What about a Subaru?

[aaronck]

I have a 2005 Legacy Wagon that I have a love/hate relationship with.
It'been great up until this year when I've had some strange things go wrong that I've never seen or a car this new-Heat only on the Driver's side of the car (other side blows cold) and the daytime running lights control box keeps blowing fuses, which means I have NO LIGHTs when it's blown. I expect this sort of thing on an old beater, but not an 05. If any of the Subi owners here have any tips on non-dealer subi specialist mechanics to take it to let me know, no one I've asked or taken it to has figured out the heating issue, and I should probably get the lights fixed properly as well.

On the plus side, it looks good, is amazing on winter roads, and for a non turbo, hauls ass. I can cruise @130 on the highway and still have plenty of power to pass. I think the mileage is good, but we upgraded from a Pathfinder, so pretty much anything is an upgrade from that.

[username]

Just a quick update for anyone who cares - I ended up getting an 08 Outback.

Thanks for all your input, it's greatly appreciated.

[Zee]

good choice...

I drive an '09 STi, a blast in the summer and winter. With a Yakima box and winter tires, it's the perfect snowboard vehicle...

[C-Four]

Originally Posted by pylon

Also, I haven't talked to him in a couple years, but if you go to Subaru of Calgary, ask for Terry if he is still there, and tell him you were referred over by Trevor at VW. When I was on the sales floor, he used to take care of a lot of people I know looking at Subaru's, just kinda lost touch with him over the years, but he is a no bs kinda guy, and one of the top Subaru sales guys in North America.

I dunno if he's still there but I got mine from him a few years ago too. Very smooth no BS process.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by username

Just a quick update for anyone who cares - I ended up getting an 08 Outback.

Thanks for all your input, it's greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the subie family.
You'll be pleasantly surprised what your car can handle.

[GoFlamesGo89]

Originally Posted by aaronck

If any of the Subi owners here have any tips on non-dealer subi specialist mechanics to take it to let me know, no one I've asked or taken it to has figured out the heating issue, and I should probably get the lights fixed properly as well.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, Shiraz or Din at All-Makes Auto are certified Subaru specialists, very honest and reasonable to deal with.

[STeeLy]

Probably the one car purchase you would not regret.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I think you're going to like your new purchase today. Hopefully it came with a set of snow tires too for added goodness.

[username]

Haha, yup in the the words of Larry David - It's doing pretty pretty pretty good on the roads today.

I'm pretty stoked right now, I can't wait to get this thing on the highway when I'm snowboarding in Revelstoke in 2 weeks. I'll probably put some winter shoes on it before then though.

STeely - I'm 100% sure I won't regret this.

[Erick Estrada]

Pros:
-Non-turbo Subaru's are usually pretty reliable and Subaru's simple AWD system is less complicated than the competition for example the 2008+ WRX's don't even have the rear LSD anymore.
-Solid lineup of compact to medium size cars/CUV's with AWD standard
-Subie owners seem to be a pretty loyal group and get pretty attached to their cars. Not sure why but they do.

Cons:
-Unless you are a HP freak I would caution to stay away from turbo models. Hundreds of 2009 WRX engines have had to be replaced due to rod knock and 2008+ STI's suffer from an alarming number of ringland failures. The WRX 5 speed isn't that great either.
-Terrible paint. Terrible. Japanese manufacturers are all using substandard water based paint which is inferior to that used by domestic and german cars but Subaru's seems like the worst as chips turn into rust very fast and there will be plenty of rock chips driving in Calgary. 3M is a must.
-Lots of interior rattles and the odd driveline clunk. As Subie owners say; "It's what makes a Subaru a Subaru"
-Maybe the biggest problem with buying a Subaru in Calgary is that the two dealers are by far some of the worst in the city. Not as bad as the local BMW dealerships but not good at all.

Bottom line is that they are pretty good cars for our climate and non-turbo models are fairly reliable. If you are used to driving Honda's or VW's you will find Subaru interiors low rent but you are getting AWD for a decent price. If you are looking for all out performance personally I would look at the Mitsubishi Evolution X which is faster, handles much better, has a superior AWD system, and a stouter engine over an STI.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

pylon, a way OT question, but what's your opinion of the 3.0 TDI available in the Touareg?

Unreal....

V8 torque, quiet, civil, fast..... beautiful engine. Now we are getting the true euro diesels over here, you can understand why 60% of veedubs sold in Europe are diesel.

You can't even hear the thing idling unless you put your ear on the hood, and the people buying them are stunned by how good the fuel economy is. The only drag is the urea canister you have to refill, but the MFI gives you ample warning when it needs to be replaced. We give all of our customers that buy one 2 canisters to keep in their garage which I believe is good for about 50k.

We are sold out of them until June right now, but the supply has been very tight as well.

However, the big news coming down the pipe, will be a TDI Tiguan for North America....finally, launching in late 2011 as a 2012 model. It is what I am going to replace my 2008 GTI with.

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by pylon

However, the big news coming down the pipe, will be a TDI Tiguan for North America....finally, launching in late 2011 as a 2012 model. It is what I am going to replace my 2008 GTI with.

I love the Tiguan. This would be high on my radar if I decide to upgrade in 2012.

[Mad Mel]

Thanks pylon. The Tiguan would interest me too, as I'd prefer a smallish SUV. I'll have to see if they're bringing the diesel to Oz; my guess is yes, since diesel cars are very normal here.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by pylon

Unreal....

However, the big news coming down the pipe, will be a TDI Tiguan for North America....finally, launching in late 2011 as a 2012 model. It is what I am going to replace my 2008 GTI with.

Will it come with a manual transmission?...[prepares for disappointment]

[STeeLy]

Companies are looking to phase out Manual transmission... please don't.

/threadjack

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by pylon

The only drag is the urea canister you have to refill, but the MFI gives you ample warning when it needs to be replaced. We give all of our customers that buy one 2 canisters to keep in their garage which I believe is good for about 50k.

Much like those "Inkjet Cartridge Refill" booths in shopping malls, it's only a matter of time before some guy who drank a few too many pints opens up a "Urea Canister Refill" booth, and refills your canisters by taking a wee into it through a coffee filter.

[kirant]

As to not make another topic, I thought I'd ask this here: Are Subarus are a suitable "my first car" vehicle? I've been looking at them for some time and, according to this topic, are pretty good.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by kirant

As to not make another topic, I thought I'd ask this here: Are Subarus are a suitable "my first car" vehicle? I've been looking at them for some time and, according to this topic, are pretty good.

If they fit your budget and your needs...then yes

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by kirant

As to not make another topic, I thought I'd ask this here: Are Subarus are a suitable "my first car" vehicle? I've been looking at them for some time and, according to this topic, are pretty good.

Cars are one thing I personally think you have to drive to really determine.

Subarus are good cars in general... I would think they'd make a good first car. Unless you're looking at the WRX or STi already, then maybe not.

I go with the believe that I don't think the newly licensed (not saying that you are) should be driving a car with that much power.

Test drive the cars and other cars in the same "class" and compare for yourself.

[BlackArcher101]

What Steely said. You'll find though that used Subaru's have maintained their value more than other brands and will be a bit more costly for a first car.

Wrx/STi, not recommended for most first time car owners.