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Comments
I just got a call from my mother-in-law regarding her '99 Impreza Outback Sport. She's got another month and 1,100 miles before the original 36/36 runs out, and she'd like to buy an extended warranty. I don't really know much about these, but my guess is the warranty worth getting come from Subaru of America.
Sooooo... what do these warranties go for? Can she get 7yr/100k from date of purchase or something comparable? Anything to watch out for? Any internet deals?
Thanks in advance,
-Mathias
East Lansing, MI
LL Bean edition: other that the LLBean emblem on the side of the front fenders and the trademark on the floormats and rear seat upholstery I don't see much else LL Bean about it. The quality ofcourse.
It does have the goodies, but nothing directly related to LL Bean in my mind: too many to list but I like the dual moon roofs, heated seats, power driver seat, mirror compass with auto dimming, heated side mirrors and heated front windshield, windshield glass antenna, daytime running lights. gold plating on wheels, a good sound system (not McIntosh...that is a weird font to look at on the dash if you ask me), heavy duty snow type floor mats....oh, and OnStar(talk about the GM influence)...I had this on the Bravada and I will subscribe to it again...the Safe and Security Plan is free for the first year...I will also get the personal calling so I can check the Virtual Advisor.
SubieJon
We had a roof leak problem with our 2K OB Ltd. wagon about a year ago(it's equipped with the dual sunroofs). I can't recall exactly where the water came in through the roof (it's the boss' car - but it was the roof liner somewhere back in the storage compartment - behind the sunroofs), but the problem was ultimately traced to the sunroof (roofs?), which were replaced in their entirety. I suspect the position of the car (facing up-or downhill) when the water gets in (from wherever it's getting in) in part determines where it leaks out of once you move the car.
No problem since the fix (which was done under warranty, of course).
Hope this helps.
Ken in (still sunny) Seattle
We're lucky, there are 7 Subaru dealers close to me, so I can pick and choose. There are lousy ones, and there are good ones.
My wife complained about a stiff throttle, I asked them to just lube it, but they replaced the whole thing! Gave her a free rental car, took just a day, problem solved, happy customer.
The hood is galvanized steel, so at least it won't rust.
Mathias: I got a 7/100 B2B, and I'll share some of the benefits people don't usually think about:
* it includes roadside assistance, AAA was $71 per year for us ($500 recovered right there)
* it helps resale value, we may sell at 95k miles just to have that as a selling point
* plus, of course, repairs are covered
So even if I never use the warranty, if it helps resale by $300 or $500 I just about broke even. Worst case scenario.
Call around, shop for the best deal. Mine was about a grand, but your car is not new and it may cost more, but no more than $1300 tops, is my guess.
Jon: the Bean also gets a couple of years of free maintenance.
-juice
May be I am being picky, has this issue been addressed before?
That is the only thing that bothers me about this car. Has anybody done any modifications to the suspension to compensate for that?
Thanks
You should buy the Subie Beaner....quite nice.
Yes, I forgot to list that free oil change/tire rotation...thanks.
I can't wait for the first snow.
I can't wait to pull up to a stoplight on a hill next to a GM vehicle with SmartTrac or other on a snowy or wet/slippery day....with my Subaru AWD and 3.0L engine they can eat my dust or slush. The GM vehicle will still be waiting for the tranny to engage.
I am a responsible AWD vehicle driver, but on these straight away strips I can get my revenge.
The latest is the $750 tax bill I just received for the Bravada I traded in: $35,500 purchased/traded in one year later for $23.400 after numerous problems and more anticipated. A luxury vehicle....not really...what a pain.
But, when I tried repeated braking near a stop on both cars, the 2002 cars seemed to rock back and forth much more than the 2003 special edition cars.
My question is - does the wheel size (15" vs. 16") explain all the difference? Or could there be something more to this? Any minor changes to the suspension or braking systems for Legacy MY2003?
Thanks,
Roger
-mike
flasks: 29.5mpg is fantastic! And just think, a friend at work gets 9mpg on his Navigator commuting to work. OK, that's city driving, but still.
Roger: I'm wondering if all the 2003s got the internal rebound springs, for better dive/squat control, among other things. If you noticed a difference, I bet it does, so go with a 2003.
We have a 2002 with the 15s and the ride is very nice, but you're right, not as sporting.
Still, I think the 16s are worth the trade off, and the package is a steal for the price (with the 16s, moonroof, fogs, body color trim, etc), plus it helps resale.
-juice
-juice
-mike
I had been in the market for a year when I was advised to consider Subaru. Previously, I simply assumed that I would get another Toyota (my Corolla lasted 18 years and 315,000+ trouble free miles) or a Honda. Well, after visiting the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, I was intrigued. Then I stumbled onto this and a couple of other Subaru related sites (I-Club, Cobb, New Generation of Subaru), and I was hooked.
My priorities were build-quality, reliability, minimal maintenance, low repair costs, and safety. Compared to the others, it all added up – to my surprise – to Subaru. It really was a no-brainer for me. (Even with all the horror stories of the 4-cylinder hesitation problem, the brake-squeal problem, the clutch problems, the front rotor problems others have endured, my choice was Subaru hands down, as I know all makes and models have problems.)
I also thank you all for your other non-Subaru specific info, like windshield damage repair, the different types of coolant (not to mix them), transmission fluid flush, brake bleeding and associated gadgets and many more.
You guys and gals are the greatest. These Subaru boards are just a wealth of information.
Oh yes. Just the facts mam:
Sea mist green sedan with compass/mirror, differential protector, rubber floor mats. Yakima bicycle/ski rack to go on in a few weeks in time for Tahoe snow. Since I am a member of one of the Subaru Partners (American Cross-Country Skiers), I got it at invoice.
