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Well ... hmmm .... where to start ... Last January ... a problem where I started the car .. the engine started "chugging" .. the "check engine" light came on .. I turned it off. Restarted the car. Ran fine. Went home.
Couple weeks later ... sitting at a light, engine starts "chugging", sounding like it's going to "die", check engine light flashed, ran rough for a trip of about 5 miles. Dropped off friend. Went home.
These were the only 2 incidents, and I seriously thought maybe it was the tank of gas because it was the same tankful in both incidents. When the car was taken in for some routine maintenance back in June, I mentioned the issue to the mechanic. They did the maintenance. I picked up the car. Later the same day, I had some of the same problems, so I drove it straight back to the garage. They took the car back immediately and I was only there about 15 minutes. They checked the fuel sensors and said they did find one not making good contact and 'reset' it. I took the car home and didn't have more issues for a couple months.
Car was back to garage in August just before school started. On a trip to see in-laws about an hour and a half away. On the way back started having some problems with what I call a 'hiccup' ... just a slight feeling that it wasn't getting gas to get where we're going. Then it had more of the "chugging", check engine light flashing, then things would smooth out again. We made it home. Next day, I drove it to work and had a problem with it during the day again.
Back to the garage. Asked them to just keep it and drive it and try to figure out what was causing the problem. They couldn't get it to duplicate the problem. They changed the coil based on everything they've already done to the car. They have taken care of this car for a loooooong time. When they called to let me know if was ready, we talked a bit. He told me to pick up the car without paying him yet and drive it a couple of weeks to be sure it was 'fixed'.
Picked up the car. Drove it the next day to work. Went fine to the 1st school (about 13 miles). On the way to 2nd school a couple hours later, it had a few 'hiccups', then I had to stop for a train. Shortly after the brake light came on, the charge light came on and stayed on for the mile or so to the school. I called the garage, and told them I was bringing it back that afternoon if it started when I was ready to go. It started but gave me a lot of difficulty on the way and I wasn't sure it was going to run to get me all the way there (about 10 miles). This was on Friday August 30th.
They kept the car for 2 weeks. Drove it to get parts. Drove it on the highway at high speeds. Drove it on hills and flat stretches. Let it idle. It would not do it while with them. I checked in once a week trying to think of anything that would be helpful. Last week, they replaced the front brakes (I knew it needed to be done), the exhaust system (also been needing to be done for a long time), and the front wheel axle boots were shot (I didn't know that). Also the cost of the coil but he took off the labor charges.
Husband went in on Friday morning and paid for the repairs ($1993). We picked up the car later in the evening. I made it barely out of the parking lot before things started happening. The ABS light came on, the AT oil light came on, the charge light came on, the check engine light started flashing, the car started running rough. I got to a restaurant parking lot and pulled in with husband behind me. I'm telling him what's going on and he's acting like this is 'normal' and it's just 'running through everything'. Uh ... nope. When I was putting the window up it was going really slowly and the car was quickly losing power. I shut off the engine, put it in park, and the key would turn all the way to be able to come out. He had battery cables and jumped the car. It did start but was still running very rough, backfired, dash warning lights on, still couldn't get the key out. I made sure the parking brake was all the way done, that the steering wheel wasn't 'locked up', etc. Car died. He jumped it again and I tried changing gears - which it did - and then back to park and was able to get the key out. I locked it and we left it overnight.
Yesterday evening, we went back. (Restaurant is big for breakfast/lunch crowd and not so busy in evening). Car wouldn't start. Jumped the car and it started. I was driving it back to the garage. Again. Lights on almost as soon as I started moving. As I was driving to the garage, the engine was running very rough, shortly after the radio just 'went off', a minute or so later when I turned on turn signal I didn't have one, turned into a parking lot and then through a small alley and to the garage. By the time I got a little rise, the engine died. I coasted over the rise and into a parking spot at the garage.
Does ANYONE have anything to add to what we can try? I really don't want to buy another car yet. I really don't like to think we just spent almost $2000 on a 'dead' car ....
They usually say "spark or fuel", so I was thinking ignition coil but you already did that.
Spark plug wires, spark plugs would be next, but yours may not have wires depending upon the model year.
Next thought was fuel...filter or fuel pump maybe. Start with the cheapest stuff first, so fuel filter.
