Subaru Crew - Dealers & Pricing

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  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    on a $20.00 oil change, they aren't checking brakes or much else other than fluids. Most places running quick lubes do not tie up their regular $15-20 hour techs. They hire some kid right out of trade school who is paid a straight salary. If you get the regular maintenance package, they have an experienced tech do it. Most techs wont pull wheels for less than .5 hrs labor and certainly wont throw in the oil change and fluid check.
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    Thank you for your response.

    I shall call 1-800-SUBARU3 now to chat with the guys.

    The "seal" was a "gasket". It is the oil gasket, probably on tyhe oil plug. That is a minor, $0.62.

    Thank you for your assistance.

    Daniel
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    I just logged the case as you suggested. The case number is 292543.

    Thank you,

    Daniel
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Here in NY oil changes are around $25+ at the local Jiffy Lube. I should start doing my own at least on the trooper I don't even need to jack it up!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No ramps necessary, hilarious!

    Jiffy Lube "technicians" have been known to drain the tranny oil instead of the engine oil. DOH!

    -juice
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    This takes all of a few seconds. Spin the wheel - is it binding? Then there is no hanging brake. Observe the boot - is there grease escaping? Does it have a tear in it?

    Belts, done properly with a gauge, take a bit of time. I can sort of see this stuff on a 7500 mile service, because everything on the car is adjusting and stretching and generally settling in. But $100 for labor still seems like a lot to me. That should represent about 2 hours' labor, and I simply can't find that much time in the stuff folks have described here.

    Sorry folks, those numbers still sound like a gouge.

    I only ever found one additive that I had any belief actually did anything, and that was some stuff called BG. It went in the crankcase, and it claimed to maintain a coating on surfaces so that not so much damage would occur during cold starts and so on. We had a V-12 Jag blow an oil filter gasket and pump all the oil out; the driver realized it pretty late and drove the car until he heard rattling noises. Amazingly the top end of the motor--cams, followers, bearings-- was unharmed. The factory rep had been seeing a rash of bad filters and blown motors, but that was the first one he had seen that didn't trash the whole engine. We blamed it on the BG stuff, for better or worse.

    There is also a radiator stop-leak I like very much but I would never put it in a car that did not already have a leak or two. That stuff clogs things up.

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    "Jiffy Lube "technicians" have been known to drain the tranny oil instead of the engine oil."

    This happened to my wife's OB. She took it to Wal-Mart for an oil-change (on my advice). A few months later, she had a tranny oil leak. The dealer said it looked like someone tried to pry off the tranny oil filter and damaged it. And they accused me of doing it!

    wdb - BG is what my former dealer service used.

    Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    On my Trooper the rear end fluid needs to have special LSD additive added to it when you get it changed, not sure if the subies require that or not.

    -mike
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Got you case, but it was too late for me to react late in the day. I did contact your dealer and the "higher-ups" were equally concerned. I have a feeling you will hear from them before I call them "officially". I'll follow up on Monday.

    Once again, I'm sorry.

    Patti
  • mikezakmikezak Member Posts: 95
    I am thinking about purchasing an OB Wagon, but I too once heard of horror stories of having technicians mistake the Oil Filters with the Tranmisssion Filter.

    How can this happen?

    The nearest Subaru dealer is 35+ miles away, and I do not have the time to change the oil myself, and must rely on the local lube shops, which unfortunately are mainly staffed by 'kids'.

    Knowing that maintenance is an important part of keeping a vehicle, does that mean I should shy away from the Subaru Outback and Foresters, and try to concentrate my new car purchases on more widely known vehicles?

    Thanks.
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    I did receive a call from Carlsen on my home voice mail Friday night from a "service manager". I shall respond to his call on Monday.

    Thank you very much for your efforts.

    Daniel
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    Mikezak,
    I don't know the exact numbers, but O-Backs & Foresters are out there in mass. The local shops are no doubt seeing them in significant numbers. I wouldn't shy away from the breed because a couple of mistakes made awhile back. That's like not eating at McDonalds because of fear of mad cow disease. I, like many others, have taken my Forester to the local X-lube (you fill in the blank)without a problem. Go forth and grip some road !
    - hutch
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It happens only at incompetent service stations. The key is to find a good service station, not a different vehicle.