Bryan (with a “y”)
Congrats Bryan, that's a nice, new color, so it must be a 2003, right?
-juice
My daily driver is a 2000 Forester S, and lurking here helped me make the decision to buy it.
Ed
When I saw the VDC was coming out with a 6 CD Mac, I knew I could wait for it.
Bryan
Bob
The Subaru Crew Owners Club link is near the top of the page - join us!
-Brian
Think it is 197kph or about 122mph
Cheers
Graham
-juice
To many years of trouble-free driving!
-juice
Since your trailer will weigh more than your vehicle (a huge no-no as you're obviously aware) it will be able to physically move your vehicle if it begins to sway. A lifesaving hint if the trailer begins to surge back and forth (most likely on a downhill, BTW): Don't try to correct with your steering. Just keep the wheel straight ahead and coast without touching the brakes while the vehicle is yanked around heavily. It's hard to remember this under duress, but a knowledgeable tow driver told me and it saved me from serious injury, so I'll pass it on to you.
IdahoDoug
Suggestions:
Empty out anything you can from the tow vehicle and the trailer
Leave plenty of extra stopping distance, you'll need it
Have the brakes on the trailer checked
Flush your brake system
Take it nice and easy
Make sure your hitch is rated for that weight, or you might bend the hitch itself if you hit some bumps.
Other than that you should be fine to go.
-mike
I know you do not want opinions, but this maneuver is
extremely dangerous to you and others on the road. Fellow Subie posters should not encourage him.
I am a sailor; I would not pull anything heavier than a Hobie 16 Cat on/trailer...no trailer brakes..I have done that. If it needs trailer brakes, you have exceeded the limit for the Subaru. I hauled a Catalina 22 with a F150 SuperCrew pickup; the trailer had brakes; the boat/trailer weight combo and tongue weights are similiar to what you are talking about here...there is no way a Subaru Outback Wagon can safely handle this...or even come close to being safe.
Have you considered what happens if you get pulled over by the State Highway Patrol...if they see you doing this, they will.
-mike
Bob
Subaru painted it at their cost under the warranty and provided a loaner vehicle.
I remember you mentioned that a couple of weeks ago, and I'd mentioned our Wintegreen Legacy's paint was holding up well.
-juice
IdahoDoug
A lady in the aisle across from me made a compliment on how beautiful my new 2003 LL Bean Subaru looked. She was driving a Ford Taurus or something.
I think the gold plating on the wheels got her attention.
She certainly was not after me. (?) I am not as handsome as the Subaru. Who needs a Porsche to get attention...
just kidding ofcourse.
Greg
Thank you to all respondents. Did towing trial 10/24. Rig weight was 3500 lbs. Tongue weight 220 lbs. Single axle trailer with surge brakes. 1997 Outback pulled rig out of water up ramp with no slip, no sweat. Did about 8 miles in suburban traffic, level road except for drawbridge at up to 50 miles per hour - no sweat going or stopping.
Minimal trailer sway but no 18 wheelers doing 80 mph going by. Did not use 4th gear and no problem maintaining 3rd gear in lockup even with cruise control. Have aux tranny oil cooler. Will see if Subbie survives 200 mile trip next week.
Was it at all windy? How was path control?
-juice
That's interesting to know and jibes with other US vs Europe tow ratings. My truck is rated at 5000lbs in the US, and 7700lbs overseas - identical mechanically. I'd imagine it is a response to the litigation and product liability reputation of the US vs more reason prevailing elsewhere.
-mike
Mark
My guess is that wax is old and the ingredients have separated somewhat.
-juice
Thanks,
Claudia
Only thing is negotiate a good price (like at least 1/3 off if not more). If the dealer is not dealing, go to subaruwarranty.com where a New England dealer is selling subaru warranties at deep discounts, I got my zero deductible 7/100K warranty for my WRX there for about 900 bucks less than "list price".The dealer I purchased my car from laughed when I told him what price subaruwarranty.com wanted and I asked him to match it. Too bad, he missed out making a few bucks more from me for just filling in a form! Jerk also wanted me to come back another day when he had all the forms filled out too, wouldn't send it to me, said I had to do it in person! While subaruwarranty.com sent me all the forms ready to sign. I sent them back and 2 weeks later Subaru sent me the paperwork for my warranty.
An a/c repair is easily several hundred bucks, throw in the occ oil leak or sensor gone bad and you will get your moneys worth in no time is my experience.Others say save the money and invest it, if you have that discipline go ahead! Though with the way things are these days can't see what investment vehicle you could put it in today! If you had purchased the ext warranty with the car upfront, you could usually roll it into the financing . Subaru also offers to let you pay for it installment fashion over about a year.
I used to be dead-set against extended warranties, but I got one this time. Why? Subaru are reliable, right?
Yes, but consider this:
* it includes roadside assistance
* it'll help resale value
* dealers might treat you better
* and then there's the warranty
We were paying $71 per year for AAA. The 7/100 warranty saves us $497 right there. 50% return immediately. Not a bad start.
We'll probably sell ours in 6.5 years with plenty of miles left on the warranty. If you were buying a used car, wouldn't a bumper-to-bumper warranty ease any concerns you might have? I think that alone will easily add $300-500 in resale value. Even if it's totalled you get a pro-rated refund.
So right there you just about break even, WORST case scenario.
The dealer's red carpet treatment and any free repairs are just icing on the cake.
So yes, with these in mind, I had a change of heart and would recommend it no matter how reliable the brand.
-juice