Our old Mazda 626 had a dirty fuel system and stumbled and lost power the way you describe, and a fuel system service/cleaning addressed it, like night and day.
Hopefully others have more thoughts and maybe more Subaru-specific experiences.
Haven't a clue Brenda. AJ pretty much summed up the usual suspects. It does sound electrical related somehow.
You mentioned that you took it to a garage. Was that a Subaru dealer? My thinking is that a dealer that works on nothing but Subarus would have the best chance of figuring out what the problem is. Tell them you're at wits end over this.
I would also print out your post here and give it to the dealer, as you've really documented the problem well.
One other suggestion is to contact paisan, as he has a shop that works on mostly on Subarus. Here's his web link: http://azpinstalls.com/web/
Since the windows seem to be affected when these problems come up, you can rule out anything fuel related. I'd have the garage check the alternator, battery and battery cables, and every ground wire in the car. A loose or corroded ground wire connection can be tough to diagnose if you're not looking for it, but will cause all kinds of intermittent problems when it loses contact.
*IF* the deal goes thru, Twilight Blue / ivory cloth. I think I won a victory today on the remote starter (a two day e-mail campaign), and they will install the factory plug-&-play kit rather than aftermarket. If they were going higher end Viper aftermarket, I would have been OK, but they were going bottom feeder. The car will supposedly be ready by the end of the week, so we'll see.
Well, the head gasket is leaking yet again on my '02 (three strikes?), so I'm looking at $2k or more if I want my daughter to keep driving it. Other than leaking, it drives and still looks like a new car. 12 years old this weekend!
My car came in, but of course the paperwork interior color code doesn't match the car (how do they mess things up so bad??), so my new car will be Twilight Blue over a black interior. No matter, it drove very nicely, so I told them to go ahead with the accessory installation. Probably go over Saturday to take delivery.
Crazy how well they still hold their value if you keep them looking nice. Two Subaru dealers used the word 'creampuff' when walking around my car, but neither were interested once I said the word 'headgasket'. Both said that they've occasionally taken in 11-13 year old Outbacks as there are customers willing to buy them for $6k or more. A private lot down the street from my office has a 2003 with under 80k miles stickering for $8900. I think that's just nuts, but I'll bet he'll get $7k for it.
Bottom line is I need to stop being so honest and NOT present the warts (nah, can't do that...).
They put a new alternator on the car on Monday but our schedules are so nuts we didn't get there to pick it up until Wednesday evening after close .. (yeah, we use them a lot and they told us to just pick it up and see if it was 'fixed' and come back and pay later ...) but the car wasn't out on the lot so I assumed it was locked in the garage. I called yesterday morning and let them know we'd be there to pick it up Thursday evening. (Yes, it was in the garage and not stolen ...)
At any rate ... I drove it home ... drove it to go out to eat last night ... no lights, no warnings, no rough running ... keep your fingers crossed!
Well, I was just in the same boat as you. My oldest daughter is soon to get her drivers license and my 2001 Outback was waiting for her. However after some thought I just didn't feel good about her driving it.
The car has 215K miles or so. The struts and steering need some work. The rims probably need to be replaced since the tires won't hold air and they have tried to fix that, but it doesn't seem to be lasting. Tires need to be replaced which is easy but another $500 or so. Headgaskets were replaced about 2 years ago, but in the latest heat wave the car threatened to over heat, so I'm wondering if that might need more attention. I tried selling it but when they heard 215K miles... interest dropped really fast.
Ended up trading it and getting $1000. Probably could have sold it myself for more, but I don't want my kid driving it so I didn't feel right selling to to have somebody elses kid driving it. Craig's List had 40+ Subies in the $1500 to $3400 range and many had under 200K miles.
So now I'll share my 2012 Subie Impreza with my daughter and my wife has a new 2013 Mazda 3 iTouring.
Steve congrats on the new car. I read that your headgaskets are leaking once more. My Sister in law has an 03 forester and had the motor replaced twice under warranty for the dreaded piston slap. She did have an extended warranty now well expired. However although the car is ten years old she only has about 75K miles on it. She now has the piston slap again pretty bad.
Car sounds like an old diesel it is so bad
Needless to say she is pretty soured on Subaru products.
Brenda, hope the gremlins have been exorcised from your car!
