absolutely no signs of a blown head gasket. Turns out I didn`t lose any coolant the last two days either. Scammers?

thebjack / 6/22/2012

To date, I`ve taken my `96 Subaru to these guys for several oil changes, a suspension fix, an alternator fix, and a bizarre (and somewhat aggravating) issue. Repairs have been done in a timely manner, and I`ve walked out 1) feeling confident about the fix, 2) feeling NOT concerned about having been had and 3) feeling like the fees were very reasonable (which I guess goes along with number 2...). Most recently, my... view more car was doing this intermittent thing: dying at idle sometimes, and sometimes not. I made an appointment, the car was asymptomatic for days before, then the night before, stalled out at every stoplight down MLK, then the day of was virtually asymptomatic (yep, go figure). The shop folks had an idea of what might be going on, given my description of events, but were reluctant to swap out the suspect part ($400 bucks!!! Ack!!!!) without experiencing the problem themselves. We went with an option that was low cost, had the potential to clean the suspect part so it would work again, and was beneficial in other ways. Work all done, I get in the car to drive it off the lot and doh!, it`s doing it`s thing! So all the shop guys check it out and confirm that it is indeed this one particular part. They happened to have a used one on site, and swapped my wacky unit out, at no additional cost to me. Granted, I really lucked out with the sequence of events, but I think how the shop dealt with the situation says a lot about their integrity. Cars are expensive to maintain, that`s a given. So if you are expecting to get work for free or way below market, well, your living in fantasy land. What you should expect, however, is to be treated fairly, to NOT shell out precious dollars on repairs your car does not need, and to have your car fixed right. In all my experiences with this shop, I`ve felt like when it comes to my pocketbook, they have my best interests in mind. Combine that with the fact that they are good mechanics and you`ve got a shop you can trust. I`m certainly going back there!

jorm / 11/29/2011

These guys seemed to be perfect for the job, since I drive an old 1985 Subaru, and they are the self-professed experts at the older models. The main problem: a gassy engine and very loud. Rich`s solution: a new water pump, a new oil pump, timing belts, and drive belts. Total cost of repairs was an expensive, though perhaps reasonable, $600. Their work seemed to help the noise, and the performance of the car ... view moreimproved, but the car is not really any less gassy, for one. Here`s the real problem. I noticed when picking my car up that there was water condensation on the inside of my headlight. The mechanic said, ""No problem, that happens sometimes when the seals get old"". Later at home, I found out my headlight bulb had burned out, and not only that, but there was 3 inches of standing water inside the lens-case for my passenger-side blinker. I spent 2 hours with a hair dryer, getting all of the condensation out of the headlight, and installed a new headlight bulb myself. The other problem is that while leaning on my car to try and adjust the choke, Rich, unbeknownst to me at the time, broke the front grill to the car. The next day, I called in and explained to Rich the problem with the headlights and the grill. No apologies, he mentioned that ""the grill was already broken, I maybe just helped break it a little bit more."" He did say come into the shop and he`d see what he could do for me, perhaps a bit of cash back, he said. At the shop, he took a look at the grill and said he might have a spare at his house, but wouldn`t be able to get to it for a couple of weeks. I said I was leaving town the next day, and couldn`t really wait that long, and he said something to the effect of ""It`ll still drive."" No apologies. I even mentioned that the car seemed to be running much better now, but that I didn`t pay $600, a lot of money to me, to have them break things. He simply shrugged and said $600 isn`t very much money, and that he was doing me a favor by trying to adjust the choke. He then turned around, ignoring me, and went off to help another customer. To me, that translates as ""I broke your grill and I don`t care."" Do they expect customers to return to this kind of service? So the old song rings true: ""Trust your mechanic to mend your car. Bring it to his garage. He tightens and loosens a few spare parts. One thing`s fixed another falls apart.""

John Lyon / 5/14/2011

We`ve been taking our two Subarus to Superior for little things for several years and they`ve been okay. Took it in last month for a coolant leak. Got a call shortly after from Richie saying the car was fine, there was no coolant leak. In hindsight that should have been my cue to take it somewhere else, since it was losing a cup of coolant per day. Instead, I asked if it could be a head gasket. Sure enough, got ... view morea call back from Richie to say it was indeed the head gasket. A simple compression test would have told him that in the first place.

The bill ended up being over $1,900. None of the parts were cleaned, the whole engine was removed, the heads replaced and engine reinstalled, grease and all. Very sloppy job.

On the trip home the `check engine` light came on. Back to Superior, they checked the OBD II code, EGR valve. Was told, `It`s nothing, just a pollution control. We`ll reset the code and hope it doesn`t happen again.` Light came on during the trip home.

Back to Superior, left the car, Richie said they`d replaced an EGR filter that time, if the `check engine` light came on again they would have to start replacing parts. He insisted that it had nothing to do with the head gasket repair.

Now I`m not a mechanic but I know a little about cars. The EGR [Exhaust Gas Recirculation] system is a major component in engine functioning. Something certainly could have happened to it while removing and replacing the engine.

