What issues should one look for when buying a Subaru
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Non_State_Actor
Active member
topic:zoinked said:
Get a pre purchase inspection done at a shop that knows subies.
Other common issues that aren't headgaskets include bad differentials, clutch issues, coilpacks, turbos and wastegates.
For what specific vehicle are you shopping?
MichiganCatFart
Active member
Some of the newer automatics transmissions that are cvt, if not taken care of, will blow.
SWRTOFFICIAL
Active member
I was looking for a wrx a bit ago and so many of them had salvage titles
SuspiciousFish
Active member
14252017:tri_photo said:
Subaru's love to burn oil. Especially if you downshift a lot or use engine braking on hills. Something about the negative pressure dumps oil into the cylinder. I took my Impreza on a really windy back road once around Sundance in Utah and downshifted a lot going down the hills and I swear it burned almost a quart by the time I get back.
One thing to check on Subarus' is the timing belt replacement. They are supposed to to be done at 100k miles and its an interference engine so it will basically go BOOM if you let the belt snap. Its something to ask on higher mile ones and if it was not done I would incorporate that into your price negotiation.
Also check out the CV axles and make sure the boots look good. Subaru CV axles are really expensive to replace and the cheap ones at AutoZone are not recommended at all. If you know what you are doing you can get a reboot kit for like $80 at the dealer but if you dont know how to do it its something to look into. Im basically a pro at rebuilding them at this point lol.
Also, the rear hub bearings get fried if you do too much E-brake stuff so really listen for any kind of whining in from the back of the car. They are almost impossible to replace yourself too. Its not a huge job for a mechanic but still a few hundred.
Spark plugs are a total pain in the ass on boxer engines so they may be neglected. Not a deal breaker but be prepared to probably throw some new ones in after purchase.
Other than that the cars are pretty solid. I have had my Impreza since 2007 and aside from the normal maintenance (and head gaskets) it has been reliable.
skierman_jack
Active member
Check for leaking around the head gasket and valve cover gasket. Check the oil level and condition. Go for a drive and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Under normal and even lightly spirited driving it should never go over half way up the gauge. Check coolant level/condition and while driving up hills and under load make sure you can’t smell coolant burning. Look for rust: quarter panels, rockers, strut towers, floor pan, roof, wheel wells. If it’s a manual don’t be alarmed if it’s hard to get into 1st and reverse as long as it shifts without popping and grinding while driving. If it’s a turbo car make sure all mods have been tuned for. Check for fluid leaking anywhere around the rear main seal/trans/CV axles. Make sure you check with the owner as to maintenance that was performed and when. Around 100k subarus will need head gaskets and timing belts/water pumps. If the car is at 100k+ and hasn’t had that maintenance done get ready to fork out some cash on top to get that done
Non_State_Actor
Active member
14252022:zoinked said:
Year range? Price range? Location?
Also this is kind of like looking for a hot hatch/sports coupe and a minivan. Those two vehicles are not very similar.
SuspiciousFish
Active member
One nice thing about Subaru's from 2002-2008 is there are tons of parts available online and on Craigslist.
WoFIowz
Active member
14252017:tri_photo said:
Yeah there was a huge class action lawsuit for it. But the threshold is a quart in 1200miles and your car must be 100k miles or less. 1200 miles for an oil light to come on is bullshit and idk how they think that is acceptable for oil that they advertise is good for 5x that length. My oil light comes on after 1500-2500 miles. Had 3 oil consumption tests and passed them all. Had too many long trips where it came on mid trip. So now I just carry an extra quart which is like $10. Get my oil changed... Then when the light comes on, I top it off, then get it changed when the light comes on again. Before that I was getting oil changes every 2-3k miles or less which is garbo.
