SUBARUS!!!

[swanny]

I really just wanted to be first to post in this section.

And Subaru's rock!

[jaymark6655]

Too bad they only have one speed setting, 55MPH.  In a 30 zone they go flying past me at 55.  In the 70 zones I am always stuck behind one going 55.       They are pretty awesome cars though.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Have you ever heard the one about the two types of people who own subaru's? 

[Practical Approach]

I have found that subaru's make my blood pressure go up when driving around them.  They seem to congregate in urban areas where ultra liberal voters reside.  None of my friends or family drive subaru's, but then again they are conservative. 

[CoachNemo]

We have 2, a Legacy and and Impreza, no wagons, yet  and my best friend calls my wife and I a cute "lesbian" couple with our Subarus.

They are good cars, that's for sure we have had my wife's since brand new in 04' and not one issue and mine used since 09 and not one thing has happened.  Of course that can be said for most vehicles if you take care of them.

[BIGINNER]

i have an older legacy wagon, and i love it.  i'm thinking about doing some customising on it,.. maybe put outback struts on it with bigger wheels for a lift. maybe even a custom bumper or grill.     the options are endless. 

[Rick]

My daily driver is a 2011 Outback. I couldn't care less what people think about a guy driving it.

But then again,my junk is long enough that I don't have to drive a big burly diesel truck to feel like a man.

Almost 9" of ground clearance,a kick ass AWD system,enough cargo room for a *censored*pot full of duck decoys,and it gets 30MPG on the freeway.

If you're not compensating for something,an Outback is about as practical as it gets.

[PolarBear]

You mean Lezbarus?

[Alchase]

My daily driver is a 2011 Outback. I couldn't care less what people think about a guy driving it.

But then again,my junk is long enough that I don't have to drive a big burly diesel truck to feel like a man.

Almost 9" of ground clearance,

Up to that point I was starting to feel subconcious 

LOL

[Johnb317]

I've been looking at the new Outback... been told to skip the 6 cylinder and go for the 4.
Have to wait for the lease returns 

However.... how about some pics to show what they can do?

My hunt vehicle.... 04 lexus RX330       

[Fl0und3rz]

Yeah, Subarus are pretty decent cars that offer a great range of features without a ridiculous price.  After renting a Forrester one time, I was sold.

We bought the wife a Forrester for the AWD (icy Seattle hills), the high NTSB crash safety rating, the decent mileage, the openness of the cabin and the amount of visibility it offers (practically no blind spots), and the practical useability of the cargo area (low, massive and open, weather friendly).  I have no regrets, even though it has had a few issues over its 100K+ miles (head gaskets replaced, crank pulley replacement).

It will never be a massive 4x4 pickup, but that is not what it was designed to be.  It has decent enough ground clearance for camping off of Forest Service roads without fear of bottoming out.  The Forrester is absolutely stable on icy and slick roads.

I hear the 2012 (or even 2011) have replaced the timing belt with a chain for even better longevity and lower lifetime maintenance costs.

For those hating on Subarus for the behavior of the drivers; hate the driver, not the car. 

Do yourself a favor if you are in the market, test drive a Subaru.  My only slight would be that it could come with a standard warranty better than 30K miles (when we bought ours).

And yeah, we are as conservative as they come, and I don't need a fashion statement in a vehicle.

[newbie76]

My daily driver is a 2011 Outback. I couldn't care less what people think about a guy driving it.

But then again,my junk is long enough that I don't have to drive a big burly diesel truck to feel like a man.

Almost 9" of ground clearance,a kick ass AWD system,enough cargo room for a *censored*pot full of duck decoys,and it gets 30MPG on the freeway.

If you're not compensating for something,an Outback is about as practical as it gets.

I have the same exact car...I love it!

[newbie76]

and No I am not a lesbian......but I don't have anything against them.........

[Dhoey07]

I used to have a 02 wrx before i bought my duramax and i loved that thing!!! 2.0l turbo awd, doesn't get much better.  Did great in the snow and was fast as hell, and good gas mileage

[Special T]

If you think subarues are for bunny huggers, hippies and lesbians then you have never heard of the Hatch Patrol! http://www.hatchpatrol.com/

You want a ride that can be fixed with a set of wrenches and 2 specialty sockets, pliers and a pair of vice grips? That can be had for less than $3k and can get 30mpg? has a hi-low range?

