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Subaru Forester (up to 2005) - READ ONLY

18028 messages,  Last post on Nov 02, 2006 at 7:19 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon



Messages Page 1760 of 1804

#17585 of 18028 Subaru service prices by rochcom

Apr 18, 2006 (8:01 pm)

I have posted this information several times before. Dealers have become accustomed to doing much more maintenance than is currently required for most automobiles. Gone are the days of tuneups, regular lubes, and most inspections. Cars are designed to last longer and need much less maintenance. At 30,000 miles, there are certain fluid changes that are required, and it is not a bad idea to have belts, hoses, exhaust and suspension given a visual inspection. I have paid btween $160 and $220 for this by bypassing the dealers's set maintenance prices and insisting that they do only the specific items listed in the owner's manual. Otherwise, they would have charged considerably more. For example, my dealer likes to do a "brake service" that involves cleaning and lubricating the calipers. In extreme environments, this might be a good idea, but I have gotten away with not doing it. They also like to rotate tires, but the store where I bought them does that for free. My Forester, a 1998, has 125,000 miles on it and it is still going strong. Doing unnecessary work does not really pay off in the end.
 
As for the timing belt, I had mine changed at 103,000 miles along with the other belts. I paid $205 about two years ago for all of the belts. Some dealers seem to charge what the traffic will bear. Beware!

#17589 of 18028 9 years by ateixeira

Apr 19, 2006 (11:18 am)

My windshield is 9 years old and you're welcome to inspect it. It's unscathed.
 
Bad luck? Or maybe you follow trucks that might toss out debris too closely?
 
My wife tends to crack her windshields, lost two on her Mazda 626. I complain that she tailgates trucks...
 
-juice

#17590 of 18028 Re: 9 years [ateixeira] by dstew1

Apr 19, 2006 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 19, 2006 11:18 am)
Juice, when you're in an XT there's no such thing as "tailgating"; instead it's called "preparing to pass".
 
Doug

#17591 of 18028 Re: 9 years [dstew1] by ateixeira

Apr 19, 2006 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: dstew1 (Apr 19, 2006 1:13 pm)
It had been a while since I'd driven a 2.5T-equipped car.
 
So I'm driving Bob's WRX back from NY, and hit the gas, and almost hit the car in front of me! Yikes, I'm not used to having nearly that much torque!
 
It's dangerous and irresponsible, even. I want a black one.
 
-juice

#17592 of 18028 Re: '04 2.5XT 30K service [samiam_68] by nnyluh

Apr 19, 2006 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: samiam_68 (Apr 18, 2006 7:59 pm)
Thanks for the information. They now quote $365, but it is much better than my $495.
 
Thanks,
 
JD

#17593 of 18028 Re: 9 years [dstew1] by kumari

Apr 19, 2006 (8:59 pm)

Replying to: dstew1 (Apr 19, 2006 1:13 pm)
Juice, when you're in an XT there's no such thing as "tailgating"; instead it's called "preparing to pass".
  
Doug
 
Ya got that right, Doug!! LOL
 
Samantha

#17594 of 18028 Re: 9 years [ateixeira] by dstew1

Apr 20, 2006 (12:33 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 19, 2006 1:49 pm)
Let's put it this way - if there were no other cars on the road, I'd save a LOT of money on brake pads over the life of my XT.
 
Over 7 months I've collected plenty of empirical evidence (like the scenario you described in Bob's WRX) suggesting that most other cars aren't nearly as fun to drive as mine. I'm not advocating breaking the speed limit, but simply reaching it as quickly as possible.
 
Doug

Messages Page 1760 of 1804

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