Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Good luck.
Michael
Anyone care to summarize the list?
Thanks,
Jim
Cheers!
Paul
Michael
As for service, if you don't like the service, GO TO A DIFFERENT DEALER or GO TO A DIFFERENT BRAND of car.
While in utopia all dealers for all makes and models would have equal levels of customer support, it's just not based in reality...
-mike
If others in similar circumstances don't mind having their dealers lie to them and waste their time, that's for them to decide. I already know what I think of it. I don't need you telling me whether my conclusion fits your world view or not.
I'll be entirely disregarding anything you write in the future. Kindly do likewise.
-mike
Unlikely, I know.
-juice
Thanks,
John
How many times will the dealer "fix" this problem under warranty?
They only fixed it 1x, cut them some slack! They'll fix it as many times as it takes to get it working.
-mike
Give them 3 strikes, then I think you have enough ground to demand a longer warranty on the affected parts. If you want, document it with 800-SUBARU3.
And be nice, what do they say about bees going to honey vs. vinegar?
-juice
-mike
Owen
Thanks,
Matt
It's all a matter of time and money. If you have the time I'd say anyone should be able to get an 03 paint to look great. You can wash and wax or go for the cleaner, sealer and wax. I advise against using a power orbiter if you have not used one before...it isn't hard but you can do damage so it's best to have someone show you first.
Don
Mike k
An alternative is to try to fill the scratches. A quality carnuba wax can help fill in the scratches and mask the problem. That only goes so far, though, especially with dark paint.
Waxing the car yourself does not take a lot of skill and is something you should learn to do anyway. Carnuba wax has a 3-month life on average, so you'll want to wax 4 times a year to keep the finish looking new. Everyone has their own preference for waxes; Meguiars is my favorite natural carnuba wax.
If you do have the car detailed and they take out the scratches, then I would recommend starting to wax with synthetic Klasse wax. It'll last 6 months and takes half the time/energy to apply.
Good luck with this.
Oh the joys of owning a black car;>)
1. What exactly does it mean to "clay a car" ?
2. Where can I get the Meguiars or the Klasse car waxes?
Thanks,
2) Consumer-grade Meguiars can be found in a number of places, like auto parts stores, super store centers, etc... http://www.meguiars.com will let you search for stores that carry the professional stuff, and help you pick which product is best for you. Klasse is Internet-only; one source is http://www.properautocare.com/
1. Service Notices, Press Releases, and Recalls
... The Subaru Technical Helpline and our CDS department continue to ... period, the owner/technician may hear a noise/buzzing coming from the engine compartment...
http://www.toad.net/~rrubel/bulletin.html
2. Subaru Noises
... state the sound is "normal."; Detrimental effects: SOA has said that the noise causes no engine problems or abnormal engine wear; Subaru engine expert CCR ...
http://resnet.uoregon.edu/~dwhite/pages/subnoises.html
Mike K, the SOA Factory Rep told me, when I questioned him, that when the sort block is replace it has the new longer skirts and countermeasure pistons in it. I haven’t had any tapping since the fix and I listen very closely at every start. The repair was 1.5 months and 2k miles ago. JT
John.
Thanks for the info!
Forester and Impreza went to the Phase II SOHC engine in 1999, but OB and Leg waited for 2000, with the redesign.
-juice
-Frank P.
The End Wrench From Subaru - Archives
Engine Maintenance Fall, 2002 Long vehicle service life and reliable performance depend on the owner’s willingness to adhere to a schedule of regular maintenance. This article summarizes key ... ... Fall, 2002. Subaru engines offer excellent service life. ... We’ll show you how a special tool makes valve adjustment on this engine a little easier. Engine Noises When Cold ...
http://www.endwrench.com/archive/syseng.html
Some 1999 and 2000 Legacy and Forester vehicles may intermittently pop out of fifth gear when coasting. The cause may be a loose main shaft nut. In some cases, all that maybe necessary to repair the transmission is to replace the nut, torque to specifications and stake the nut. In other cases, damage to the hub and syncro assembly may be found.
I found the above comment on endwrench (pg 30).
http://endwrench.com/pdf/summer2003/INSIDERI.PDF
It describes exactly the problem I'm having with my 2000 Legacy. Has anyone else encountered this and what did it cost to repair?
You may email me directly if you prefer.
Thanks,
Jim
eelp: try resetting the ECU first. The idle is controlled by the ECU, so I don't think you can adjust it.
-juice
John
It has something to do with the cruise control wire sticking. Does anyone know if there is a way to actually see the fix procedure listed somewhere. The description of the fix sounded simple so if it can save me a trip to the dealer, I would rather fix it myself.
Don
-juice
Patti
Still to go:
plugs, air filter, rear diff, coolant flush, brake flush, pcv, timing belt inspect.
Yes, I will have to pull the tires again to do the brake flush, but I ran short on time & wanted to get the snows off (will be in the 80's here today). I spray all of the bushings with white lith grease when I have the wheels off (remember to cover the disks...). I have little nice to say about the center diff change - drain plug is tough to get to, fill tube & dip stick tough to get to, & 80w-90 stinks!
OK, Question on procedure: The timing belt cover is split, with what looks like a short section on the drives side. Take this off, and rotate the engine by hand to inspect the belt?
Thanks,
Steve
PS: I took plenty of pictures and am thinking about putting together a comprehensive DIY powerpoint presentation. Any thoughts about where to place it for general access? We need an on-line library for this stuff.
Belts I usually don't mess with.
-juice
4/2: I talked to Fred at SOA and he advised me to have my dealer check it out (using a previous case number 586694).
4/9: Had the car in for a tuneup and the dealer (Ganley East- Wickliffe, OH) determined that there was a bad weld which had allowed moisture to collect inside the hood causing the rust. They said it was definitely a warranty issue, but had to put a call in to the district manager before they could proceed with any repair.
4/12: Got a message that the dealer had talked to someone and there might be an issue because I'm not the original owner of the car. My dealer is still waiting for a determination from some higher authority, but didn't believe that should be a factor.
Haven't heard anything since then- maybe people have been on vacation like I was last week. If you get a chance to look at the case I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Thanks!
-Chad
Timing Belt: remove the small section of cover, pull the "airbag/ignition" fuse on the fuse panel inside the car and inspect, crank, inspect, crank do it about 3 or 4 times and you'll see the whole belt.
-mike
Jim
Cheers Pat.
-mike
Craig