Tell me about Subaru reliability
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FurthurOnTheFly
Glamping Society
I would buy a Subaru any day of the week and twice on Sunday if I had the cash. The longevity of these things are great. I had a 1992 Legacy Wagon that when I gave it up had over 200k on the second engine (200k+ on the first) and over 400k on the rest and it is still being driven around the streets of Tucson today! The only thing I ever had to repair on it was the a/c and some cosmetic stuff.
I also have a story of a friend who went to pull an older Subaru wagon out of a field it had been sitting in for 5 years and wouldn't you know the sucker started right up and he didn't have to tow it.
We just sold our 2006 WRX wagon and its running like a champ....we were the second owners. I think if the person you are buying from took care of it even half the time you are good to go. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another used Subaru! :smiley_drive:
I also have a story of a friend who went to pull an older Subaru wagon out of a field it had been sitting in for 5 years and wouldn't you know the sucker started right up and he didn't have to tow it.
We just sold our 2006 WRX wagon and its running like a champ....we were the second owners. I think if the person you are buying from took care of it even half the time you are good to go. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another used Subaru! :smiley_drive:
TooeleCherokee
Observer
I have owned 2 Subarus the first was a 93 4 door impreza, I beat that thing to hell, 2 wrecks, Took it up jeep trails, jumped it, hauled more crap in and on it than I really should have. Sold it to my sister in law at 220K she sold it at 290K and it is still on the road. had to replace CV joints, and standard maintanance.
Currently own a 03 Forester XS (non turbo), I love it, currently has 130K, sees 100MPH way too often, lots of storage room, dirt roads and such give it no problems, not as much fun to drive in the snow as my Jeep as I can't seem to get the darn thing to slide sideways around corners.
after 2 subarus I have learned a couple of things, 1 Rotate the tires religiously (or they wear tires out faster than I feel they should), at about 100K take it to a good window shop and have them adjust the drivers and passenger windows and the wind noise that they get over time will go away, Drive it like you stole it
Currently own a 03 Forester XS (non turbo), I love it, currently has 130K, sees 100MPH way too often, lots of storage room, dirt roads and such give it no problems, not as much fun to drive in the snow as my Jeep as I can't seem to get the darn thing to slide sideways around corners.
after 2 subarus I have learned a couple of things, 1 Rotate the tires religiously (or they wear tires out faster than I feel they should), at about 100K take it to a good window shop and have them adjust the drivers and passenger windows and the wind noise that they get over time will go away, Drive it like you stole it
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
subies are known the world over for reliability. I had a 1981 wagon that sat for 5 or 6 years in a garage in wrightwood. that darn thing ran like a sewing machine. smooth as butter...It wasn't the vehicle i needed and sold it to an enthusiast...
the newer outbacks and foresters have either a 2.2l or 2.5l motor and honestly the only thing wrong with them is the fact that they have a timing belt that if broken destroys the motor. This needs to be maintained, and if so, ceases to be an issue.
The AWD vicous couplers can be a bit dodgy sometimes, but this is very rare.
They are very safe (just look @ crashtest.com, scroll to bottom for test results) and for what they are, which is just shy of an SUV, they do great.
If you do lots of backroad, rough gravel, muddy, snowy driving...with a lot of tarmac between your front door and the trailhead, this is the vehicle for you. Honestly, a lot of the expo's population could be saving major $$ by picking this vehicle. I'd run one if I could fit three kids in it (not that they "fit" exactly in my XJ..haha)
the newer outbacks and foresters have either a 2.2l or 2.5l motor and honestly the only thing wrong with them is the fact that they have a timing belt that if broken destroys the motor. This needs to be maintained, and if so, ceases to be an issue.
The AWD vicous couplers can be a bit dodgy sometimes, but this is very rare.
They are very safe (just look @ crashtest.com, scroll to bottom for test results) and for what they are, which is just shy of an SUV, they do great.
