Lithia Body and Paint review - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

WRXlerate · 2008-05-27, 11:55 PM

These people do horrible work and then don't even stand behind it. I made the mistake of taking my wrx there and had to take it back 8 different times for various issues. On the first delivery they tried to return the vehicle with a run in the paint, overspray on the carpet and side of the seat, various trim was scratched, glass in the door had a deep scratch, one end of the door jamb was left sanded and dull and the other end was scratched and painted with touch-up paint (the kind you buy for the do-it-yourself door ding repair). The car only had 600mi. on it so none of those issues existed previously. After countless days of leaving my car there and never getting it fixed properly I finally gave up and traded it in. Oh, I even got cussed out by the painter for bringing my car back, what a great shop!
The second story was not by choice. I purchased a used STi that had a front fender painted from there, which I knew because he gave me the receipt. The paint was starting to chip on the bottom of the fender where normally the factory puts the clear gravel gaurd on. They didn't. When I took it in to have it looked at with the receipt, they admitted it wasn't done properly and said they would fix it. After I made the appointment, they found out I wasn't the original one who had it fixed there and refused to fix it. The work had only been done 10 months prior to me purchasing it.
Their contact info 284-7950

MattR · 2008-05-28, 05:39 AM

They are the worst. I had the same experience with my Sti there years ago.

Nick Koan · 2008-05-28, 03:47 PM

Lithia Body and Paint is not the same business at the Lithia Subaru dealership / service dept. And if you think the dealership is bad, just go to the Body and Paint shop. It makes Lithia Subaru look like a bunch of saints.

(also, their parts/service people are actually pretty good if you find the right ones)
(salesmen, notsomuch)

khail19 · 2008-05-28, 08:07 PM

I know all the parts dept. employees and they are all pretty sharp and friendly, especially Don and Gaynelle. I have not been impressed by the body shop at all though. After a break-in, I had to take my car back several times for issues that should have been fixed on the first visit.

Bajozzy · 2008-05-31, 06:39 AM

My wife hit a deer in her 07 2.5i Impreza on the very first day she bought it.

Fairly minor damage but the body shop at lithia ordered a new hood, both fenders, front bumper and headlight assemblies and all related front end parts.

The cost was astronomical and one of the fenders didn't line up right and the paint job on the hood has what looks like sand under the paint. I took it back a couple times and got a big line of BS from them. The car is a lease so F*** it. I have purchased 5 Subarus over the the years from Lithia and ended up getting a fair shake after several sessions of negotiations on each deal. You really have to hold your ground and be willing to walk away with any dealer. They have a no negotiating pricing system now so you have to work even harder. Bottom line is Lithia Body shop sucks balls and Lithia stealership is about the norm IMO.

WRXlerate · 2009-01-28, 07:45 PM

Just wanted to bump this up so people that haven't seen it will

I'm sure there are hundreds of other people that feel the same way we do!!

sperry · 2009-02-04, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GusGus91

When I went there the other day to look at a wrx they had on the lot, the asian floor manager (forgot his name) asked me if i was going to trade in my car '00 lexus rx300. I said "No, because you probably wont give me anything for it". He said to me "have you checked kbb trade in value"? I said "Yea, its $8000 in good condition". He then went back into his little office and talked to his people. He then came out and said "Ok, well if we give you "$8300 for your trade in, plus the $600 or $700 in taxes back since its payed off, can we earn your business today"?

I probably would have done it if it wasn't my mom's car, and I had the extra $6k to come up with for the other car. haha. But in my few days that I spent there the few salesmen that I talked to were pretty nice, and just seemed pretty straight up and legit. Although one guy tried to bullshit me about the car and tried to convince me that it was some super-car.

Ok, now go over to the Lithia body shop and have them paint your car.

Then come back in this thread and bitch and moan like everyone else because the Lithia body shop (which is actually almost totally unrelated to Lithia Subaru except that they're owned by the same parent company and just happen to be next door to each other) does bad work, has incompetent employees, and terrible customer service.

I dunno how this thread got to be a review of Lithia Subaru...

I blame Cody.

cody · 2009-02-04, 10:37 AM

I would never take a thread OT.

Kevin M · 2009-02-04, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody

I would never take a thread OT.

I hope you took your pants off before posting that. What with the fire hazard and all.

cody · 2009-02-04, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin M

I hope you took your pants off before posting that. What with the fire hazard and all.

Check.

MattR · 2009-02-04, 05:50 PM

Seriously...Lithia paint and Lithia Subaru are TWO seperate businesses. You people are hopeless

Bajozzy · 2009-02-04, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100_Percent_Juice

You didn't pay for that did you?

Yes I bent over and took it dry. I will be writing a letter to Lithia and SOA. There are several ways to get back they won't see coming, I'll get mines. Needless to say Independent auto will be getting my business in the future.