You can get any rig stuck but it only takes a comealong and ashovel to get a subie out! 

[FALFire]

My wife purchased a Forester new back in '07, it now has 100K miles on it and the only thing that has been done to it is oil changes. The damn thing is solid, gets 28 mpg and never gets stuck in the snow. It's quite the machine. 

I just can't seem to get too comfortable in the stock cloth seats so I drive a diesel truck.

 I think it has something to do with my junk!      I need a truck to haul it around 

My daily driver is a 2011 Outback. I couldn't care less what people think about a guy driving it.

But then again,my junk is long enough that I don't have to drive a big burly diesel truck to feel like a man.

[rasbo]

I am a lesbian ,and do want one for my wife someday..I dont know anyone that has been unhappy with them...whar are the prices on them,the outback or forester I was looking at

[GoldTip]

Actually my wife and I are currently looking at the new '12 subaru outbacks.  She wants something better than our Maxima for driving up and down the ski hills, and I have heard nothing but good about them.  Her parents have one (subaru outback) and her Dad loves it, borrows it all the time to go ice fishing instead of firing up his diesel truck.  They do seem to be the favorite ride of fern feelers and bunny huggers, but I'll throw some blood on it every once in a while just to "man" it up a bit.

[Bean Counter]

I'm unhappy with the wife's. Subaru rocket scientists made a stupid design for a head gasket  Big $$$ to replace and it seems the rule not the exception to have to replace them at some point. Had ours replaced at the Stealership 20,000 miles ago and I think its slowly started a leak once again. Want to sell it now and move up to a real Japanese car (Toyota).

Otherwise, yes a safe, durable, AWD vehicle. Ironically today I was considering the the math on mpg savings. She averaged 25 mpg over 130,000 miles. If we compare that to an SUV that got 17mpg, the cost savings would be about $8,000.

[Special T]

The older subies 80-85 have a high low range like a Pickup 4x4 so if you put over sized tires on you can really gear down. They are carburated and easy to work on. weak points are if you overheat and blow a head gasket you have to have the head and block decked cause it warps the head. They area also prone to having exhaust leaks... something about rallying over stuff hitting the exhaust on something, aluminum head and steel exhaust bolts. Other than that, you can buy all the hand tools to shange everything from fuel pumps to CV axles at Harbor freight for around $50 is you shop the sales.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/

Is the best forum around for tech tips and modifications for all Subarus... Subies have a huge following here in the NW, and not just leaf lickers! there are many people that are into the racing-rally sports. If you want to find the weak links and what to look for when buying a used subie then this is the place to look!

[Caseyd]

My GF has one and it drives great!

I also have a friend that builds them, the below engine was put in a Gen 1 Forester (aka ForeSTI)

[Fl0und3rz]

I'm unhappy with the wife's. Subaru rocket scientists made a stupid design for a head gasket  Big $$$ to replace and it seems the rule not the exception to have to replace them at some point. Had ours replaced at the Stealership 20,000 miles ago and I think its slowly started a leak once again. Want to sell it now and move up to a real Japanese car (Toyota).

Otherwise, yes a safe, durable, AWD vehicle. Ironically today I was considering the the math on mpg savings. She averaged 25 mpg over 130,000 miles. If we compare that to an SUV that got 17mpg, the cost savings would be about $8,000.

For future reference, check out Subaru Guru out of Colville, I think.  He replaced our for about half of what the dealership would charge, and it still is going strong after about 30K.  He's a hunter too. I don't have any information for him handy.

[Special T]

Casyd did that motor come from the the performance shop near Arlington that used to build aircraft Subaru motors? I know the guy that does some of thier port and polishing, make some BIG HP for some rides.

[Caseyd]

As far as I know he built it himself. He works at a shop in Seattle.

[swanny]

I'm unhappy with the wife's. Subaru rocket scientists made a stupid design for a head gasket  Big $$$ to replace and it seems the rule not the exception to have to replace them at some point. Had ours replaced at the Stealership 20,000 miles ago and I think its slowly started a leak once again. Want to sell it now and move up to a real Japanese car (Toyota).