Further, there is a protocol for checking the EGR system- [1] hose connections, [2] vacuum pump testing the EGR valve, [3] check for clogged passages, [4] clean valve deposits, [5] check vacuum signal from throttle body, [6] vacuum gauge check vacuum line, [7] check EGR control solenoid with multimeter, [8] check power supply with multimeter.

Richie refused to agree to follow any Subaru protocol. His solution was for me to keep bringing the car back and he would replace parts, some expensive, until the car stopped acting up. This is not good mechanic work, it`s more what a backyard mechanic would do.

If you`re a granola crunching, tree-hugging urban dweller without any knowledge of cars, or if you have simple problems, you may be satisifed with this shop, at least for a while.

vanHoy / 1/18/2011

I try to be an informed shopper and typically research auto shops prior to making appointments. According to City Search reviews, Superior Import Repair received good reviews so I decided to call. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience and will never go back. Here is my story. I called to set up an appointment for a diagnosis and explained that my car sometimes doesn`t start. After my description of the state... view more of my car, I stated that I live out of town and was unable to leave my car overnight and that I would wait while they worked on it. I asked, ""when is a good time to come in so that it`s convenient for all of us?"" The mechanic (Richard) said that that would not be a problem. When I showed up for my allotted appointment two days later, the same mechanic (Richard) greeted me. He asked me all the same questions and had no recollection of our phone conversation. Further, he stated that I could come pick up my car tomorrow. Again, no recollection of our conversation. Two and a half hours later, my car was diagnosed with ""battery wiring problems"" and that is the reason it inconsistently starts. Three and a half hours later it was ""fixed,"" ""should start up no problem."" and that my windshield wiper blades were replaced too... as I requested. Great. A couple of days later, my car wouldn`t start and I noticed that my rear end wiper blade hadn`t been changed and was falling off. Hence, called to explain the problem and to find a solution. I spoke with Richard on the phone and he stated that I need to bring it in. I reminded him that I could not leave it there, ""not a problem,"" he said. I arrived for my planned appointment and he had no recollection of who I was or our phone discussion. After I explained everything one last time, he said, ""Okay, go ahead and leave your car and it will be ready this evening."" I stated, ""I thought it was understood that I made this appt for a convenient time so that I could wait... I can`t leave my car since I live out of town."" An hour later he stated that I needed another starter and that`s why my car inconsistently started. I decided that I would be civil and provide constructive criticism in order to help him with customer service relations. I told him that I was frustrated that our phone conversations were always forgotten, he never remembered me, and that my car was initially misdiagnosed as ""battery wiring problems."" He interrupted, ""I don`t care, then find someone else you like."" Overall, I was very unhappy with their customer service and do believe they have a poor sense of professionalism. He did not receive my feedback well and cut me off. Unbelievable!!!

Oliver76 / 12/29/2010

I`ve never had the best of luck when it comes to auto repair shops. They can always see me coming and I leave feeling ripped off and lied to. I went to Superior Import Repair after reading the reviews and I am very happy to say that everything I read is true! They were very kind and explained everything to me in a way that I could understand. My Subaru had the ""check engine"" light on and after they did the diagnost... view moreic, which indicated it was the knock sensor, they thoroughly looked at the entire engine at my request (I was weighing the options of fixing my car or buying a new Subaru). After looking at my car, which has been severely neglected, they let me know that it may not be the best investment to replace the knock sensor as there are additional issues that need to be addressed as well. I decided to buy a new a car and insisted to pay for the diagnostic and check up, but they wouldn`t let me! Rich and crew are awesome and I will never take my new Subaru anywhere else for it`s maintenance / repair needs.

krchristner / 12/16/2010

Are you kidding me? Up front and honest and darn good at what they do. Rich is the guy to go to when it comes to Subarus. I needed A LOT done... I knew that coming in. Rich and the crew gave me options and their suggestions... Now I`m back on the road with Jessica (that`s my Subaru) all is as good as new... well as far as a `99 goes. Thank you for EVERYTHING! Great price point and even better customer servi... view morece. Oh... they said it was going to take 4 days to get the work done... only took 2! Perfect!

TheGallagher / 10/9/2010

Richie should be sainted. I`m one very satisfied and relieved client to find a mechanic that is this good, this reasonable, and this trustworthy. HIGHLY recommended!

bhoppe / 6/16/2010

I wouldnt go anywhere but Superior Import Repair. I have been going there for years and they are the only people I trust. My last experience was so wonderful, it made me want to write this review and tell everyone about my great experience. I was so sure my alternator went out. The first thing I did was call Richie. He quoted me a very low price and just for kicks, I called the dealership to see what ungodly amount t... view morehey charged...they charged over triple! I took it in to Richie and he looked it over, called me back and told me it wasnt the alternator at all, just a bad connection with the battery! I know, if I would have taken it anywhere else, they would have changed the alternator anyway, charged me $600 and sent me on my way. I highly recommend Richie and his Dad...I will never go anywhere else for my Subaru needs.

lyndseygail / 4/8/2010

Richie and his Dad are the most honest, straightforward and talented fix-it guys around. They tell me what I need to repair and what can wait. It`s such a relief to know that I can trust them. My car has worked great because of their great care. I recommend both shops highly!

pamrechel / 9/21/2009

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