Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Subaru Reliability
This discussion has been closed.
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
But compared to a Toyota, Foresters have a more complex motor and drive train. Double the heads and cams, interference valves that will ruin the motor if the timing belt is not changed on schedule, and a more complex drive drain with more differentials and clutches. And your era Forester also had head gasket problems.
So to maintain a Forester well is going to take more and cost more than maintaining a Toyota well. The question is whether that level of maintenance was done for the 216k one owner Forester. Likely it was, or it would not have made it that far. But are you willing to pick up the continuing responsibility at this late point in its life?
However, in the newer ('03 and on) Subarus, the issues putting them on CU's charts (bad head gaskets, timing belts, wheel bearings, etc.) have supposedly been fixed.
Dealer called me to tell me I need a new engine today. The car has 9600 miles on it. All of the maintenance was done by Subaru at the recommended intervals.
This car is such a piece of Junk. Subaru of America is not to helpful either.
Very disappointing. I made the mistake of believing all of the reviews.
Dealer called me back to tell me that the car needs a new engine. This is on a car that has 9600 miles!!! Plus, all of the maintenance was done by Subaru at the proper intervals, etc. What an incredible piece of junk. Very disappointed.
Of course; it didnt help that the car engine crapped out thanksgiving night in the snow with my kids in the car....on a remote road in northern michigan.
DONT BUY THE XT.....you will pay.
One bad car does not make a bad brand. Sorry that your engine blew up, but any mechanical item (space shuttle included) can and will break.
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor
I test-drove the new 2010 Forester a few weeks ago and I have to say I was not impressed. How disappointed I was. My Honda is like a Cadillac compared to the new Forester with it's cheap plastic chrome looking interior, it's cramped interior, and it's harsh ride. The moon-roof is awesome though. Love the new exterior styling over my 1998 Forester. Why does Subaru continue to have lousy stereo systems? I would have to downgrade from my current 6 CD, Cassette, 6 speaker standard stereo for a chintzy 4 speaker, 1 cd system? If I went from a 1998 Forester right to a 2010 Forester, i'd be in love. But taking a walk on the "other side" and going back is a let-down. Also after reading so many reviews here on the forums, i'd have to say the reliability has gone down-hill with Subaru. I am sad to say I may not ever buy another one even though their AWD is 2nd to none.
I'm sort of puzzled when CR-V owners say that - I looked closely at one, and all the plastics are hard, the headliner is peach-fuzz on cardboard, the carpets are thin, and the door grab handles are painted silver and will wear prematurely (to be fair Honda fixes that last one for 2010).
I think the interior styling is more subdued so perhaps it doesn't stand out as much as the Forester's, but if you look closely, materials are basically on par with the Forester, and well beneath the Outback's (check out the fabric, padded headliner and matching texture on the pillars).
My CR-V is the square body style, not the new rounded, ladybug/VW Bug style. Mine has zero fake chrome on the inside. The interior is subdued and basic monotone which is probably why I find the new Forester interior kinda' space-like and shockingly ugly (for lack of better definition).
We'll see what happens, but I will take an Outback out for a ride when I decide to make the change. Thanks for your input!
The class actually went through some cost cutting. Back in 2006 I remember the Forester had the Tribeca's fabric, padded headliner, and nicer cloth seats, too. I'm sure the CR-V did, also.
Both have cut costs. The headliner is that cheap paperboard, with what feels like dryer lint glued on. It probably also saves weight.
The RAV4 is no better, so this is par for the price class.
I'd be happy with unpainted, matte black plastic trim, but painted fake aluminum is all the rage these days, in just about everything.
The two things on this car that strike me as cheap are thus: 1. The sun visors - cheap by any standard, and 2. Interior rattles. I have also never been a fan of the matte, hard dash materials (I much prefer the materials used in the late '90s), but if I actually touched the dash on a regular basis I might care a little more.
I have never driven or been inside a CR-V; its second-class AWD system ensures that to continue.