Steve, ditto on the new car congrats!
Today, after 13 years + 11 months, and 273k miles, I have replaced my white 2000 Legacy with a new silver 2013 Impreza Sport Premium 5M. The quote was $999 BELOW Edmund's TMV for my local area, so I'm very pleased!
Well .... uh ... yeah ... Drove the car Thurs evening and all day Friday (well the 'limited' driving that I do .. and it was fine. Headed to work yesterday morning and got about 10 min from home and had a problem with engine running rough, sounding like it was going to die, check engine light flashing ... I turned around to head toward home, the engine 'straightened' out and the check engine light went off ...
Hey Jim, long time no talk! I'll be back in San Jose in November, so maybe we can get the crew of you, Ken & Kate together again for a meal.
Congrats to you too! We now share the same purchase date, as I drove my new 2014 Outback home last night! It all took a few days longer than expected as my local NY dealer (very nice folks, but just not motivated enough to find a car) lost the sale to a dealer in CT. They then had to move the car from an associated dealer some distance away, and add the remote start and some other items. But the price was right (a few hundred under the invoice) and the deal went very smoothly. Kudos to Colonial Subaru in Danbury for making it relatively painless.
My old 2001 outback had the piston slap too. Subaru replaced two pistons somewhere around 50k miles. The piston slap came back around 100k and was pretty bad during the winter monthes. It never was a dependability issue however. As mentioned in previous post, I just let it go with around 215k miles. Head gaskets made it to 180k or so the first time, but maybe that is because the left side gasket was replaced with those pistons early on.
In my sister in law's case both times they replaced the complete short block, and not just the pistons, the first short block they replaced was knocking pretty badly after about10k miles, the second replacement fared somewhat better, but as I said is now knocking pretty badly.
I really like the way my 2009 Outback with shiftable automatic handles snowy winter roads. In descending steep ski mountain access roads I can downshift smoother than with a clutch and 2nd gear keeps me off the brakes and glued to the road through the switchbacks. I can't imagine a better transmission for winter driving. So I was surprised the new Outback 4-cyl models abandoned this transmission in favor of a CVT.
I'd like to hear from some CVT owners about winter driving. How do the CVTs perform generally and especially I'd like to know if you can get any engine braking out of it when descending slippery roads like I described. I would expect that it would try to run away with you as you stand on the brakes and slide off the road. Or am I wrong?
From what you described in your last couple paragraphs, it sounds like perhaps the alternator is charging intermittently. I've had many alternator issues over the years, and the intermittent charging ones are the worst! Especially if you have a lot of accessories (or use window motors) running when the alternator cuts out, all sorts of weird things happen. But, in my experience, loss of engine power or rough running is typically the last one. But, if your battery is weak due to age or being taxed by the alternator, then who knows?
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
MAS = Mass Airflow Sensor. It is located in the intake stream just inward of the air filter. If you're looking at the intake, it's the part that has the wiring harness plugged into it between the hose from the filter housing and the hose to the intake manifold.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
2013 Impreza Sport Premium compared to 2000 Legacy L
Love the short throw of the Impreza 5-speed. Only 3" left to right vs 5" on the Legacy and fore/aft it's 4"; on the Impreza vs 5" on the Legacy. (Yes, I actually measured it. I'm OCD and I have a cert from Subaru Crew to prove it!)
I really needed to adjust to the uber-light clutch pedal on the Impreza. Then, going back to the Legacy felt like doing leg presses in the gym!
Cupholders for the driver & passenger are recessed just a bit deeper on the Impreza so I don't need to raise my arm as much to avoid a bottle or straw when shifting. Typically had to raise my elbow in the Legacy.
Totally miss all the cubby holes on the Legacy. The pop open holder on the lower left dash for change, the ashtray for whatever, the flip-up door storage below the radio for sunglasses - I miss all of those.
The pockets on all four doors are designed to hold bottles, which is great, but maps barely fit (ok, I know I'm a dinosaur for using paper maps).
The tach & speedometer are reversed. Impreza tach is on the left, Legacy tach is on the right.
After ~500 miles, doesn't seem any louder than the Legacy; front seats are adjustable in height, mine are set a bit lower than Legacy; back seat knee room is equal to Legacy, width (door-to-door) maybe 1 to 2" less; I don't sense much change in comfort or handling.
