SUBARUS!!!

[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...