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angryhampster posted:I may be looking to buy a used subaru next month. It'll probably be ~'99-04 and my budget is $10k. Most of my options have between 75-100,000 miles. What sort of things should be happening at this point as far as maintenance goes? Anything I should look out for? Whatever I buy will have a manual trans and possibly a turbo. 105k is the timing belt for most models I believe. I got an alignment on my '99 Forester and it seems to have fallen out of alignment again. Is this like my old Volvo where it's caused by worn out suspension bushings of some kind?
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Oct 4, 2008 09:40
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MMD3 posted:somebody please allay my fears... I dropped my car off to have the windows tinted a few minutes ago and I wanted non-metalized tint (can't do w/out my talk radio yo). so the jump in percentages was from 15%-35%... I opted for 15% because I would rather err on the side of more privacy but now I'm worried I'll go pick it up in a few hours and it'll be super dark. 15% in the front seems a little dark to me. In the back it's not so bad. The best thing to do is always keep your mirrors and windows clean so you get a clear view.
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Oct 15, 2008 02:30
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CharlesM posted:I got an alignment on my '99 Forester and it seems to have fallen out of alignment again. Is this like my old Volvo where it's caused by worn out suspension bushings of some kind? Anybody have an idea on this one? Could it be tie-rod ends? The car also vibrates from 25-35 mph.
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Oct 15, 2008 21:05
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kimbo305 posted:wow, 20 years of the STi (well, in Japan): I found this video of an STi being "unloaded" from a trailer from that site: http://jalopnik.com/5064535/crappy-video-shows-crappy-day-for-already-busted-subaru-sti
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Oct 24, 2008 22:03
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I wonder if maybe they are Enkei RP-01 wheels, and maybe they don't print the R for some reason? As for the oil filter change, Mazda changes their supplier at what seems like every five minutes. It's never really mattered.
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Oct 30, 2008 07:42
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Hmm would those mudflaps help keep water from splashing up on the rear window of a Forester? I'm looking around for a wiper stalk with the intermittent setting though, as regular is just too fast for most of the time. Also, there are pine needles EVERYWHERE at this time of year in Seattle, and they get into everything.
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Nov 15, 2008 01:11
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palatka posted:What are the differences between the Forrester 2.5X and an Outback 2.5i? They seem to have a lot of the same features including the same engine but the outback costs $2-3k more. The Forester (one 'R') is a different car than the Outback. The Forester is Impreza based and smaller. The Outback is based on a Legacy and larger. The size difference is probably not as great with the '09 Forester. I don't really know about the different trim levels. Kia Soul Enthusias fucked around with this message at 02:22 on Nov 30, 2008 |
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Nov 30, 2008 02:20
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A lot of people on the Forester forum have been raving about the "Aero" wipers from the 2009 Forester. If you have an Impreza the 2008 STI ones will fit. I put them on my brother's Outback Sport and they seem good.
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Dec 9, 2008 03:39
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With my dad's 2003 WRX it was pretty hard to get the dealer to acknowledge any problem with the transmission, I think because they were told by Subaru to try and deny any boy racers who had been racing, etc. I went to a different dealer 80 miles away, and they acknowledged, yes, grinding going into first gear at a complete stop is not normal.  So yeah, sometimes it can be some work to get that work done. Glad MMD3 didn't have the same trouble I did!
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Dec 9, 2008 04:16
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littlehulkster posted:It was actually the best automatic you could get in a small car when they introduced it, they just haven't changed it at all since like 1989. Compared with the older units, the newer autos shift smoothly and use better shift logic. They may not differ much internally but it's much more pleasurable. However, I still would not pair it with a turbo model.
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Dec 13, 2008 03:40
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littlehulkster posted:The Phase 2 is actually worse than the original, IMO. It was supposed to be smoother, but for some reason the shift solenoids like to fail and it likes to torque bind. Do you have some evidence of this, empirical or anecdotal?
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Dec 13, 2008 12:44
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Don't pump the brakes. Let it do its magic -- keep your foot down. edit: also what tires are you using?