The engine is noticeably smaller so I have to be more careful not to lug the engine and just downshift to be in the proper rpm range when necessary. However, it doesn't feel underpowered, it's just a matter getting away from my old lazy habits.
Plan to wash, clay, and wax this weekend. How about extending OCD by four years rather than just two? 8^)
So comparing a Gen 4 OBW (2014) to a Gen 2 OBW (2002), I ditto much of what Jim said:
Tach / Speedo are reversed, and where is my temperature gauge????
Wagon rear cubbies on the old girl had doors, while these are open. The fuse area on the lower left dash has the same door, but the 'emergency $20 bill holder' inside is gone, and no ash tray for change and small bills. How will I pay for the McDonald's drive thru now??
I'm having issues with the CVT (rough compared to my beautifully smooth 4EAT), and my tires flat-spot to the point where there is a near constant buzz for miles each cold start. Very annoying.
The ride itself (road irregularities, etc.) is very much improved, and it's vault quiet. LOVE THE MOONROOF! Open the lid and crank up the heat.
This year they give the Premium the upgraded radio head (4.2" color display) from the Limited, but minus the HK amp & speaker pkg. Radio functions are good, but the sound system really needs the subwoofer (added that on the old one also.) Love the backup camera that displays in the dash!
Seats will probably be very good once I mold them a bit. The first week I found them to be annoying my back and left hip a bit, but that's improving. Yes, I'm getting old....
The kids love the legroom in the back, and that the seatbacks recline a bit. I was a bit surprised to find that the cargo area is actually slightly smaller and not shaped quite as well on the new one. It's only an inch here, two inches there, but when I put my bike and stuff in, it just doesn't fit as well.
Fabrics and carpeting seem thin compared to the old car, as is the sheet metal. At 12 years old, my local Subaru guy loves the old wagon, and keeps telling me how beautifully kept it is. I just don't think the new one will wear anywhere near as well.
Roof rack seems to be more complex than it needs to be, although at least now you can adjust the spread. The electric parking brake is a terrible answer to a question nobody asked. WHY?
Other little gripes at this price point:
1) No retained power? Even my old 2002 Honda allowed you to operate the windows and radio for 20 minutes.
2) It has auto headlamps, but they also shut off immediately.
3) Lots of cheap cars have little outboard blind spot mirrors built into the left exterior mirror.
4) They deleted the compass in the mirror. And without that upgraded mirror, you wouldn't get Homelink??
Also need to adjust to a console lid that doesn't latch. Its held closed by gravity and friction of the hinge.
Wow, I can see the clock clearly w/o squinting and its far enough away that I don't need to use the "reading" portion of my bifocals! Plus, passengers can see the clock too. No more, "What time is it?"
iPod connection w/30-pin and USB works well, but major program selection while driving can be hazardous.
The Impreza handbrake is next to the driver's seat, not the passenger seat like the Legacy, it's irritating to brush or bump against it every time I fasten my seatbelt.
There's no fold down armrest between the back seats and therefore no passthru. But the seats have 60/40 split fold-down that didn't exist on my Legacy.
The side mirrors seem 50% taller than the Legacy mirrors. Great view, but I wonder how it impacts mpg. It's so tall that I'm able to tilt the passenger side mirror downward to aid w/ parallel parking and still have good view of traffic when driving.
Best of all, with my typical driving, I got 30 mpg! That's 5mpg better than my Legacy.
Got an early jump on winter this year, and put the plastic covering on the floor. Every other year I waited until it was freezing cold but not this year. Also in doing this I keep my OCD membership current and in good standing. :shades:
Comments
Color?
Last January ... a problem where I started the car .. the engine started "chugging" .. the "check engine" light came on .. I turned it off. Restarted the car. Ran fine. Went home.
Couple weeks later ... sitting at a light, engine starts "chugging", sounding like it's going to "die", check engine light flashed, ran rough for a trip of about 5 miles. Dropped off friend. Went home.
These were the only 2 incidents, and I seriously thought maybe it was the tank of gas because it was the same tankful in both incidents. When the car was taken in for some routine maintenance back in June, I mentioned the issue to the mechanic. They did the maintenance. I picked up the car. Later the same day, I had some of the same problems, so I drove it straight back to the garage. They took the car back immediately and I was only there about 15 minutes. They checked the fuel sensors and said they did find one not making good contact and 'reset' it. I took the car home and didn't have more issues for a couple months.
