Subaru Owners?? Options

[chucho]

Any subaru or former subaru owners on the site? I'm trying to figure out the upkeep cost of subaru and the boxer engine. I'm very interested in buying a XV Crosstrek in a few months but don't want to buy anything that has as much upkeep cost as my VW Jetta. I live a distance from work so we put a lot of miles on our work vehicles. 60 miles one way to work . Thanks for any feedback.

This post has been edited by chucho: Feb 4, 2013 - 8:09 AM

[Box]

I've heard good things about Subaru, haven't owned any though. VW's are just expensive on parts. My friend had a VW Beetle, and the cost on parts was ungodly. Being Subaru is Japanese, cost on parts won't be anymore than Toyota, Honda, etc...

[njccmd2002]

im a subaru engine owner, but i have only heard good things about them engines. parts should be easy to get. The only thing i dont like about subaru is there are not that many dealers in my area. But i can take my to toyota.

[95CelicaST]

Current boxer (not boxster, FYI) engine owner, and previous Subaru owner.

Boxer motors have their challenges. They're just like all motors - regular and on time maintenance will save you tons of grief down the road. Some aspects of the boxer motor would be a challenge (spark plug replacement, head gasket replacements, etc.), but just find a reputable Subaru shop in your area and you'll be fine once your warranty runs out. With that said - buy the extended warranty.

For aftermarket stuff, most of Subarus motors have interchangeable components, so building hybrid motors is very easy - at least when it comes to the EJ2XX motors. I think the XV is rocking a lower performance variant of the FA20 that the FRS/BRZ have. Since it is new tech I don't know what might be available there, but to get a better idea of what can be done to the FA20 performance wise and also maintenance I would suggest heading over to ft86club and checking out the technical forums.

This post has been edited by 95CelicaST: Feb 4, 2013 - 1:31 AM

[chucho]

Thanks for feedback. Really just wondering if parts are going to be in VW price range or Toyota. I've heard great things about reliably of Subaru engines and part of the reason I'm leaning towards the XV.

[richee3]

I've looked into a few of Imprezas, everything between the base model and an STi. They seem to be solidly built cars, and I would have bought one instead of my RX 300 if there was anything good on the market around here. From what I've seen, Subaru owners generally stick with the brand and cost of ownership really isn't too bad.

[ILoveMySilly97]

Man I've always wanted to own a 2.5rs or the wrx hatch/wagons...

[Malek]

Man I've always wanted to own a 2.5rs or the wrx hatch/wagons...

2.5rs?

This is my old one. It was the fastest car I've ever driven. Of course it was was full swap and built but yeah haha kind of miss it..not really though. Too many issues



To the OP though, stick with a base model 2.0/2.5 boxer and you should be good The XVs look badass!

This post has been edited by Malek: Mar 5, 2013 - 12:21 PM

[soulshadow]

the turbo motors need a constant head gasket change at higher mileages. The last one I owned needed a complete motor rebuild at 289K which isn't too bad for a 02 WRX. Up keep of a NA engine is not as expensive as a turbo boxer. Motor swaps are fairly simple since they all use just about the same motor mounts.

[ILoveMySilly97]

Man I've always wanted to own a 2.5rs or the wrx hatch/wagons...

2.5rs?

This is my old one. It was the fastest car I've ever driven. Of course it was was full swap and built but yeah haha kind of miss it..not really though. Too many issues



To the OP though, stick with a base model 2.0/2.5 boxer and you should be good The XVs look badass!

Awwww...you lucky ass. Lol. I was searching for a 2.5rs for a good month until I found my Celica. Those are so hard to find in good shape.

[chucho]

Well now the owner of a 2013 Outback Limited Real nice car and will fit our needs.

[Box]

Oddly enough there is a 2.5 RS coupe for sale locally. NEVER see them. Though I'm at the point where I'm getting a domestic vehicle now. If not for that I was considering it.

[1994Celica]

My brother has an 02 WRX wagon and loves it. It has it's quarks but he seems to like it a lot.

[njccmd2002]

bumping this from death, does anyone know when the 2015 sti will be for sale on the lots? Its a shame the hatchback got killed... I guess for some buying the last of the hatchbacks will be a priority

[creis]

Don't know about to 15' sti.

I'm a Multi subaru owner, (2001 2.5rs coupe + 2005 WRX) There great cars, the head gasket is true, around 100k and they need to be replaced which means pulling the motor resurfacing the heads and new studs but beyond that scheduled maintinance and there generaly problem free if you stay away from mods that is. I spun a bearing in my stage 2 wrx pushing it too hard but I picked up a new long block and dropped it in (was a much much easier swap them replacing the 5s in my celica.) my 2.5 is completely stock and has had only 1 issue (besides head gasket which was preventative done at 105k with the timing belt) the fuel pressure reg when out around 117k, pretty simple fix. (I've put 100k miles on it since I got it at 49k) Worst problem is the paint on the front bumper is thin, and rock chips add up. the 2.5 handels like nothing else, not as smooth a ride as the wrx but damn you can throw it into corners as hard as you want and it holds it. Driving the 2.5 for a while then hopping in the wrx makes it feel like a boat around the corners (though suspention mods can fix that, stock for stock is crazy.)

[sandusky1977]

My wife drives a 99 Forester, and she loves it, I don't but she does.

It's been great to drive, don't get me wrong, and it's got a ridiculous amount of miles 195k or so, but she wasn't checking the oil and we had to replace the engine. Being a 99, for some reason only the 99 engine would fit, so when it came time to find one in a yard, it cost me $1600 for the motor with a broken manifold bolt.

So, in my experience if you keep up on your maintenance and keep oil in it, the upkeep is very low. At least on our 99.

[jordisonjr]

If you bu a subaru, prepare to bu a new motor..

In all seriousness though, be carefull with how you mod them, i've heard of at least 5 subaru owners cars blowing up, just in my friends group. all ranging from lightly modded, to next to stock, and yes, they did take care of them.

[SupraKid]

My roommate has a 2014 Impreza and when we did the first oil change we noticed it had lost about a half a quart of oil. Took it to the dealer and they said that its normal. Subaru FTW