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Dec 15, 2008 01:03
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Well my brother victimized the 2006 Outback Sport a little. It spun out on some ice and curbed one of the wheels. It still has the stock tires, I forgot what kind they are. I told him to buy some winter tires and steel wheels, he doesn't believe me that all-season tires aren't really that great?? What do you guys in the Seattle area run? edit: Also what shops do you guys use, if any? I don't have any tools at my brother's place and the steering bushings on the Forester need to be replaced.
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Dec 15, 2008 02:37
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The axle should be somewhere around $150-$200 for a remanufactured Subaru unit. I'm not that keen on those Autozone ones. edit: Oh it's an STi, hmm...That may make a difference. Not sure. Kia Soul Enthusias fucked around with this message at 07:56 on Dec 17, 2008 |
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Dec 17, 2008 07:52
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8ender posted:I crushed a bearing good a few weeks back going into a ditch. My mechanic said it fell into three pieces when they popped it out. I think they do that anyway. I asked one of the dealers if they should inspect the wheel bearings on my Forester (as it was a reoccuring problem on the first ones). They said not unless there are symptoms, as it falls apart when you take it out.
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Dec 19, 2008 18:18
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littlehulkster posted:If you anticipate routine stops and don't drive like a retard it's not a problem. All you have to do is slow down and use engine braking until the end. People are in love with the brake pedal though. Not if you're driving on untreated snow in hills. I had to chain up the '06 OBS which still has a set of stock RE92A tires.
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Dec 26, 2008 09:53
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TeMpLaR posted:
Maybe this is a silly question but why does it take a few days to replace a mirror? Paint-matching?
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Jan 22, 2009 10:56
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For 2010 I figure they will be focused on the new Legacy. It's possible there will be new transmission options, including a reintroduction of a CVT on the N/A 4-cylinder. Well, that's what some Japanese magazine says.
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Jan 27, 2009 04:59
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jamal posted:A VF52 (09 turbo) and a good tune. Add a downpipe and you're at around 280whp on pump gas for less than $2000. A stock 08 sti makes 230whp on our dyno, for comparison. Aren't there suspension differences also?
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Jan 28, 2009 08:40
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atomicfire posted:The automatic version actually has the more "intelligent" AWD system because it uses a viscus center differential versus open diffs all around for the 5 speed. I do know that the automatic can vary the front/rear torque split, however. I'm not really bright so I'm not going to pretend I understand how all that works.
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Feb 3, 2009 08:03
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I think we told you to buy new tires. edit: Also in my experience you have to use the gas sometimes. It's instinct to hit the brakes but they don't do a lot of good on ice. When it snowed here in December I found an open parking lot to try and see all the different things that I could do. Kia Soul Enthusias fucked around with this message at 09:10 on Feb 3, 2009 |
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Feb 3, 2009 09:08
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dreggory posted:Also, what is the normal procedure for buying from tirerack.com and getting them put on? I've been advised (and seen for myself) not to go to places like discount tire, etc. What's the alternative? What's wrong with Discount Tire?
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Feb 7, 2009 02:41
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dreggory posted:I may be completely off base here, but I tend to lump them together with all the jiffy-lube type places. Kids running around using air tools on everything, breaking poo poo, denying it, etc. atomicfire posted:Lots of Subaru's have that "problem", just don't pump gas at the fastest setting and you'll be fine. I've had 3 Subarus and never had that problem. That's not really a solution.
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Feb 7, 2009 04:56
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My point is that it's not a characteristic of owning a Subaru and just working around the problem is not a solution. Furthermore, as for "no one really knowing the solution", in the links you provided it states that the problem is with the vent valve on the fuel filler neck.
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Feb 8, 2009 12:39
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Palicgofueniczekt posted:I meant in my post, I had a question about my front drivers side wheel making a clunking sound. It would have made me warm and fuzzy if someone would have confirmed the cause. I have a '99 Forester but I don't know the answer to your question, sorry.
