I'll Never Own a Subaru Again

[mav52]

Originally Posted by OutbackUFO

For the last 40 K miles I have been getting 26.7 MPG average. That includes city/highway and towing my boat. I don't have an explanation for this but that has been my real world mileage for my 3.6 . On the highway I get 30 MPG with great regularity and often it is higher than that even.

A 2.5 will do better I'm sure, but the extra power of the 3.6 helps me for MY needs. Threads like 2.5 vs 3.6 are so moot since each of us has to decide what is best for you the owner, not other forum members.YMMV

Thanks. I fish a lot down your way.

[mav52]

Originally Posted by grossgary

2013's have the new 2.5 liter with timing chain like the 6 cylinder. They also started installing better headgaskets on around 2010 model 2.5's...hopefully that carried over to 2013 models too in terms of the headgasket technology. But I haven't seen it confirmed yet. I would personally lean towards the H6 but would have no problems recommending the EJ25 either.

Headgasket issues are prevalent for *every* manufacturer...but it certainly doesn't mean it's "common" to any one. the internet is a great tool for fermenting issues like this so it can seem exacerbated here.....search google and you'll find headgasket issues for all manufacturers.

the best purchasing advice is to research a specific engine, not a manufacturer.

You might find it hard to max the gas mileage out in the smokie mountains. I live in WV and the mountains bring the gas mileage down quick...particularly with my 6 cylinders, they seem harder hit. Maybe with careful driving that can be mitigated, I haven't tried. my H6 gets up to 27 but not usually in the mountains of WV.

Thank you, 27 mpg open road traveling is acceptable to my wallet.

[Flotsam]

I always read threads like this with much amusement. I have a 98 Outback that has gone through two head gaskets, and I would say i was a bit disappointed after hearing for years how bullet proof they were. But frankly being very familiar with other car makes like Volkswagen, BMW and Hyundai there are frequently certain repairs that are endemic to each of those brands. My E36 BMW has perhaps one of the crappiest cooling systems in it and I have put in two entire cooling systems (incl radiators). But it has redeeming values as does the Suby. For all around getting about in bad weather I much prefer it to a big SUV.

Bottom line is cars break, they all do.

Now i have a real question has anyone had any experience with the NEW Fel-Pro head gaskets that have come out in early 2012, the PermaTorque line that has steel rings welded around the cylinder openings (MLS design)?

[armith]

The OP "could have bough an X5 comment" more than a month later still makes me chuckle. A coworker of mine bought a 1st gen X5 (04 or 05 I think). Drove like a dream. Once it hit about 60k miles, between the scheduled maintenance and wear and tear repairs, he said it was like having a car payment again just to keep it on the road. And his list of repairs beyond maintenance was far more extensive. I just remember seemingly every trip to the service dept was a 4 digit hit to the checkbook.

As for the headgaskets, Did anyone from 1989 to about 2004 make a 4cyl or 6 cyl that didn't have longterm gasket issues? My old Grand Am had a "Quad 4" 2.3L that popped HGs like clockwork. Often times in spectacular fashion causing significant damage. I've worked on or assisted in replacing more HGs in more Honda, Nissan, Ford, and GM cars than I care to admit. After studying the EJ motor's HG issues, I'm cautious at the possibility for failure later on but it does appear than SOA has figured it out.

At this very early point of ownership though I haven't had to do anything but change the oil and rotate the tires. Something I haven't experienced in a while. But the first sign that one of the cupholders are busted, It's over.

[bill44]

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.
  

And those are just the major items. I left a lot of things out. Bottom line, the car has cost me thousands and thousands of dollars in repairs. I could have owned a BMW X5 for the last 6 years for far less total cost of ownership than what this OB cost me.

I will never own another Subaru again for the rest of my life.

Have you considered the possibility, that your mechanic maybe ripping you off,
believe me it happens

[bill44]

Have you considered the possibility, that your mechanic maybe ripping you off,
Believe me it happens.

[xbeerd]

Originally Posted by bill44

Have you considered the possibility, that your mechanic maybe ripping you off,
believe me it happens

thats what i was thinking, i have a buddy with a BMW who goes to the "same shop he's been goin to for years"

one day he told me that the mech called an asked if the car had been heating up on the way in. and my buddy says no.. why? the response.. "well, your cooling fan had blown a fin off and it punctured the radiator" which turned out to be a $1600 repair!

my jaw dropped. this mechanic isnt exactly around the block from his house, its probably a good 25 mins of city driving, so if the radiator was punctured, in that 25 mins, you would think that at the very least the coolant smoking out the hood would have been a note that something was wrong!

i recommended another 'higher end' import shop, to which he stated "those guys are too expensive!"

****, i could count about $7k in repairs he made above and beyond what he brought his car in for over the year.

I dont take my cars in for service unless its the very last option, and if i do i ALWAYS ask for any parts that were replaced that i have the old parts back in my hands when they are done.
i told him to always ask for his old parts back.

[wings]

Yes, it could be a bad mechanic. Or a Friday assembled car.

[OBnube]

Originally Posted by wings

Yes, it could be a bad mechanic. Or a Friday assembled car.

Yeah, Those robots get pretty fussy right before the weekend.

[Outback-Commuter]

Originally Posted by armith

The OP "could have bough an X5 comment" more than a month later still makes me chuckle. A coworker of mine bought a 1st gen X5 (04 or 05 I think). Drove like a dream. Once it hit about 60k miles, between the scheduled maintenance and wear and tear repairs, he said it was like having a car payment again just to keep it on the road. And his list of repairs beyond maintenance was far more extensive. I just remember seemingly every trip to the service dept was a 4 digit hit to the checkbook.

As for the headgaskets, Did anyone from 1989 to about 2004 make a 4cyl or 6 cyl that didn't have longterm gasket issues? My old Grand Am had a "Quad 4" 2.3L that popped HGs like clockwork. Often times in spectacular fashion causing significant damage. I've worked on or assisted in replacing more HGs in more Honda, Nissan, Ford, and GM cars than I care to admit. After studying the EJ motor's HG issues, I'm cautious at the possibility for failure later on but it does appear than SOA has figured it out.

At this very early point of ownership though I haven't had to do anything but change the oil and rotate the tires. Something I haven't experienced in a while. But the first sign that one of the cupholders are busted, It's over.

I agree! Early American 4 cyl designs had HG issues at 50K