Thanks to the recommendations here I went to STechnic for the first time. I had my clutch done, shifter assembly, rear diff service and all fluids replaced and many other things that needed doing.

TLDR: STechnic is awesome, thanks for the recommendation guys

I've never trusted or had a mechanic that understood what I wanted before, I've always had to tell them what needed to be fixed and had to keep on their case to make sure it was done right. As I never trusted mechanics I used to go to a mechanic run by a big insurance company, however I quickly found some service centres weren't as good as others, even under the same company. Last year I bought my MY99 and it took 3 attempts and over 10 days to replace my rocker cover gaskets without leaks. They ignored my request for OEM gaskets until the third attempt and then tried to pass it off as special treatment rather than a necessity.

I'd gotten used to them lying to me small, white lies on why the delays etc., but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they were fudging things because they thought I wouldn't understand. I never let on that I didn’t believe them or that I’d already gotten the real story over the phone. I should of left them sooner but I had come to the belief nobody would care about my car as much as I would, they would see it as a 17 y/o car and give a second rate treatment… then again maybe all cars got a second rate treatment. The last time they washed my car, which I’d previously told them not to because they blocked the washer nozzle in my last car, they had left it covered with black oil smudges on the white paint. I had just washed it before taking it in to my previous mechanic, it was cleaner before they got it.

After the rocker covers, enough was enough, next time I’d try STechnic. My clutch was due and service was coming up but I wanted to wait till tax time. However a month and a half before tax time I felt it slip on a hill start, I drove by STechnic the next day after work. They were extremely friendly, helpful and took it for a test drive straight away. They said I had a bit left in the clutch and could wait till tax time, they also noticed all the other issues I had with the car and some I didn’t know about. Finally a mechanic that can give me advice and knows my car better than me. I had an extremely loose shifter coupling. I thought I was having transmission issues, popping out of gear and sometimes going into the wrong gear, turned out it was the shifter coupling. I didn’t realise how bad it was until I was told as I had no reference for how it should be. I was left with a very good first impression.

Once I got my tax back I booked in the car for early the next week, I thought that was very fast. The morning that I brought it in I had remembered most of the extra things I had on my list and asked if they could also do them along with the massive amount of work I’d already given them. They said a guy had called in sick that day and asked if it had to be done the same day, I said no rush but I need it back in 4 days. My previous mechanic would have had it at least that long if not more and then they’d call me just before 5pm and I would have been told several different stories for the delays. STechnic had my car done early arvo the next day, amazing.
 
After the work was complete they took plenty of time to explain everything that was done and why. I still ended up forgetting to ask them to do some things but they did them anyway, thanks  They also replaced several cheap things that while they were there with the transmission out it was stupid not to, I’m pretty sure my previous mechanic wouldn’t of done them. They understand me and what I want from my car, The WRX MY99 is one of my favourite cars of all time and I want to get it back in shape.

I’ve heard people say that STechnic costs more but they’re well worth it. In my opinion they cost pretty much the same as my previous mechanics, I didn’t go to cheap mechanics before but I’m sure Subaru would cost more. Personally I think the price was just right, if not cheaper than I expected, but the service was just amazing and I can’t imagine how they can live up to the standards they’ve just set themselves. I’m sure they didn’t give me special treatment that they wouldn’t do every other day, it’s just hard to fathom there are mechanics that really care this much. I spoke to a handful of the mechanics at STechnic and they all seemed to have a passion for their subject material.

This was all before I got my car back, I knew they’d washed my car it looked shiny from the outside but the inside was amazing. Probably one of the best cleans it’s had since I’ve had the car and I had kept it fairly clean, although was due for a clean. Driving the car was simply heaven, I find it hard to believe the car felt this good even when it was new. I drove stop start traffic on the way home and instead of it being hell it was bliss. My clutch pedal is light as a feather, so light I barely can tell it is there and almost wondered if this was a problem. Before I had to hold my knee down with my hand sometimes as after a while my leg would get tired. I heard people talk about getting heavier sports or racing clutches and I thought, I dunno if I could stand much heavier than this. I had no idea it was meant to be so much lighter.

As you can tell I’m extremely happy with the service and I love how they were so professional and took the time to explain things and fix things to a level beyond my expectations. I love how they see something wrong and they fix it and I end up with a car I’m much happier with. The changes were so much it was like night and day, I thought the car was awesome before but with an aging clutch and rattle from the shifter/centre console area. Now it’s just awesome the rattle is gone and several other noises. I feel like it’s even got some more power, although it was starting to slip before and I haven’t driven it much y et so it could be my imagination. It’s like I’ve just bought a new car and I’m excited to find excuses to drive it. I have finally found the mechanics I always hoped to have.

Thankyou STechnic and Thanks P-WRX for pointing me in the right direction.

P.S. Sorry for the wall for text but I had to get this out of my system so I can go back to being a cynical git :P

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