If you do lots of backroad, rough gravel, muddy, snowy driving...with a lot of tarmac between your front door and the trailhead, this is the vehicle for you. Honestly, a lot of the expo's population could be saving major $$ by picking this vehicle. I'd run one if I could fit three kids in it (not that they "fit" exactly in my XJ..haha)
Very Good
The reliablility is there. We had an outback for close to 10 years until we just traded for a DC tacoma. Also, I used a 2002 WRX as a rally car up until 2006. I did beat on it bad. It was in the stock class so all of the OEM parts had to be used except for the struts. Everything held up could. Jumps, a couple of rollovers, hitting dips and washouts, etc. Held up great. Wish I still had it.
The reliablility is there. We had an outback for close to 10 years until we just traded for a DC tacoma. Also, I used a 2002 WRX as a rally car up until 2006. I did beat on it bad. It was in the stock class so all of the OEM parts had to be used except for the struts. Everything held up could. Jumps, a couple of rollovers, hitting dips and washouts, etc. Held up great. Wish I still had it.
Navman
Adventurer
I have my first Subaru that I've had for 5 years now - a 2005 Outback now with 120k miles on it. My list of repairs other than normal maintenance:
- headlight bulb
- headlight bulb
- headlight bulb
- headlight bulb
- headlight bulb
- CV boot
Great vehicle and I get 30 mpg on the highway. It balanced out my D1 in almost every way.
- headlight bulb
- headlight bulb
- headlight bulb
- headlight bulb
- headlight bulb
- CV boot
Great vehicle and I get 30 mpg on the highway. It balanced out my D1 in almost every way.
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
I have owned a few Subies and loved them.
They are the most popular vehicle in our town, the poorman's Land Cruiser.
However the newer ones seem to have an issue with the head gasket blowing. It an expensive fix.
If you do a search I think you will read about a lot of dissatisfied customers out there. (I'm not one of them)
They are the most popular vehicle in our town, the poorman's Land Cruiser.
However the newer ones seem to have an issue with the head gasket blowing. It an expensive fix.
If you do a search I think you will read about a lot of dissatisfied customers out there. (I'm not one of them)
Newer being what years?
Abel Villesca
Explorer
I've owned too and had zero problems with them in spite of track days, autocross and rallycross events.
My current scoobie, a 2004 STi has 119K with no reliability issues and it has been driven hard ...... really hard.
My current scoobie, a 2004 STi has 119K with no reliability issues and it has been driven hard ...... really hard.
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Well I did the Google search for you, and this is what I came up with:
2.5l engine found predominantly in the 1996 to 1999 Outback, Legacy G.T., Forrester (up to mid year 1998) and Subaru Impreza R.S. http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/
1996 to 1999 Legacy Outback
1996 to 1999 Legacy GT
1998 Impreza RS
1998 Forester
Typical failure mode:
Internal leak, not externally visible. May see bubbles in overflow reservoir, sludgy residue on walls of overflow reservoir, random overheating of engine.
2000 to present (non-turbo) Legacy Outback
2000 to 2004 Legacy GT
2000 to present Legacy
1999 to present non-turbo Impreza 2.5 (RS, TS, Outback Sport)
1999 to present non-turbo Forester
Typical failure mode:
External leak, sweet smell, coolant visible on engine, slowly dropping coolant level.
http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/headgasket.html
This web site's summary says it all:
This site has info about the notoriously bad head gasket in Subaru's 2.5L EJ25 engine, used in Outbacks, Foresters, and Bajas from 1996-present. ...
http://home.comcast.net/~skipnospam/
I should add one anecdotal remark, the people I know who have had this happen to their Subaru's say it always happens right after the warranty expires.
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wanderer-rrorc
Explorer
wife AND co worker both had 98 and 99 forrester...2.5....BOTH put new engines in them a year after getting it (120K)...connecting rod went...
if you check it out...and it Idles PERFECT...yer good...if it idles FUNNY...its gonna die...
other than that...great car...durable...rode good...gas and go!!
if you check it out...and it Idles PERFECT...yer good...if it idles FUNNY...its gonna die...
other than that...great car...durable...rode good...gas and go!!