WRXlerate · 2009-03-10, 03:04 PM

It's that time for bodywork again...just wanted to keep this one at the top so nobody gets burned.

Bajozzy · 2009-03-10, 07:15 PM

LITHIA RENO SUBARU SERVICE CENTER AND BODY SHOP FTL !!

szucchet · 2009-03-11, 11:13 AM

i hit a deer in my old wagon and took it lithia body shop it was a mistake it took them over 2 moths to finish my car and the bill was huge over 12k (glad ensurance payed for it) the paint did not match the fenders, they put a cheap ass hood on it that almost weight as much as a steel one. they suck never take your car there. they are a bunch of c**k suckers

Dean · 2009-03-12, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koobaru

lol its funny to see everyone hate on lithia, i have to admit, working for them sucks a big one. but like it was stated before, some of the people are great. you just have to go in there knowing who you need to talk to. dont hate me for being a service tech! lol

Note this thread is bagging on Lithia PAINT & BODY, not Subaru Parts & Service. You are not the first tech to join SECCS. Road Kill used to be a tech and a service writer before moving to Toyota and many of us buy parts and appreciate the consideration they give us on them.

We understand the reality of dealer service, dealer profit motives and act accordingly and do not blame the people doing the work for them.

ZER026D · 2009-03-16, 12:32 PM

I work for lithia and I wont even go to are body shop I took my 02 wrx there and will never go back.

WRXlerate · 2009-03-18, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Note this thread is bagging on Lithia PAINT & BODY, not Subaru Parts & Service.

sperry · 2009-03-18, 10:16 AM

Okay, I split all the Lithia Subaru Parts/Service stuff into it's own thread. Please keep this one about just the Lithia Body Shop.

WRXlerate · 2009-03-19, 01:28 PM

Nice, thanks.

Bajozzy · 2009-03-20, 05:53 AM

[

cody · 2009-03-20, 07:05 AM

Wow, nice.

MattR · 2009-03-20, 07:58 AM

That's impressive.

Street Pirate · 2009-03-21, 06:28 AM

ok so not to keep bagging on the body shop buy I have seem really nice work come out of there. and you have to remember that they are only aloud to do the work and use the pieces that the POS insurance co. will let them use.

Nick Koan · 2009-03-21, 07:43 AM

Yeah, I'm sure the insurance companies mandate overspray and drips.

2008-05-27, 11:55 PM	#1
WRXlerate EJ22 Real Name: John B. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Behind a brick wall. Posts: 471 Car: 02 Soccermom Wagon Class: "sleeper" Destroying V8 Egos 4 cylinders at a time	Lithia Body and Paint review These people do horrible work and then don't even stand behind it. I made the mistake of taking my wrx there and had to take it back 8 different times for various issues. On the first delivery they tried to return the vehicle with a run in the paint, overspray on the carpet and side of the seat, various trim was scratched, glass in the door had a deep scratch, one end of the door jamb was left sanded and dull and the other end was scratched and painted with touch-up paint (the kind you buy for the do-it-yourself door ding repair). The car only had 600mi. on it so none of those issues existed previously. After countless days of leaving my car there and never getting it fixed properly I finally gave up and traded it in. Oh, I even got cussed out by the painter for bringing my car back, what a great shop! The second story was not by choice. I purchased a used STi that had a front fender painted from there, which I knew because he gave me the receipt. The paint was starting to chip on the bottom of the fender where normally the factory puts the clear gravel gaurd on. They didn't. When I took it in to have it looked at with the receipt, they admitted it wasn't done properly and said they would fix it. After I made the appointment, they found out I wasn't the original one who had it fixed there and refused to fix it. The work had only been done 10 months prior to me purchasing it. Their contact info 284-7950

2008-05-28, 05:39 AM	#2
MattR El Matador Real Name: Matt Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 10,660 Car: 2012 Toyota Tacoma Class: ?	They are the worst. I had the same experience with my Sti there years ago. __________________ "Dallas..We have a problem.”

2008-05-28, 03:47 PM	#3
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Lithia Body and Paint is not the same business at the Lithia Subaru dealership / service dept. And if you think the dealership is bad, just go to the Body and Paint shop. It makes Lithia Subaru look like a bunch of saints. (also, their parts/service people are actually pretty good if you find the right ones) (salesmen, notsomuch) __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2009-01-28, 07:45 PM	#6
WRXlerate EJ22 Real Name: John B. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Behind a brick wall. Posts: 471 Car: 02 Soccermom Wagon Class: "sleeper" Destroying V8 Egos 4 cylinders at a time	Just wanted to bump this up so people that haven't seen it will I'm sure there are hundreds of other people that feel the same way we do!! __________________ Stuff sold by the gram is always more exciting than stuff sold by the pound. JC

2009-02-04, 10:37 AM	#8
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	I would never take a thread OT. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2008-05-28, 08:07 PM	#4
khail19 EJ205 Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,769 Car: 2016 VW GTI Meets? We have meets?	I know all the parts dept. employees and they are all pretty sharp and friendly, especially Don and Gaynelle. I have not been impressed by the body shop at all though. After a break-in, I had to take my car back several times for issues that should have been fixed on the first visit.

