Carter Subaru History

2009
January, 2009 Carter Subaru is Subaru's new car High-Volume leader in the Northwest for 2008 and #4 in America!  Carter Subaru was awarded the Pinnacle Award.

2008 
February we hosted a 2009 Forester preview with a new LL Bean on display. The cars are expected in a month or 2, with pre-orders coming first.

January, 2008. The Carter family begins the "On The Road To Carbon Neutral" Project.  To offset the carbon footprint of the cars we sell, Carter will plant 3 trees in the Mountain To Sound Greenway, additionally, for every test drive taken one tree will be planted in the MTS Greenway.  Together we can decrease your carbon footprint and help to beautify the scenic byway along the I-90 corridor stretching from Seattle over Snoqualmie Pass into Central Washington.

January, 2008. Carter again is Subaru's new car High-Volume leader in Washington State for 2007 and #4 in the entire USA! We're also the #1 CPO, certified pre-owned high-volume dealer, for the 2007 calender year.

2007  January, 2007. Carter is Subaru's new car volume leader in Washington State for 2006 and #4 in the entire USA!
The all new Imprezas arrive late Summer with the STI 5 door coming later.
2006  Our 30th Anniversary! Carter depends on referral and repeat customers to sell over 2000 cars per year with a sales staff of 13. We have 18 garage bays with 25+ technicians. We carry over $750,000 in parts in a 7000sf warehouse.
2004 Carter introduces 'Quick Service' no appointment oil changes, tire alignment, sales, repairs, and a Touch-Less Car Wash that even recyles the water!
2002 Carter is Washington State's Largest Subaru Dealer based on Subaru of America's figures in Parts, Service, Sales and has been ever since. 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002...
2001 Wade Carter dies in a helicopter crash. Mrs. Carter and family continue with high quality ownership and management.
1992 Carter Service and parts dept is open 7 (yes, seven) days a week.
1990 Carter Service and parts opens early and closes late at 6am-9pm weekdays.
1990 Carter is one the 20 largest Subaru dealers in the country1982 Carter introduces the Hassle-Free Loan Car tm, now with over 85+ available and always Hassle-Free!

1976 Wade Carter II signs with Subaru in 1976 at 17225 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, previously a Pontiac dealership.
We're still at the same place!
The first Subarus arrive December 1976. The very first new Subaru sold was this blue front wheel drive wagon which was re-purchased back from the original owners in 1994.
. It is now parked by the front door!



Here are some letters from our clients. Please send your comments, we'd love to hear from you!
comments may have been edited, and names removed for privacy

"Dear Subaru of America and Carter Subaru, I am writing to tell you about 'The little Jewel', as my mechanics refer to my 1983 Subaru GL 4WD wagon. This remarkable little car has over 302,000 miles on the original engine...Let me tell you, this car has gone above and beyond the call of duty.... I was never once stuck in the snow, I never had a doubt in my mind the 'The little Jewel' would make it just fine and it always did... 
I bought this car at Carter Subaru in Seattle.. and am hoping that you will offer me another fine Subaru to replace my irreplaceable jem." from Cindy, January 2007

To sales: Excellent trip to Calgary. No problems, border people did not look twice. I really like this car, very glad I did not buy the Audi A4.  Very happy with how I was treated by you and Carter Subaru, I would recomend this purchase option through you to any one. Regards DD, Canada, 2006 Legacy GT,  May 2006

To sales: I just wanted to thank you for a very enjoyable car purchasing experience. Living up in Everett I had many options for car dealerships makes and models. My research really paid off. From what I had heard, Carter Subaru is one of the best dealerships in the state. I can now verify that. The car is awesome. It has turn my commute from being a real pain to a great pleasure. The car handled beyond my expectations driving home tonight in the heavy rain. The automatic transmission makes the stop and go freeway driving bearable. I put in one of my favorite CD's, turned on the heated seat and my stress levels went down to zero. All my friends and family were very impressed, made allot of then jealous. Again thanks for all your help. Thanks, MJ, Everett, Wa 1/06

To sales: Gentlemen, it was indeed a pleasure doing business with you last night. I absolutley love the 02 Volkswagon Passat I purchased last night. In all my years I have never been treated so well by car dealership personnel. When the times comes for my next vehicle I will definitely return to you and will also recommend you to my friends. DT, 4/2005

To service: Dear Mr. Coleman. On Saturday I brought my 1998 Forester to the Quick Lube for an oil change. I was alsodue for the 105,000 mile service. I said ok, got in my loaner car and went home. Sunday I got a call giving me news that my engine needed work. I gritted my teeth and said ok. It wouldn't be ready for a few extra days. I do tend to ramble a bit but the point of all this is that everyone took excellent care of me and kept me informed at every step. I did not have to call and ask about anything, they called me and explained everything and why. Three cheers for the service department. LH, 1998 Forester. 

To sales: I recently published a new 2005 Outback from your dealership. We want you to know how pleased we were with our salesman. We told him what we wanted and that's what we got. He was very courteous and understanding. We very much appreciate his efforts. MG, March 2005

To sales: Dear Mr. Carter, I just want to thank you and your staff for making my first car buying experience a great one. I was very excited to begin shopping for the perfect car but was nervous ... other dealers pressured me and I was glad to find someone who listened to what I wanted and actually helped me ...  my experience at Carter was excellent and the the loan cars will be very handy. Thank you." Seattle, 2003 

To sales: Thank you yet again for making this whole experience quite pleasant - something I had never even heard of happening. :)
The service guys have already contacted me this morning and set up an appointment. Thanks yet again. WRX, GZ,  6/01

To sales: Once again I just wanted to thank you for the experience I had at Carter Subaru.  I felt genuinely at ease in the atmosphere at your facility.  So far I absolutely LOVE my car!  I told a friend what I bought over the weekend, and he quickly became jealous.  Overall I would rate the experience at your facitity 10 of 10.  Thanks Jeff, Olympia,  Wa, 4/00