[pretendingtowork]

I don't post much here, but I will add my two cents.

I love my Subaru. I don't have an OB yet, but my WRX while it has a few problems, hasn't done me wrong.

I just traded in my tahoe since my 3rd transmission at only 85k miles was starting to give me problems and the warranty has expired. Before that my trailblazer was bugging me since I had to replace the fan clutch twice in 30k miles so I didn't sound like a 747 taking off.

My BMW had issues like any other car, but parts were twice as much. My wife's car, 06 MB C230 has been mostly trouble free now at 80k miles, but I expect a something big from that soon.

So I can safely say in my experience, my Subie is better than some but not all.

 

[yarhcaz]

Married One

I married a Canadian women... just like cars some are better than others

I dated a woman from Canada once, worse experience I ever had.

Never date any woman from Canada, they are all terrible.

 

[underrated]

Aww Crap! I just bought an Outback! If only I had read this post before dropping $30K on a new car.

 

[CNY_Dave]

I married a Canadian women... just like cars some are better than others

That was the attempted lesson.

 

[tank fuzzbutt]

I realize that there are costs associated with owning any brand of vehicle, that's a given. It just seems that the quality of the parts used in Subarus (mechanical, electrical and body) are not of the same quality as those of Honda and Toyota.

I agree. I have a 2011 3.6R approaching 40k miles. The car feels like a driving a tin can. At highway speeds I can watch the hood flex in the oncoming wind. The interior plastics are cheap. The OEM floormats are no better than Pepboys specials. The Premium Sound is crap. The service departments are crap. All the small details that go into the Hondas and Toyotas are missing from this vehicle.

I bought the car because of the rabid following thinking there must be something special about Subarus. For me the experience is along the lines of the Emperor has no clothes. Many apologists on this thread will condemn you and call you a liar or an idiot for saying anything bad about a Subaru. For me the price of the top of the line flagship model is not justified as it's a mediocre car at best.

This is my first Subaru and will be my last.

 

[yarhcaz]

Ya I Know

I know this, Hence the wink

That was the attempted lesson.

 

[statueim]

The Premium Sound is crap. The service departments are crap. All the small details that go into the Hondas and Toyotas are missing from this vehicle.

I could not agree more. What we need is a center console made with a clock that has no attempt to be integrated with the rest of the car and looks like it came from the 80's (Toyota) and more road noise (Honda). That would definitely make my Outback far more refined.

Subaru is not without its flaws, but Honda and Toyota are no hallmarks of what details make a great car and I would say they are all pretty on par in different areas. It is game of give and take on all fronts when you are trying to engineer anything practical that many people can afford.

 

[subiesailor]

I realize that there are costs associated with owning any brand of vehicle, that's a given. It just seems that the quality of the parts used in Subarus (mechanical, electrical and body) are not of the same quality as those of Honda and Toyota. Example: I have owned one Subaru and had to replace both the rear hatch handle and rear tail light assembly. I have never had to replace either on any of the multiple Hondas and Toyotas I have owned. Also it seems like the regular maintenance costs that must be done on all cars, brakes, sensors, suspension etc etc are much more expensive with Subaru than with Honda and Toyota.

But perhaps my biggest gripe with Subaru is the head gasket issue and how they handled it. Many of you may already know that there was an epidemic of failed head gaskets on certain early to mid 2000 models. The issue was quite clearly their fault but instead of stepping up to the plate to issue a recall they left thousands of customers facing repair bills well in excess of 1000 - 1500 dollars. I have NEVER had to replace a head gasket on any Honda or Toyota I have owned much less replace it at 80K miles.

As a father of two with a family budget having to shell out over 1000 in repairs on a car that I've owned for about a year with 80K on it to pay for a manufacturer defect made me very angry.

I've heard Subaru has since resolved the head gasket issue but the way that handled it and my own experience with the one Subaru I have owned has pretty much soured me on the brand. We own a RAV4 and it's just as good/safe in the snowy/icey New England winters as a Subaru and costs us far, far less to maintain.