Otherwise, yes a safe, durable, AWD vehicle. Ironically today I was considering the the math on mpg savings. She averaged 25 mpg over 130,000 miles. If we compare that to an SUV that got 17mpg, the cost savings would be about $8,000.

For future reference, check out Subaru Guru out of Colville, I think.  He replaced our for about half of what the dealership would charge, and it still is going strong after about 30K.  He's a hunter too. I don't have any information for him handy.

There is a Subaru Guru in Kent too.

[Fl0und3rz]

For future reference, check out Subaru Guru out of Colville, I think.  He replaced our for about half of what the dealership would charge, and it still is going strong after about 30K.  He's a hunter too. I don't have any information for him handy.

There is a Subaru Guru in Kent too.

Don't know if they are affiliated, and I cannot speak for the Kent one.

[Bean Counter]

Thanks for the repair links guys. All Wheel Drive Auto in Kirkland is a great resource of information. I found Justin and Ken to be very trustworthy and they have done some work for me.

For those of you considering one, realize that 'expensive' means $1,500-2,500, not $450. As I said earlier, I  don't recommend Subaru's due to this problem and their corporate attitude about it.

[Special T]

what vintage/ motor are you refering to BC?

[Bean Counter]

Most of 'em, but especially pre-2010 models.

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/

Because of the horizonally opposed engine, the head gasket has physics and gravity working against it. It just wont last like an upright sitting engine will. Its one thing if I were an isolated, disgruntled customer. But most of these vehicles wind up needing a head gasket and no amount of diligent maintenance such as oil changes, coolant flushes, etc will stop the problem.

Spend your money elsewhere 

[Special T]

Interesting... because the olderones seem to last forever as long as you don't over heat them.. 200k isn't unusuall... and they have the same opposing piston design...

[Bean Counter]

I think they changed the torque specifications and moved to a multi-layer shim gasket. Kind of like a croissant instead of a slice of bread   

[newbie76]

I got the 2011 Subaru outback for 27000.

[KenPCPilot]

The sterotype of the kind of people that most likely drive Subarus is certainly true.  Alternative lifestyle ecofreaks and ecosnobs.  Don't get me wrong I do think they make a decent vehicle.  I was camping near Mt. Adams a few years ago and there was a sign on the roadside pointing to some type of festival and my wife said lets check it out.  We arrived at this farm and there were several dozen cars there.  Almost all were Subarus and most of them with Oregon license plates.  Of course I pull in with my factory purple F-250 super duty diesel.  I told my wife "I don't know about this.  I don't think they serve our kind here."  she asked "What are you talking about?"  I said "Just look at the cars all Subarus and from Oregon.  This is not our crowd."  She of coarse thought I was trying to sabatage us having a good time.   My fears were confirmed.  Berkenstock wearing neohippies were overrunning the place.  At the children's craft tables my son was making crafts when a mother called the child sitting across from him.  she called "Gran Guardian blah blah blah (something french apparently).  My son (only 31/2 at the time) asked "Why does she talk funny?"  The lady said "Sweetheart I am speaking French to Gran Gardian (seriously that was the kid's first name).   She looked at me and said "Is your son bilingual?"  I said "No we are American."  she replied "Well you know studies show bilingual children excell at learning compared to most children"  I wanted to say "Why don't you pick up your freaky named french wanna be child, take your peace loving, granola eating, arrogant, pompus a@@, tree hugging, Owl/ferret/pocket gopher/whale/sea lion worshiping butt jump into your ecofriendly Subaru back to Oregon where you belong.  but I I wussed out and just raised my eyebrows and smiled.  Seriously though what is the attraction of the Subaru as a status symbol for environmentalists/lesbians etc?  I would like to know just for my information

[Rick]

I am a lesbian ,and do want one for my wife someday..I dont know anyone that has been unhappy with them...whar are the prices on them,the outback or forester I was looking at

You want a lesbian for your wife someday? You're a good husband.

Pricing depends on what you want. My '11 is an Outback 2.5i,basically the base model. Still has power windows and locks,am/fm/cd player,cruise/ac,etc.

I went with the 6spd manual because the manuals get a 50/50 split on the AWD. The autos are CVT and IIRC have a 90/10 front bias on the AWD.

Mine was $21,000 after tax and license. A comparable Forester was about $2000 less.

[yajsab]

What's wrong with subaru? I think this ride is cool.