I'll Never Own a Subaru Again

[OBnube]

Originally Posted by JCBERB

.....I also know folks who believe that all they need to do to a car is put gas in it and go...

What!! You mean I just paid over $30k for my OB and now you tell me I have to maintain it?? What a gyp. I obviously did not do enough research.

[Subaroo]

Originally Posted by mav52

it would appear from what i have been reading on this forum, is that the 3.6 engine is a better design and more reliable that the 2.5 .

dammit!

[Subaroo]

And one thing I would like to mention. While there is no high end line for Subaru. The Acura line is the upscale version of a Honda. Like Lexus to Toyota. Not sure if that makes a difference in owner satisfaction, etc. and I am not going to research it, but my Subaru is a great car and less expensive to repair/maintain than my wife's BMW. I am happy with it. Yes, it has some minor leaks on the heads (112K) and other signs of old age, but it still runs like a top and I hope to get another few thousand out of it.

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by mav52

It would appear from what I have been reading on this forum, is that the 3.6 engine is a better design and more reliable that the 2.5 .

Yeah, the 2.5 can only go to about 300,000 miles.

[cardoc]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

Yeah, the 2.5 can only go to about 300,000 miles.

I can second that. My 99 2.5 Outback went 300k. No internal issues at all. No head gaskets either. Maybe I got the odd one. Or maybe it was because I am meticulous with maintenance.

[vr4Legacy]

You had an Acura TL with no trouble?!? Apparently you haven't read the Acura forum...

2012 TL SH-AWD, my first and last Acura - Acura Forum : Acura Forums

As mentioned SEVERAL times in this thread. People are more apt to complain than praise. There is a high mileage thread on this site.. lots of people getting lots of miles out of the 2.5.. but it seems when you praise your vehicle your a fan boy, but when you critique it you are trying to educate the public and save someone else misfortune

This thread will keep going in circles with those who like their Subarus and are trying to convey that the bad experiences from this thread are abnormal and those that want to stand their ground and save misery from others.

this is the thread that never ends.....

For the record I've put 300k+ trouble free miles on 4 Subarus. My parents have put 200k+ on 3 Subarus. But we're just one heck of a lucky family.

[carteach]

Originally Posted by vr4Legacy

You had an Acura TL with no trouble?!? Apparently you haven't read the Acura forum...

2012 TL SH-AWD, my first and last Acura - Acura Forum : Acura Forums

As mentioned SEVERAL times in this thread. People are more apt to complain than praise. There is a high mileage thread on this site.. lots of people getting lots of miles out of the 2.5.. but it seems when you praise your vehicle your a fan boy, but when you critique it you are trying to educate the public and save someone else misfortune

This thread will keep going in circles with those who like their Subarus and are trying to convey that the bad experiences from this thread are abnormal and those that want to stand their ground and save misery from others.

this is the thread that never ends.....

For the record I've put 300k+ trouble free miles on 4 Subarus. My parents have put 200k+ on 3 Subarus. But were just one heck of a lucky family.

Just to continue the thread a little longer. And I agree with you 100%. People are much more likely to complain than praise.

I had planned on buying the Outback Ltd with Eyesight. I've been on the boards for a couple of months checking out buying prices etc. As I said, I drive a '95 Subaru which has been amazing. BUT.... the guy who owns the repair shop I've used for years, has warned me away from the newer 2000+Subarus, saying he sees them in his shop for repairs more often than they should be, including but not limited to head gaskets. I was prepared to ignore his warning because the size and configuration of the Subie are perfect for me. But when I came across this thread I got cold feet.

As for the Acura.....The person in the post complained about the a/c issue which is certainly something Acura should deal with. But mostly he complained about the design of the 2012. (I think the newer TLs are hideous.) I am reading the Acura boards and the Honda boards and am comparing them.

All I'm saying is: I had a car that needed literally nothing for almost 90K miles. I've had Hondas that have been relatively carefree. BUT the design and features of the Outback are perfect for me. I'm just concerned about the quality of the build. Therefore feeling very conflicted.

No attack on anyone. I'm not sure why people on either side are so defensive. What's the point? It would be nice to have a dialog not a screaming match.

So... in the spirit of a discussion....those of you on this board who love your Subies, can you tell me what kinds of repairs/maintenance you've done to your cars in the first 80k miles? It would be helpful.

Thanks.

[Subaroo]

Originally Posted by carteach

repairs/maintenance you've done to your cars in the first 80k miles? It would be helpful.

On my 2007 OB I had to do the O2 sensor ($15) as maintenance outside the regularly scheduled program. The pax side CV boot cover was replaced about a year ago, but I think that was 90+. I did regular oil changes and the brakes and trans fluid once. Now that it is at 112, I have done the timing belt, tensioner, idler pulleys, etc. just a couple weeks ago.

[vr4Legacy]

Originally Posted by carteach

So... in the spirit of a discussion....those of you on this board who love your Subies, can you tell me what kinds of repairs/maintenance you've done to your cars in the first 80k miles? It would be helpful.

Thanks.

2008 Subaru Legacy GT bought new in late 2007. Sold with 88k miles in 2011 and ZERO additional maintenence. Kept regular ~3500 mi OCI, synthetic at 10k. Sold it with original clutch still holding strong. Just spoke with the new owner a couple days ago and it's doing great for him. He just added an AP and downpipe. Did the usual 30k and 60k maintenence.

My mom has a 2009 Forester with ~90k miles. Had some issues with paint chipping on the rear quarter panels that Subaru covered under warranty. Otherwise no issues.

My dad has a 2011 Forester with ~60k miles. He is a real estate appraiser and drives it ALOT. He needs new struts and brakes, but he takes the car down a lot of rough roads and their entire ridge has been mutilated by natural gas oil drilling water trucks.

I sold an '05 Impreza with 55k and with no problems. Before that I had a 98 Impreza I bought with 98k sold it with 120k, only replaced the clutch. I abused that car in college. My mom bought an '03? Legacy Wagon with 100k, traded with 150k, I beleive she had some AC issues.

My current '11 OB has 15k and has been trouble free.

This is probably a good thread to research too
Sign up to record reliability

[mav52]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

Yeah, the 2.5 can only go to about 300,000 miles.

That's nice and a great comment about the 2.5, but Is the 3.6 a better designed motor or is the big reason a lot of posters on here don't have a 3.6 is because the poor gas mileage of the 3.6. Such a simple question. When I drove the 2013 3.6 vs the 2.5 the 3.6 just seemed more refined in the performance area, quieter ( less engine noise)