Calling Subaru owners and assoc. update:Bought one.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Calling Subaru owners and assoc. update:Bought one. (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 2/25/2013 2:58:45 PM EDT

How many miles do you have on yours?

Are they easy to work on? (2008 and newer)

Maintenance free?

I'm looking at a Subaru Forester or maybe Outback. (Honda CR-V alternative)

Update:
Bought a 2014 Forester. First one to get delivered to Phoenix and happened to be the exact trim, colors, engine/transmission I wanted so I figured it was fate.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:04:34 PM EDT

[#1]

i have 215k on my 99 OB . did the dreaded head gaskets myself. thing i have done in 30k are a new wheel bearing, HG and change oil. Still gets about 20-24 mixed.

the newer ones have a lot more electrical stuff on them. otherwise the basic are the same.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:10:07 PM EDT

[#2]

just bought a Subaru Trebeca

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:13:24 PM EDT

[#3]

I owned a Subaru Forester and it was awful. I will never buy another Subaru again. First I had to replace both the head gaskets (with less than 100K miles on it) at a cost of $1800 then 10k miles later something major went wrong with the engine. It was a piece of shit. The only good thing about it was the 4 wheel drive.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:13:37 PM EDT

[#4]

For a newer car, yes, they're easy to work on at home.

I have... 50 something thousand on mine.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:17:43 PM EDT

[#5]

213K on my 2004 Honda Civic. Pretty trouble free outside of the need to change headlights often. Still gets 33+ mpg.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:18:15 PM EDT

[#6]

I'm not sure if it's large enough for your case, but I was particularly well surprised by the Subaru VX recently. If I had to get rid of my truck, that might be a strong replacement. About the only complaint I had was that it looked just about impossible to fit larger set of wheels/tires for additional ground clearance.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:18:26 PM EDT

[#7]

Had 150000 on an 01 Civic and only had to change the oil and filter, very maintenance free. I miss her bad

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:21:48 PM EDT

[#8]

75,000 miles on both my 06 STi and 04 Forester XT. I bought 06 STi new, while 04 Forester was purchased used with 67k miles on the odometer. Both are manual transmission.

Zero problems from either other than the ones I caused myself. These cars do have fair share of noise and vibration. Also fuel efficiency blows on both (I get between 22-24 mpg on average on both). Other than these two, they are very utilitarian and easy to work on.

Unfortunately maintenance is not as cheap as Toyota or Honda, but much cheaper than German cars. They also do not tolerate missing maintenance intervals as well as Honda or Toyota cars do. Full time AWD is nice though, even on a dry pavement when you want to put the power down to the ground.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:24:39 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
i have 215k on my 99 OB . did the dreaded head gaskets myself. thing i have done in 30k are a new wheel bearing, HG and change oil. Still gets about 20-24 mixed.

the newer ones have a lot more electrical stuff on them. otherwise the basic are the same.

Whats so bad about the hgs? Did you have the 2.2 or 2.5?

205xxx roughly on my 96 2.2, beat the crap out of the car and it just keeps going.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:27:38 PM EDT

[#10]

I have an 07 STi and an 04 Forester.

STi has a blown motor at 50k. To be fair I modded it way beyond what the block should take and beat the piss out of it. So it did well in my book.

Forester has 110k on it. I did the timing belt myself. I don' thtink it needs headgaskets yet. That being said there is a grouping of years that the headgaskets crap out around 100k.

The cars are great though, parts are cheap and if you can DIY, the potential for money to be saved is great.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:28:41 PM EDT

[#11]

Subaru will be more maintenance than Honda, but still not too bad. Highly depends on what engine/transmission you end up with.

Other than routine maintenance, I have had to replace the following:

140k on a 2007 Accord SE wheel bearings

110k on a 2005 Forester XT wheel bearings, radiator

180k on a 1997 Accord LX wheel bearings, head gasket

I am rough on wheel bearings I guess. I do a lot of off road driving and driving through shallow water, so that might be why.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:29:20 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

I owned a Subaru Forester and it was awful. I will never buy another Subaru again. First I had to replace both the head gaskets (with less than 100K miles on it) at a cost of $1800 then 10k miles later something major went wrong with the engine. It was a piece of shit. The only good thing about it was the 4 wheel drive.

what year and engine?

