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Comments
Steve, Host
I don't get that at all.
You rotate the front tires AND the rear tires, not only the fronts. Was that just a typo or does the dealer really only do the fronts?
The tire rotation seems like the only necessary item, and I'd have done it at 7500 miles, not 9000.
-juice
I learned my lesson. I essentially paid 175.00 for an oil change.
Costco charges $8 to mount and balance each wheel, so figure that's worth $32 if they did all 4. At dealer prices, it's worth more like $60.
-juice
Replace Oil & Filter - Okay - it should cost about $20 (or do it youself for less than half that)
Supply lubrication as required - Bogus - Shouldn't need it and if something does, it should be covered under warranty
Check & inspect for fluid leaks - Okay but - only takes 30 secs and should be included in the oil change price
Inspect & top off all fluids - Ditto
Inspect tire wear & condition - Ditto (although this is simple to do yourself)
Check & adjust tire pressure - Ditto
Rotate & balance front tires - Huh? Do all four or none at all (even with AWD, the front tires wear faster)
Check battery & charging system - Bogus - No need to do that this early
Check all fluid supply hoses - Okay but - only takes 30 secs and should be included in the oil change price (or do it yourself)
Check & adjust rear brakes as needed - Bogus - No need to do that this early
Insert fuel injector cleaner/additive - Totally Bogus - but if you really think you need it.. buy a $5 bottle of STP and pour it in yourself
Check all engine settings - Bogus - Or the dealer should perform as a courtesy service
Inspect axles and C/V joints - Bogus - No need to do that this early
Check all lights - Bogus - Oh give me a break! get a friend and do it yourself in 30 secs
So let's see, a $20 dollar oil change and $32 dollar tire rotation... round it up and $60 is the most you should be paying :shades:
-Frank
My wife just put standard el cheapo oil into my Subaru Forester Turbo. I've just bought it 2nd hand off a friend and both he & the guy at the dealership made a point about telling me I MUST use fully synthetic oil ONLY. Been using Mobile 1. Apparently been using it all it's life & it's now done over 120 000km.
Anybody have info on how much of a problem this is?
Do I need to drain the lot and refill?
Will I do any damage if I drive it with the wrong oil in?
(Note that we live in rural Africa and travel long distances at high speed daily and the car works hard on bad roads)
I'd like to stick with a Subie, although I've test driven an Audi A3, new VW GTI, and a Nissan Z. I've wanted to drive the new Civic Si, but my loacl dealer won't allow test drives.......even to a man of 56 yrs. like myself. I'd get an STI if they didn't have the big wing and I could get leather and a sunroof. (don't want to fool with aftermarket).
Anyway-------back to the Subarus......I drove a WRX Limited sedan and loved the speed factor and freeway driving was a little harsher than I'm used to. Then I drove the FXT...softer ride, but it seemed slower than the WRX. I'd prefer to have driven the WRX wagon, but dealer didn't have one in stock with a 5-speed.
Here's where I could use some feedback from the forum:
1-Which car is faster straightline---the WRX wagon or the XT?
2-Am I correct in the assumption that the WRX has a sport and lower suspension and the XT has a softer and higher ride?
3-Not having driven the WRX wagon, does it handle the same as the sedan?
4-Shifter on XT flet a little notchy, and had too long a throw. Anyone have the short-throw shifter, and how do you like it?
Can anyone here help this newbie?
As far as pricing goes, when factoring the current $1000 rebate on the FXT, it comes in about $300 less than the WRX wagon with similar options. I have a feeling that resale may be better on the FTX, but that's just a guess.
A couple observations on the other models I drove:
A3-Refined, nice interior, fast, but not as fast feeling as the WRX. Open sky roof system will get hot in summer due to see-through sunshade.
GTI-great standard equipment including Xenon's, quick, nice ride and handling. Concerns over VW's reliability history. $3-4 k less than A3 with same powertrain.
Z-Did not seem as fast as the WRX. Real poor visibility, cheap-looking interior. Zero storage.
Can't seem to make up my mind between FXT and WRX, and even considering GTI due to such nice equipment and interior. AWD is not a must, since we'll still have my '03 Forester for bad snow days.
Can anyone help influence my decision. Mostly between the 2 Subie's?
Thanks
That's a myth. The oils are compatible for mixing, in fact new "blends" are a trend and sell quite well. It should make no difference.
-juice
2. Yes, XT rides higher and has a more compliant ride but more body roll as well.
3. WRX wagon weighs a tiny bit more and the track is not as wide, but most people can't tell a difference.
4. Shifters should feel similar overall. Forester basically has a longer shaft, by about 1".
-juice
1-Which car is faster straightline---the WRX wagon or the XT?
They're about the same, as they have the exact same engine. The new WRX is geared pretty tall, taller than the Forester, so maybe the Forester has a slight edge in accelleration, but the gas mileage may be better on the WRX.
2-Am I correct in the assumption that the WRX has a sport and lower suspension and the XT has a softer and higher ride?
