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Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon
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I'm not of the ilk that looks for extended warranties, so I can't be of much use to you on that issue.
Lovin my 03 WGN with 11K in it.
Ken
Warranty: I'm one of the few that likes 'em. Here's why:
* did you know it includes roadside assistance?
* it's bumper to bumper, 7/100, 0 deductible in my case
* better resale value, I'll probably sell at 6 years/80k miles, to have some left on it
* we wasted $2500 on our 626 in less mileage/time
* peice of mind, no big surprises
* free loaner guarantee (already made use of that)
* red carpet treatment (we got a minivan, not a Geo Metro)
-juice
They're also to check out the intermittent clutch judder problem which I KNOW the car has, but which it will probably fail to exhibit for them. What should I say when they tell me the clutch is "fine"? I've actually learned to deal with it pretty well from a driving technique standpoint, and it only happens when its quite cold, but since there's a TSB on it I think it SHOULD be fixed, since the problem is definitely there.
Lastly, I have noticed a pronounced "chirp" everytime the AC compressor cycles on - any thoughts on that?
The flush and fill treatment for the cooling and brake systems (esp. w/ABS) is a good idea, but IMO, fuel injector cleaning for a car that runs hi-octane is wasted $$. The only top-end cleaning our cars might ever need is to have the throttle body spiffed.
Tell them you want the TSB work performed on your car, period. The TSB will list the build date of the affected cars, and so as long as your car is in that group, there shouldn't be any fuss. If the service manager balks at you, tell them you wouldn't have mentioned the clutch judder if it weren't an issue!
Try to leave your car overnight for them to replicate the clutch problem. It also helps if you can be there to ride with a tech.
I notice a compressor chirp sometimes as well. I think it's just the belts, but I'm not sure.
-Dennis
I think the brake fluid replacement is a flush. Or do they run an extra bottle of brake fluid thru the lines and call it a flush?
A full drain of the cooling system should include the coolant in the radiator and engine block...I fill and run distilled water before filling with coolant mix.
Clogged injectors usually show some kind of symptom...Techron every 5 to 10K is all I do.
Auto trans flush...good.
Engine flush...I was told by an engine rebuilder that if you change your oil often there should be no sludge buildup...If your engine does have sludge and you use a flush, the sludge will travel somewhere and plug up oil passages. If an engine is clean and you do a flush...no harm done.
Only have 5K mi. left on my warranty, but that should get me into some seriously cold weather here. The service mgr. encouraged me to bring it back as soon as the weather gets cold and befor ethe warranty expires - he seemed to want to assure me that he would like to authorize the repair if only they can get the fault to appear for them. Are other dealers taking the same line?
After thinking about it some more, I doubt I'll go for the special 'flush' routine again. I'm only SURE of one thing - I got my wallet 'flushed' to the tune of an extra $150.
One more thing on the clutch - any chance that the problem might go away on its own? And is this TSB applicable to WRXs only, or also other Subies?
Your best bet is call up local insurance agents and get quotes from more than one insurance company.
Then we're heading over to the Dave Matthews concert in Hartford tonight :-D
-mike
Friday was 600 miles all interstate. The car was comfortable and quiet, with no aches at the end of it (great seats!!). A little windnoise around the driver's door/window was the only complaint (other than the price of gas!!). Visited Badlands National Park on the way.
Saturday was 150 miles in the Black Hills - very scenic and great driving roads. Had a rare chance to test the WRX's grip & handling on an empty twisty road to Silver City, full of 2nd gear corners and switchbacks. For the most part, the car's grip outlasted my nerve (severe consequences for leaving the paved surface!!). Visited Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse monument, and some caves.
Sunday was 650 miles of highways from Deadwood SD down through the sand hills of north central NE, and back to Omaha. Just for grins, on some straight and empty stetches of rural highway where you could see about 1 or 2 miles ahead, I managed 135mph on the flat while my brother reached the end of the speedometer (140) on a long slightly downhill stretch. We were amazed at how stable the car felt at that speed (although we did not stay there for long!!). Ten hours in the car and still felt pretty good at the end of it.
Averaged around 26mpg for the trip which seems decent. Now it is back to sensible commuter driving and the Black Hills road trip will just be a fond memory
Along the same lines, has anyone managed more than 365 miles on a single tank? That was how many I had done when the low fuel light came on. The specs for the WRX show a range of 429 miles at highway speeds (my 365 miles were all interstate at 70-75mph).
if you are on an incline, it may come on earlier or later.
Most have a 2 gallon reserve IIRC.
-mike
As others have mentioned, when the light comes on there's usually a couple of gallons left in the tank.
Also the range "spec" of 429 miles is simply the tank capacity 15.9 multiplied by the EPA highway mileage rating of 27 mpg. You got 365 miles on 13.7 gals, which works out to 26.64 - that's pretty close to the EPA number. I get about 21 mpg in mixed driving.
- Phil
it is > 15 US gallons, but it is dog-bone shaped with a hump in the middle to allow for driveshaft clearance.
the problem is that the fuel pump is on one side of that hump, the right side if memory serves me correctly, and thus fuel could be in the other side yet unusable. same reason you get fuel starvation under hard cornering (I think right turns) when low on fuel. anyone that has done an autocross or track days with less than 1/3 tank knows what I'm talking about...