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:30:33 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
i have 215k on my 99 OB . did the dreaded head gaskets myself. thing i have done in 30k are a new wheel bearing, HG and change oil. Still gets about 20-24 mixed.

the newer ones have a lot more electrical stuff on them. otherwise the basic are the same.

Whats so bad about the hgs? Did you have the 2.2 or 2.5?

205xxx roughly on my 96 2.2, beat the crap out of the car and it just keeps going.

2.5 DOHC. leaking internally. cost me about 150 in parts and a day in labor. Saved about 2k DIY. Your 2.2 is considered unbreakable by many and the best iteration of the Sub boxer engine

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:32:18 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
i have 215k on my 99 OB . did the dreaded head gaskets myself. thing i have done in 30k are a new wheel bearing, HG and change oil. Still gets about 20-24 mixed.

the newer ones have a lot more electrical stuff on them. otherwise the basic are the same.

Whats so bad about the hgs? Did you have the 2.2 or 2.5?

205xxx roughly on my 96 2.2, beat the crap out of the car and it just keeps going.

2.5 DOHC. leaking internally. cost me about 150 in parts and a day in labor. Saved about 2k DIY. Your 2.2 is considered unbreakable by many and the best iteration of the Sub boxer engine

This. The 2.5 DOHC was notorious for the headgaskets going.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:48:36 PM EDT

[#15]

Yes EJ25 from 98 to 03 or thereabouts have known head gaskets problem, but I haven't heard much of these issues from 2004 and newer engines.

Posted: 2/25/2013 3:57:00 PM EDT

[#16]

'05 Outback XT (2.5L Turbo) with 210k on the clock. I've only had two issues that required a mechanic...replaced AC compressor at 55k (under warranty) and new fuel gauge sensor at 190k ($140). Since then I've added two other Subarus to the garage ('06 Legacy GT and '10 STi). They have been trouble-free, as well...but both have less than 60k on the clock so far.

I have no experience with the naturally aspirated models, but I they do get much better fuel mileage than the turbo versions.

Posted: 2/25/2013 4:12:44 PM EDT

[#17]

2006 Impreza 2.5l (non-turbo), 5spd manual - 127,000 miles. Other than normal maintenance (e.g., tires, brakes, timing belt change at 100k, etc.) the only thing I had to have done was change the throwout bearing at 116,000 miles (which I replaced all of the clutch assembly). My wife has a 2008 Forester, 2.5l (non-turbo), 4spd auto. Other than normal maintenance 115,000 miles (e.g., tires, brakes, timing belt change at 100k, etc.) - I haven't had to do anything to it. As for mpg averages both are approximately 24-27 mpg (mostly highway) pending season (winter less mpg) or A/C usage. I would like to say that the next vehicles will probably be Subaru's, but am uncertain about the models with the CVT type transmission.

Posted: 2/25/2013 4:18:40 PM EDT

[#18]

39k on the wife's 2010 Outback... Will buy again, and we love it, although I have performed no maintenance of the it outside of oil and filters.

Posted: 2/25/2013 4:18:57 PM EDT

[#19]

1995 Impreza Outback, bought it with 149,500 and now 201,600 in 2.5 years. Alignment, timing chain, cooling sensor and two front tires. 25 to 30 mpg. Love it. If you drive crazy and get in a ditch, you can drive rifht out. Lol

Posted: 2/25/2013 4:36:12 PM EDT

[#20]

2005 Outback 2.5i, 115,000 miles. No engine issues. Rear bearing housing replaced ($300). I had the front tie-rods replaced because I had a split boot on one, instead of letting it go we just replaced them ($160).

I did have the timing belt/water pump replacement, replaced all other belts and all hoses, replaced plugs and had a radiator flush at 98,000 miles ($750.00). After looking at the belts and hoses it appeared to me they could have went another 100.000 miles.

Posted: 2/25/2013 4:42:03 PM EDT

[#21]

How crammed are the engine compartments on the non turbo? I know they have the odd boxer motor.

Posted: 2/25/2013 4:50:28 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
How crammed are the engine compartments on the non turbo? I know they have the odd boxer motor.

Same kind of crammed. The turbo sits behind the engine.