Yes, and you can expect the WRX to be a much better handling car than the F-XT. The steering is quicker than the F-XT.
3-Not having driven the WRX wagon, does it handle the same as the sedan?
Pretty much. I suspect the sedan has an edge at the limit, as it has a wider track.
4-Shifter on XT flet a little notchy, and had too long a throw. Anyone have the short-throw shifter, and how do you like it?
According to a press release loose-leaf binder on the '06 Subarus (that I have) the '06 WRX comes with the short-shifter standard. I love the WRX shifter; yes a bit notchy, but I like that.
Complaints? Tire and road noise is a bit higher than I like, but other than that it's great.
Bob
A couple of questions for a newbie car buyer...
First question I have is about pricing. It is a 2004 Forester XT with 16,000 miles on it, include leather seating, heated seats, and moonroof. I am buying from a dealership and we negotiated down to $19,300. Is that a good price?
Second question is about extended warranty, their prices are:
With a $100 deductible:
6/60,000 --- $750
6/80,000 --- $1200
7/100,000 -- $1850
With a $50 deductible:
6/60,000 --- $820
6/80,000 --- $1370
7/100,000 -- $2050
What do you think about these prices? Which warranty level do you recommend? I am leaning toward the 6/80,000 or 7/100,000 ones.
Thank you very much! I appreciate the help!
3/24 is $750 or 3.125 cents/mile
3/44 is $1200 or 2.727 cents/mile
4/64 is $1850 or 2.89 cents/mile
I'd do with the middle one if you think you'll use up all the miles.
Then again, you might argue your risk of a problem increases with age, so that 7th year is when you'd most likely use it.
-juice
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and for the insights. Because we already have one Forester in the household, I'm inclined to try something different with the WRX wagon, even though the FXT is the better deal overall due to the $1000 rebate. I'll take a couple more test drives in each one before making my deal just to make sure.
Thank again.........and any more feedback from others would still be appreciated.
SubieDubie
Good luck. :shades:
2-Am I correct in the assumption that the WRX has a sport and lower suspension and the XT has a softer and higher ride? - Yes. The XT's handling can be improved by going to 17" wheels and better rubber but the WRX will still have the edge
3-Not having driven the WRX wagon, does it handle the same as the sedan? - You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in everyday driving
4-Shifter on XT flet a little notchy, and had too long a throw. Anyone have the short-throw shifter, and how do you like it? - I think that it's a matter of personal preference so test drive both and see which you prefer.
I too considered the WRX wagon before deciding on the FXT. For me the Forester's interior offered more usable cargo space and the squared off rear was more accomodating for transporting two big dogs (as opposed to the sloping rear window on the WRX wagon).
Also, when I was buying, the WRX still had the 2.0l engine and I far preferred the FXT for its better torque at lower revs. Now that the WRX has the same engine, choosing between the two basically comes down to which you value more, better handling or better cargo hauling capability.
-Frank
Existing vehicle: 16,000
3/44 is $750 or 1.705 cents/mile
3/64 is $1200 or 1.875 cents/mile
4/84 is $1850 or 2.202 cents/mile
The last option is definitely too expensive for what it is worth. I'll probably go with the 6/80,000 since I estimated myself to drive about 6/70,000 at the end. Thanks again for showing me a new way to look at this!
Local shops quoting $350 for aftermarket, and $450 for "OEM". Anybody with any experience in getting their windshield replaced? Is the aftermarket savings worth the risk? They claim it's the exact same glass, but I'm a bit weary of that....
Thanks!
FWIW, my local dealership quoted $648 as list price for a new '06 FXT windshield when I had mine replaced several months ago. That was BEFORE labor. Even with the heating element that seems absurd, and they were probably jobbing me but my auto insurance covered the replacement, so I didn't really care. However, now it's cracked again (bad luck I guess) and I may ask the dealership to toss in a free oil change before I agree to have my windshield replaced there; I'm sure they're making more than enough money off of my business (even if it's from insurance) to make up for it.
Doug
The local dealer doesn't do windshields and referred us to Elite autoglass. Different Elite autoglass quoted $335-360 for aftermarket with heating element. Only 1 shop said they can order OEM for $890!
We were ready to get the OEM and make an insurance claim, but I found another repair chain (ABRA). Again, slightly different prices between local shops, but all offer OEM windshields with heater for $450-480 total!
DOUG: Was your replacement OEM windshield exactly the same as the old one down to the heaters? I'm beginning to wonder if these Foresters windshields are susceptible to cracks because my Toyota has suffered way more small chips without evolving to major cracks.
-Frank
By all appearances it is the exact same windshield. As I mentioned, this is my second crack in three months (6 months total ownership, 7300 miles). I posted some concerns about suscebtibility to cracking on the "Forester 2006+" thread. In short, both chips have happened in the exact same location - give or take an inch - at the bottom of the windshield, ON the the heating element (driver's side). Both have cracked in almost the exact same pattern, first going up about four inches above the dash before curving off horizontally toward the passenger side.
