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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19283 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 9:15 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Messages Page 1880 of 1929

#18789 of 19283 thinking about buying a subaru by kaie

Aug 01, 2010 (8:07 pm)

I am about to buy a 2007 Subaru Impreza. It's a hatchback and standard. It's a reconditioned car with a mileage of 25000. Reading these reviews, I have realised that people have had many problems with subarus even new ones. I was thinking that i would a few years before having any problems. Unlike you guys, I WOULD BE BUYING THIS CAR WITHOUT A LEASE. I do not have the option of taking it back. Additionally, it costs US 24000 here. I just like the look of the car but am not interested in the speed nor grip, etc. i don't plan to be driving fast and I live in a tropical country so no snow. i am a novice when it comes to cars so i am seeking some advice and you all know more about subarus than i do. Would you advise me to purchase it still or not?

#18790 of 19283 Re: thinking about buying a subaru [kaie] by snoogs51

Aug 01, 2010 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: kaie (Aug 01, 2010 8:07 pm)
Outstanding handling in the snow. But my 2004 Impreza Outback Sport (bought new) developed piston slap at 11,000 miles. Dealer said they all do that. I was told that problem was corrected in 2003. Have seen postings about piston slap in models as late as 2005. Had a rebuild on the motor ar 29,000, which then lead to a short block at 32,000 miles, all covered under warrenty. Has been fine since and now has 81,000 miles on it. Not happy with interior wear. Probably will never buy another Subaru, but my sister swears by them. She lives in Conn. I'm in NJ. And the same year i bought my Subie, she bought a Chevy. Who'd have thunk it?

#18791 of 19283 Re: thinking about buying a subaru [snoogs51] by phil2000

Aug 02, 2010 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: snoogs51 (Aug 01, 2010 8:42 pm)
I bought my Forester new in November of 1999 over the internet. It was delivered to my house by the salesmen. I did not start running into problems until around 175,000 miles. And the problems were a result of my approach to taking care of the car myself. Also being cheap as well.
 
Even though it has 326,000+, it is still a reliable car. It is a blessing. If I could aford a car note, I would get another Subaru.

#18792 of 19283 Re: thinking about buying a subaru [snoogs51] by kaie

Aug 03, 2010 (7:16 am)

Replying to: snoogs51 (Aug 01, 2010 8:42 pm)
Thanks a lot. I still have one day before i decide. I will do some research on the prices of some of its parts as i will have to get them from online. Parts here, in Barbados, (in the Caribbean) are extremely expensive. Also, i am not getting it under warranty since i would be buying it from someone who just brought it in from japan.

#18793 of 19283 Re: tire wear on Forester [phil2000] by ateixeira

Aug 03, 2010 (7:23 am)

Replying to: phil2000 (Jul 28, 2010 6:20 pm)
IIRC the rule is no more than 1/4" variance in tire circumference.
 
At least they tend to wear evenly. FWD cars I've owned wear the front tires out way, way before the rears. AWD wear more evenly, though the fronts still wear faster, probably due to braking/steering.

#18794 of 19283 Re: thinking about buying a subaru [kaie] by colin_l

Aug 03, 2010 (7:39 am)

Replying to: kaie (Aug 03, 2010 7:16 am)
If you really want the car because it is unique and you can afford to keep it running, then go ahead.
 
However, if you just need reliable and inexpensive transportation, I would go with a Honda or Toyota assuming that they are available domestically in Barbados. You could be getting into a big headache with an imported Subaru and no local dealers or parts availability.

#18795 of 19283 Subie by snoogs51

Aug 03, 2010 (3:20 pm)

I guess you got lucky. I know someone else who needed a motor, 40,000 miles, and had to use some connections to get it.

#18796 of 19283 Re: thinking about buying a subaru [kaie] by girlcarbuilder

Aug 03, 2010 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: kaie (Aug 01, 2010 8:07 pm)
Personally I would consider Toyota which turns out better gas mileage as well. If you can drive a standard, insist on a standard in Toyota as well. Keep your rpms below 2000 most of the time and that car will last a long time.
 
I have worked on them all, check my profile before you make the final decision. I suggest you make a walk in a junk yard and see what age and mileage different brands come into the junk yard. That will give you an idea how long they last. Subies come in around 170K because most people fail to maintain them correctly. Age is about 15 years. Remember these are all cars given the run of the mill maintenance. The older the car and higher the mileage the better maintained it usually is when compared to its peers. Do not consider wrecked units, because they got in the yard for that reason.
 
Subies are tough, but the design does require heavy maintenance every 100K or so. Our observation has been to buy and keep it away from the dealer unless you have a very good one or you can locate a well known repair source. Repair shops tend to charge more for vehicles that are not the norm. Dealers tend to do too much of nothing for a lot of money.
 
One note, why would a car require reconditioning at 25K. Think long and hard on that one. I smell lemon. On reason why we bought new last year, a 09 white Toyota Yaris 5 speed 3 dr. Used cars tend to be way overpriced. They now come in a 5 dr also.
 
Work hard enough, like me and I got the car down to $13100 with cruise north of Houston and they knew better than to try to load me down with other stuff like credit life, warranties and so on. That same model has not been in the recent recalls. Like you, I used Edmunds to weed out the problems with the unit 3 years before hand and have even addressed its problems on Edmunds. No car comes problem free, the trick is to reduce them.

#18797 of 19283 Re: thinking about buying a subaru [kaie] by girlcarbuilder

Aug 03, 2010 (3:52 pm)

Replying to: kaie (Aug 03, 2010 7:16 am)
Even here in the states, the 3 Subies that I maintain in our fleet can be a headache to get parts. 1994, 1997 and 2003. www.rockauto.com comes in handy for most of the parts used here. Subaru tends to be more of a problem for parts at 10 to 15 years. Another reason for Toyota which is more common out on the streets anywhere. I rebuilt an 86 in 2005 and was able to get most of the parts even if from the dealer. That car is now getting tough to get parts for. On Subaru, you are pretty much on your own after age 15. pay attention to when particular drivelines start and end in manufacturing and that gives you some kind of idea how far you can force the parts issue in later years.

#18798 of 19283 Re: thinking about buying a subaru [kaie] by kyfdx HOST

Aug 03, 2010 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: kaie (Aug 03, 2010 7:16 am)
I'll personally get your Subaru parts and deliver them to Barbados...
 
All I will need is for you to send me a plane ticket, each time..

Messages Page 1880 of 1929

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