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Looking for Subaru dealer recommendation
- Thread starter andy t
- Start date
Someone I work with bout a Subaru last year at Melkonian. I can't say 100% they had a good experience but I haven't heard any complaints.
I know the original poster is looking to buy new but I would maybe consider an extended warranty on top of the 5yr/60K powertrain warranty Subaru offers. If for no other reason other than it comes with a CVT transmission. I personally would steer clear of those but to each their own.
I know the original poster is looking to buy new but I would maybe consider an extended warranty on top of the 5yr/60K powertrain warranty Subaru offers. If for no other reason other than it comes with a CVT transmission. I personally would steer clear of those but to each their own.
Varmint
NES Member
A lot of the Subaru's have 100k mile warranties on the CVTs, I hear about people with 2017s and 2018s now getting the extension. Our Outback's failed at 99k miles and was replaced for free. Dodged a bullet there. Car's been bulletproof otherwise.
Subaru has extended the warranty on CVT’s to 10 years 100,000 miles.
Subaru had a CVT in the Justy. Whether that matters who knows. I bought a 2014 3.6R because it was the last year with the VTD drive system and 5EAT.
Facing Complaints, Subaru Offers Extended Warranties On 1.5 Million Automatic Transmissions
Had a 2013 Outback (3.6r) transmission fail at 60k. Embarrassing. CVTs are terrible in general, and Subaru has apparently made/used an especially poor one.
bought my wife's 2016 outback from Cityside in Belmont. pretty sleezy crowd even by car dealership standards. however last year when I was looking for my own car replacement I stopped by the subaru dealership in natick and one of the salesmen was a fellow 2A gun nerd. nice guy. i ended up getting another mazda but i would probably go back there in the future.
Varmint
NES Member
3.6R wouldn’t have been a CVT, but Subaru has several generations of CVTs and they keep getting better. I drove a 2019 and they pretty much drive like an automatic now. Reliability is another story, I don’t know if they’re still have issues or it’s just an image thing.
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. I hear that they are not serviced, just replaced, but wouldn’t know: we haven’t bought a CVT car yet.
But 2013 3.6R didn’t have one? It had a 5 speed automatic made by Jatco. Jatco 5R05 transmission. Covered on warranty?
It was used in Legacy and Outback turbos and six cylinders from 2003 to 2014 and a bunch of Nissans. Bad luck for you: they are generally “bulletproof.” Our 2006 3.0R has one with 230,000 miles, including extensive towing.
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193rdsoldier
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So your saying dealers aren’t always the most expensive! Lol. That’s crazy money for a horn. Must have been more involved.
The best car salesman that I've dealt with is Chris Stubbs at Autofair Subaru. Their finance guy wasn't too much of a d-bag either, financing was arranged through a local credit union.
Supporting Your Cylinders - Open, Semi-Closed, Or Closed Deck?
I never knew this about Subaru, the head gasket issue persists, the 2.5 is open deck, its alot cheaper to make (remember the commercial) and this cost cutting design apparently allow the head(s) to move around-gaskets anyone?.
NAS; never another subaru
Your Subaru WILL need head gaskets-your newer Subaru has a transmission which CANNOT be repaired or rebuilt, only replaced with either one from a bone yard (feeling lucky?) or with a reman for many thousands of dollars but it does come with a one year warranty.
Does this really make any sense?
Don't buy, you won't cry-maybe a little peace with a lease.
Remember to keep your eye on the bottle.
forgot to tie this into the op query,
look for a dealer which can/will put your mind at ease with the above
I never knew this about Subaru, the head gasket issue persists, the 2.5 is open deck, its alot cheaper to make (remember the commercial) and this cost cutting design apparently allow the head(s) to move around-gaskets anyone?.
NAS; never another subaru
Your Subaru WILL need head gaskets-your newer Subaru has a transmission which CANNOT be repaired or rebuilt, only replaced with either one from a bone yard (feeling lucky?) or with a reman for many thousands of dollars but it does come with a one year warranty.
Does this really make any sense?
Don't buy, you won't cry-maybe a little peace with a lease.
Remember to keep your eye on the bottle.
forgot to tie this into the op query,
look for a dealer which can/will put your mind at ease with the above
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My wife and I both have Subaru's. She has a 17 outback and I have a 14 Crosstrek. Yes, and i'm secure enough in my heterosexuality to drive anything (except my moms old VW Beatle). Previously I also owned a 13 impreza and a 08 STI stage two Cobb AP upgrade. That was a sick car. Liked them all and never had any major mechanical problems with any of them.
As far as CVT. If you know anything about them you would know the reason many car companies are switching over to them is due to two things. Government regulation to mandate better fuel economy and generally they are cheaper to manufacture than tradition transmissions. There is approximately +600 less parts in a CVT Tranny than a transitional gear style and generally they provide smoother driving experience and longer reliability. When many companies started to switch over to the CVT's yes there was generally some quality and design issues as with any newer designed product. But generally these days I would put a CVT against any automatic gear transmission for lasting longer and more reliable. Not to say there are not lemons out their.