Posted: 2/25/2013 4:50:29 PM EDT

[#23]

former honda tech. currently have a honda element. 140k on it. nothing but oil changes, one set of front brakes and one set of tires. not even sure what my wife's civic has but it's only a few years old. ive never had anything but maintenance on around a dozen hondas.

all my subaru experience has been with wrxs and stis. lots of blown motors and trans

Posted: 2/25/2013 5:05:24 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
former honda tech. currently have a honda element. 140k on it. nothing but oil changes, one set of front brakes and one set of tires. not even sure what my wife's civic has but it's only a few years old. ive never had anything but maintenance on around a dozen hondas.

all my subaru experience has been with wrxs and stis. lots of blown motors and trans

That's what happens when you give kids stuff like that.

Posted: 2/25/2013 5:17:57 PM EDT

[#25]

98 Accord 4 cylinder 5 speed with 155K, super easy to work on due to the engine bay being big enough to accept the V6.

Posted: 2/25/2013 5:23:12 PM EDT

[#26]

164K on our 2005 Forester. They are *peculiar* to work on. Even if you've worked on Japanese cars before it'll still be an adjustment. Some parts can be hard to come by except by places like Rock Auto.

The only major components we've had replace to was a clutch job, and the AC compressor. I'm going to have to replace the rear wheel bearings soon, as they're beginning to whine quite a bit. Everything else that I've replaced has been wear items.

Posted: 2/25/2013 7:22:51 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
former honda tech. currently have a honda element. 140k on it. nothing but oil changes, one set of front brakes and one set of tires. not even sure what my wife's civic has but it's only a few years old. ive never had anything but maintenance on around a dozen hondas.

all my subaru experience has been with wrxs and stis. lots of blown motors and trans

So were those near 100% moron caused problems?

Posted: 2/25/2013 7:24:20 PM EDT

[#28]

2012 STI, 10k, motor number 2

Posted: 2/25/2013 7:35:05 PM EDT

[#29]

2011 Forester XT touring with 19k.
It's still a baby so nothing but oil changes. No problems at all.

Posted: 2/25/2013 7:37:30 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
2012 STI, 10k, motor number 2

What killed the first one?

Posted: 2/25/2013 10:18:01 PM EDT

[#31]

It was a 2006 and I do not know which engine. I have only owned Camrys and Ford F150's my whole life but we gave Subaru a chance and regretted it. It seems every mechanic I knew was a aware of the head gasket problem. I took a huge loss, about 5k, on the stupid fucking car just to unload it. I then went out and bought my wife a new Camry and we have not looked back since. The damn car drove like a box on wheels anyway. The 4 wheel drive was great in the snow and that is all I miss about that car.

Quoted:

Quoted:

I owned a Subaru Forester and it was awful. I will never buy another Subaru again. First I had to replace both the head gaskets (with less than 100K miles on it) at a cost of $1800 then 10k miles later something major went wrong with the engine. It was a piece of shit. The only good thing about it was the 4 wheel drive.

what year and engine?

Posted: 2/25/2013 10:20:53 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
It was a 2006 and I do not know which engine. I have only owned Camrys and Ford F150's my whole life but we gave Subaru a chance and regretted it. It seems every mechanic I knew was a aware of the head gasket problem. I took a huge loss, about 5k, on the stupid fucking car just to unload it. I then went out and bought my wife a new Camry and we have not looked back since. The damn car drove like a box on wheels anyway. The 4 wheel drive was great in the snow and that is all I miss about that car.

Quoted:

Quoted:
I owned a Subaru Forester and it was awful. I will never buy another Subaru again. First I had to replace both the head gaskets (with less than 100K miles on it) at a cost of $1800 then 10k miles later something major went wrong with the engine. It was a piece of shit. The only good thing about it was the 4 wheel drive.

what year and engine?

Head gaskets seemed to be a huge problem, I hope they fixed them with all the crap their customers endured.

Posted: 2/25/2013 10:26:18 PM EDT

[#33]

240k on 99 Outback Sport 5 speed manual. I drive 124 miles round trip to work every day, all I do is fill the tank and drive. Gets me right around 26-28 mpg, far better than driving my truck back and forth. I paid 3 grand for it about two years ago, it has saved me far more than that in gas and maintinance. Hit a deer with it a couple months back, put a new hood on it and a headlight, totally gtg now. No leaking oil, no tranny problems, nothing. Now that I say this, it's gonna die tomorrow...

