Subaru main dealer service history - what's missing?
Discussion
A few comments on other threads have got me wondering. My '06 Impreza WRX has a full Subaru main-dealer service history from new. It all seems nice and healthy, but there are various horror stories from other manufacturers about cars with a FSH failing because something that wasn't on the service schedule failed (a friend's Golf GTI lost all oil pressure because the oil pick-up pipe was seriously clogged, for example).
Is there anything I should check or be aware of for the scoob? I'll keep the dealer servicing going (helps with the warranty for a start) but I don't mind supplementing it with a good indy specialist if needs be.
Is there anything I should check or be aware of for the scoob? I'll keep the dealer servicing going (helps with the warranty for a start) but I don't mind supplementing it with a good indy specialist if needs be.
Mr Taxpayer said:
The only part still under warranty at this point is the bodywork for corrosion.
On the plus side Subaru are =9th in the latest What car?/Warranty Direct manufacturer reliability tables. Pity your Golf-owning friend as VW came 23rd.
Nope, got a year's dealer warranty when I bought it On the plus side Subaru are =9th in the latest What car?/Warranty Direct manufacturer reliability tables. Pity your Golf-owning friend as VW came 23rd.
(and he sold the Golf!)
Slightly off-topic, but I have bought the same age/model (manufactured 2006 but registered 2007) and having a few worries over the gearchange.
Does your WRX hesitate to go into first/second/reverse sometimes? I'm not sure what is normal for Scoobies (been spoilt with Honda and Porsche 6-speed manuals) but now a little hesitant to use the lower gears as sometimes 1st (and 2nd to a lesser extent) will catch. If I leave the car for a week and start from cold - then I often have to do the "try 2nd, 1st, then into reverse routine". Just to add, there is no crunching when changing gear, and in everyday use the car is almost acceptable. It is on 58k so a new clutch isn't out of the question. Any ideas?
Does your WRX hesitate to go into first/second/reverse sometimes? I'm not sure what is normal for Scoobies (been spoilt with Honda and Porsche 6-speed manuals) but now a little hesitant to use the lower gears as sometimes 1st (and 2nd to a lesser extent) will catch. If I leave the car for a week and start from cold - then I often have to do the "try 2nd, 1st, then into reverse routine". Just to add, there is no crunching when changing gear, and in everyday use the car is almost acceptable. It is on 58k so a new clutch isn't out of the question. Any ideas?
fido said:
Slightly off-topic, but I have bought the same age/model (manufactured 2006 but registered 2007) and having a few worries over the gearchange.
Does your WRX hesitate to go into first/second/reverse sometimes? I'm not sure what is normal for Scoobies (been spoilt with Honda and Porsche 6-speed manuals) but now a little hesitant to use the lower gears as sometimes 1st (and 2nd to a lesser extent) will catch. If I leave the car for a week and start from cold - then I often have to do the "try 2nd, 1st, then into reverse routine". Just to add, there is no crunching when changing gear, and in everyday use the car is almost acceptable. It is on 58k so a new clutch isn't out of the question. Any ideas?
Changed the gearbox oil? Ask for advice on the Opie Oils sticky.Does your WRX hesitate to go into first/second/reverse sometimes? I'm not sure what is normal for Scoobies (been spoilt with Honda and Porsche 6-speed manuals) but now a little hesitant to use the lower gears as sometimes 1st (and 2nd to a lesser extent) will catch. If I leave the car for a week and start from cold - then I often have to do the "try 2nd, 1st, then into reverse routine". Just to add, there is no crunching when changing gear, and in everyday use the car is almost acceptable. It is on 58k so a new clutch isn't out of the question. Any ideas?
A lot of impreza's are a bit sluggish between 1st/2nd and even going into 1st when cold. Not really a sign of anything majorly wrong, just a 'characteristic'...they free up normally when warm. If it isn't, check the fluid level is high enough on the tranny dip. If it's low, top it up. If it's high enough and still sticky then it may be worth a fluid change with some decent stuff.
fido said:
Slightly off-topic, but I have bought the same age/model (manufactured 2006 but registered 2007) and having a few worries over the gearchange.
