By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
After my last message this afternoon I called the friendly 1800subaru3 number to see if there wasn't a middle manager who would take my call. We all know customer service reps are trained to "protect" their supervisors from rabid customers at all costs. Adam performed admirably. Nope, no managers here! But Deloria, bless her honest little heart, fessed up and gave me the name of her supervisor. Deloria said she would tell her supervisor I would like to speak to her but she would have to call me back at home. I asked how long I might expect to wait. Deloria guessed twenty minutes.An hour and a half later I called 1800Subaru3 and was transferred to Shirley. Yes, she is a section manager. She was't up on my case but talked it over with me and even went as far as making arrangements to have another Subaru tech inspect my car. There was even the suggestion(mentioned before) of driving a new Subaru on my "test road" to see if it jumped out of gear. Oh, and the last tech's report stated that my car jumped out of gear at "zero miles per hour". That I have to see for myself!
Shirley told me Carmine will call me tomorrow. I asked what guarantees I had that Carmine would call tomorrow when he has never returned any of my other calls. She said that as one manager speaking to another she would make sure he called because she had promised me he would. I've always believed in peer pressure. When the boss is sleepwalking peer pressure often keeps the weak and lazy in line... well, somewhat.
I used to work at a Help Desk and angry callers definitely didn't get the best service (the techs were scared to even try!), it was the polite ones. YMMV
-juice
A major delay in my buying my new Subie WRX wagon or XT -- I'm guessing the XT shares the WRX's basic transmission architecture -- is that I'm having the transmission of my 2000 Escort ZX2 repaired. It's clearly been "off" since new, despite being made in Japan. Rcently the spider gear let go (at 26,000 miles) without apparent cause or warning.
The dealer service writer questioned me on my driving habits, wondering out loud if I was doing donuts, till I pointed out the excellent tread on the original Goodyear tires. (Going from an M3 to an Escort was humbling enough without mydisgracing myself by pretending the latter was a performance car.
Anyway, bottom line, Ford replaced the gear. Now, at my request, they're replacing adjacent parts because of a faint, but persisting ticking from the transmission that sounds too much like a milder version of the formerly failed spider gear. Since the first repair, the transmission has functioned perfectly, but Ford is willing to replace it because I'm not satisfied with a noise. I'm feel almost sheepish after hearing about the the difficulties above. I'm sure doesn't have to repair as many 5 speeds as SOA does, but, this gives a prospective owner pause.
-mike
-mike
Audi after a 85 4000S Quattro I had had all sorts of electrical gremlins, I was told by my dealer in Boston that the wiring harnesses were not "normal". I had a US spec car I had purchased in Europe from the PX. The US dealer thinks I got an early US spec production (?preproduction) which used a harness different to the ones they shipped over. In a nutshell, Audi USA were a bunch of worthless SOBs. They eventually did reimburse me for some of the repairs (2 1/2 yrs later) but I had to pay for it upfront first and they never were willing to confirm my car was not quite US spec though 3 dealerships claimed tehy never saw a harnass like mine in that model year!
86 Acura Integra - clutch was shot at 16K! I have probably driven over a half million miles on a MT and never had such a problem. I got another 70K out of the next clutch with no change in my driving habits. There was either a defect or improperly adjusted clutch on the car. I must have written a dozen letters to them. I always got a standard form letter saying it was a wear component and tough luck.
Ford - had a 95 Windstar which had both the infamous tranny and blown head gasket problem they are famed for. The tranny went at 50K, had to pay 1800 out of pocket even though dealer tried to get them to cough up part of it as good will as it was a well known problem and I had everything done at the dealership but Ford wouldn't budge. I eventually took Fords $4000 bribe to get a new Ford in place of reimbursing me for the head gasket after they had so many complaints and were facing a class action lawsuit and they had to extend the engine warranty to 100K.
My only communication with SOA, concerning the 3rd of the 4 Subarus I have purchased was over an a/c problem. Others will know this story on another thread.In a nutshell I emailed them, they emailed back to say it was something I should discuss on the phone. I called them back, they called me back the next day as they promised and my problem is solved.
I can certainly understand anyone's frustration with a company if they are not getting a response they like and just because I had a good/bad experience with one company does not mean its the usual case. My 2 cents anyway.
