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Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Subaru Forester

1581 messages,  Last post on May 10, 2010 at 6:35 AM

You are in the Mitsubishi Outlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 99 of 159

#978 of 1581 Con Rod Bearings (cont'd) by ateixeira

Dec 21, 2009 (8:31 am)

"Kamloops Rich" also got a full engine replacement and a 100k warranty on the new one, that was handled by Subaru of Canada in 10 days. So SoC wasn't as quick as SoA at handling his.
 
VIN range for affected Foresters begins with 9*700001 and ends with 9*700139.
 
Consumer Reports dinged the 2009 Foreser, rightfully so. Even though that is a very small percentage of production, it's a serious problem and so it carried a lot more weight.
 
The 2010 models will show a big improvement simply because they were never affected in the first place.
 
I think they handled the problem very well. Especially SoA (America).
 
Would you trust MMNA do take care of you in the same manner is something happens to a Mitsubishi? That's a rhetorical question, no need to answer.

#979 of 1581 Re: CHICK CAR / MAN CAR [solowalker] by ateixeira

Dec 21, 2009 (8:36 am)

Replying to: solowalker (Dec 21, 2009 8:01 am)
Did you sort out that whirring noise on your Outlander?
 
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f16f885/9#MSG9
 
If your dealer isn't helping call 800-MITSU-2000 for MMNA. Is that covered by the powertrain warranty? I'm not sure.
 
I had a wheel bearing fail on a '95 Mazda 626, and from your description I think that's very likely the cause, especially if the whirring changes frequency with speed.
 
Best of luck.

#980 of 1581 Re: Stopped by to say hi.... [kdshapiro] by ateixeira

Dec 21, 2009 (8:40 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Dec 21, 2009 7:57 am)
They teased us with a concept, but I think a Sports XT model is more likely.
 
Hopefully they bring back a manual/turbo combo, let's see.

#981 of 1581 Re: CHICK CAR / MAN CAR [ateixeira] by solowalker

Dec 21, 2009 (12:45 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 21, 2009 8:36 am)
I'm pretty sure the whirring noise is from the tires..I just came back from a 4500 mile trip and the noise hasn't gotten any louder...I had a 2000 Forester for 7 years and constantly was replacing wheel bearings...Once the bearing goes bad the noise gets louder and then they just self destruct after around 4000 miles and that hasn't happened on my Outtie that has had over 15,000 miles put on the clock since the whirring started...Pretty sure it's the tires..The noise doesn't bother me.
Even if it turns out to be someting mechanical, I still have alot of miles left on the warranty.. I would think that the wheel bearing would be covered under the drive train 10/100,000...
 
So far, after 42,000 miles I have never had any problem with my Outlander. I am quite impressed with the quality..

#982 of 1581 Re: CHICK CAR / MAN CAR [solowalker] by ateixeira

Dec 21, 2009 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: solowalker (Dec 21, 2009 12:45 pm)
You should have asked the Subaru Crew community here on Edmunds about your issue - we could have given you the right part numbers to help your (clueless) dealer.
 
Having said that, I wouldn't drive around with an unresolved whirring noise.
 
Do you have a source for the gender percentages?
 
I ask because the whole segment is mostly female. The best seller (CR-V) is actually marketed as a "Toddler Mom" vehicle by Honda, and quite successfully.

#983 of 1581 Re: Chase Freedom Rewards [chelentano] by ateixeira

Dec 21, 2009 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: chelentano (Dec 17, 2009 9:27 pm)
Turbochargers put con rod under tremendous stress from the reciprocating load represented by the piston, while load is increased to the 3rd power with increased speed. Failure of a connecting rod, usually called "throwing a rod" is one of the most common causes of catastrophic and expensive engine failure in cars. When building a high performance engine, great attention should be paid to the con rods, since the rod could to fail under stress.
  
Subaru did not provide an engine appropriate to function with high performance turbocharger. They simply attached turbocharger to a stock "boxer" engine. Irresponsible and cheap approach
 
Correction:
 
Did a little research and found that the Forester XT actually does use the upgraded connnecting rods from the STi. Part number is 12100AA180 for both.
 
What failed was the con rod bearings, not the upgraded con rods. They didn't throw a rod.
 
Note also that the turbo engines were affected but the normally aspirated Foresters were not, because they use a different Rod Assembly.
 
That is why no normally aspirated models were affected by this issue.
 
Just setting the record straight.

#984 of 1581 Part #s by ateixeira

Dec 21, 2009 (2:51 pm)

STi:
 
Block set 11008930
Cylinder Head L 11063AB330
Cylinder Head R 11039AB910
Piston Set 12006AC390
Piston Ring Set 12033AB340
Rod Assembly 12100AA180
Crankshaft 12200AA330
Exhaust Valve 13202AA570
Intake Valve 13201AA371
 
FXT:
 
Block set 11008930
Cylinder Head L 11063AB250
Cylinder Head R 11039AB820
Piston Set 12006AD210
Piston Ring Set 12033AB340
Rod Assembly 12100AA180
Crankshaft 12200AA330
Exhaust Valve 13202AA570
Intake Valve 13201AA371
 
So STI parts include the block set, piston ring set, connecting rod assembly, the crankshaft itself, and intake valves and exhaust valves. That's a lot of upgrades, if you ask me.
 
The heads are different, as are the pistons.

#985 of 1581 Re: Part #s [ateixeira] by comem47

Dec 21, 2009 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 21, 2009 2:51 pm)
All of this is only part of the reason (aside from premium fuel) why I prefer bigger displacement unstressed engine to putting a mouse motor on steroids to get about the same HP for a CUV. If I wanted the boy racer WRX, then fine, but for a daily haulin' machine the NA 3.0L I feel is more appropriate choice. (at least today's turbo's are a bit better on low end response, but still I think the old school edict "there ain't no replacement for displacement" is more in line for this type of vehicle. Something has to be said for the KISS principle too.

#986 of 1581 Re: Part #s [comem47] by ateixeira

Dec 21, 2009 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: comem47 (Dec 21, 2009 5:44 pm)
Remember, Mitsubishi now recommends premium fuel for the new 230hp version of the V6, just like the F-XT. The compression ratio is higher, so it's more stressed than your 220hp motor, and on 87 octane probably doesn't make any more power.
 
If we apply the KISS theory, perhaps the 220hp version of the engine (which I believe you have) makes more sense. Low compression, and designed to run on 87 octane.
 
Subaru's EZ30 engine (Outback, Tribeca) ran on recommended premium, but they squeezed 250hp out of it (a little less SAE hp). Thankfully the 3.6l V6 is now tuned for regular fuel, but you've gotta shop Outback to get it. That's still in the Outlander GT's price range, FWIW.
 
We didn't get the turbo, but keep in mind 224hp is a lot less than what an STi makes, so it's not high strung at all. Test drive one, the turbo is actually pretty mellow, it's geared taller and makes less exhaust noise (thanks to, yes, that Mitsu TD04 that's in the way of the exhaust path) than the normally aspirated engine.
 
I think if the F-XT had been available with a manual transmission, I would have pushed for it. A true manual with a clutch is more in character with a sporty model. Subaru just wasn't selling any of them, so they dropped it.
 
If you get the chance, go test drive an 04 F-XT manual. C&D hit 60mph in 5.4 seconds. It is just absurdly fast. I had to test drive it twice because I could not believe it.
 
I wonder if they will produce a Forester Sport XT, XTi, or STi. Part of me would like to see one, but the practical side of me knows it won't sell well. The STi is already a 5 door, and that's what most enthusiasts would pick anyway. Or a plain WRX.
 
We also own a high-strung boy-racer type vehicle (Miata) and a big V6 (Sienna) and each has its pros and cons. The Miata is what I want to drive, while the Sienna is what I have to drive.
 
Both get the job done.
 
Cheers.

#987 of 1581 Re: Part #s [ateixeira] by comem47

Dec 21, 2009 (11:52 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 21, 2009 9:19 pm)
If we apply the KISS theory, perhaps the 220hp version of the engine (which I believe you have) makes more sense. Low compression, and designed to run on 87 octane.
 
Exactly! Power to tow and an easy vehicle to drive and good economy for the size. (almost as much power as our old Durango, but about twice the hwy mpgs) A great overall compromise in today's times with gas prices. I have no desire to spend the money for the Outlander GT and wouldn't have bought one in 2007 (if available) as I chose a LS vs the XLS back then (much less $ and had all I really needed.)
 
We also own a high-strung boy-racer type vehicle (Miata) and a big V6 (Sienna) and each has its pros and cons. The Miata is what I want to drive, while the Sienna is what I have to drive
 
Believe it or not, I also own an older Lotus Esprit. Weighs about 2200 lbs. Its motor is fine for the light weight, but wouldn't want to power a CUV that way. (Lotus' philosophy of small displacement motors works fine in very light cars yielding great power to weight and mpgs too, but not for 2 ton vehicles) I also appreciate not rowing the gears in the Outlander (can't beat the 6 speed auto for that purpose) The Esprit is something you must maintain and is an entirely different kind of beast and purpose (it's all about handling and is best appreciated on windy roads or at track days on road courses, not in daily stop and go traffic). The Outlander is a nice comfy 4WD "appliance" (not sports car) that I hope to keep with little maintenance past the generous warranty (historically I keep vehicles 7-10 years and the Esprit is the exception at over 22 yrs, but annual driven miles are very low.).

Messages Page 99 of 159

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