2008-05-31, 06:39 AM	#5
Bajozzy EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lake Almanor CA. Posts: 132 Car: 2011 2.5i, 2011 STI Sedan OBP Live for the Day	My wife hit a deer in her 07 2.5i Impreza on the very first day she bought it. Fairly minor damage but the body shop at lithia ordered a new hood, both fenders, front bumper and headlight assemblies and all related front end parts. The cost was astronomical and one of the fenders didn't line up right and the paint job on the hood has what looks like sand under the paint. I took it back a couple times and got a big line of BS from them. The car is a lease so F*** it. I have purchased 5 Subarus over the the years from Lithia and ended up getting a fair shake after several sessions of negotiations on each deal. You really have to hold your ground and be willing to walk away with any dealer. They have a no negotiating pricing system now so you have to work even harder. Bottom line is Lithia Body shop sucks balls and Lithia stealership is about the norm IMO.

2009-02-04, 05:50 PM	#11
MattR El Matador Real Name: Matt Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 10,660 Car: 2012 Toyota Tacoma Class: ?	Seriously...Lithia paint and Lithia Subaru are TWO seperate businesses. You people are hopeless __________________ "Dallas..We have a problem.”

2009-03-10, 03:04 PM	#13
WRXlerate EJ22 Real Name: John B. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Behind a brick wall. Posts: 471 Car: 02 Soccermom Wagon Class: "sleeper" Destroying V8 Egos 4 cylinders at a time	It's that time for bodywork again...just wanted to keep this one at the top so nobody gets burned. __________________ Stuff sold by the gram is always more exciting than stuff sold by the pound. JC

2009-03-10, 07:15 PM	#14
Bajozzy EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lake Almanor CA. Posts: 132 Car: 2011 2.5i, 2011 STI Sedan OBP Live for the Day	LITHIA RENO SUBARU SERVICE CENTER AND BODY SHOP FTL !!

2009-03-11, 11:13 AM	#15
szucchet EJ22 Real Name: Silvio Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 271 Car: 2004 Subaru STI Class: 04 TSM smooth is fast	i hit a deer in my old wagon and took it lithia body shop it was a mistake it took them over 2 moths to finish my car and the bill was huge over 12k (glad ensurance payed for it) the paint did not match the fenders, they put a cheap ass hood on it that almost weight as much as a steel one. they suck never take your car there. they are a bunch of c**k suckers

2009-03-16, 12:32 PM	#17
ZER026D EJ251 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 616 Car: 01 is300 / 87 rx4 Class: ? drive fast take chances	I work for lithia and I wont even go to are body shop I took my 02 wrx there and will never go back. __________________ Subaru using the slightly different Exkimo spelling "Soebahrue" which is pronounced EXACTLY the same, it means "Man who beds with seals" I saw Chimok down on the ice floe doign that thing with the seals again. He's a total Soebahrue. www.level4racing.com

2009-03-18, 10:16 AM	#19
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Okay, I split all the Lithia Subaru Parts/Service stuff into it's own thread. Please keep this one about just the Lithia Body Shop. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2009-03-19, 01:28 PM	#20
WRXlerate EJ22 Real Name: John B. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Behind a brick wall. Posts: 471 Car: 02 Soccermom Wagon Class: "sleeper" Destroying V8 Egos 4 cylinders at a time	Nice, thanks. __________________ Stuff sold by the gram is always more exciting than stuff sold by the pound. JC

2009-03-20, 05:53 AM	#21
Bajozzy EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lake Almanor CA. Posts: 132 Car: 2011 2.5i, 2011 STI Sedan OBP Live for the Day	[ Last edited by Bajozzy; 2009-03-20 at 07:04 PM. Reason: posted wrong story on accident

2009-03-20, 07:05 AM	#22
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Wow, nice. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-03-20, 07:58 AM	#23
MattR El Matador Real Name: Matt Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 10,660 Car: 2012 Toyota Tacoma Class: ?	That's impressive. __________________ "Dallas..We have a problem.”

2009-03-21, 06:28 AM	#24
Street Pirate n00b Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 21	ok so not to keep bagging on the body shop buy I have seem really nice work come out of there. and you have to remember that they are only aloud to do the work and use the pieces that the POS insurance co. will let them use.

2009-03-21, 07:43 AM	#25
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Yeah, I'm sure the insurance companies mandate overspray and drips. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New to the forum, back in N. Reno, and in need of body shop opinions..	GC8.Love	General Subaru Discussion & Club Chat	11	2005-12-30 08:57 AM
SVX Paint Issues (Gilsons Autobody in Carson)	sperry	Reviews	38	2005-05-13 02:17 PM