Sorenson Automotive, Inc - Subaru Repair Specialists Mn

12500 Nevada Ave S, Savage, MN 55378, USA

Address:	12500 Nevada Ave S, Savage, MN 55378, USA
Phone:	+1 952-736-9200
Site:	sorensonautomotive.com
Rating:	4.7
Working:	9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM Closed Closed

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Hugh Phillips

It is perhaps fortunate that a Google search for Subaru mechanic Minneapolis yields so few results because in those few I found Sorenson Automotive in Savage MN. I have used a fairly good independent mechanic shop near me but I always had a suspicion they werent really tuned into Subaru and they were always expensive. Leaking head gaskets on my 2000 Subaru Outback have plagued the vehicle for years and a recent overheating issue meant my wife no longer trusted the vehicle for long trips. We were in the market for a replacement vehicle for a while and dismayed at that potential cost before I decided to visit Sorensons and now I am really glad I did. Sorensons is a first rate shop and Ben Sorenson is an excellent and knowledgeable Subaru mechanic. My first impression of Sorensons wasnt favorable. It is located in an industrial park, set back from the road in a brown cement block building. The Sorensons sign is eclipsed by the much larger Turner Excavating sign, the business behind them. The dirt road approach is dominated by a dumpster and the chain link fence entry gate to Sorensons holding yard. At that point I almost drove away thinking getting automotive work done here might be a real mistake. And the modest office wont dispel the first outside impression. It is furnished in old dark paneling with worn flooring, a tired sofa and is permeated with a faint smell of solvent; its nothing like the white/glass/chrome service desk and waiting area at your expensive dealership service counter. But then you realize after you meet and talk to Ben Sorenson, the owner/mechanic and get a look into his garage full of quality lifts and tools that little is spent on outside appearances, the focus is on the repair work. Ben is always willing to discuss a repair issue in detail before and after the work. And because Ben doesnt have the overhead of a snazzy dealership service area his repair charges are lower to people like me who need repair work on their vehicles. You will meet Bens wife who runs the office and possibly even his boys if they are not in school. Sorensons is a family-run business operating at low cost. I encourage you to support them by giving them your business, it is well worth it. So far I have had several visits to Sorensons. The first was to get the heads overhauled and machined with new gaskets. That went perfect, I no longer have that antifreeze smell every time I pull into the garage. Importantly, Ben also noticed my check engine light was on - has been on intermittently for several years that my regular mechanic could never solve - and tracked it to the knock sensor which he replaced. The car has never run better. In another visit Ben replaced a transmission hose that cracked and leaked out all the transmission fluid. Most recently Ben replaced anti-sway bar bushings that had worn causing a creaking sound from the suspension when loaded. All successful visits and in the end I still have my 2000 Subaru Outback running great and without the cost of a replacement vehicle! My only regret about Sorensons is that it is a long way from where I live so for a multi-day repair like the heads I had to rent a car (Bens wife helped arrange that and got a great rate for me at a nearby Enterprise). If you are going to be stuck at Sorensons for a few hours waiting for a repair then you should consider walking over to the Tin Shed Tavern (~1 mile away) for some good food.

Ben Williams

I love my Subarus and have found that you definitely need to seek out a specialist for them since they are rather "special" in their design. I know from experience because I had a beloved 92 Subaru SVX runied by a mechanic that claimed to be able to fix it. Then theres the dealer: they have no appreciation for their older model cars and they will do the least amount possible to keep it running. They are also quite vague as to what they actually do and what the problem really was. Face it, its in their best interest for you to buy a new car anyway. I have been taking both of my Subarus to the Sorensons for a while now. They understand the quirkyness of Subarus. Ben will thoroughly check things out before and after the repairs and answer any questions that you may have. In doing so, he will establish a familiarity with you and your cars and thus when you return, it is an ongoing dialogue. This is a nice change from the cold, anonymous treatment you will receive at most mechanics. They will also make other necessary repairs while they have it all taken apart which saves future labor and makes for a more comprehensive repair. When you come to pick it up, they always have your old parts laying on the counter so that you know exactly what went wrong with them. I have also had some emergency repair work done here and they were very accomodating to it as much as they could be. With a smaller mom and pop shop like this, sometimes you need to wait a bit longer for completion but it is worth it in the end for this level of personalized service. Another thing that Ive never experienced before is that these folks dont even wince about giving you a ride. They will come and pick you up/drop you off at home or work. Theyll even set up a tow if needed. This is the kind of place that we need more of. There is no glossy exterior or annoying and misleading advertising. Just a solid and capable shop. If you have a Subaru, definitely bring it here.

Dusty h

As someone new to MN, I went here on a recommendation from a friend because I knew my repair was going to be extensive (engine got rebuilt) and I didnt want to get screwed. Im glad I went here and had a good experience overall. There were a few snags along the way, but I felt they were honest and put a lot of effort to keep me informed throughout and covered the costs of a rental vehicle until it was finished. When we initially spoke after they looked at the vehicle, he talked with me for over half an hour on my options for repairing. Im not a car guy, but I felt very informed on the options and not pushed. When I picked up the vehicle, I was given plenty of information on how to break in the engine correctly and all other maintenance issues. I never felt like I was lied to or not told the entire story, and it was great to talk with the people who actually worked on the vehicle instead of just a salesperson reading a note on file. The only issue I had was the length of time the repair took was longer than quoted initially. I felt the situation was handled as best as they could, but this probably have been done quicker at a larger shop. Overall, I highly recommend Sorenson Automotive. Edit: For what its worth, my vehicle is a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, and its running wonderfully thus far.

Victoria Bauman

Ben Sorenson helped us with an engine problem on our 2007 Subaru Impreza wagon. We live about 65 miles away from Sorenson Auto and had taken our car to a local mechanic, but he had no clue and recommended a junk yard engine swap. We found Sorenson Auto and talked to Ben over the phone. It was obvious as soon as we spoke to him that he understood our car problem. We had it towed to his shop on a Saturday. Ben found the problem and quoted several different options for repair. We could not decide how to proceed and Ben allowed us some time to decide what to do. Other shops may have pushed us to make a quick decision, but Ben allowed us to review the quotes and helped us make the best decision for our situation. It was refreshing to work with an auto repair shop that can do complex repairs and will work with car owners to make sure we made the right choice. I used my daughters google account to post this , although I usually do not do online recommendations, I wanted to share the good experience we had with Sorenson Auto. Thanks Sorenson Auto, I would recommend your service to anyone.