Car was back to garage in August just before school started. On a trip to see in-laws about an hour and a half away. On the way back started having some problems with what I call a 'hiccup' ... just a slight feeling that it wasn't getting gas to get where we're going. Then it had more of the "chugging", check engine light flashing, then things would smooth out again. We made it home. Next day, I drove it to work and had a problem with it during the day again.
Back to the garage. Asked them to just keep it and drive it and try to figure out what was causing the problem. They couldn't get it to duplicate the problem. They changed the coil based on everything they've already done to the car. They have taken care of this car for a loooooong time. When they called to let me know if was ready, we talked a bit. He told me to pick up the car without paying him yet and drive it a couple of weeks to be sure it was 'fixed'.
Picked up the car. Drove it the next day to work. Went fine to the 1st school (about 13 miles). On the way to 2nd school a couple hours later, it had a few 'hiccups', then I had to stop for a train. Shortly after the brake light came on, the charge light came on and stayed on for the mile or so to the school. I called the garage, and told them I was bringing it back that afternoon if it started when I was ready to go. It started but gave me a lot of difficulty on the way and I wasn't sure it was going to run to get me all the way there (about 10 miles). This was on Friday August 30th.
They kept the car for 2 weeks. Drove it to get parts. Drove it on the highway at high speeds. Drove it on hills and flat stretches. Let it idle. It would not do it while with them. I checked in once a week trying to think of anything that would be helpful. Last week, they replaced the front brakes (I knew it needed to be done), the exhaust system (also been needing to be done for a long time), and the front wheel axle boots were shot (I didn't know that). Also the cost of the coil but he took off the labor charges.
Husband went in on Friday morning and paid for the repairs ($1993). We picked up the car later in the evening. I made it barely out of the parking lot before things started happening. The ABS light came on, the AT oil light came on, the charge light came on, the check engine light started flashing, the car started running rough. I got to a restaurant parking lot and pulled in with husband behind me. I'm telling him what's going on and he's acting like this is 'normal' and it's just 'running through everything'. Uh ... nope. When I was putting the window up it was going really slowly and the car was quickly losing power. I shut off the engine, put it in park, and the key would turn all the way to be able to come out. He had battery cables and jumped the car. It did start but was still running very rough, backfired, dash warning lights on, still couldn't get the key out. I made sure the parking brake was all the way done, that the steering wheel wasn't 'locked up', etc. Car died. He jumped it again and I tried changing gears - which it did - and then back to park and was able to get the key out. I locked it and we left it overnight.
Yesterday evening, we went back. (Restaurant is big for breakfast/lunch crowd and not so busy in evening). Car wouldn't start. Jumped the car and it started. I was driving it back to the garage. Again. Lights on almost as soon as I started moving. As I was driving to the garage, the engine was running very rough, shortly after the radio just 'went off', a minute or so later when I turned on turn signal I didn't have one, turned into a parking lot and then through a small alley and to the garage. By the time I got a little rise, the engine died. I coasted over the rise and into a parking spot at the garage.
Does ANYONE have anything to add to what we can try? I really don't want to buy another car yet. I really don't like to think we just spent almost $2000 on a 'dead' car ....
Congrats to Emily, and on the new purchase!
Also, congrats to Bob on the new house, which I actually dropped by to see. It's on my way to the beach. Amazing the value you can get in Ocean Pines.
Spark plug wires, spark plugs would be next, but yours may not have wires depending upon the model year.
Next thought was fuel...filter or fuel pump maybe. Start with the cheapest stuff first, so fuel filter.
Our old Mazda 626 had a dirty fuel system and stumbled and lost power the way you describe, and a fuel system service/cleaning addressed it, like night and day.
Hopefully others have more thoughts and maybe more Subaru-specific experiences.
You mentioned that you took it to a garage. Was that a Subaru dealer? My thinking is that a dealer that works on nothing but Subarus would have the best chance of figuring out what the problem is. Tell them you're at wits end over this.
I would also print out your post here and give it to the dealer, as you've really documented the problem well.