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Feb 20, 2009 00:22
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hedgegnome posted:Hey look what I did yesterday! I have "saggy butt" on mine too, after I put 06 XT springs and struts on my 99. The off-center steering wheel is something that should be fixed by the alignment shop.
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Mar 4, 2009 10:28
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Wow, I am looking for tires for my old Forester, there is really nothing worthwhile in 205/70/R15. Anybody have some spare 16" wheels? Just kidding.
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Mar 5, 2009 22:06
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ab0z posted:I'm guessing nothing corresponds to the AFR scale on that graph, as a 33:1 AFR at 3500 rpm probably would have undesirable consequences. It's the green line.
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Mar 11, 2009 15:16
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This is probably a really newbie question but what is the big red thing?
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Mar 14, 2009 10:21
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Ohhh duhhh. The silver part is also part of the intake manifold. I see the injectors now. I probably shouldn't try to post so late at night.
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Mar 14, 2009 14:39
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If you have extra cash I say you should paint the side-skirts as well. I did that on my dad's silver WRX and it really just made it look better.
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Mar 21, 2009 04:06
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Yeah well, the insurance company wanted me to take my car to Circuit City to replace the stolen stereo, and they provided the harnesses to CC too. Well they charged my dad an extra $40 when he picked it up because the kid said he bypassed the amp (B.s., already done), then a few years later I discover they cut the factory harness and wired it that way. Assholes. For the CV boot, I got my Forester from my brother after he had it for quite a few years. There was all kinds of stuff weird with it but I didn't get a chance to check it all out myself. I didn't find out the inner passenger CV boot was bad until it burst open totally and splattered the grease all over the exhaust (I will know what that smell is from now on). The dealer I took it to only replaced the boot (it was the only one I could find that take it the same day, had to drive 800mi the next day) but I have had strange vibrations in the front end from 15-25mph, and I don't know if it could be from that one another CV joint (chances are another one will go some time since one already did).
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Mar 28, 2009 04:49
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Cat Terrist posted:You need more than a flamesuit, laddie. Driving a auto WRX is a truly awful experience. I have to agree with you there, although I have not driven the later 2.5L turbo models. On the N/A models the transmission has been updated and is significantly smoother and more pleasant to drive, so there may be improvement on the WRX too, but really, I wouldn't recommend the auto to most anyway.
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Mar 30, 2009 08:27
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I thought they stopped using the aluminum hoods after a few years because of the cost of material. They may have brought it back, I dunno.
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Apr 2, 2009 15:40
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I did have a parking brake cable snap on me on my old Camry, but it was while I was pulling the lever up. I don't know how likely it would be to spontaneously snap while parked.
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Apr 6, 2009 22:05
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I know when I had the '03 WRX they switched over to a smaller filter for the turbo models, because the filter was very close to the exhaust system and would get heated up. If you don't have that issue and the bigger one fits it seems like it'd be ok. I always used to use the V6 filter for my old Mazda I4.
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Apr 12, 2009 04:00
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Are you talking about a new or used one? I had syncro problems on a 2003 too and had to work hard to find a dealer who would fix it. Grinding going into first gear at a stop is not normal! Other than that it really isn't the smoothest box but I could manipulate it by rev-matching. edit: As an aside, one of the things I would have liked in that model was tighter gear ratios and / or more power down low. If you're doing something that's lower speed but need to stay in the powerband, it was kind of a pain to go back and forth between first and second, especially since there was such a gap between them. I haven't driven a new 2.5L turbo but I bet I would like that. Kia Soul Enthusias fucked around with this message at 08:44 on May 9, 2009 |
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May 9, 2009 08:40
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Oops I mean that's what specifically happened to mine. I don't remember exactly how going into first felt besides being much more clunky than my Mazda, I'm sure Jamal will know.
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May 9, 2009 09:04
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Wouldn't better tires be the best thing for braking performance? I did notice the stock pads on my old WRX could fade quite easily, though.
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May 22, 2009 07:52
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That'd be good for snow also. I stranded my bro's OBS in deep snow. Of course, I should have stopped when I started having trouble. Ah well.
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May 22, 2009 14:23
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