Posted: 2/25/2013 10:26:48 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I owned a Subaru Forester and it was awful. I will never buy another Subaru again. First I had to replace both the head gaskets (with less than 100K miles on it) at a cost of $1800 then 10k miles later something major went wrong with the engine. It was a piece of shit. The only good thing about it was the 4 wheel drive.

what year and engine?

it was 1999-2002 they changed material of head gasket and it reacted BADLY with the coolant, so they changed coolant as a stopgap but it was still an issue so they offered replacement FREE for those with the issue, dude if you were under that recall sorry you paid for it. NOT that I got a free head gasket job and coolant flush(cuz well it is pretty easy at that point)

129k on my 2001 outback auto trans. issues have been alternator(118k) 300 bucks installed, timing belt(600 bucks) 100k (preventive), emissions computer(108k appeared to be wired around at some point by a skilled mechanic fried the computer but didn't show it for 50k miles after I bought it, 600 to fix but I wont do it

), still runs fine but wont pass emissions(which don't exist here), and there is a loose wire in the dash that makes the tiny light behind the gas gauge go out unless I slap it, then it stays on. for 12 years of Alaska roads, 4 years of Fairbanks winters(-40 for stretches), 4 years of Ft Greely winters( all the time -50 with wind) and 4 Anchorage winters it is doing DANM well. No wrecks either, unless you count a hit and run, and a drunk pushing a shopping cart from the sidewalk into my path(pistol whipping violates your insurance policy, I asked)

Posted: 2/25/2013 10:31:16 PM EDT

[#35]

my crv is turning 160 thousand miles this week. only maintenance was preventative. Had the timing belt and water pump done at 120k. Other than that just new plugs, change oil, cap and rotor every couple years.
My last honda hit 270 thousand miles with the ONLY major repair being a new transmission at 225k. Cost me about 700 dollars said and done. Was still running great until some bitch ran a red light and tboned me totaling the car.

My crx before that was at 325 thousand miles with only a new clutch and regular maintenance.
I will buy honda over anything. I wish they made a real truck. I would buy one (once it was used and cheap with 100k miles on it at least)

If anything breaks you can fix it in half an hour with a manual and a 10 or 12 mm wrench. Super easy to work on.(Not sure about new models with all the fancy crap, I rock old cars and save money)

Posted: 2/26/2013 4:32:47 AM EDT

[#36]

So no one has had AWD issues from Honda ot subaru? I figured that would give problems since it add extra complexity and if the tires are slightly off causes issues.

Posted: 2/26/2013 4:46:29 AM EDT

[#37]

I've got a factory service manual for my Accord and Odyssey. They are very easy to work on if the need arises which isn't often.

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:06:43 AM EDT

[#38]

I just sold my 2006 400 AWHP STi with 12,000 miles on it. Just bought a 2012 CTS-V sedan. The V is light years a better car.

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:20:22 AM EDT

[#39]

I get my wife to put on a wife beater and jeans (aka the lesbian uniform) and drive to the store ......fuckin love the looks she gets when she gets out .....

never had any problems with the car ........

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:30:01 AM EDT

[#40]

Mom- 2002 cr-v. No issues except normal maintance. Valves adjusted at 100k. Currently has 150xxx on her.
Fiancée- 2010 civic. 85k no issues just normal maintance.
Me- 2012 civic si- 12k normal stuff too.

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:35:34 AM EDT

[#41]

I technically have a Subaru now. Made in a Subaru plant with Subaru parts by Subaru workers, but no Subaru badge. Subaru is GTG by me.

It's first month production, so you'd expect the minor issues - needed a cam sprocket replaced to clear up a CEL issue and some work to fix condensation in one of the tail lights, but nothing that ever left me stranded.

I also had an Impreza Outback Sport for ten years and over 100k miles; other than needing an O2 sensor once all it ever needed was standard routine maintenance.

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:46:19 AM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
How crammed are the engine compartments on the non turbo? I know they have the odd boxer motor.