One other suggestion is to contact paisan, as he has a shop that works on mostly on Subarus. Here's his web link: http://azpinstalls.com/web/
Bob
KCRam - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host
Btw, y'all check this one out over in Edmunds Answers:
2003 Subaru Outback threw a piston. Worth $3K to put in a used engine?
Free free to chime in too. Should log you right in if you care to comment.
My car came in, but of course the paperwork interior color code doesn't match the car (how do they mess things up so bad??), so my new car will be Twilight Blue over a black interior. No matter, it drove very nicely, so I told them to go ahead with the accessory installation. Probably go over Saturday to take delivery.
What do you think it's worth with a good engine?
Bottom line is I need to stop being so honest and NOT present the warts (nah, can't do that...).
They put a new alternator on the car on Monday but our schedules are so nuts we didn't get there to pick it up until Wednesday evening after close .. (yeah, we use them a lot and they told us to just pick it up and see if it was 'fixed' and come back and pay later ...) but the car wasn't out on the lot so I assumed it was locked in the garage. I called yesterday morning and let them know we'd be there to pick it up Thursday evening. (Yes, it was in the garage and not stolen ...)
At any rate ... I drove it home ... drove it to go out to eat last night ... no lights, no warnings, no rough running ... keep your fingers crossed!
The car has 215K miles or so. The struts and steering need some work. The rims probably need to be replaced since the tires won't hold air and they have tried to fix that, but it doesn't seem to be lasting. Tires need to be replaced which is easy but another $500 or so. Headgaskets were replaced about 2 years ago, but in the latest heat wave the car threatened to over heat, so I'm wondering if that might need more attention.
I tried selling it but when they heard 215K miles... interest dropped really fast.
Ended up trading it and getting $1000. Probably could have sold it myself for more, but I don't want my kid driving it so I didn't feel right selling to to have somebody elses kid driving it. Craig's List had 40+ Subies in the $1500 to $3400 range and many had under 200K miles.
So now I'll share my 2012 Subie Impreza with my daughter and my wife has a new 2013 Mazda 3 iTouring.
It did fine today every time I drove it ....
Car sounds like an old diesel it is so bad
Needless to say she is pretty soured on Subaru products.
Cheers Pat.
Steve, ditto on the new car congrats!
Today, after 13 years + 11 months, and 273k miles, I have replaced my white 2000 Legacy with a new silver 2013 Impreza Sport Premium 5M. The quote was $999 BELOW Edmund's TMV for my local area, so I'm very pleased!
(grrrrrr)
Congrats to you too! We now share the same purchase date, as I drove my new 2014 Outback home last night! It all took a few days longer than expected as my local NY dealer (very nice folks, but just not motivated enough to find a car) lost the sale to a dealer in CT. They then had to move the car from an associated dealer some distance away, and add the remote start and some other items. But the price was right (a few hundred under the invoice) and the deal went very smoothly. Kudos to Colonial Subaru in Danbury for making it relatively painless.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/Fibber2/My%20Subaru%20Outback/2014OBW-D- - eliveryDay. - jpg
I like the new Sport, Jim, especially in pearl white with the gray wheels, very cool color combo.
What colors did you guys pick?
Pat.
Twilight Blue with a black interior. I had asked for ivory, but black showed up first.
I'd like to hear from some CVT owners about winter driving. How do the CVTs perform generally and especially I'd like to know if you can get any engine braking out of it when descending slippery roads like I described. I would expect that it would try to run away with you as you stand on the brakes and slide off the road. Or am I wrong?
Cheers Pat.
1) Slide the gear shift into M(anual) - left of drive.
2) Click the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
From what you described in your last couple paragraphs, it sounds like perhaps the alternator is charging intermittently. I've had many alternator issues over the years, and the intermittent charging ones are the worst! Especially if you have a lot of accessories (or use window motors) running when the alternator cuts out, all sorts of weird things happen. But, in my experience, loss of engine power or rough running is typically the last one. But, if your battery is weak due to age or being taxed by the alternator, then who knows?
So, the car is still running rough at times, but no code setting in the system? I'd try two things: clean the MAS; replace the knock sensor.
The knock sensor was replaced last fall ..