    The trans drain plug is further back and quite obviously at the bottom of the transmission, not near the oil pan. It would take quite a doofus technician to mix them up.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I see Fitzgerald has adopted the "No WRX Test Drives" mantra.

    They had three there today, two of which had sold stickers on them—one of which was a "mellow yellow" sedan. The wagon on the showroom floor had a sign on the windshield about the no test drives.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Underwhelmed.... I just got to take out an AT silver WRX and I was duely un-impressed with it. Maybe it was the tranny but for me, the 2.0 was totally deal before 3500rpms, I mean dead like 0 hp. The turbo only kicked in above 3500 rpms and then it was semi-decent. Just a let down to me personally. Hopefully the sticks are better....

    -mike
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    Mike - although I haven't driven the Auto WRX (why would anybody do that anyway) I can speak to the 5spd. From idle to about 2600 rpms there is a noticable absence of power. But, that all changes above 2600 and by 3200 it really changes. Haven't been above 4k yet. Breaking In's So Hard To Do (Juice .. name the song that fractured line is from)

    When accelerating, I would expect to experience that low RPMs only once. First gear. After that the engine should stay above the the 3k rev mark until the desired speed is achieved.

    The plus side to all of this is that if you keep your foot off the floor gas milage will probably be really good. I've been driving easy so far and my first tank yeilded 28 mpg.
    - hutch
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The WRX was meant to be shifted—manually—period. I can see why Mike would have been disappointed with the automatic. This is perfect example as to why Subaru should offer a 5EAT with sport-shift.

    Also, I think anyone who is used to a (large engine displacement) vehicle, which has gobs of torque throughout the rev range, would be less than enthused with the WRX.

    Bob
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I was also hoping to try out a WRX, but all of the ones in Flemington, NJ were sold. They don't have that silly policy though.

    I was speaking to the owner there last week and he told me about the dealer meeting in Arizona. When I asked about lag, this is how he described it. "Yeah, there's lag. But when the turbo kicks in, it feels like you were hit by a Mack truck!". I'm assuming this was the 5-speed and it was also on a race track.

    Bob, would the sport-shift make that much of a difference? Does the JDM even have a 5EAT?

    Oh, I asked his thoughts on the ST-X engine. They didn't talk about it too much at the dealer meeting. His feeling was they will just put the 2.5L in it. He felt the H6 would price it out of the intended demographics. I didn't ask if he heard about a turbo.

    Hutch - that's great gas mileage.

    Oops, I think my post could be divided into about three different forums. But it was based on a dealer visit. :-)

    Dennis
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    a sport shift would help somewhat. At least you could shift it manually, if you so desire. BTW, a 4EAT sport-shift comes with the Japanese-spec WRX autos.

    However, a 5EAT would be better than the current 4EAT, because of closer gear splits. Closer gears splits are always helpful with engines that have turbo lag.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I was also let down on the PIO spoiler, when you get a factory or pre-dealer installed spoiler, they should remove the 3rd brake light that is in the back deck. 2 3rd brake lights is a sign of a lack of care taken in design/assembly of the vehicle. The Turbo did kick in once I was up above the 4K range, and when fully depressed it held the gears to 7200-7500K. Handling was very nice (got to take it to an empty parking lot alone... auto-x practice) The seats were the most un-confy things I've ever sat in, very very hard, and very very small especially for my rather large rear ;) Basically I guess you are getting what you pay for, I was kinda hoping for something better. For the price you can't beat it! But this will make my plans to get either an SVX, '99 Legacy GT Sedan, or '00-'01 RS + Turbo even easier than I had previously thought! I hope that the 5 speed is better than the auto cause I'm majorly let down :( They should have only offered it in a 5 speed, cause if I was an average joe consumer, I'd get the 2.5RS over the WRX after a test drive in the Automatic.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Might I suggest another test drive, but stay away from the automatic.

    Sometimes first impressions can be false, or somewhat misleading. Obviously, if you can't fit in the seats, there's not much you can do about that—except go on a diet. ;)

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    My dealer has no 5speeds in stock, and my manual shifting experience consists of a grand total of about 5 hrs in the past 10 years! :( But my buddy is getting a 5 speed mellow yellow WRX, so I'll bug him to let me drive it once he gets it. And a diet wouldn't be a bad thing :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Can't think of the song...