So you mean to tell me that Not 1 single person has had their transmissions fixed under warranty? Seems odd.
I would assume some have been fixed under warranty. I've seen a couple threads to that effect. My favorites ones, though, are the people that claim to not have abused their transmission, the dealer pulls it apart and concludes that it was defective, and then a few days later after talking with the regional rep on the phone, the rep declares it to be abuse WITHOUT SEEING THE TRANSMISSION, despite a trained Subaru mechanic saying COMPLETELY the opposite.
The only denials I've seen are of ones that were abused, modified, etc.
??? As opposed to what, denying warranty work for no "reason"? (and I use the word reason with a smirk)
bonvivant:
This discussion of the difficulty in having SOA honor what sounds to be an entirely legitimate transmission warranty claim gives me the creeps.
I agree, and I can guarantee a lot of people think the same way and it's losing business for Subaru.
Just to set things straight, I'm not in any way here to badmouth Subaru or spread FUD. However, if people ask me for my opinion because they're considering purchasing or it comes up in the context of a message board (as it has here), I will give my honest opinion. In the last year, I have had 4 people ask me how I liked my car and what I thought because they were intent on purchasing WRXs. I said I loved the car, it was very reliable and built like a Japanese car should be, but the dealers' service leaves a lot to be desired (expensive and not always done right on the first try), the manual transmissions are sub-par and I don't feel that Subaru stands behind them. They did a lot of research on their own and concluded similarly, and ended up picking up two RSX-Ss and (I think) a couple VWs. That's $100K worth of business that Subaru didn't get from personal aquiantances of mine, and I KNOW I'm not the only person being asked what I think of my purchase.
I think I've spouted enough and appear to be going in circles, so I'll plan to sit back and watch to see if Subaru changes there tune in the future. Perhaps with the proliferation of the nice 6-speed in the STi and the rumored newly-designed 5-speed that will debut in the 2005 Legacy, they'll have a reliable transmission that can be characterized as "good."
The Reps. do read the boards too.
-Dave
-mike
I made no such comment, and if you read back to #4490, you'll see I said exactly the opposite. It's clear from asking the same thing over and over you're just trying to bait me. I'm not interested in your flames, so I consider this conversation finished.
I beat on cars pretty good turning my teen years... they were just slow, or could smoke the rear tires without any concern about tranny/clutch issues. Well... much concern. ;-) Nothing like the stress seen by a powerful AWD vehicle.
-Colin
This is a quote from you AXP. Now I ask you, how do you know for certain that they babied them, do you know them personally? Did you inspect their tranny? Often times people will not tell the whole story, and I'm inclined to believe there is more abuse out there than people will admit to on the internet.
-mike
Repetitive back/forth arguments or persistent negative postings, on this subject, will be deemed to be disruptive and will have to be removed. Feel free to email me if you have any question/comments on this matter.
And let's get back to the subject of the Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon. Thanks!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I have the all leather version. I like it much better than the stock knob or the STI piston shaped knob. The round shape fits much better in my hand, and the style matches the steering wheel quite nicely with the Momo badge and the perforated leather.
I have an older Momo AirLeather knob which is not threaded for Subaru, I think the one you're looking at is threaded. Had this knob been available I would have certainly bought it.
I like it a lot but YMMV...
- Phil
Thanks.
btw: at year one, the right rear strust started leaking. Except that the dealer didn't believe me and took two days to come to the same conclusion, they fixed it right quick. It kinda bothers me that I had any problem at all, but it was easily taken care of.
I've heard someone got a power seat on an Outback to move back an extra inch, but that's different. I believe the front of the seat track angles down, it's different than the Legacy's.
-juice
The noise is only evident as I roll to a stop and sounds like a brake is dragging or something is stuck in my tire tread. It's not loud, but it is obvious that something is rubbing somewhere. I don't think it's the brakes because it happens whether or not I'm using the brakes, although it does seem more apparent when I'm braking.
The car's stock, so it shouldn't be the exhaust hitting anything or the wheels rubbing, but I'm at a loss. Any ideas?
Brian
My first guess would be that you have a little pebble stuck in the brake calipers.