My '03 Outback isn't bad. You have to remove the air intake tubes on one side and the washer reservoir on the other to change the spark plugs but it's well engineered and comes apart and goes back together like Legos. Routine maintenance and brakes are a piece of cake. I have the 2.5 with 121k on it and no real problems other than some work on the A/C system. I like working on it much better than an Accord or Camry.

Quoted:
So no one has had AWD issues from Honda ot subaru? I figured that would give problems since it add extra complexity and if the tires are slightly off causes issues.

The only problem I've had with Subaru's AWD is that it works too damn good. It's easy to end up driving too fast in bad conditions because the car grips so well it is easy to forget that the roads suck.

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:49:18 AM EDT

[#43]

I have a 2011 WRX with close to 50k miles. The only issues I've had so far (KNOCK ON WOOD) is a gas door spring that they replaced under warranty, same with a blinker bulb. The car has been modded to stage 2+ since 30k, and I'm hard on the car. No oil loss, but my clutch may need to be upgraded to a beefier one soon. I think it slipped when I was passing someone in 5th gear going uphill.

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:51:52 AM EDT

[#44]

'bout 60k on my wife's Legacy. It's been a very good car for the short time we've had it, but they have their quirks. The diff needs an eyeball now and then, and one shredded tire puts you in the market for four new ones every damn time.

Fucking mountain goat in all conditions though. Very positive traction.

They're kind of uninspiring to look at, but the capability is more than worth it.

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:53:58 AM EDT

[#45]

06 WRX Wagon. 98k miles.

Mild mods. No real issues. I keep losing a fog light for some reason, but thats no biggie. Have never needed the warrenty. Just gas, fluids, and tires......

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:56:36 AM EDT

[#46]

I bought a Impreza with 60k and it croaked at about 200k. I think it blew a valve but the car was not worth considering repairing at that point. In the 140kish I put on mine I fixed some wheel bearings. Oh the wheel bearing wackiness also destroyed my tires so I paid for the repair plus a set of tires.

Personally if I lived in an area that did not get snow I'd skip the AWD cars, my impreza only got 25 mpg

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:57:15 AM EDT

[#47]

2011 with 7,400 miles on it. "has not even had its 2nd oil change"
The wife loves her forester and will not give it up.

Im not allowed to drive it unsupervised due to how i treated the last two Subaru's.

I prefer a larger vehicle my self but if i had to pick only one car to have i would stay with the Subaru, i have had nothing but good luck with them.

Posted: 2/26/2013 5:58:24 AM EDT

[#48]

My Car: 2012 STI. 13k miles, no issues so far? (No mods except for front lips and mudflaps, I do not drive like a jackass.)

Wife's car: 2010 Outback Sport. 56k miles. Awesome.

Mom's car: 2002 Forester. Bought used. Did timing belt with dad @102k, told him he should do the externally leaking HG's then, he didn't do it. 118k, did head gaskets, replaced with STi MLS gaskets. Runs fine. No other issues.

MIL's car: 2012 Impreza. Came from Japan with a leaking brake MC. Replaced under warranty. No issues after that.

Posted: 2/26/2013 6:02:12 AM EDT

[#49]

We've got a piece of shit commuter Civic 1989 model year with almost 250K miles. Bought it at under 200K for a couple hundred bucks, did the big things they all need at that time (timing belt, CV joints, rear stabilizer arm bushings, oil pan and valve cover seals, and a set of tires. Maybe have $1500 "extra" in it over 2 years. The damn thing just goes and goes and goes and goes.

Posted: 2/26/2013 6:04:12 AM EDT

[#50]

Quoted:
My Car: 2012 STI. 13k miles, no issues so far? (No mods except for front lips and mudflaps, I do not drive like a jackass.)

Wife's car: 2010 Outback Sport. 56k miles. Awesome.

Mom's car: 2002 Forester. Bought used. Did timing belt with dad @102k, told him he should do the externally leaking HG's then, he didn't do it. 118k, did head gaskets, replaced with STi MLS gaskets. Runs fine. No other issues.

MIL's car: 2012 Impreza. Came from Japan with a leaking brake MC. Replaced under warranty. No issues after that.

i was under the impression that the WRX/STI are the only subarus left that are assembled in japan

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Calling Subaru owners and assoc. update:Bought one. (Page 1 of 2)

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