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
Yeah, primary failure on the EJ25 of that vintage is the head gasket(s). It can be corrected with the correct parts. If you don't catch it in time you'll end up having to replace the engine.
I had a 98 Impreza RS that blew the heads at 280,000 kms. Sold the car off unrepaired and it still lives on in our auto club with an STI drivetrain swap doing rallye racing.
I had a 98 Impreza RS that blew the heads at 280,000 kms. Sold the car off unrepaired and it still lives on in our auto club with an STI drivetrain swap doing rallye racing.
brianjwilson
Some sort of lost...
Newer Subarus with the 2.5L turbo have a lot of issues with turbo failures and oil pickup tube failures. The turbos have a tiny oil screen that easily clogs and starves the turbo of oil. Even with the screen removed, the turbos frequently go at around 60k miles.
The oil pickup tubes are a crappy design and crack above the oil level in the pan. They quickly starve the engine of oil of course. This also seems to be fairly common past 60k miles after warranty period.
There are companies that sell better oil pickup tubes and the oil screen can be removed from the turbo though.
I have a 2008 Legacy GT (5 spd 2.5L turbo) with only about 10k miles on it now. It already has plenty of squeaks and rattles from the doors, dash, center console, etc. The car is a blast to drive but I'm not overly impressed with the quality so far. I have had Fords with over 100k miles that felt like they were put together more solid. They are very safe cars though. I would steer clear of a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder with an automatic trans though, they are slugs. If you do buy one with a turbo, some years have a catalytic converter in the up-pipe to the turbo which can break up and kill the turbo, they are best replaced with a catless up-pipe.
The older Subarus seem to have a much better reputation than the recent years with the exception of head gaskets.
The oil pickup tubes are a crappy design and crack above the oil level in the pan. They quickly starve the engine of oil of course. This also seems to be fairly common past 60k miles after warranty period.
There are companies that sell better oil pickup tubes and the oil screen can be removed from the turbo though.
I have a 2008 Legacy GT (5 spd 2.5L turbo) with only about 10k miles on it now. It already has plenty of squeaks and rattles from the doors, dash, center console, etc. The car is a blast to drive but I'm not overly impressed with the quality so far. I have had Fords with over 100k miles that felt like they were put together more solid. They are very safe cars though. I would steer clear of a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder with an automatic trans though, they are slugs. If you do buy one with a turbo, some years have a catalytic converter in the up-pipe to the turbo which can break up and kill the turbo, they are best replaced with a catless up-pipe.
The older Subarus seem to have a much better reputation than the recent years with the exception of head gaskets.
My wife's daily driver is a 2005 Forester XT Premium. We like the car a lot. We bought it with 16,000 miles on the clock and it was a year old. We bought it used from the dealer and bought the extended warranty that started when the factory warranty expired. Knock on wood we have had no problems with it. We have close to 60K on it now and it's a smooth driver. It's a little small for me but I don't drive it much so I can live with it. It's all stock except for the K&N and Parelli p6 tires.
While driving especially on the rough roads we have here in CA it is a little loud inside. It just sounds thin and there isn't much damping. My wife loves the turbo and 5 speed so she doesn't complain much
I've heard from several owners of the newer Subaru's that they have problems. I'm talking about people with '04-'08 models of Foresters and mostly outbacks. Weird electrical stuff, timing belts and axles. I like subaurownersforum.com and that forum. There is a lot of info there and good guys to answer questions.
While driving especially on the rough roads we have here in CA it is a little loud inside. It just sounds thin and there isn't much damping. My wife loves the turbo and 5 speed so she doesn't complain much
I've heard from several owners of the newer Subaru's that they have problems. I'm talking about people with '04-'08 models of Foresters and mostly outbacks. Weird electrical stuff, timing belts and axles. I like subaurownersforum.com and that forum. There is a lot of info there and good guys to answer questions.