Looking for Subaru dealer recommendation

Larry Gentile said:
Like i stated earlier, I owed 08 STI, 13 Imprezza, 14 Forester, Currently own 14 Crosstrek and 17 Outback.

Just a FYI, I am a mechanical engineer and work in manufacturing. So i hate it when general broad brush statements are made due to a small percentage issues. That is all my point is. Also I do all my maintenance and work. I have rebuilt engines, transmissions etc. I have been a car/motorhead guy all my life. So i am not your typical average automotive consumer.

Back to Subies. I had the infamous oil consumption issues on both the 13 Impreza and the 14 Forester. Both went through a quart of oil every 6000 miles. I was not happy with it but it did not effect how the cars mechanically ran. Also owned a 2006 VW Jetta Turbo that went through a quart of oil every 3000 miles and were told that was normal. My 14 Crosstrek and 17 Outback burns zero oil in 7000 miles (my oil change interval). if anyone was told that a quart of oil every 300 miles was OK that that is BS. I guarantee that did not come from Subaru but from the dealer service dept that did not want to handle the situation. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with Subaru but my point it that is not the norm. For every lemon there are 1000 that are fine. There is a reason that Subaru have such a high resale value and reliability ratings.

Point me to any car company that you like and I will find you 100's of posts on forums on why they are a POS.
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If your 14 Crosstrek and 17 Outback are not consuming any oil, you are the exception and not the rule. And I definitely do not believe it. A quart of oil every 6000 miles in your previous cars is well within “normal operation” according to Subaru and most manufacturers I’m familiar with. SOA would say thanks for checking and keep driving it. No repairs needed.
 
193rdsoldier said:
If your 14 Crosstrek and 17 Outback are not consuming any oil, you are the exception and not the rule. And I definitely do not believe it. A quart of oil every 6000 miles in your previous cars is well within “normal operation” according to Subaru and most manufacturers I’m familiar with. SOA would say thanks for checking and keep driving it. No repairs needed.
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So i'm lying to you for what purpose? My 400bhp 08 STI that was boosting 22psi didn't burn any oil either using Shell 40wt oil. Since i do all my own oil changes with a pella 6000 oil extractor i know exactly how much oil comes out of the engine. I currently use Valvoline full synthetic 5w-20 weight oil with OEM oil filters i buy online. But whatever. I know more and have rebuilt more engines than most of the people on this sight.
I'm not saying Subaru does not have their share of issues. Just search ring land issue STI. Much bigger issues than a head gasket replacement or oil consumption. But like I said earlier. Point me to a vehicle that you think is better and i will find you tons of people bitching online on how much a POS they are.
 
Larry Gentile said:
So i'm lying to you for what purpose? My 400bhp 08 STI that was boosting 22psi didn't burn any oil either using Shell 40wt oil. Since i do all my own oil changes with a pella 6000 oil extractor i know exactly how much oil comes out of the engine. I currently use Valvoline full synthetic 5w-20 weight oil with OEM oil filters i buy online. But whatever. I know more and have rebuilt more engines than most of the people on this sight.
I'm not saying Subaru does not have their share of issues. Just search ring land issue STI. Much bigger issues than a head gasket replacement or oil consumption. But like I said earlier. Point me to a vehicle that you think is better and i will find you tons of people bitching online on how much a POS they are.
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Bud, I don’t think you’re lying. Maybe just embellishing a touch. And again, if you’re not burning/consuming any oil, yours is the exception. Kudos to you if true
 
garandman said:
Subaru is I believe currently the only major manufacturer who does not have a Class Action suit about their CVT. They started with CVT’s in 1989 and the current Lineartronic box has a steel belt , generally the most durable designs.
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So good and so durable that they've had to expand their warranty due to many transmission failures at under 100k miles? I would assume to AVOID the lawsuits?

Sorry, no, CVTs are crap (as are the automatics Subaru has been putting in lately). The technology just isn't there, and that's become apparent across brands. It's come a long way but clearly not long enough. I know a Nissan tech who teaches people how to break theirs before they get out of warranty, because they're so expensive to replace after... and he cautions them "good luck in 50k miles, you're going out of pocket then". Friends and family have had CVTs shit the bed, full replacement needed early one (mileage rough) in a Cruze at about 100k, a Freestyle at 50k, a Maxima at 70k, and a Sonic at 80k (which needed a stereo right after; the head unit controlled everything and cost a few grand). Unheard of to me and I was a parts guy for a long time, and between my friends/family and we've owned and worked on a LOT of vehicles over many decades...

That's downright unacceptable. "But it creates a scant gain in fuel economy" well sure, and it's extra green when it's not burning fuel because it's in the shop every couple years for a week-long overhaul, in addition to regular maintenance. I was, once upon a time, an ASE certified parts man. Dealt with a lot of cores, and I get that it's easier to rebuild a CVT, but swapping transmissions at full cost every 50-75k miles is NOT an improvement over existing transmission tech from a consumer standpoint - only for tree huggers, regulators, service technicians, dealerships and manufacturers. You make out fine if you're a life-time leaser I guess, or you trade in your car every 2-3 years.

