What issues should one look for when buying a Subaru

zoinkedI know they have issues with the head gasket but that's about all I know tbh.

Gonna buy used so I'd rather not be ass raped financially when I buy it and a month down the road shit hits the fan.

**This thread was edited on Mar 1st 2021 at 10:38:08pm

r00kieRust in the rear wheel wells. A lot more back there than I thought.

mystery3Get 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?

tri_photoI've heard that Subaru's tend to go thru oil kinda quick, at least pre 2014 models do. But other than that... my brother has had Subarus for years, I just bought one... they perform great

SuspiciousFishSubaru'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.

zoinkedI’m looking at either a wrx or outback

mystery3Year 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.

tri_photoI've heard that Subaru's tend to go thru oil kinda quick, at least pre 2014 models do. But other than that... my brother has had Subarus for years, I just bought one... they perform great

zoinkedLooking for something around 06’ to 08’ for the outback and for the wrx around the same years. Price range is around 8-10k and I’m located in TN

bmickIf it has a lot of miles

cobra_commanderbuying 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.

skierman_jackSee 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

DolansLebensraumBuy 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.

zoinkedI'm living in Tennessee atm, shouldn't be a issue

DolansLebensraumCool. Go with God based tennessenpai

DolansLebensraumBuy 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.

r00kieWhat Colorado considers rusty has nothing on what the upper Midwest considers rusty. When out your way Im amazed at how many older cars drive around looking brand new.

CTDugh just dont subies are so over rated its insane.

DolansLebensraumI wish subaru made a taller suv that could compete with the crv

r00kieWhat Colorado considers rusty has nothing on what the upper Midwest considers rusty. When out your way Im amazed at how many older cars drive around looking brand new.

nkwillieSpent 4 winters in Montana with my '98 Wrangler and I swear the first winter back in Minnesota it's rusted more than it did in those salt-free years combined

Mtuhockey33The 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.

DolansLebensraumWhy would the midwest corrode cars more than colorado? Dont they both have alot of snow and alot of rock salt on the roads?

Ill check it out. Why are you pessimistic about subarus? I thought they were one of the most reliable jap brands.

Mtuhockey33Midwest 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)

DolansLebensraumWhy 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.

Does it not snow alot at your location in montana?

CalumSKISubies are super fun until u start burning oil like an old school lamp

Mtuhockey33The 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.

ski_salmon69I 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

ScaryDumpTruckGenerally if the previous owner sold drugs do not buy it from him