I will say this - the blue LED lighting is neat, and you may not even notice if you didn't test drive it at night. Also, the lights fade in and out, no sudden on/off. Those are nice little touches that add to the ambience.
The sun visors are cheap, but they're durable, and if you look at competitors, they're actually probably above average.
I noticed that about everything in this car, the first time I drove it. I like that and agree that it does "add to the ambiance." I especially appreciate the stereo's fade in/out with the mute and on/off functions.
I have never been a car stereo connoisseur, but I like that the 6-disc and extra-speaker setup is not standard (it would increase the price!); it should, however, be optional. Given that the stereos are double-din and not built into the head unit (ala last generation's Outback/Legacy), one can put whatever is preferred in there, and at least that is a nice convenience. I rarely, if ever, even use the CD player.
Pop the hood, note the nice struts that hold it up. Walk around the back, note the twin mufflers, with a nice symmetry.
That is nothing short of incredible in a car shorter than a Chevy Cobalt coupe.
I suspect there is some wiring harness that is not tethered properly, but it is hard to say for now.
No, it would make for a nice air stream with a front window down. Tilt doesn't let air in so much as it lets it out. I really wish the cargo area side windows would "vent," much as they do in a minivan (I assume our Sienna has this feature?). I like being able to open all the windows in my Caravan fully, without the obnoxious wind noise associated with only having door windows down.
To get a little more on topic... I think all "wagons" (or SUVS) should have those. I think our old 1980 Subaru GL had vent openings, but they were manual.
I have a little sliding and tilting moonroof in my Scion xB, but the panel of glass in my Subaru is the size of a table top -- too big and heavy to tilt. However, I love it in the winter as it provides so much solar heat on sunny days that the car stays warm when parked.
Hahaha, I bet... at least if you live somewhere not overly cold and with light in the winter. I hope that will be the case for me in March and April, but this time of year it is far too cold for any heat to build and far too dark to get any solar gain. Besides, the sun doesn't get high enough in the sky to come in through the roof! :P
Now that's a car I would buy!! The best of both worlds!! Good one, gdoc!!!
Cause:
Incident confirmed on driver's side door noisyfrom inside while driving. By tapping the door trim by hand can be duplicated. Passenger door seems to be normal (this is wrong, as both doors were buzzing when driving over various surfaces)
Visual check carried out and found no abnoram condition from all the internal door components. Shoptalk bullein No. ST-12-03-09 confirmed that securing bolts of window motor.
Correction
Re-tighten all regulator bolts and other screws that can be seen; add insulation on plastic cover; applied door trim edges. R/Tested and problem is solved
Lab-op:A900-331 S.T..1.7H, FC; OAX-25
Perhaps I should note that the car engine was off and the vehicle was stationary at the time of this testing.
Please explain....
XT turbo engine failure is a known issue for this vehicle affecting 2008-2009 models:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/subaru-issues-turbo-stop-sale-certai- n-08-09-models-31757/
I don't know if the 2010 cars are involved but have been reluctant to buy an XT because of this issue.
They would have to have a valid reason for voiding the 5/60,000 powertrain warranty.
If it's chipped or something, I could understand, but bone-stock no way, no how.
He said he thought he had a main bearing failure. Perhaps he just assumed it the main bearing. A particular VIN range of the late 2008 and 2009 XT's (those manufactured between Tuesday 8 January and Saturday 5 April 2008) were failing because of disintegration of copper con rod bearing shells, as described in these links:
"... FHI have identified the problem as abnormal wear on con rod big end bearings..."
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/subaru-issues-turbo-stop-sale-certai- - - - n-08-09-models-31757/index5.html#post372840
"... Turbo Engine Stop Sale checking Procedure.
Engine Screening Procedure Two... A) If there are copper particles larger that 1 mm in the material residue, the engine is damaged.... It may be necessary to clean the particles to determine if they are copper. Copper is reddish in color..."
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/subaru-issues-turbo-stop-sale-certai- - - - n-08-09-models-31757/index10.html#post381869