Expert Advice On Subaru

D Durden

D Durden

DEEP FAT FRY
Founding Member
Mar 9, 2000
5,557
217
153
#1
Okay, I'm SERIOUSLY considering this one, but I haven't made up my mind, yet . . . but it could happen.

I might trade in a minivan for a Subaru crossover or something. Don't know if I'm going new or used. I need the little SUV because I'll need something to replace the minivan for transporting family (and dogs). I REALLY like Subaru, but I don't know much about what models are better and what drivetrain to look for.

YEAH, I KNOW THE WRX STI IS GREAT! It won't hold the family and five pit bulls, though! NEXT TIME! I may trade another vehicle in in a year or so. But right now, I need advice on what to look for on the Subarus.

Hep!
 
#2
D Durden said:
Okay, I'm SERIOUSLY considering this one, but I haven't made up my mind, yet . . . but it could happen.

I might trade in a minivan for a Subaru crossover or something. Don't know if I'm going new or used. I need the little SUV because I'll need something to replace the minivan for transporting family (and dogs). I REALLY like Subaru, but I don't know much about what models are better and what drivetrain to look for.

YEAH, I KNOW THE WRX STI IS GREAT! It won't hold the family and five pit bulls, though! NEXT TIME! I may trade another vehicle in in a year or so. But right now, I need advice on what to look for on the Subarus.

Hep!
Click to expand...

I actually just picked up a '14 WRX. Yeah I know you can't pick that one....but just thought I'd mention about how fun it is :p

at the same time however, mom picked up a crosstreck. CVT, great gas milage, AWD. Its basically the regular impreza blown up a tad bit with another 4" or so of ground clearance. Great car if you want something the size of the impreza but need more ground clearance.

Option 2 is the Foz (forrester). They're also a great vehicle. There's also the option for a turbo motor in them and it gets a little bit better milage than what my rex does. They're bigger than the 'treck and a bit boxier looking but about the same frame size. Again with AWD and subaru greatness.

Typical subaru, change waterpump and timing belts at 100k and go beat the crap out of it.
 
#5
I hear conflicting opinions about their engines. Some say they run forever with a few small things replaced (like jlangholzj said) but then others say they croak at about 100k. My boss has a Forrester and said it got regular maintenance and still blew up at 100k.
 
#6
D- for the family + 5 dogs, you would need at least the current Outback wagon, or the Tribeca SUV.

My family and I have owned a bunch of Subaru's over the years, and liked every one of them! The stock Michelin tires aren't so great in 4+ inches of snow, but they did last 70,000 miles on my Baja! We even had the SVX and did not have any problems with it, either.

If you get a good deal on one, go for it! :nice:
 
#7
85_SS_302_Coupe said:
I hear conflicting opinions about their engines. Some say they run forever with a few small things replaced (like jlangholzj said) but then others say they croak at about 100k. My boss has a Forrester and said it got regular maintenance and still blew up at 100k.
Click to expand...

the only real big issue is when you start doing stupid things. The stock hyper-U pistons have a ringland failure issue when you start pushing some power to them (400Hp+) but other than that in stock for they're pretty solid.

mom opted in for the 100k / 10 year bumper to bumper and SOA is usually really good at honoring that warranty. Most of the guys that have stuff "fall apart" really abuse them or someone bought a used one that had been abused.

there are no known electrical issues with them and everything is solid. You'll be pretty happy with them if you change oil every 5-6k or so and don't do anything stupid. The only thing that I'd be remotely concerned about is the CVT as its a pretty new feature. That wouldn't even concern me that much though.
 
#8
jlangholzj said:
the only real big issue is when you start doing stupid things. The stock hyper-U pistons have a ringland failure issue when you start pushing some power to them (400Hp+) but other than that in stock for they're pretty solid.

mom opted in for the 100k / 10 year bumper to bumper and SOA is usually really good at honoring that warranty. Most of the guys that have stuff "fall apart" really abuse them or someone bought a used one that had been abused.

there are no known electrical issues with them and everything is solid. You'll be pretty happy with them if you change oil every 5-6k or so and don't do anything stupid. The only thing that I'd be remotely concerned about is the CVT as its a pretty new feature. That wouldn't even concern me that much though.
Click to expand...

So what would you look for in a used one? I won't be buying a new car any time soon.
 
#9
85_SS_302_Coupe said:
So what would you look for in a used one? I won't be buying a new car any time soon.
Click to expand...

The big ones are the water pump and timing belts. Also good luck trying to find an un-bastardized WRX or STI. Lots of guys put BOV's on them because they "sound cool" but neglect to tune in the wastegate control or will put an intake/downpipe on them and do the same. A conservative tune for intake/exhaust on a wrx is ~310hp and 350 ftlbs. As long as its not been bastardized too much they're typically in pretty good shape. Most guys will also change out the trans/diff fluid for the redline oil as well, which is always a good idea.

The ej20 motors have a stouter bottom end on them and most guys will do a hybrid build and put a 20 bottom end with a ej25x top end. As long as someone isn't doing 7k launches and donuts on dry pavement the trans tends to hold up extremely well, 1 and 2 are dog-cuts, 3 has a bit more of a helical cut and 4-5(6) are nice full helical cut gears. The 6spd in the STI has the beefier center diff but all in all the 5spd is pretty good too.

other than that, if you're going used the subaru techs (in my area anyway) know whats up and will be able to tell you what's good and bad about the particular car.
 
#10
I almost bought a Baja . . . figured I'd get one "next" and bought the Charger, instead (no regrets). Bastages then stopped making them, and now a used one is list prices. Grrrr . . .

Okay, cool, this helps. I'm not looking to hot rod it or anything. What I'm looking for is something fun to drive that will last a bit. I'm probably going to have some mostly positive "life changes" coming up soon, and I'm just trying to lay some groundwork!
 
#19
I sell Janitorial supplies for my day job. I had a guy ask about buying those pink breath mints for his urinals. I said, " If you're using them as breath mints, you might want to take a look at whats causing your bad breath" :D


Yup, he bought a case of them
 
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