Ken
-juice
On a different note, I just received my new Momo shift knob (aluminum/leather) from Belknap Subaru in the mail!!! It looks awesome and feels SO much better in my hand than the OEM knob did. Great mod -- worth every penny!
Brian
-Ian
John
Brian
The joy of ownership could not be complete without a speeding ticket
-Dave
I think the stealth factor of the wagon helps too..
Enjoying the ride so...... much I forgot to notice the State Trooper on my left flank when I zipped by @ ~90mph on I-78.
-Dave
And let's get back to the subject of the Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Other than that, and a loose power steering hose clamp, it's been dream-like flawless,
j0elboy
Windows down, interior light on, hands where they can see them, yes sir, no sir, etc.
There's an article about tickets in the new Sport Compact Car (written by an ex-Trooper) and it sounds like they were reading paisan's advice. :-)
Hey, a WRX wagon is a family car anyway. I didn't think we were supposed to get tickets! Was he hiding in the large grass median at one of the hills?
-Dennis
I'd suggest that all 2004 owners take another look at their insurance -- call the provider and find out what msrp they are using to calculate your rates. Allstate insurance, too, was showing the STi as the only 2004 WRX when I called them 2 months ago, so it may not be limited to AMEX insurance.
As an aside, I was surprised that an STi was only $120/year more than my wagon on insurance...not too bad considering the increased cost and performance.
Brian
-mike
John
Ya, I did the "paisan advice", and what mike said. I pretty much cutted him off. :-)
John/j0elboy -
So far my seat still looks fairly new like. I too anticipate that the edges of the side bolsters are going to wear on me, but so far so good.
-Dave
My car is in the shop now for it's 7500 mile scheduled maintenance. $115.
-mike
My dealers charges $26 for the 7,500 miles svc., IIRC. $21 if you have the coupon. :-)
In the future, check the maintenance book and tell the dealer what you want. Don't pay for unnecessary add-ons (unless you feel better).
-Dennis
BTW, on tickets always challenge them in court. You might get a deal and the DA may knock it down to a lesser offence.
Thanks
Oil Change:
I change my oil 7k or 3 months which ever occurs first.
Usually, the 3 months would elapse on me before I see a 7k cycle
Ticket:
Nah, I'll just cut a check and pay my dues. Afterall, I goofed on not sighting the State Popo ;-)
ps: I won't pick up any points.
-Dave
For the 7,500 mile, what I think it came down to was an oil change, oil/fuel additive (special thin formula), tire rotation, check brakes, belt tension, tire pressure, top off fluids, and a road test.
I felt to baby my baby this time around - my first new car (I've had about 6-7 used cars in my life before this). In the future I think I will just do the oil changes (the dealer charges $23 for this service - up to $55 for full synthetic oil though).
My dealership's service dept was really really nice though. When I called to schedule the appointment, he didn't pressure me to do the 7,500 maintenance. He actually asked if I just wanted the oil change. When I got there they treated me very well, and even gave me a ride to work and picked me up when my car was ready. And it was ready on the time they said it would be. Also it was raining when I picked my car up, but they brought it inside - they have a drive through service area for drop-off and pickup. They don't work on the cars in there - it's just a place you drop off/pick up the car - but it's inside - a nice touch. No looking for parking spaces and such, and walking through the rain, etc.
Not sure if I'm allowed to say where this was - but I'm in MD, so if anyone wants to know I guess just email me. It was $95 well spent (I had a coupon).
"The shocker was the 30, 60, 90, and 120k intervals - ~$600! They flush the coolant, and the brake lines, and repack the bearings and stuff like that though."
Go to them for 30K maintenance and have "repack the bearings" service done. Then ask them to charge it to Subaru, it will be still under waranty (unless older than 3 years). Watch the reaction. I bet the charge will disappear magicaly or you had abused your bearings so waranty would not cover them.
"They don't work on the cars in there - it's just a place you drop off/pick up the car - but it's inside - a nice touch. No looking for parking spaces and such, and walking through the rain, etc. "
At least you know where your money go.
Krzys
PS I would do oil change and bring my own synthetic, at least it is what I am going to do with my new Passat (10K service).