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BuddhaStalin
climber
Truckee, CA
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I dont know about all that, just drive it properly, dont engine brake when not necessary (its not a peterbilt for fuch's sake), downshift, but no engine braking.
No more automatics, CVT now.
http://www.subaru.com
People love to overcomplicate things.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Trade in quality index has probably over a million cars in their database now. It's big enough that differences in different owner's maintenance habits etc. are probably somewhat evenly distributed among brands and models. It's not perfect but by FAR seems to be the best indicator of long term quality and longevity I've seen.
Part of good quality is engineering a car that isn't as sensitive to lack of needed maintenance. For example the CV Boots in Suby's being near the exhaust and developing cracks can be solved by owners keeping an eye on them and replacing them. But if they were better engineered where you didn't have that problem at all less cars would be affected and the quality overall would be reflected better among all owners of that car.
Personally I've seen the difference between my Toyotas and Subaru. The Subaru has some real benefits (better suspension, or course great AWD) but the Toyota's seem a little better engineered.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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My only complaint against Subaru is that they have eliminated the manual transmission on new outbacks as of 2015. I would have happily paid more money for a sunroof, backup cameras, and seat memory but those weren't an option with a manual transmission.
In my case it is not the driver but the simple fact that Foresters are freaking gutless. Turn into the pullout on an uphill and it will take foreveeeer to get back up to speed. I.E., sherwin grade or 120.
Try passing someone in a Forester and you will understand. Hell, my old corrola had more get up and go.
edit: wrong quote. I meant to refer to the comment about 5 mph under the speed limit and not using pullouts.
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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The 5 speed manual in my 2005 Outback is far from optimal.
It has no overdrive gear on the highway so 80mph is 3600 rpm,
which makes it noisy and makes lousy mpg.
The old 4 speed automatic, although slower, has a much better highway gear.
The 5 speed manual also has no granny gear, so you can't go slowly up a rocky hill without stalling or burning the clutch.
But you can roll start it with a dead battery.
Overall it should have had a 7 speed manual.
The new CVT is better most of the time.
Don't know about the 2010 6 speed manual.
The 165-175 hp 4 cyl 2.5i engine is plenty - at high revs.
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John Mac
Trad climber
Littleton, CO
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I have 2005 outback with 200,000 miles on the clock and so far no head gasket issues. My 1998 Outlook did just over 330,000 miles on it and the only major work I did on it was to replace the gearbox around 200K. The only reason why I retired it was some bonehead t-boned me.
Probably 70 percent of my miles are highway miles.
I look after them and don't push them too hard. Typically drive about 5 miles above the speed limit. You can't be in a rush.
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BuddhaStalin
climber
Truckee, CA
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An example of deviation and general wackiness in vehicle testing/data collection. Vehicle data and tests are so ridden with skewed info.
This thread is probably going to be helpful ( I hope, theres mostly good discussion and not lengthy) to folks in here, shows a good example, a CR test:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=44016496#post44016496
its a fairly objective test, done about as well as could be done. Variables eliminated, trying to pare it down to just the vehicle itself.
Then this turd exists, AMCI, not known for its truthiness, and for changing variables to essentially remanufacture their test. They get completely different results:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=44014848&postcount=39
Goes to show how much deepr to look at tests and data. They all have some amount of truth and some amount of total BS. Theyre getting better at slipping bad info in on people.
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doughnutnational
Gym climber
its nice here in the spring
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My wife's 2014 6 speed manual Forester had the short block replaced at less than 30,000 miles (big hassle when you add in the multiple oil consumption tests). It just failed two more oil consumption tests and we have been directed to contact Subaru to see what's next. If they don't do us right it will be my 4th and last Subaru. It's using around a quart of expensive oil per 1000 miles.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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curious as to how far a Forester or Outback has been comfortably driven up into the Buttermilks
thinking in particular the approach to Mt Humphreys, where the "end of the line" for even the monster trucks is, if I recall correctly, about 8,400 feet
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BuddhaStalin
climber
Truckee, CA
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Ive actually driven my WRX to the sub parking at george creek with litte issue. My forester would have made it all the way. Ive wheeled my forester all over, it does well and gets farther than youd think if youre bold and can drive off road mindfully.
I wouldnt hesitate to drive it right up there to humphreys.
Turn off traction control on your dirt road forays. It complicates things when it tries to intervene.
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flatlandermcjack
Ice climber
South Dakota
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Dec 10, 2015 - 09:31am PT
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get a chevy silverado
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Dec 10, 2015 - 09:44am PT
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^^^^^^ Amen...
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doughnutnational
Gym climber
its nice here in the spring
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Jan 12, 2016 - 03:57pm PT
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Update on my 2014 Forester. After oil consumption problems and a new short block which continued to have oil consumption problems Subaru has offered me 2 options. One is to buy back the car minus a "useage fee". Not sure what that would be as they need to review other documents regarding the original purchase price and such. The second would be another new short block and $5000. They said I then have 2 weeks to decide if the issue is "fixed to my satisfaction". I asked what if it continues to burn oil, but it is not apparent in those two weeks, but have yet to receive a response to that question. Open to any opinions as to what my best course of action is. I like the car and it has about 34,000 miles. If I chose the new short block I plan to go on a long road trip with the loaner while the other gets "fixed".
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Feb 11, 2016 - 03:33pm PT
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Had a long conversation with my new Subaru mechanic this morning.
He really knows a lot about them, and all the issues they've had for various years. Maybe BuddhaStalin knows this stuff but a lot was new to me.
He said head gasket issues on many years are due to different materials used on the intake manifold (thick aluminum) vs. the exhaust (thin). So they heat and cool at different rates. That combined with a head gasket that is metal coated with rubber (some types of rubber eaten away by some types of coolant) leads to issues. Being low on coolant / overheating exacerbates these issues. The new 2009+ super blue coolant helps.
He said they redesigned the head numerous times from the 80s to now. So different years have issues from different causes.
He said WRXs (turbos) are different, they have different/beefier exhaust so it heats/cools more similar to the intake side. And the head gasket is all metal.
He said the newer engines have been redesigned again and now use a plastic intake manifold. He said he hasn't seen any come in with head gasket issues yet. So JEleazarian's ride should be fine.
It depends on the years what percentage he sees come in with head gasket or other issues. But it seems in general they are getting better.
I started pricing what it would cost to replace my car and it just doesn't seem worth it. So I'm putting new CV boots, new rear brakes, etc. on it and hoping to get to 200K or more.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Feb 25, 2016 - 04:26pm PT
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The head gasket fix is to go with the Six Star MLS gasket. I just did it on my 1999, will see how long it lasts. Easy to do the gaskets, motor does not need to be removed.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Feb 25, 2016 - 05:06pm PT
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Subies just plain suck suck suck
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