Got it in 2004, and it’s been perfect. We try to take good care of it. It’s carried us from Spokane to Memphis, to Dallas, Chicago, Toronto, and to San Diego and San Francisco without a glitch. It’s amazing on snow: you’ll have cars in the ditch left and right, and our little Forester just keeps going, steady and never losing traction. We had bumper cars atop Snowqualmie pass, on our way to a Rustycon: we saw ’em in snowbanks, in the ditch, everywhere, but our little beast just kept going. There’s a reason every third car in Washington is a Subaru. They can’t take chains, because of the AWD, but then, they don’t need them. Gas consumption is good, even by today’s standards. And they’re comfy—not to mention the heated seats in front. Those are to die for on a snowy morning. It never has a mechanical issue. It’s in today for routine maintenance and an oil change, and I may say the mechanics at Appleway Subaru hung the moon. There’s a reason there’s not that much turnover of personnel in that shop. They know you, know your car, keep careful records—I just got a call confirming (since they didn’t do the last oil change: they’re quite a far drive) that I still use synthetic oil.
The faithful Subaru's in the shop, getting it's 110,000 mile checkup.
by CJ | Oct 15, 2010 | Journal | 5 comments
5 Comments
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CJ, does your user’s manual say that you can’t use chains? I’m just curious, because my wife’s car (a Toyota RAV4) has AWD and we can use chains if needed–which we haven’t, that car is amazingly sure-footed, even on ice.
It actually does. We bought them ( a local dealer has an offer to sell them and buy them back at the end of season) and couldn’t use them. There isn’t apparently enough spare room on the wheel/brake assembly. We also have to have special stuff when the state does its emissions tests, but I think that’s for any AWD. But these little car-based SUV’s are cat-footed and have good antiskid measures.
I’ve got a ’98 Impreza Outback with 225K miles on it. I have had the odd axle failure, possibly a compromised boot there. But I love my ‘ru. I haven’t got it tricked out for winter comfort, but then I live in VA. Snow? SRSLY? Well, we got lots last year.
*chakaal Hi5’s fellow Subaru drivers!
Yep, after 110,000 miles, the damage is, the regular oil change, due for a replacement of the timing chain, and the front brakes, new fluids. It’s way cheaper than a new car, and if you look at all the rockwork in the pond and realize that that poor car carried all of it, it’s doing darned well for its age! We could pick it up this afternoon, but it’s a long way, Jane’s still suffering from the flu shot, and we’ll get it tomorrow morning.
I’m on my third Subaru: GL wagon, Legacy wagon and my current Forester. Good cars, especially if you find a good mechanic. They really need some one who specializes on them, they do things differently than the standard Japanese car.
Phil Brown