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 Post subject: Subaru
PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:03 pm 
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Realizing this is a Jeep forum.....

Are Subarus any good, specifically Foresters and Outbacks? I know their AWD can't compare with Jeep's 4WD, but overall are they a good option for Northeast states?

Are they simple to maintain and service, and are they reliable?


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 Post subject: Re: Subaru
PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:38 pm 
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I'll chime in with my opinion, having owned 2 of them and having family/friends with them.

First, the 2.5L motor will almost always give you grief when it comes to head gaskets. Any time a motor starts to creep toward 100k they tend to go. Mine went on my 2007 Impreza at 70k. I'm not sure about the new 2.0L.

They're everywhere in VT. They've used a lot of the same parts for years so repairs usually aren't too bad and parts availability is usually good. I've definitely owned more solid vehicles than my 2007. There wasn't much improvement between my 1999 and 2007. My dad owned a 2010 Legacy GT which was a nice car and felt more solid. Having frames around the windows seemed to help. I don't have any experience with any 2011+ models.

The AWD system works well with a nice pair of tires and the gas mileage is decent. I recall one snowstorm where the only thing that stopped me from getting up my uphill driveway was the lack of ground clearance. I plowed with the front bumper for a while and made a few runs. But at the end of the driveway I ended up getting completely stuck due to the snowbanks made by the plows on the road.

All in all I'm pretty neutral on them. I don't like their tendencies to pop head gaskets nor Subaru's failure to respond and address the issue. But perhaps the new 2.0L is better and hopefully their build quality has improved.

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 Post subject: Re: Subaru
PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 8:49 pm 
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As stated above, head gasket on my 2.5xt. If the one you look at is in that mileage range be ready to do it or hope it has been. Other than that awesome car and a good sleeper :SOMBRERO:

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 Post subject: Re: Subaru
PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:17 pm 
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A friend of mine has had an older one for a few years now.
With one close friend that has a Forester, I can't think of anything negative to say about it...

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 Post subject: Re: Subaru
PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:30 am 
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I own a 2009 Forester. It's at 40k+ miles now, nothing has failed except the shock absorbers (but roads in Bulgaria are poor). MPG is not the best (roughly equals my 3.7l Jeep KJ). Excellent handling in all weather, any road. If / when I sell it, I will most probably get another Subaru (the KJ I'm not selling! ;))

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 Post subject: Subaru
PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:34 am 
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These are great comments.

Thanks for all the excellent information.


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 Post subject: Re: Subaru
PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:07 pm 
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Only problems I know my friend has had with his older Forester is the clutch and throw out bearing.

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