My experience with Subaru of Ontario started off w...

My experience with Subaru of Ontario started off well but ended badly. Hopefully this review can save you some trouble if you're considering a purchase from this dealer.

I sent an online inquiry from one of the car pricing websites and received a response from an internet salesperson at the dealership. We corresponded about pricing and options and she informed me she had two cars in stock, one black and one dark gray. The following is the actual email I sent to her confirming the quote (I've blocked out the pricing):

"Also, just so I understand, the quote would be as follows: Legacy 2.5i Premium PZEV = $xxx, Eyesight + Blind Spot Detection & Rear Cross Traffic Alert = $xxx, Leather Seating = $xxx, Total = $xxx."

The following is the actual email response she sent back to me (I've blocked out the pricing):

"The price you suggested below is correct according to the email quotes that are sent out. The only thing that it does not include which I always mention to my customers is the destination charge of $xxx. So it would be $xxx for the vehicle itself + $xxx for destination = $xxx + $xxx Eyesight, Blind Spot, Rear Traffic+ $xxx for leather = $xxx before taxes and fees."

I told her I was happy with the quote and that I'd take the black car. When I showed up to the dealer, the car they had waiting for me had navigation, moon roof, something called rear bumper applique, and a few other options that I wasn't told about, didn't ask for, didn't want, and increased the price significantly. When I pointed it out, they told me I misunderstood the quote. So I pulled up the email chain above. Then they tried to offer me a different car in a different color that I didn't want. When I refused that...surprise, surprise...the sales manager came out. We went around and around and he finally came to the point where he just flat out told me the quote was a mistake and he wouldn't honor it. He was rude and unapologetic about it as well.

Do I think this was really a "mistake"? I have no way of knowing for sure, but I did a google search on "car dealer bait and switch" and thought I was reading a recap. I've drawn my own conclusion; you can draw yours.

I wish I could direct you to Honest and Ethical Car Dealer X, but I can't. What I can do is save you a trip. If you live in LA and are considering making a trip to this dealer because they offered you a straight-forward, hassle-free quote--what you actually get may turn out to be neither of those things. Stay closer to home. You'll probably still have to deal with shady sales tactics, but at least you won't be subjecting yourself to a few extra hours in traffic to do so.