All that said I generally hate driving any thing without a stick. To me its not driving. Next vehicle i buy will have a manual transmission no matter what.
As far as CVT. If you know anything about them you would know the reason many car companies are switching over to them is due to two things. Government regulation to mandate better fuel economy and generally they are cheaper to manufacture than tradition transmissions. There is approximately +600 less parts in a CVT Tranny than a transitional gear style and generally they provide smoother driving experience and longer reliability. When many companies started to switch over to the CVT's yes there was generally some quality and design issues as with any newer designed product. But generally these days I would put a CVT against any automatic gear transmission for lasting longer and more reliable. Not to say there are not lemons out their.
All that said I generally hate driving any thing without a stick. To me its not driving. Next vehicle i buy will have a manual transmission no matter what.
Varmint
NES Member
We had a WRX with 133k miles, never needed a head gasket, or any engine work. Our 100k Outback hasn't needed one. I think the fact so many people repeat buy Subarus indicates not every needs a head gasket.
Varmint
NES Member
That's why I went with the Civic hatchback Sport - turbo + 6 spd manual and cheap money (21k). Wanted a WRX though, lol.
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Wow, must of been something wrong with all the subaru's I have owned cause I didnt have any of those problem. Nice internet fear mongering though.
Also not all Subaru 2.5 engines are open deck design.
Go to any manufacture car, Honda, Toyata, Subaru, Chevy, Ford. You will find 100's of posts like yours.
I had to have the CVT replaced in my 2016 Forester and it was replaced with a factory rebuilt from Subaru.
Yes I know 2 year old car needs new CVT stuff happens. Worked with someone that bought a brand new truck diesel engine blew a month after purchase.
Yes I know 2 year old car needs new CVT stuff happens. Worked with someone that bought a brand new truck diesel engine blew a month after purchase.
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Varmint
NES Member
We literally missed paying $4500 for a CVT by like 500 miles (it died at 99,600 miles). The CVT problems are very real. It's too early to say if the new gens are fixed.
The head gasket issue is overblown though.
highlander, you were lucky did the dealer mention, or do you know, what the cost would have been if not a warranty repair/replacement?
The cvt does save fuel the last I saw was barely one mpg.
Larry, how many have you owned-how many did Subaru buy back from you-how many class actions did Subaru settle in the past three years-how many owners of late model 2.5's were told that a quart of oil every 300 or so miles was 'ok'-how many times were you told by the kids in Cherry Hill that the problem(s) being experienced were 'part of the Subaru driving experience' what dealer do you work for/own-?
The cvt does save fuel the last I saw was barely one mpg.
Larry, how many have you owned-how many did Subaru buy back from you-how many class actions did Subaru settle in the past three years-how many owners of late model 2.5's were told that a quart of oil every 300 or so miles was 'ok'-how many times were you told by the kids in Cherry Hill that the problem(s) being experienced were 'part of the Subaru driving experience' what dealer do you work for/own-?
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It actually isn't.
The Steering Wheel Clock Spring breaks, takes the Angle Sensor with it. = $1K
A common problem, I hear.
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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.
CVT replacement would have been north of $4000. Fortunately the repair was covered under the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. I had the car for a month and was having excelleration problems thought it was something simple.
When I was told the CVT was slipping I was thinking what internal organ am I going to sell.
When I was told the CVT was slipping I was thinking what internal organ am I going to sell.
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TheGreekFreak
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Buy a manual, CVT worries solved.
Subaru added a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty on the head gasket years ago.
Head gaskets are a maintenance item on many alloy engines. Because the Subaru has two heads, it’s more expensive than an in-line 4 or 6. Neither the H6 nor turbos experience any unusual head gasket problems: it’s mostly 2.5L Outbacks. A lot of those cars are treated like rented mules and that’s probably part of the problem.
We had two 2.5L Outback’s. We replaced the head gaskets on one at 140,000 miles as a precautionary measure along with other precautionary maintenance like the water pump, oil pumps-ring seal, front camshaft seals etc. These were all well-known maintenance points. We sold that car to a relative running perfectly with 189,000 miles, who traded it in, still running, on another Subaru at 245,000 miles. Our 2006 has 230,000 and runs like a champ.
Subaru is now the 9th largest brand in the US market, despite selling most of their cars in the snow belt. If Honda or Toyota ever make an AWD system that actually works, that might change. But it hasn’t yet.
We’ve owned or own Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Nissan, and Subaru in the last 10 years. None of them are perfect: pay your money, take your choice.
This ^
Yeah, tons of justifiable CVT hate in this thread but makes me wonder ...why bother? I have a five speed WRX and the only negative thought I have isn't "when will I replace my transmission?" but rather, "I wish I had a sixth gear.."