All of my Fords have needed zero repairs - nothing but regular maintenance on traditional automatic transmissions - until 150k or higher. Most have made it to 200k+ with only minor repairs (solenoids, leaks, etc) though one needed a new transmission at 188k which caused me to let the vehicle go because it just wasn't worth it at that point. Same with Chevys in the several I've taken out to 250k without major issues, using the ancient 700R4 that just goes and goes and goes.... And across the board with traditional transmissions its only been "replace" at high mileage vs sub-$1000 repairs at lower mileage and higher mileage alike in my experience. My Subaru barely made it 60k and needed a new transmission, which is embarrassing.


garandman said:
But 2013 3.6R didn’t have one? It had a 5 speed automatic made by Jatco. Jatco 5R05 transmission. Covered on warranty?
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I said 60k but the truth is it was just slightly over, we're talking hundreds of miles not thousands. No it's not a CVT but it is a Subaru and it does have paddle shifters; I won't buy a CVT which was part of my reasoning in buying that specific vehicle. I bullied them into paying for it, and haven't gone back since. Will never buy another Subaru either; no slight against the classics which are fine vehicles but like so many manufacturers they lost their way in the mid/late 2000s, which is probably as much stupid-regulation-based as it is their own stupidity. Won't buy a Ford either after they killed their SUV line with CVTs and unibodies... Picked up a new 4Runner, and a Tacoma is next on the list. I like real transmissions and pan-on-frame, and not worrying about serious maintenance until my vehicle is well out of warranty.
 
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Hasn't Subaru officially had the highest number of concurrent class action suits in the history of automotive manufacturing?
 
snubnose said:
Hasn't Subaru officially had the highest number of concurrent class action suits in the history of automotive manufacturing?
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Thats an interesting claim, where would you find the data? Or did a Subaru salesman dump on your roof or something?

The first site I found listed suits like the Ford 3.8L, Toyota oil consumption and rusted frame, and Volkswagen diesel cases. Those are huge numbers of vehicles compared to Subaru overall sales. Pretty much all of them have the Takata airbag recall.

There are also a lot of “Secret Warranties.” If you have a major problem with any car, or are buying a used car, always search Secret Warranty to see if anything comes up.

Subaru Recalls: a list of recalls on all Subaru models..

https://jalopnik.com/subaru-settles-lawsuit-over-oil-burning-cars-1752805682
 
snubnose said:
head gaskets-heat shields-cvt, oh my!

head gaskets-heat shields-cvt, oh my!
Click to expand...
Do you want to start a “I hate Subaru” thread so you don’t have to spam this one anymore?

You’re not going to buy a Subaru. Got it. OP is looking for dealer recommendations.
 
Royal said:
this ^ sums up my entire Subaru experience. After having the transmission replaced, a head gasket job (rebuild), it was the rattling f’ing heat shields that finally did me in.
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That drove me crazy on any Honda I had, except the current one, which is so cheap there's probably no heat shields, lol.
 
Frizzle Fry said:
So good and so durable that they've had to expand their warranty due to many transmission failures at under 100k miles? I would assume to AVOID the lawsuits?

Sorry, no, CVTs are crap (as are the automatics Subaru has been putting in lately). The technology just isn't there, and that's become apparent across brands. It's come a long way but clearly not long enough. I know a Nissan tech who teaches people how to break theirs before they get out of warranty, because they're so expensive to replace after... and he cautions them "good luck in 50k miles, you're going out of pocket then". Friends and family have had CVTs shit the bed, full replacement needed early one (mileage rough) in a Cruze at about 100k, a Freestyle at 50k, a Maxima at 70k, and a Sonic at 80k (which needed a stereo right after; the head unit controlled everything and cost a few grand). Unheard of to me and I was a parts guy for a long time, and between my friends/family and we've owned and worked on a LOT of vehicles over many decades...

That's downright unacceptable. "But it creates a scant gain in fuel economy" well sure, and it's extra green when it's not burning fuel because it's in the shop every couple years for a week-long overhaul, in addition to regular maintenance. I was, once upon a time, an ASE certified parts man. Dealt with a lot of cores, and I get that it's easier to rebuild a CVT, but swapping transmissions at full cost every 50-75k miles is NOT an improvement over existing transmission tech from a consumer standpoint - only for tree huggers, regulators, service technicians, dealerships and manufacturers. You make out fine if you're a life-time leaser I guess, or you trade in your car every 2-3 years.

All of my Fords have needed zero repairs - nothing but regular maintenance on traditional automatic transmissions - until 150k or higher. Most have made it to 200k+ with only minor repairs (solenoids, leaks, etc) though one needed a new transmission at 188k which caused me to let the vehicle go because it just wasn't worth it at that point. Same with Chevys in the several I've taken out to 250k without major issues, using the ancient 700R4 that just goes and goes and goes.... And across the board with traditional transmissions its only been "replace" at high mileage vs sub-$1000 repairs at lower mileage and higher mileage alike in my experience. My Subaru barely made it 60k and needed a new transmission, which is embarrassing.