    28mpg is great. More ammo for talking the wife into one.

    5 cogs could mean a lower first gear, so you'd spend less time waiting for it so spool up. I still don't think an auto fits the car's character.

    Big-bolstered seats do that, so it's a tight fit for some folks. Try sitting in my Miata - I actually have to take out my wallet, and it makes a noticeable difference!

    Sorry to say, but a thin paisan just wouldn't fit with the image of the Man. Big attitude, big guy! ;-)

    -juice
  • dannykadannyka Member Posts: 115
    That wouldn't be "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" by Neil Sedaka, would it?

    -Dan
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    ...if you are old enough!

    Ross
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    Dannyka .. Wow, not only the title but the performer. Sorry no extra credit though.

    Armac13 .. you're also correct. It's an age (read old fart) thing. BTW .. I qualify :)

    - hutch
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    I finally thought I could jump in with some non-Sube insight. (Didn't care much for the song though) - oh, is my age showing?

    Patti
  • andygoldandygold Member Posts: 1
    I'm waiting for my WRX to arrive at the dealership... waiting sucks....
    They won't talk price on the extended warranty until they have an actual VIN number, and we sit down for the "final" exchange of money/loan papers. Can anyone tell me the approx. cost that they paid for an extended warranty on a WRX? I'm looking for something around 5 years/ 100,000 miles.

    Also, Metric Subaru on Long Island, NY is giving test rides. They have a blue 5 speed. Not a great deal of power below 2500RPM, but by 3000, the car is really moving :0

    Lastly, all of the WRXs I've seen at the Long Island dealerships have had NO rear spoilers {excepting yellow...reminds me of the "yellow pages" :( } Has anyone seen any cars come through with spoilers?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    All my dealer's WRXs have spoilers. The Silver is IMHO the best looking color of the bunch. They only have 4EATs in Staten Island.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd take a SWAG (*) of around $1000.

    You can get a quote for one from Edmunds. Go to their pricing page, follow the link to their sponsor, and get a price quote. Then ask your dealer to match it, and go with the manufacturer's warranty for the (hopefully) same price.

    -juice

    * scientific wild-@$$ guess
  • brekkebrekke Member Posts: 304
    Can you recommend any LI dealers? I was thinking of going to Liberty in NJ which is about 80 miles away from me. Where did you buy your car from?

    Caroline
  • bostonoriolebostonoriole Member Posts: 53
    I'm new to this. Who is Patti? How do you follow a "thread"? Is it possible to tell what nessage a reply is being made to? Thanks, you guys have a lot of information and help to offer!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Let me welcome you, since I'm co-Crew Chief and co-founder of the Subaru Crew (along with Mike Smith).

    Patti is a rep from SoA who also is active on our boards.

    A thread here is basically a topic. We have several - Meet the Members, Dealers and Pricing, Events, etc.

    To find any new message, subscribe to the threads you like. There is a button at the bottom of each page that adds a topic to your list of subscriptions. Then the "Message Center" link at the top left of the screen will list those topics with new (unread) responses.

    So, shopping for a Legacy? L or GT?

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    SI Subaru is a great dealer. Contact Mark or Ira 718-979-9595. They are the un-typical dealer. They'll quote you a price, and it will include all charges except Tax and Tags. No dealer prep, delivery, etc. etc. whacked on the end. If you call em, tell em mike sent you from edmunds and they'll give you an even better deal...

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    is charging MSRP for the WRX. I'm not sure about LI, but there are deals to be had in SI and Flemington NJ. $600 over invoice at Flemington. Let me know if you want more info.
    Dennis
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    You can call 1-800-932-0636 to get the MSRP of a Subaru backed extended service agreement. You can work from there in your negotiations with your dealer. Make sure you ask for "Added Security" because it is the only plan backed by Subaru. With other "aftermarket" e. s. a.'s, we cannot get involved in problem situations or questionable situations.

    Thanks,

    Patti
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Welcome. If you ever have any questions for SOA, I can try to help. If I can't help, I will be happy to get you in the right direction.

    I look forward to hearing/reading from you.

    Patti
  • bostonoriolebostonoriole Member Posts: 53
    Thanks Ateixeira and Patty, Stephen, and Subaru friends,

    I'm looking for a Legacy Wagon L 5 speed. The used Subarus I have looked at have been priced not much cheaper than the new "L 5". It appears to me that a new car is a much better value.