Love the short throw of the Impreza 5-speed. Only 3" left to right vs 5" on the Legacy and fore/aft it's 4"; on the Impreza vs 5" on the Legacy. (Yes, I actually measured it. I'm OCD and I have a cert from Subaru Crew to prove it!)
I really needed to adjust to the uber-light clutch pedal on the Impreza. Then, going back to the Legacy felt like doing leg presses in the gym!
Cupholders for the driver & passenger are recessed just a bit deeper on the Impreza so I don't need to raise my arm as much to avoid a bottle or straw when shifting. Typically had to raise my elbow in the Legacy.
Totally miss all the cubby holes on the Legacy. The pop open holder on the lower left dash for change, the ashtray for whatever, the flip-up door storage below the radio for sunglasses - I miss all of those.
The pockets on all four doors are designed to hold bottles, which is great, but maps barely fit (ok, I know I'm a dinosaur for using paper maps).
The tach & speedometer are reversed. Impreza tach is on the left, Legacy tach is on the right.
Strange that they move the tach and speedo like that.
How would you compare ride comfort? Noise level? Back seat space? I bet they're close, given how much the Impreza has grown.
The engine is noticeably smaller so I have to be more careful not to lug the engine and just downshift to be in the proper rpm range when necessary. However, it doesn't feel underpowered, it's just a matter getting away from my old lazy habits.
Plan to wash, clay, and wax this weekend. How about extending OCD by four years rather than just two? 8^)
Tach / Speedo are reversed, and where is my temperature gauge????
Wagon rear cubbies on the old girl had doors, while these are open. The fuse area on the lower left dash has the same door, but the 'emergency $20 bill holder' inside is gone, and no ash tray for change and small bills. How will I pay for the McDonald's drive thru now??
I'm having issues with the CVT (rough compared to my beautifully smooth 4EAT), and my tires flat-spot to the point where there is a near constant buzz for miles each cold start. Very annoying.
The ride itself (road irregularities, etc.) is very much improved, and it's vault quiet. LOVE THE MOONROOF! Open the lid and crank up the heat.
This year they give the Premium the upgraded radio head (4.2" color display) from the Limited, but minus the HK amp & speaker pkg. Radio functions are good, but the sound system really needs the subwoofer (added that on the old one also.) Love the backup camera that displays in the dash!
Seats will probably be very good once I mold them a bit. The first week I found them to be annoying my back and left hip a bit, but that's improving. Yes, I'm getting old....
The kids love the legroom in the back, and that the seatbacks recline a bit. I was a bit surprised to find that the cargo area is actually slightly smaller and not shaped quite as well on the new one. It's only an inch here, two inches there, but when I put my bike and stuff in, it just doesn't fit as well.
Fabrics and carpeting seem thin compared to the old car, as is the sheet metal. At 12 years old, my local Subaru guy loves the old wagon, and keeps telling me how beautifully kept it is. I just don't think the new one will wear anywhere near as well.
Roof rack seems to be more complex than it needs to be, although at least now you can adjust the spread. The electric parking brake is a terrible answer to a question nobody asked. WHY?
Other little gripes at this price point:
1) No retained power? Even my old 2002 Honda allowed you to operate the windows and radio for 20 minutes.
2) It has auto headlamps, but they also shut off immediately.
3) Lots of cheap cars have little outboard blind spot mirrors built into the left exterior mirror.
4) They deleted the compass in the mirror. And without that upgraded mirror, you wouldn't get Homelink??
Wow, I can see the clock clearly w/o squinting and its far enough away that I don't need to use the "reading" portion of my bifocals! Plus, passengers can see the clock too. No more, "What time is it?"
iPod connection w/30-pin and USB works well, but major program selection while driving can be hazardous.
The Impreza handbrake is next to the driver's seat, not the passenger seat like the Legacy, it's irritating to brush or bump against it every time I fasten my seatbelt.
There's no fold down armrest between the back seats and therefore no passthru. But the seats have 60/40 split fold-down that didn't exist on my Legacy.
The side mirrors seem 50% taller than the Legacy mirrors. Great view, but I wonder how it impacts mpg. It's so tall that I'm able to tilt the passenger side mirror downward to aid w/ parallel parking and still have good view of traffic when driving.
Best of all, with my typical driving, I got 30 mpg! That's 5mpg better than my Legacy.
Cheers Pat.
Cheers Pat.