I have found that subaru will step up and either fix these things or share the cost. When you ask correctly. I found that Toyota in some cases will do this also. I've had domestic brands literally tell me to go screw my self when approached with a request to share the cost of the fix or to cover it for faulty parts etc. Far different experience with Subaru and Toyota on that aspect. I have also owned used vehicles from several brands said to be great brands and models etc which were complete mechanical disasters most likely thanks to the prior owner / Owners.

NEVER EVER! Consider a Dealer the same thing as the Auto Maker! That mistake will cost you money every time!

 

[rasterman]

I bought the car because of the rabid following thinking there must be something special about Subarus.

Well there's your mistake... you bought it without understanding why.

At least you figured that out. Live and learn!

 

[jp1203]

We have had a number of Subarus:

'85 GL Wagon (Totaled)
'87 GL Wagon (Totaled)
'91 Loyale Wagon (Totaled--all three got rear-ended with relatively minor damage, but due to their age virtually any damage totaled them)
'98 Outback Limited Wagon (Dad's Current--over 230k miles)
'98 Legacy GT Wagon (Sister's Current--about 157k miles)
'01 Outback Limited Sedan (Mom's Current--about 166k miles)
'04 Outback H6-3.0 L.L. Bean Wagon (My Last One, Traded it in with 132k on the clock)
'08 Outback 3.0R L.L. Bean Wagon (My Current One--66k miles)

For older vehicles (with the exception of the '08), they are remarkably reliable...especially in comparison to the various Fords and GMCs we've had over the years. The HG thing is one major pitfall, but we went into the purchase of our H4s knowing about the issue and bought them with documentation that it had been done. In the past year, the only thing I've ever had to do to our current four that wasn't routine was a knock sensor (for the Legacy GT).

Sure, they have their quirks (trying to keep the rattles at bay, for one!), but I haven't found anything worthy of ending my Outback or Subaru streak yet.

 

[Ezzer]

I come from the UK. Traditionaly Soodies only were sold through agricultural dealerships. So they were known as farmers cars. They seemed to buy one with a Combine or some such piece of equipment , then drive it to death over 20 years. Later with the rally success of the Impretza they took off in general popularity amongst boy racers.
I've moved to Colorado and with 3 kids needed something bigger than the jetta and the Durango has the fun and handling of a oacen going ship and drinks the same amount of fuel.
Because of the winters a 4 wheel drive sounded a good idea. I felt an outback would have suited us.
We got a 2002 cheep. only $3000. It needs a new windshield (cracked),
new fender (pulled most of the dent out, quick spray of a little bit of paint against rust) new tyres ($300 black friday, Walmart)
It had a new clutch fitted (hate automatics, In the UK you're either old or too rich to care if you have one)
I knew about the HG issue, gaskets looked dry, no oil in the water and vica verca, maby I'm lucky
Oh and a really good clean in the interior.
6 months down the line I got unlicky. It's cost me $1500 to have them replaced with the heads skimmed and new seals, timing belt water pump etc.
So my spend is under $5000 so far (with other maintenence)
About what a good condition one would have cost with all the stuff done. in Mint mint condition maby $6-7000
Ok so changing the HG was a costly pain but as we say in the UK I'm quids in, should last another 80000 miles. I intend holding on to it and maby passing it down to one of the kids.
With eyes open I've done alright so far I think.
Oh and I like the car.

 

[subiesailor]