    Edmunds true market value seems to be thousands cheaper than advertised used cars in Boston. Is that because the dealers expect to be haggled down by thousands, or is the Edmunds TMV price too low for Boston? My thought is, if the price does not go down 15% the first year, and 10% thereafter, it's not worth buying used. Any thoughts on that?

    I was told by a Boston dealer that 2002 Subarus are coming in shortly and that "year end promotions" touting sales near invoice were ending, and that 2002 Legacies would be around $500 more. Stephen wrote that he thought it was only the 2002 "WRX" that would be coming out soon.

    Will the 2002 Legacy wagons be coming in soon? Is it worth waiting a month or two to get a car with a later model year to increase resale value?

    My though is, if the price does not go down 15% the first year, and 10% thereafter, it's not worth buying used. Any thoughts on that?

    Thanks for the info.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Buy new, and for two reasons: resale values are high, so you're not saving much money, and prices in Boston are indeed high because of the weather you tend to get.

    The WRX is out. Drive one, but beware - you'll buy it on the spot. Try to hold back the smile when you negotiate price!

    I'd guess the 2002 Legacy won't be out until September, and that prices will remain roughly flat. Maybe $200 higher for inflation, that's about it.

    -juice
  • brekkebrekke Member Posts: 304
    I might hold you to the name dropping but SI seems a bit of a haul. Would options be at cost?

    I'll most likely get an OBS rather than the WRX but Liberty's prices seemed reasonable for the 2001 OBS. I'm waiting a few months anyway. Thanks!

    Caroline
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    No problemo. Yeah they do their options @ dealer invoice as long as you order the car, or they ordered the car with the options you want. Basically if the sales dept has to have it put on by the service dept of the dealer they whack you labor, if they can order or did order it the way you want it, you get the options @ dealer invoice. Anytime you or anyone wants to go to SI Subaru, I will gladly take you down there. Mark and Ira are good guys.

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Just fyi, the 01 OBS' on the lots right now are all that's left. I think '01 Impreza production stopped early winter, IIRC. You'll be able to get a good deal now on one, but they may not be around much longer.
    Good luck.
    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I would just get the 2002. They are roomier inside and come with the 2.5l engine, which more than makes up for the weight gain. IMO worth the money since they are already selling near invoice.

    -juice
  • thors_hammerthors_hammer Member Posts: 32
    Any new word on an H6 Legacy Sedan? I would like to buy another Subaru, but without the H6 I would have to go with the Passat.

    -B
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    As usual, Juice has good information. I wouldn't expect to see any until Sept.

    Patti
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hey - and that was just an educated guess!

    Here's another - Outback Sedan should be next in line for the H6. We're hoping to see a non-Outback Legacy with more power, but I'm guessing it'll take a little longer. I could be wrong.

    -juice
  • brekkebrekke Member Posts: 304
    I'm waiting for the 2002 OBS, but Liberty hadn't updated their website last time I checked. Paisan whether or not I drag you to SI I hope they give you a kickback. I prefer to order, anyway.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    But, they gave me a great deal on my truck when I bought it. I'm also bugging them to let me work 6-9 M-Th since my work schedule gets me home @ 5:30pm now. We'll see what happens with that though. I'm also the only one @ the dealer who owns both a Subaru and an Isuzu, the other salesman don't own either, and the manager slaps a dealer plate on one of the OBs. ;) But my salesman, who now hangs with my buddies and I often actually helped me to convert over from air-suspension on the XT6 so I always try to help him out selling cars. I've even given at least 2 or 3 test drives in my Trooper when I've been down there on occasion, since their troopers are usually burried in the back of their parking lot!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You gonna sell cars? It would actually be cool to have an insider offer that point of view.

    -juice
  • bostonoriolebostonoriole Member Posts: 53
    Juice, in message 992, you say that the 2002 will be roomier. Are you referring to the such information I can search myself?

    I didn't know if you were replying to me or some else? Is there a way to tell what message number someone is replying to?

    Message 991 mentions that several models have stopped 2001 production, and there won't be around much longer. Does that mean there wont be any more available until the 2002s arrive in Sept.? Is that right? That seems to disagree with message 988, unless they are only talking about Impreza.
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