-Colin
They don't want you running on empty, so they're conservative about it.
-juice
The tank is indeed dog bone shaped. There is a secondary pump that moves fuel from the right side to the left side of the tank where the fuel pick up is.
Subaru had a diagram of it a recent issue of Drive.
YES!
In summary, I first reported the problem to my dealer on 12-23-02 with 9448 miles. After demonstrating the problem for my service writer on 5-15-03 two separate attempts were made to repair the transmission. On 8-1-03 a Technical Representative from Subaru witnessed the problem in a road test and submitted a report to Subaru of America. By August 18 I couldn't wait any longer and called 1-800-Subaru3 for a status report. I was told I would hear from someone soon. On 8-20-03 I called my dealership for help. On 8-22-03 I called the Subaru 1-800 number again.
Keep in mind neither my dealership nor Subaru corporate had returned any of my phone calls. I talked to two customer service reps before requesting a manager. The customer service manager promised to call me early the next week. Today at 10:50 a.m., I attempted to reach the customer service manager. He was in a meeting and my message would be relayed to him. He did not call. It's 1:00 a.m. and I'm planning my course of action.
If you are not a Subaru customer and are reading messages on this website to get a feel for some WRX owner experiences my long-winded message could save you future heart break. I love the car dispite its shortcomings. I know Subaru will eventually repair the car to my satisfaction. However, it's difficult to put into words how bad it feels to be at the mercy Subaru's low class customer service. It is an experience I'll never forget.
The 5MTs are not weak, nor do they "break" A good deal of the problems are kids who burn out and drop it into gear at 3000+ rpms, or people who routinely abuse them or do upgrades without upgrading the tranny.
Yes the tranny is small for the engine, but the few people I know who had tranny problems, had them fixed without hesitation by SOA. Perhaps your approach or your dealer is the one that is causing the problem. Dealers are going to be hit or miss, that's just the car game, I've had good dealers and bad dealers, if your local one doesn't work well try another one in the area.
-mike
I had a problem with my '97 Outback Sport's tranny. The customer service that I received from SoA and the SDC District Service Operations Manager was outstanding.
-Dennis
You gotta keep in mind there are PLENTY of abusers that indeed should pay for repairs out of their own pocket, if only so they can learn to stop using such poor judgement.
I agree with Subaru, in these cases they should not pay, otherwise they have to increase the prices the rest of us pay.
Let's turn this around, if you owned a dealership and a kid walked in with "2 Fast, 2 Furoius" stickers plastered all over his WRX, clearly modified and driven hard, would you occupy your best mechanic's time to fix it for nothing?
If it's bone-stock, I mean completely, no ECU flash or nothing, and it's under warranty with records to prove maintenance was done on schedule, well that's a different story. If the dealer turns you away, well, you need to find a better dealer.
-juice
As for the tranny issues, it becomes readily apparent reading through NASIOC that there are WRX owners out there that just simply do not know how to drive stick. Sure, the 5MT is far from perfect, but I suspect the driver is to blame for quite a number of tranny failures.
Ken
-mike
-mike
Then again, does she have a teenage son?
Still, she ought to call. But I bet she represents a small minority.
-juice
Now, I won't be reduced to tears but I will take every necessary step to get my WRX repaired right up to hiring a lawyer, something I never thought I would have to do.
I think the WRX transmission is a good one and should stand up to normal use as well as most. I believe I have an unusual defect, maybe a machining problem at the factory. The way I drive it should be the last component on the car to wear out. I'm not questioning Subaru quality.
I called 1-800-Subaru3 at 10:30 a.m. this morning. I asked to speak to Carmine, the customer service team leader at corporate Subaru. He hasn't returned my call from 8-22-03 or my follow up call from 9-5-03. Well, Carmine was in another "meeting". Some people do bend the truth when they write to these message boards. My story is so absurd it's entertaining in its straight factual form. I explained my plight to Barry, the customer service rep who received my call. I asked that Barry call me back by noon if nobody else answered my request for a return phone call. It's 12:25 and no call.
* dealer
* dealership manager
* 800-SUBARU3
* Patti (LOL)
-juice
The chances of random tranny failure for some one who really did baby the tranny have got to be pretty low.
Ken
I inquired as to whether there was another manager I could speak with. The answer was "no". There is no Subaru management that will talk with me about having my car repaired. I can correspond by mail with the CEO of Subaru of America, T.K. Saito.
Have any of you out there ever worked as a customer service rep or manager? I have. This is the first customer service department I've encountered with an "untouchable" manager. I can't help but think about the stack of Subaru "Drive" magazines I've accumulated. I wonder if they will publish my story?
I agree. It makes me wonder why the policy of the Subaru regional reps is to deny all transmission warranty claims sight unseen (though I guess sometimes they do show up in person to peer into the shop before denying it). I'm just thankful I haven't had any problems yet. I know I treat and maintain my car meticulously, but I guess we'll see.