Over a month ago my Subaru Outback developed a problem. When I headed to work in the morning it would slip out of gear as it tried to go into third. As the engine warmed up the problem disappeared. So I ignored it for a while and it got worse. So I decided to take it in to get repaired.

I took it to Gaynors Automotive here in Vancouver WA. I had taken my wifes exploder there in the past and was happy with their service. Anyway, in goes the Suby, they call me the next day and tell me the bad news, internal transmission failure. It can be fixed for $3380. Whow….

So I really like my Suby and I would also like to pay cash for my next car so I decided to have it fixed. Gaynors claimed that it could be done in a week. No problem, my wife was out of town and so I could use her car.

At the end of the week I called Gaynors to see how it was going. They said that they had put it together but had problems with the sensors so they took it back apart. OK. Then I found out Gaynors was having problems with the torque converter, which triggered two additional take appart and put back together.

By this time we were into week 2. Monday of week 2 I organized a ride to work and a ride to the shop as Gaynors said they would have it done. I was put off until Tuesday, I organized my rides and then was put off some more. Gaynors sensing my frustration organized a rental, at no charge. This was a great move on their part. Enterprise tried to set me up with a Chevy Aveo but I was not having any of that so I was upgraded to a Mazda 3. (Side story I really like the car and would consider buying one).

So Friday of week 2 rolls around and I get a call from Gaynors saying the Suby is done! I happily head down there, pay them and hop in my car. As I turn it on, I can tell right away that something is wrong. So I take it for a drive. Something was NOT right! The Suby was shifting all over the place. It was running out second gear almost to the red and then short shifting third and lugging. Fail Fail FAIL! As I took it back to Gaynors the check engine light came back on. No surprise there.

Gaynors immediately gives me the rental Mazda back. And said that three people test drive it, and they will look at it on Monday. Fine. I believe you that three people test drive it but I still noticed the problems, which did not look to good. Furthermore now I have paid you.

Fast Forward to Monday Week 3, call them in the morning. Gaynors apologizes for prematurely giving it back and restate that three people had drive it. I really don’t care, I just want my car back. I called them again around 4:00 and they say that its either a sensor or computer issue and they are working on it. Great.

So this leaves me here. I really want my car back, FIXED. One of the things that has kept me hopeful through all of this is Gaynors has not deviated from the original estimate. Gaynors has also provided me with a rental, which has been the single thing keeping me from totally loosing my shit.

So this can end two ways. Gaynors can fix my car and not charge me a cent more. In which case my verdict will be slow but stellar about holding to their quote, providing customer service and delivering a fixed car. OR Gaynors can ask for more, in which case I will go totally nuts and ask them why they did not find this problem originally citing all the times they took it apart and put it back together.

Stay Tuned.

Update: Got the car back, running great considering it has 171k miles. Still sounds a little rough around the edges but once it gets warmed up its all good.