2013 subaru legacy. Still like my car but wish I woulda known that before buying.
skierman_jack
Active member
See if you can find a 2004-05 wrx wagon. The EJ20 is considerably more reliable than the EJ25 that came in 2006+ wrxs. A clean low mileage 2004-05 wrx should be in your price range. Also look at 2004-2007 forester XTs and Outback XT/Legacy GT
14252148:zoinked said:
cobra_commander
Active member
buying a used subaru seems like a dumb idea. They really don't depreciate enough to take the risks on subpar maintenance or potential abuse headed out that many subaru owners are inclined to hand out. If its got a turbo run away.
all of this is negated if you have a friend who really knows their shit to look it and the maintenance records over.
all of this is negated if you have a friend who really knows their shit to look it and the maintenance records over.
ronders_
Member
Don’t know too much about subarus but my criteria for cars is something like this
- no strut tower rust
-no rear wheel well rust
- no rocker rust
- no major rot anywhere (other than maybe spare tire well but you can just cut that out nobody sees it)
- not leaking massively
- clutch not slipping
- doesn’t sound like it’s about to throw a rod
- no shitty hacked mods that are irreparable
I’m willing to put up with pretty much anything if the body is rust free
- no strut tower rust
-no rear wheel well rust
- no rocker rust
- no major rot anywhere (other than maybe spare tire well but you can just cut that out nobody sees it)
- not leaking massively
- clutch not slipping
- doesn’t sound like it’s about to throw a rod
- no shitty hacked mods that are irreparable
I’m willing to put up with pretty much anything if the body is rust free
dolanslebensraum
Active member
Buy one from
california or arizona/new mexico/texas—anywhere that it simply does not snow.
the snow plows in utah and colorado and other places that it snows alot spread rocksalt on the snow to melt it, and the salt corrodes the fuck out of the underside of a car.
The underside of a car thats been driving around on dirty snow and salty wet asphalt for 10 yrs is going to be a fucking disaster compared to a car thats been chillin in texas for 10 yrs.
california or arizona/new mexico/texas—anywhere that it simply does not snow.
the snow plows in utah and colorado and other places that it snows alot spread rocksalt on the snow to melt it, and the salt corrodes the fuck out of the underside of a car.
The underside of a car thats been driving around on dirty snow and salty wet asphalt for 10 yrs is going to be a fucking disaster compared to a car thats been chillin in texas for 10 yrs.
dolanslebensraum
Active member
14252553:zoinked said:
Cool. Go with God based tennessenpai
Mtuhockey33
Member
I haven’t seen it mentioned but seriously have the Steering Rack and Pinion checked out. Subaru is fucked in that they use an electronic steering rack and pinion set up that goes to shit after 100,000 miles (rough roads make them wear/break sooner) You can’t buy a used one as Subaru is the only manufacturer (unless scrapyard/ebay) and they’re $1,200 without labor.
as everyone else said, they eat oil. My 2013 Impreza was a total piece of shit when it came to oil.
also, the paint on my Impreza was trash. It chips easily, rusts easily and I haven’t seen too many positive reviews on it.
lastly, do a little research on the car itself... don’t buy salvaged, make sure the owner wasn’t some 16 year-old who just beat on the car because “iT’s An ImPrEzA tHeY gO fAsT!” When it’s not a WRX or STI. Most WRX’s/STI’s around my area have been beat on by younger drivers who want a fast car that’s (somewhat) affordable.
as everyone else said, they eat oil. My 2013 Impreza was a total piece of shit when it came to oil.
also, the paint on my Impreza was trash. It chips easily, rusts easily and I haven’t seen too many positive reviews on it.
lastly, do a little research on the car itself... don’t buy salvaged, make sure the owner wasn’t some 16 year-old who just beat on the car because “iT’s An ImPrEzA tHeY gO fAsT!” When it’s not a WRX or STI. Most WRX’s/STI’s around my area have been beat on by younger drivers who want a fast car that’s (somewhat) affordable.
freestyler540
Active member
I bought a pre owned 2015 forester a couple years ago. 70,000km.
So far, no unexpected breakdowns. This year I sunk 1200$ on new break assembly and a new battery. Its now at 108,000km and still runs great. Just had it inspected and she is still shiny under the body. Still no rust
So far, no unexpected breakdowns. This year I sunk 1200$ on new break assembly and a new battery. Its now at 108,000km and still runs great. Just had it inspected and she is still shiny under the body. Still no rust
thateastcoastski
Member
14254521:CTD said:
one of the best and if not the best awd systems you can get in a car. especially if u have a sti with front and rear lsd
also subies are known for having bad control arm bushings and struts. u can tell a subie needs new rear struts if u drive over a weird incline say a driveway and u hear a weird clunk. also like someone said before watch out for the years and models that had a oil over consumption issue. i know someone who has a 2010 fozzy that has like 70k and it burns massive amounts of oil, almost to the point where it wouldn’t have any oil in it between oil changes if it wasn’t topped off. they are currently contacting subaru to see if they can fix anything.
