OT: Subaru Service in The Gorge?

deminimis · Since 15 Jul 2014 326 Posts On the Rocks Obsessed

I seem to be making a lot of these OT threads lately (unfortunately). Had a head gasket failure on the wife's Outback this weekend. When I lived in HR in the early 90's, there was a Subaru guru in HR, but I can't recall his name and I doubt he's still around. Greentree seems to be the go-to place now for Subi work, but I have no experience with them. Any recommendations in Hood River, The Dalles or even over in White Salmon /Goldendale? Tonkin is not an option (they still use the same failure-prone gaskets). Don't really have the time or interest in doing it myself (plus my shop is full with other projects). Thanks.

Pepi · Tue Jun 28, 16 12:16 pm

Paco was the Subaru Guru. He passed away last year.

Jim at 'Marks Automotive' in White Salmon is a good guy to go to.

You get what you pay for and you will pay for (and receive) quality work.

deminimis · Since 15 Jul 2014 326 Posts On the Rocks Obsessed

Thanks. Bummer though. Thanks for the lead too.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1472 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

2 places in HR are reasonable and 100% trust worthy.
Taylor Automotive next to the bowling alley.
The 2nd place is Shade Tree - they have shops in HR and WS.
They specialize in older Subarus. They're awesome!

deminimis · Since 15 Jul 2014 326 Posts On the Rocks Obsessed

Thanks again. Shadetree/Greentree uses the factory gaskets (which for 2005-2009 is a bad thing). I just got hipped to Superior in Ptld. They use the Six Star gaskets and All-Wheel Drive Auto parts from Seattle (cost more than twice as much, but are coveted by those that know their Subies, it seems) and charge about the same. I'll waste a lot of diesel hauling it to Ptld from east of The Dalles, but might be worth it. I'm going to check out the others as well. I think we're about Subied out, so the next owner will get a fresh ride at least. Thanks again folks!!

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2060 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Metro metric in PDX in close-in SE like 10th and Morrisson.

deminimis · Since 15 Jul 2014 326 Posts On the Rocks Obsessed

Thanks all. We're trying to decide what we're going to do. One of us is going to get a new Toyota and one of us is going to get stuck with the Subie. I've pretty much settled on Superior as they use the good stuff and get some glowing reviews from subiephiles. Oh, it's close to some okay sushi as well, so, well, you know. My guess is I'll be stuck with the Subie. Wife gets a new Camry (yawn, but reliable), my daughter gets my trusty Corolla S (I'm too old to drive a Corolla anyway) and we sell her 2000 CRV after the dust settles. The Boy gets the Subie, poor kid, in 2.5 years when he gets a license. That's the plan anyway. I'd rather do almost anything other than deal with car hassles, but it happens. Thanks again everyone.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 536 Posts Oregon Addicted

yep, Superior Import Auto is top notch. Been around for ages

another one to look into is Mountain Tech in Oregon City. really good as well.

wannabekiter · Since 14 May 2015 269 Posts Hood river Obsessed

Hey you live in the gorge spend your money in the gorge. There are plenty of good mechanics in the gorge. Some of them are even kite boarders and wake boarders. Very Happy

deminimis · Since 15 Jul 2014 326 Posts On the Rocks Obsessed

Out east and tried that already and here we are again a mere four years later. Going with the highly specialized folks.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1523 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster