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Turbo or No Turbo?

72 messages,  Last post on Oct 11, 2008 at 6:31 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon

Messages Page 4 of 8

#23 of 72 Re: Turbo may give problems after 3 years. [exchngcarinfo] by paisan

Aug 31, 2008 (5:54 am)

Replying to: exchngcarinfo (Aug 30, 2008 9:27 pm)
That's odd. I've been working on Subarus since 1998, and we've probably worked on 500-700 different WRXs over the years. While I've seen bad turbos, most of the time it was due to user error or a highly modified car that the turbo caused an issue.
 
Change your oil every 3k-5k with synthetic and the turbo cars do not require anything more than a non-turbo car in terms of maintenance.
 
-mike

#24 of 72 Re: Turbo may give problems after 3 years. [exchngcarinfo] by robm2

Aug 31, 2008 (8:02 am)

Replying to: exchngcarinfo (Aug 30, 2008 9:27 pm)
I believe there's 5 years warranty on the powertrain. Shouldn't be any expensive repairs on the turbo for at least 5 years. Get an extended warranty, and you can push that to 6 or 7 years.
 
I rarely keep cars for more than 6 or 7 years. For me, reliability trumps longevity. Means I spend a lot of money on cars, but also means I have some peace of mind.

#25 of 72 Re: Turbo may give problems after 3 years. [exchngcarinfo] by p0926

Aug 31, 2008 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: exchngcarinfo (Aug 30, 2008 9:27 pm)
Before you buy, ask people who have had the car for more than three years if they have had to do any expensive repairs related to the Turbo.
 
Well I've had my XT for 4 years 8 months and 66k miles and have had zero issues with the turbo
 
-Frank

#26 of 72 2009 2.5X Premium Forester by rich505

Sep 02, 2008 (2:39 pm)

I took delivery of 2009 2.5X Premium, automatic, non-turbo Forester last week. Power is totally adequate so far, especially compared to my previous Ford Ranger 4WD pickup with the 4.0L V6. We live in area of hills, small mountains, and flat areas. The Forester does downshift when climbing some grades. My other vehicle is an 05 Camry V6. The Camry is smoother and quicker.
 
I was not willing to have to use premium gas for an XT model along with the increased maintenance.

#27 of 72 Re: 2009 2.5X Premium Forester [rich505] by paisan

Sep 03, 2008 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: rich505 (Sep 02, 2008 2:39 pm)
I'm still trying to figure out the "extra" maintenance that folks talk about.
 
The difference in gas price for an average driver is about $200/yr.
 
-mike

#28 of 72 Re: 2009 2.5X Premium Forester [paisan] by p0926

Sep 03, 2008 (11:02 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Sep 03, 2008 7:26 pm)
I think they're referring to the mandated 3k oil change interval as opposed to the normally aspirated engine's 7,5k interval. Of course plenty of owners change their oil every 3k regardless but even for those who are used to following the manufacturer’s 7,5k recommendation, going to a 3k interval only means two additional oil changes a year which is what, another 50 bucks per year? That's less than a single fill-up.
 
However for some people, it doesn’t matter how logically the facts are presented to show that compared to all the other costs of owning a vehicle, the annual $ penalty for having a turbo is really quite small. Bottom line: If you're the type of person that always searches for the cheapest gas and the thought of having to pay extra for premium at every fill-up really bothers you, then you should steer clear of the XT (or any other high performance engine for that matter).
 
And FYI, I’m one of those who is always on the lookout for cheap gas and always try to use stations that only charge 20 cents extra for premium. But… I long ago came to terms with the fact that you have to pay to play and that since premium is recommended, that’s what I need to use. Plus when I do think about it, I just remind myself that it’s only costing me 3 bucks more per 15-gal tank of gas. That’s just a 5% surcharge at today’s fuel prices.
 
-Frank

#29 of 72 Re: 2009 2.5X Premium Forester [p0926] by ateixeira

Sep 04, 2008 (8:29 am)

Replying to: p0926 (Sep 03, 2008 11:02 pm)
I know it's not much if you look at a monthly outlay, but over a period of say, 8 years, the extra oil changes and fuel surcharges add up to about $2000. Plus it costs a couple of grand more to begin with.
 
I looked one up, at Fitz it's $2200 more for an XT Ltd vs. and X Ltd.
 
That's $4200 so far, plus you pay more for insurance every 6 months. I didn't get a quote but let's say that's another $100 every 6 months, so $1600 over the 8 year ownership period.
 
We're talking about maybe $6 grand or so in additional ownership costs for the face-distorting acceleration.
 
Oh, and when we add the extra speeding tickets, it's more like $8 grand.
 
A speed cam just nabbed me in my minivan (!) doing 46 in a 35. C'mon, I'm like the slowest car on the road. This is getting ridiculous.
 
I will put up a caveat - if I planned on using our Forester to tow, or for trips on mountainy terrain, there's no doubt I would have paid the extra for the XT.

#30 of 72 Re: 2009 2.5X Premium Forester [ateixeira] by ateixeira

Sep 04, 2008 (8:30 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 04, 2008 8:29 am)
By the way that comes out to $62 more per month over the 8 years if anyone's wondering. I doubt that will sway any people who fall in love with the XT's acceleration.

#31 of 72 Re: 2009 2.5X Premium Forester [ateixeira] by p0926

Sep 04, 2008 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 04, 2008 8:29 am)
Ha! You're skewing the numbers to help your argument. Of course it will vary depending on the individual but in my case the additional annual costs:
 
Premium fuel surcharge = $122 (avg of 13,4k miles per year 22 mpg)
Additional oil changes = $50 (2 x $25)
Insurance = $0 (If you're insurer charges extra I'd change companies!)
 
So the total additional annual cost is $172.
 
IRT the initial aquisition cost, yes the XT costs $2,200 extra but it will also be worth more when you sell it. According to Edmunds, an 04 XT is worth $1,200 more than an 04 XS. So a $1k difference in cost amoritized over 8 years comes out to only $10.42 per month!
 
-Frank

#32 of 72 Re: Good and bad on the XT turbo for '09 [p0926] by aatherton

Sep 04, 2008 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: p0926 (Aug 24, 2008 8:39 pm)
"... FYI, the turbo on my 04 XT is still going strong at 66k miles.
 
That is good.
 
"Recently, the turbocharger on my Forester scorched a bearing due to an oil seal that let loose. The dealer wanted $2380 for a stock turbocharger plus installation of $400. The car has 70000 miles and is out of warranty."
paisan, "subaru transmission problems" #6, 7 May 2007 8:17 pm
 
"... I take it to my mechanic.....TURBO IS BLOWN!!!!!! The car only has 135,000 KM's on it! I always ensured I allowed the turbo to spool down after driving it. The oil was changed every 5,000 KM's. The fix is gonna cost me between $3-4,000."
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/new-owner-turbo-blown-31258/

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