I'll Never Own a Subaru Again

[BossMaverick]

Subamann in another thread referencing his head gasket repairs:

First replacement was under warranty, so that was free. Second replacement was given "assistance" from factory and dealer (don't know how all that works), but bottom line, it cost $1,000 for the HG replacement, new timing belt, water pump, and a couple of other things that they usually change at the same time. So, the HG portion was almost free.

That was $1,000 since Subaru stood up to the plate and helped you out even though they didn't have to since you were past your warranty period. So what else added up to "thousands and thousands" in repairs over your cost of ownership?

[Se7enLC]

Originally Posted by SubaMann

Folks, this may be my last post in this Forum. Today, I traded in my 2007 Outback Wagon (2.5i Limited) for a 2013 Honda CRV EX-L. My ownership experience of the OB had been horrendous. Here's a summary:

• First Two Years - fine
• 35,422 miles - Head gaskets replaced. Just under the wire of warranty expiration. Replaced front brakes and rotors. Rear cup holder broken and replaced.
• 69,420 miles - Replaced front and rear brakes and rotors. Replace battery. Replaced all drive belts.
• 71,180 miles - Replaced head gaskets AGAIN. Replaced timing belt, water pump, thermostat, tensioner. Replaced air bag light assembly.
• 79,680 miles - Gas filler door broken and replaced. Replaced audio/climate control assembly due to electrical short etc.
• 101,976 miles - Replaced both rear wheel bearings. Front struts leaking. Front axle boot cracked.
• 104,000 miles - traded car in.

Wow, I wish I could actually make a list of all the major repairs my Jeep needed before I got rid of it. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Having to do the head gasket more than once is ludicrous, but the rest seem like normal wear and tear. You listed brakes as a major repair?!? Battery?? And yes, at 100k miles it's time for new struts. Wow.

[there4igraham]

Originally Posted by Latigo

Maybe something along the lines of, "Don't talk about my Packers like that!"

I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[AWDFTW]

So you needed brakes and the dealer couldn't do a proper HG job? Then you had some heavy wear and tear.

Yup, terrible luck there.

More Subaru for me. No complaints with the ones I have owned.

[Karen]

Whoa, the rear cup holder broke? That happened to me too! Subarus must be awful!

[iainb]

Aside from the HG issues are you seriously telling me that cars need maintenance?!?!

[2013OB]

I dont think there is a make/model of vehicle on the road world wide where someone states they will never buy that vehicle/brand again. Cars do break down and have problems at times, regardless of make or model.

[ChromeDomeAl]

Ever owned a bimmer and tried to get an alignment at one of their dealerships? IT COSTS $1000! I'm not even kidding you.

The only other vehicle that I've owned that came even close to as good of AWD as our Subarus was my 1992 Ford Aerostar. No joke. I've owned big trucks, small pickups, luxury cars, small cars, SUV's, wagons, 4X4's, FWD, RWD, you name it. Good luck with your non-maintenance, non-Subaru vehicle, buddy. I've owned a few Subarus in my short life on this planet and there's one thing I can say for certain: If you drive it like you stole it, your pockets will be lighter. Ever wonder why grandma's 1982 Coupe DeVille is in such good shape?

[SubaMann]

OK guys, I read all the responses. A few additional comments:

Maintenance: Yes, I actually understand the importance of regular maintenance. The car has received all regular factory specified maintenance and everything except a few oil changes were performed at the dealer. Oil changes were done every 5,000 (not 7,500) and were all Mobil 1 synthetic.

Use/Abuse: Was I hard on the car? It was my wife's car. She drives so slow and slow carefully it sometimes gets on my nerves. The car was never driven off road. But some of you may feel that my wife was VERY hard on those head gaskets causing me to replace them every 35k.

The List: As I said, that was only a partial list. Yes, I know that brake jobs are normal maintenance, but I still think the pads/rotors should have lasted longer given the mostly highway miles. And the cup holder and gas filler door were not major items, but evidenced a lack of quality control. Some people said there was nothing on that list that was unusual except the head gaskets. Really? The entire climate control audio console had to be replaced (well over $1,000). It started having problems at 50k and gradually got worse. Never had a problem like that with any car I ever owned in my life. And both rear wheel bearings started going at 80k and finally had to be replaced recently. Never had a problem like that with any car I ever owned in my life, including the GM crap of the 70's. And front struts should be shot at 100k?? Maybe if you drive off road. Most (80%) of the miles on this car were highway miles. I've owned many cars past 100k and never had to replace struts this early.

I'm very happy that most of you had a good experience with your Subaru's. I didn't, and it wasn't due to abuse or a lack of maintenance. Maybe I just got a lemon. I don't think so. The head gaskets and wheel bearings are a widespread known problem with these cars. There's threads on them here.

In any event, I'm done with Subaru's.

[SubaMann]

Originally Posted by ChromeDomeAl

Ever owned a bimmer and tried to get an alignment at one of their dealerships? IT COSTS $1000! I'm not even kidding you.

I have a BMW (the Subaru is my wife's car). I just had an alignment done at the dealer and it cost $99.