Garavel Subaru — Local services in Norwalk

There’s not an iota of truth in your response. The car had only about 60 more miles than when it was appraised.

I love to leave necessary reviews. My experience at Garavel Subaru in Norwalk, CT was so outrageous that I feel obligated to warn others — this dealership should be avoided at all costs. I’d assume the same about Garavel Chrysler.

I was in touch with one of their salespeople, Santiago, about selling my 2022 Toyota Camry SE. He was friendly at first and repeatedly assured me — in writing — that Garavel would honor their $15,000 offer once my title arrived.

The messages were crystal clear: “Our $15K offer still stands until the end of the month, and we can make the process quick and easy once you’re ready.” Because of those promises, I put full trust in them. I even drove twice from New York City to Norwalk, a long trip each time, believing I was dealing with professionals who respected their word.

So I took a huge risk, driving an unregistered, uninsured vehicle across state lines because I trusted their word.

That trust was a mistake.

When I finally went to Garavel Subaru with the title in hand, everything changed. The same people who had been polite and accommodating online suddenly turned cold, arrogant, and dismissive in person. The “quick and easy process” they promised became an attitude of, “We don’t owe you anything.”

They claimed the used car manager, Logan, “wasn’t in” (how convenient), and that they’d have to reappraise the car as if we’d never spoken before. This was the same Logan who personally appraised my Camry in person at $15,000 the first time I went — and now suddenly, he was nowhere to be found. I showed them the messages confirming the offer, yet they brushed it off like it didn’t matter. No accountability whatsoever!

This man had personally seen the car, test-driven it, and written the appraisal — and now he was acting like he’d never met me. His tone was smug, dismissive, and completely unprofessional. No apology, no explanation — just arrogance and attitude, as if I was the one wasting their time.

The rest of the staff wasn’t any better. They were condescending, talking down to me like I was clueless, trying to justify their bait-and-switch behavior. The arrogance in that showroom was staggering. It was like they were doing me a favor by breaking their word.

I had all the written messages as proof — timestamps, screenshots, everything — yet they had the nerve to pretend none of it existed. When I asked how they could treat a serious buyer that way, they gave me blank stares and evasive answers. Their so-called “management” was conveniently unavailable, hiding behind excuses like “he’s not in right now.”

I couldn’t help but think — what if someone went there to trade in their car based on a promised number? Who would honor it if the “used car manager” just disappears or “doesn’t remember”? How many people have been misled like this?

They are worse than the typical Queens Boulevard dealers, who at least are upfront about their games. Garavel Subaru hides behind fake politeness online, but once you show up, it’s a completely different story — full of arrogance, lies, and zero accountability.

I took the time, risk, and effort to go there twice from NYC, trusting their repeated written assurances. Instead, I was met with dishonesty, disrespect, and the most unprofessional behavior I’ve ever seen at a dealership.

If this is how Garavel Subaru handles a straightforward cash offer, I can only imagine how they treat customers financing or trading in.

Save yourself the frustration, the stress, and the wasted gas.

Garavel Subaru does not value honesty, customer service, or basic respect. They lied, they wasted my time, and they put me in a risky situation for absolutely nothing. They might smile online — but once you show up, they’ll treat you like you’re beneath them.

It begs the question: for how long will they be in business if this is how they operate? Absolute arrogance and deceit. Santiago, Logan, Joel, and the General Sales Manager are the team from “fill...

Terrible experience with the service department. I got a letter about a recall on my Outback and called and made an appointment at the Garavel service center. I was told on the phone it would take three hours. I brought my car in at the time of the appointment and was told instead it would take five to six hours. A little past hour five, I had to call to check in (because it was almost closing and I hadn’t received any update). When I called, I was told that they had JUST brought the car in to be repaired but that it would be ready by closing. On my way to pick up the car, I got another phone call, and was told the repair would actually take an additional hour and a half and, because they left it to the absolute last possible second, I would have to rearrange my schedule and pick it up instead on Monday.

I chose instead to pick up my car and bring it down to the Stamford location, where I have had repeated better service. When I picked it up, Tony said “I’m sorry there was nothing I could do”. Really? Nothing? Couldn’t have called me in the morning to reschedule because you were over-booked and under staffed? Couldn’t have called to tell me to wait until the end of the day to bring it in? Couldn’t have paid the technicians to rearrange their schedule and do an hour and a half of overtime to finish the work? Apparently not because Tony said explicitly that he “couldn’t ask his guys to do that.” But Tony, you certainly don’t have any problem asking me to rearrange MY schedule!

I write this review, not because this is a one-time issue. This has happened to me on repeated occasions. I’m told a repair will take a certain time and it ends up taking double. This is how you’ll be treated, even if you bought the car from Garavel like I did, so I can’t even imagine how bad the service is if you bought your car from somewhere else.

Save yourself the trouble and go to a different Subaru...

When buying a car especially a used one, it can be an overwhelming and sometimes daunting experience.

Unless you are a car aficionado, auto mechanic or true “gearhead”, you really rely on the knowledge and professionalism of the salesperson in front of you and the company they represent. There are tons of dealerships in CT but if you want a professional, courteous, and great experience, you have to go Garavel Subaru.. Chris Scarlett was my salesperson when I bought my used 2014 Hyundai Tucson

Chris possessed all the qualities you look for: Someone who listens: Chris made sure I found the car that fitted my needs and lifestyle, He kept within my budget which was greatly appreciated

Someone who establishes rapport: Chris treated my brother and me fairly and with respect. His friendly and no pressure approach made the car selection easier. We saw many cars and Chris was helpful with each one

Someone who is knowledgeable: Chris understands cars and customer service .I had a list of questions before I bought my car. And if Chris did not have an answer for any question I had about a car or any Garavel procedure, He found out the answer and included me in the process. He was very transparent.

Someone who is committed to customer satisfaction: Chris was with me before, during and after the sale. There even was a day I was sick and was supposed to come in for my new license plates .Chris offered to come to my residence and switch out my plates for me. I even got a handwritten “Thank you” note from him before the sale. Who does that? These gestures may seem small but they do make a big difference too many people.

If you are looking for a new or used car, Chris Scarlett and the Garavel Subaru team will definitely take care of you.

Check them out! They eliminate the negative “ used car “stereotype that many of us know of and will give you a...