I said 60k but the truth is it was just slightly over, we're talking hundreds of miles not thousands. No it's not a CVT but it is a Subaru and it does have paddle shifters; I won't buy a CVT which was part of my reasoning in buying that specific vehicle. I bullied them into paying for it, and haven't gone back since. Will never buy another Subaru either; no slight against the classics which are fine vehicles but like so many manufacturers they lost their way in the mid/late 2000s, which is probably as much stupid-regulation-based as it is their own stupidity. Won't buy a Ford either after they killed their SUV line with CVTs and unibodies... Picked up a new 4Runner, and a Tacoma is next on the list. I like real transmissions and pan-on-frame, and not worrying about serious maintenance until my vehicle is well out of warranty.
Click to expand...

I think car companies go with CVTs cause they're cheap - the benefit of MPG is probably minimal vs a good auto, but good automatics are expensive.

Same with turbo engines - cheaper to make than a modern normally aspirated, but real world MPG is much worse than EPA with turbos, although they'll probably fix that eventually (my civic turbo gets amazing gas mileage).
 
garandman, I take it you looked under the hood and didn't see any coolant in the overflow-or did you discover you have an open deck 2.5-however you did raise a good point:

op, be sure to ask the dealer what the Official Subaru Ditty : head gaskets-heat shields-cvt , oh my! : might mean.

You might want to inquire as to whether or not they offer a life time headlight change program just in case you got one of the models that require the very special procedure.
 
Varmint said:
Our 2002 WRX and 2012 Outback are/were exceptions too.
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That is excellent to hear. I like good news.
The oil consumption issue seems to be more prominent in the engines using 0W20 engine oil. I have heard of people using 5W30 instead of the 0W20 and not having an issue.
 
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Some good info here. Appears as though I didn’t do enough due diligence before I bought my Legacy.

Will be picking up a block tester. Car also does consume oil at a fairly high rate, so will have to investigate that.
 
"We are looking to buy a 2019 Subaru Legacy. Can anyone suggest a Subaru dealer they know/had a good experience with? I am located on the Northshore, but willing to travel.
Thanks !"

Brownstein & Crane Surgical Services
575 Sir Francis Drake Blvd Suite 1
Greenbrae, CA 94904
PHONE
San Francisco, CA: 415-625-3230
Austin, TX: 512-446-9486

CONGRATULATIONS TO BROWNSTEIN & CRANE SURGICAL SERVICES! IN MAY 2018 WE COMPLETED OUR 400TH PHALLOPLASTY! WE CONTINUE TO BOAST SOME OF THE LOWEST PUBLISHED PHALLOPLASTY COMPLICATION RATES IN THE WORLD AND OUR SAN FRANCISCO MICROSURGEONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF HAVE 0 TAKE BACKS TO THE OPERATING ROOM AND 0 FLAP FAILURES. BETWEEN OUR TWO CENTERS IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA AND AUSTIN, TEXAS, WE PERFORM 5-6 PHALLOPLASTIES PER WEEK, MAKING US ONE OF THE LARGEST VOLUME CENTERS IN THE WORLD.
 
Dick move.


ridleyman said:
"We are looking to buy a 2019 Subaru Legacy. Can anyone suggest a Subaru dealer they know/had a good experience with? I am located on the Northshore, but willing to travel.
Thanks !"

Brownstein & Crane Surgical Services
575 Sir Francis Drake Blvd Suite 1
Greenbrae, CA 94904
PHONE
San Francisco, CA: 415-625-3230
Austin, TX: 512-446-9486

CONGRATULATIONS TO BROWNSTEIN & CRANE SURGICAL SERVICES! IN MAY 2018 WE COMPLETED OUR 400TH PHALLOPLASTY! WE CONTINUE TO BOAST SOME OF THE LOWEST PUBLISHED PHALLOPLASTY COMPLICATION RATES IN THE WORLD AND OUR SAN FRANCISCO MICROSURGEONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF HAVE 0 TAKE BACKS TO THE OPERATING ROOM AND 0 FLAP FAILURES. BETWEEN OUR TWO CENTERS IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA AND AUSTIN, TEXAS, WE PERFORM 5-6 PHALLOPLASTIES PER WEEK, MAKING US ONE OF THE LARGEST VOLUME CENTERS IN THE WORLD.
Click to expand...
 
andy t said:
We are looking to buy a 2019 Subaru Legacy. Can anyone suggest a Subaru dealer they know/had a good experience with? I am located on the Northshore, but willing to travel.
Thanks !
Click to expand...

Take a look at quirk Subaru in Braintree, currently in the market for a 2019 WRX and they have a large inventory seems like they have the best deals because they do a lot of volume
 
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