other than that watch out for issues previously mentioned and please buy a car that was well maintained with plenty of service records and you’ll be fine. if you’re looking for a car that is purely reliable don’t buy a turboed subie because they are known for having blown turbos around 100k. n/a subies are just cheaper obviously. just change your oil and coolant often to prevent your head gaskets from going. i change my coolant every year because if u don’t the coolant can become corrosive and since subarus are horizontally opposed that coolant pools in the bottom of the heads and can make the head gaskets wear out faster. i think most of the common issues people have were covered. other than that have fun with whatever car u decide to buy.
qazwsxedc34
Active member
Does it start
dolanslebensraum
Active member
I wish subaru made a taller suv that could compete with the crv
Mtuhockey33
Member
14254744:DolansLebensraum said:
The new Ascent is huge... they’re kinda making bigger vehicles. With that being said; just get the Honda. It’ll last longer with 1/3 the problems of the Subaru.
dolanslebensraum
Active member
14252669:r00kie said:
Why would the midwest corrode cars more than colorado? Dont they both have alot of snow and alot of rock salt on the roads?
when i say colorado im talking about the mtns tho. West of denver.
14252766:nkwillie said:
Does it not snow alot at your location in montana?
14254747:Mtuhockey33 said:
Ill check it out. Why are you pessimistic about subarus? I thought they were one of the most reliable jap brands.
Chunderface
Active member
lesbians hidden in the trunk.
Mtuhockey33
Member
14255126:DolansLebensraum said:
Midwest usually throws down a tonnnn of salt. Colorado is usually better about salt (they use a less corrosive mixture)
As far as Subaru’s go... they have wayyy too much mechanical shit to go wrong than right on them. If you go with a brand new WRX or STI, they’re fine at high altitudes due to the turbo. If you get just a little 4-banger Impreza, you’re fucked in the mountains. I was constantly in 4th gear just to try to get up I-70 outta Denver into the mountains...
they’re not terrible if you don’t beat on them and if you go through all the routine maintenance but just like Nissans CVT transmission, the reliability of most of their parts is terrible (most of the parts are designed for 100,000 miles)
nkwillie
Member
14255126:DolansLebensraum said:
In Bozeman they only use sand because they're so close to Yellowstone and realize the negative impact that road salt has on the watershed/environment. It definitely snowed more than Minnesota but sand itself isn't necessarily corrosive. Meanwhile, Minnesota has hella lakes and uses SO much salt. It's not a surprise that our lakes are green most years.
isaacwrong
Active member
Can confirm what everyone has said, oil consumption, timing belt, head gaskets
:
Check for amount of rust if it's a new england car: ask for carfax, subies driven down south are prime because they don't get snow/salt.
Had to replace my gas tank this past year from a split tank that was causing an evap leak that was caused by corrosion. Ended up being $1700. 6-8hr job, drop the drive shaft, exhaust etc.
Subies can last for ever if you do the proper maintenance but pricey to fix if you wait
:
Check for amount of rust if it's a new england car: ask for carfax, subies driven down south are prime because they don't get snow/salt.
Had to replace my gas tank this past year from a split tank that was causing an evap leak that was caused by corrosion. Ended up being $1700. 6-8hr job, drop the drive shaft, exhaust etc.
Subies can last for ever if you do the proper maintenance but pricey to fix if you wait
ski_salmon69
Active member
14254747:Mtuhockey33 said:
I hate the newer SUVs subaru has come out with. My mom got the new forester and it looks so fucking ugly compared to the older boxier ones. And all the new shit like steering assist and lane departure warnings and the idle shutoff just feels weird to me
ScaryDumpTruck
Member
Generally if the previous owner sold drugs do not buy it from him
Notaskibum
Member
Just buy a Toyota and put snow tires on it. Way better life choice.
isaacwrong
Active member
14255611:ski_salmon69 said:
This is fax..always liked the outback pre 2010. Even the impreza is thic since 2012