I come from the UK. Traditionaly Soodies only were sold through agricultural dealerships. So they were known as farmers cars. They seemed to buy one with a Combine or some such piece of equipment , then drive it to death over 20 years. Later with the rally success of the Impretza they took off in general popularity amongst boy racers.
I've moved to Colorado and with 3 kids needed something bigger than the jetta and the Durango has the fun and handling of a oacen going ship and drinks the same amount of fuel.
Because of the winters a 4 wheel drive sounded a good idea. I felt an outback would have suited us.
We got a 2002 cheep. only $3000. It needs a new windshield (cracked),
new fender (pulled most of the dent out, quick spray of a little bit of paint against rust) new tyres ($300 black friday, Walmart)
It had a new clutch fitted (hate automatics, In the UK you're either old or too rich to care if you have one)
I knew about the HG issue, gaskets looked dry, no oil in the water and vica verca, maby I'm lucky
Oh and a really good clean in the interior.
6 months down the line I got unlicky. It's cost me $1500 to have them replaced with the heads skimmed and new seals, timing belt water pump etc.
So my spend is under $5000 so far (with other maintenence)
About what a good condition one would have cost with all the stuff done. in Mint mint condition maby $6-7000
Ok so changing the HG was a costly pain but as we say in the UK I'm quids in, should last another 80000 miles. I intend holding on to it and maby passing it down to one of the kids.
With eyes open I've done alright so far I think.
Oh and I like the car.

Subaru entered the US market via the tractor dealers also.

 

[db2012]

I know how many of you on here love your Suabrus. That's great for you and I'm happy for you. However the point of me starting this thread was that I have owned many different Hondas and Toyotas and not a single one of them cost me as much to maintain as the one Subaru I have owned. Not even close. So to me Subaru is not a good value.

It was more than just the head gasket, tail light and latch that I had to repair. I have pages and pages of service records.

Oh and what's with the boxer engine sounding like a hamster running on a wheel?

At this point I'm just hoping to get another 40-50k out of the car without another major costly repair. At that point I'll probably be looking into a Rav4, Highlander or Forerunner.

 

[SE95]

Well then post some proof that you had more repairs on your (let me remind you) 10 year old, nearly 200,000 mile car. You need to backup a case if you are going to say it is less reliable.

A lot of things affect a car's ability to hold up. How many miles did you put on your Hondas and Toyotas? How old were they when you got them? More city miles, more highway miles?

 

[Subyblue]

Gosh, I was feeling pretty good, but got to thinking about the OP's problems, our 89 Toyota Camry (purchased new) needed a new thermostat, water pump, engine mounts, rear seal and a seat belt relay. Glad we got rid of the that money pit. It should have been good for more than 22 years and 265K miles.

 

[SE95]

I know, my Outback gets its oil changed like... ever 3,000 miles. It is such a money pit. And it needs gas every time I drive 300 miles? What a piece of junk.

 

[rasterman]

I know how many of you on here love your Suabrus. That's great for you and I'm happy for you. However the point of me starting this thread was that I have owned many different Hondas and Toyotas and not a single one of them cost me as much to maintain as the one Subaru I have owned. Not even close. So to me Subaru is not a good value.

 

[WIBrewDude]

My previous suv was a VW Touareg. At 80000 miles the maintenance was $2000. Just the 80K service. Nothing more. Not to mention the $120 oil changes and premium gas that got 18 mpg highway tops...oh and electrical gremlins whenever it got cold. But I loved it and if money were not a problem...would have another.

I'm excited about my new OB because I know the maint costs are way less than the VW's was.

I would love to hear what all the issues you have had were...and how they were resolved. Maybe you just got unlucky and got a bad one. From my research, Subaru ranked pretty low with repair costs and high with customer satisfaction.


Sent from my MB855 using AutoGuide App

 

[AWDFTW]

I joined because I'd like to honestly share my experience as a Subaru owner with others and inform them of the better, more cost effective options there are.

This is dangerously close to trolling. That and the entire statement is utterly subjective and a claim that means absolutely nothing.

 

[Hudsoner]

I joined this board not because I love Subarus but because I hate them.

I have owned one Subaru in my life, a 2003 Outback Legacy wagon 2.5 4 cyclinder and it was nothing but a money pit.

I joined because I'd like to honestly share my experience as a Subaru owner with others and inform them of the better, more cost effective options there are.

I hope this will be allowed and that this is not just a rah rah Subaru's are the best cheerleading site.

I had a 2003 Outback and I loved it so much that I have now a 2013 Outback. And yes, I have other vehicles, some American made, and some German made.