The similarity of the exact chip location and crack are likely coincidence, but both times the crack appeared only minutes after the chip occurred. If anything I'm leaning toward the idea that the heating element might make for some structural weakness in the lower windshield.
Doug
$900 for a new windshield. Just keep saying that to yourself until it sinks in.
My crack started on the passenger side, but started like yours (on the heating strip level) as it extended up a few inches and then all the way across to the driver's side.
I previously had 1 chip that was easily repaired (high up on driver's side). So I think there is something structurally flawed in the inferior portions of the windshield...and likely from the addition of the heating elements.
Just curious though...were you using the wiper heater? Maybe the heating itself affects the glass as well.
I wonder if we should bring this up with Subaru? I wonder if this affects the safety profile of the windshield?
I sent an e-mail to SOA the first time mine chipped and expressed my concerns about the frequency with which my windshield is struck (a combination of blocky aerodynamics and ride height, probably), and the fact that SOA doesn't offer a hood protector/wind deflector accessory for the XT (which I'm not positive even helps with windshield chips?).
The response I got was that it would interfere with airflow into the hood scoop (yet Subaru offers the accessory for other turbo models and for the previous FXT front fascia).
Now that I know the same thing has happened to you, I will probably send them another e-mail about my crack (haha). Maybe they'll look into it if they get enough feedback.
Doug
I will also e-mail or write SOA. I have to go lower my deductible now, because I think I'm going to have similar chip problems in the future.
-juice
I really like my Forester (it is a great utility vehicle), but frankly the Audi is so much nicer! Either Subbi will seem crude in comparison to the A3 or GTI. Unless 0-60 is your main concern I say GET THE GTI! You already have a great utility car, go for something with a little more lux. You will save money on the purchase and operational costs.
Droce the GTI for 4 hrs. on and off today----loved almost everything about it except can't get an auto dim mirror, and 1st gear take-offs a good bit slower than the FXT. unless I get the revs up. Drove the FXT and WRX again today as well. WRX is out-----want better interior and had too much NVH. It's between the FXT and GTI now,,,,......can't decide.
Just picked up '06 Forester XT Limited on Friday night. Saw it for first time in bright sunlight this morning and distressed to find there is no window tinting. Dealership wants $300 to tint. Anyone else do this? What did it cost and how did it turn out? My other truck-based SUV came tinted as standard.
Also, there were damp spots along one edge of the inside sunroof cover this morning, just from morning dew - no rain. Is this normal?
Thanks, Samantha
I just love this car! My truck drives like a Sherman tank next to this!
-juice
I have not had any moisture problem wrt the sunroof or cover. Make sure the sunroof is completely closed and look for it again. If it continues bring it back to the dealer. :shades:
Gee isn't this the same Samantha who's been considering a Forester for months now and you never noticed that the windows weren't tinted? :P
Actually, the Forester has never had factory tinted windows. Subaru can't because the Forester isn't technically a SUV by whatever measure they use to determine such things (EPA Classification?).
Never fear, you can get a quality aftermarket tint applied and you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between it and a factory tint. Plus you get to choose the level of tint
-Frank
John
Samantha
Forester is registered as a car, so in many states you can only tint the windows behind the driver, basically the 5 windows behind you.
But I tinted the 7 (just not the windshield) without having to sign a release, because the Forester looks like a truck and the standards for trucks are more lax. :shades:
-juice
-Frank
A friend told me that I have to wait til the mileage is over 1000 to really see what the MPG will be, but the last time I bought a new car, the mileage was the same from day one to year 14. That one was a stick shift - this car is auto.
Anyone else experiencing lower than expected gas mileage?
Samantha
Is your car an automatic, or a 5-speed? I don't have an F-XT, but I do have an '06 WRX, which has the exact same engine. Mine's a 5-speed and I get ~ 22 mpg in stop and go driving, and 26+ on trips.
Now I know were not comparing apples-to-apples, but I would think the F-XT would get more than what you're reporting. I know older F-XTs were somewhat thirsty, but I thought Subaru improved the gas mileage for the '06 model, via re-gearing, etc.
It may be just the fact that the car is "new," and the gas mileage will improve as you add miles to it. The mileage on my car got better with more miles, hopefully yours will too.
Bob
Also, predicting how much gas you've used without actually replacing it isn't very accurate. But then again, in my XT auto, 150 miles means there's a little more than half a tank left.
Doug
I usually get about 500 kms per tank. Not the greatest fuel economy but the four speed trans doesn't help. The gearing keeps the car in a state of pounce [like a cat
I may have mentioned this b4, my 06 FXT is steel grey, an auto as well with grey leather. I just got the 4 rear window and hatch window tinted on Friday. It really made a difference in the look of the XT. Wow, is it ever sharp looking. I call it the mustang killer... lol.
I am sure as your FXT get broken in and the temps warm up, the fuel economy will improve. Enjoy it for what it is..
I'll have to take some pics of mine and post em.
NIBS