Subarus - do they suck?

[Hobbyfreak]

I LOVE my subaru.

[Neseth]

There's a reason why subaru has such loyal owners!!

08 impreza 2.5i here.

[wagon boy]

It had tein coilovers in it at that stage and the ride was very very firm. Best suspension setup was the 04 sti spec c struts and springs. It sat a little higher but so muchbetter in every way.

The accident pic, yeh the driver walked away unscratched, keep in mind that it's an Aussie model so right hand drive... That tree is in my seat!

[pimpbot]

Okay, I gotta say. I rented an Impreza this last week for work. I kinda dug it. I also managed to get about 30 mpg out of it for the week I was there.

I thought the automatic tranny was just about the worst I have driven. I also thought the idiot light temp gauge was weaksauce. That said, it handled well. Except for the '06 Jetta I rented for a week and put 1200 miles on, best rental car I have driven.

[nuclear_powered]

Gotta say, I'm diggin the 2010 Outback. I think the shape looks better on the Outback - with it's increased clearance and body kit - than on the Liberty/Legacy/Heritage.

I reckon a 3.6L Outback would look mighty nice in my driveway, where I'm only a few hours from the part of the world it was named after. Well ... OK, maybe 4 or 5 hours away - I have to pass through "The Bush" to get to "The Outback".

But for now I'm happy with the MY07 Outback in it's place ... too costly to upgrade right now.

Long live Subaru. Long live the Outback.

[nmtim]

Does any one know (or how to find out) if the 2010 models have thicker sheet metal than the previous years. I had a '08 Impreza wagon that would dent if I looked at it wrong.

[pimpbot]

Originally Posted by nmtim

Does any one know (or how to find out) if the 2010 models have thicker sheet metal than the previous years. I had a '08 Impreza wagon that would dent if I looked at it wrong.

I always thought Subie used fairly thick sheet metal. The '09 Impreza I rented felt pretty solid... way more solid than any of my other rental cars... Cobalt, Kia, Focus... etc. Maybe it was an '08... I dunno... it had 30k miles on it, which is a lot for a rental car.

I think most car mfgs are leaning towards weight reduction, so I would think the trend would be towards less material.

[Neseth]

i have an 08 impreza, it's got over 30k miles on it. Not highway!!! I don't have a single ding or dent in it, i park it in a parking lot and on the street all the time.

It doesn't have some scratches around my door handle from my hands or something.

[elhungarian]

we bought an 08 impreza 2.5i a year (25k miles) ago. I swear each time i look at the car theres another scratch on it. Is it just me or does Subaru use the thinnest paint available on earth?

We bought the dark gray colored one, maybe that's why.
We also opted for the 5 speed. The automatic made me feel like i was driving a cavalier or a yugo or something.
The added cost of the premium package is well worth it, Gets you the leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter, 6 disc in dash cd changer, and premium sound system(not that crappy 4 speaker crap).

Our 08 had the VDC, Hill assist Lights come on once in a while, This apparently is an issue with quite a few of this model, after i told the dealer what the issue was it was fixed the 2nd time, since they didn't listen to me the first time and replaced something else.

When I decelerate while in gear (engine brake) i hear a kind of grinding,knocking sound. Anyone else experience this?

The suspension is a little soft for my taste, but what do you expect from a $19k family sedan.

Debating if i would buy another. Guess it depends on how this one treats us over the next 5-10 yrs.

Mainly the wife's car and her commute gets her 28mpg average, on road trips we get a bit more.

[adamssss]

Subaru must use the thinnest paint out there. I got scratches, paint chips and everything else. Swirl marks are everywhere. I can't complain tho, I have 34k miles on my 06 wrx and its been perfect at 290whp and 330wtq. I also get pretty good mileage. I love my Suby!!!

[Neseth]

Originally Posted by elhungarian

we bought an 08 impreza 2.5i a year (25k miles) ago. I swear each time i look at the car theres another scratch on it. Is it just me or does Subaru use the thinnest paint available on earth?

We bought the dark gray colored one, maybe that's why.
We also opted for the 5 speed. The automatic made me feel like i was driving a cavalier or a yugo or something.
The added cost of the premium package is well worth it, Gets you the leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter, 6 disc in dash cd changer, and premium sound system(not that crappy 4 speaker crap).

Our 08 had the VDC, Hill assist Lights come on once in a while, This apparently is an issue with quite a few of this model, after i told the dealer what the issue was it was fixed the 2nd time, since they didn't listen to me the first time and replaced something else.

When I decelerate while in gear (engine brake) i hear a kind of grinding,knocking sound. Anyone else experience this?

The suspension is a little soft for my taste, but what do you expect from a $19k family sedan.

Debating if i would buy another. Guess it depends on how this one treats us over the next 5-10 yrs.

Mainly the wife's car and her commute gets her 28mpg average, on road trips we get a bit more.

I have the same exact car you have. 08 premium charcoal 5 speed. The premium also add 4 wheel disc brakes instead of drum rears, which is why i mainly bought the premium. Handling is fine if you don't go too far over the speed limit. Depends on how you drive, but it was designed for the majority public and public roads. The suspension is extremely comfortable on long road trips. The rear independent multilink is superb with bumps, never harsh or jarring. Feels like you are in a much bigger car on a long trip.

The only scratches i have are around my door handle, thin paint i guess, i don't know. I have 25k also on mine, i don't experience any of the problems you have. Traction control light only comes on when it should. The VDC works superbly in my car in the snow and rain, when i gas it hard or slow down too quick.

I don't hear any noises when decelerating, i'd have your car looked at while still in a warranty. Take it to another dealer with a better mechanic.

[G-reg]

I do think the 2010's have some more solid sheet metal than previously. My 2005 looks like a golf ball along the doors, it's my one complaint about the car. But it's long paid off, just ticked over 100,000mi and the door dings so bad I really don't care anymore. So resale is not that great...I'm driving it into the ground from here. My last Suby made it to 275,000mi.

[thebronze]

I'm pissed at mine right now. Both the window seals are failing at the side view mirror piece. The wind noise on the freeway is really loud. I also had to replace a headlight since it filled up with water. At least the warranty covered that one. Minor issues but stil require dealer visits which I hate. I'm not sure they are going to cover the window seals. My wifes Nissan also has 60k miles and has had a lot less problems.

[JIJO]

Love Subarus. I own a 2005 Legacy GT sedan and the car can move. The wife and I have narrowed it down to three different vehicles to replace her 2000 Honda CR-V.

1) 2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited
2) 2010 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited
3) 2010 Toyota Tacoma Double-Cab TRD

[Neseth]

Depends on the person, but i wouldn't bother with buying a truck. They aren't practical for most people. Tacoma cab is especially small for rear passengers, most rear seats on smaller trucks sit you straight up which kills you on long hauls. 99% of the time people i know with trucks run with the beds empty. They might pick up an occasional couch or refridgerator. Also if people know you have a truck, they always call you up to see if you'll pick something up for them or help them move.

Buy the outback or forester with the tow package. Buy a small 5x8 landscaping trailer for about $1000 and you have the everything you need plus your rear passengers will be very comfortable.