Does your WRX hesitate to go into first/second/reverse sometimes? I'm not sure what is normal for Scoobies (been spoilt with Honda and Porsche 6-speed manuals) but now a little hesitant to use the lower gears as sometimes 1st (and 2nd to a lesser extent) will catch. If I leave the car for a week and start from cold - then I often have to do the "try 2nd, 1st, then into reverse routine". Just to add, there is no crunching when changing gear, and in everyday use the car is almost acceptable. It is on 58k so a new clutch isn't out of the question. Any ideas?
The car's on 97k miles and I can't say I've noticed anything in particular; that said I don't do much early mornig manouvering, the car is always parked for a straight out getaway :-) The gear selection is lovely and precise. I did have a 6spd MX5 from new to 65,000 miles and that was distictly stiff and notchy into 1st/2nd on cold mornings until the box had warmed up.Does your WRX hesitate to go into first/second/reverse sometimes? I'm not sure what is normal for Scoobies (been spoilt with Honda and Porsche 6-speed manuals) but now a little hesitant to use the lower gears as sometimes 1st (and 2nd to a lesser extent) will catch. If I leave the car for a week and start from cold - then I often have to do the "try 2nd, 1st, then into reverse routine". Just to add, there is no crunching when changing gear, and in everyday use the car is almost acceptable. It is on 58k so a new clutch isn't out of the question. Any ideas?
Mr Taxpayer said:
fido said:
Slightly off-topic, but I have bought the same age/model (manufactured 2006 but registered 2007) and having a few worries over the gearchange.
Does your WRX hesitate to go into first/second/reverse sometimes? I'm not sure what is normal for Scoobies (been spoilt with Honda and Porsche 6-speed manuals) but now a little hesitant to use the lower gears as sometimes 1st (and 2nd to a lesser extent) will catch. If I leave the car for a week and start from cold - then I often have to do the "try 2nd, 1st, then into reverse routine". Just to add, there is no crunching when changing gear, and in everyday use the car is almost acceptable. It is on 58k so a new clutch isn't out of the question. Any ideas?
The car's on 97k miles and I can't say I've noticed anything in particular; that said I don't do much early mornig manouvering, the car is always parked for a straight out getaway :-) The gear selection is lovely and precise. I did have a 6spd MX5 from new to 65,000 miles and that was distictly stiff and notchy into 1st/2nd on cold mornings until the box had warmed up.Does your WRX hesitate to go into first/second/reverse sometimes? I'm not sure what is normal for Scoobies (been spoilt with Honda and Porsche 6-speed manuals) but now a little hesitant to use the lower gears as sometimes 1st (and 2nd to a lesser extent) will catch. If I leave the car for a week and start from cold - then I often have to do the "try 2nd, 1st, then into reverse routine". Just to add, there is no crunching when changing gear, and in everyday use the car is almost acceptable. It is on 58k so a new clutch isn't out of the question. Any ideas?
BenWRXSEi said:
I have to reverse my car round my house every morning and sometimes have to do the reverse-first-second-reverse dance if it’s the first cold start of the day. Likewise the junction at the end of my street I have to wait until the car is fully stationary before it’ll easily slip back into first. This was the same for my current (65k) and previous (130k) Impreza, and for both cars it frees up after a minute or two of driving. I think it’s just a case of ‘they all do that, sir’
I had a particularly bad episode where I didn't to the '2-1-R' routine and kept trying 'R' until it went in .. then later on crunched it into 2nd .. almost as if the gearbox has a memory! But the more I drive it the less I hesitate to get it into 1st/2nd.The problem is it feels a bit like the clutch is right at the end of its travel.
Anyway, it's booked in for a check-up and perhaps a fluid change or adjustment will make it better.
They'll happily take your money if you ask them, you need stop finding faults that aren't there and drive it.
Years ago I had an Audi A8 4.2 Quattro , loved it but the worst thing I ever did was join an audi forum , after reading about £5k tales of horror I was scared to death to start it
My 09 impreza came with a full subaru history when I bought it 2 years ago but I didn't keep it up because I have a mechanic I trust and I don't like paying ££££ an hour for somebody to walk round under it undoing a few nuts and a bit of prodding.
When you go to a main dealer you put your trust in the management because you don't have a clue who is actually working on your car while its out of sight
Years ago I had an Audi A8 4.2 Quattro , loved it but the worst thing I ever did was join an audi forum , after reading about £5k tales of horror I was scared to death to start it
My 09 impreza came with a full subaru history when I bought it 2 years ago but I didn't keep it up because I have a mechanic I trust and I don't like paying ££££ an hour for somebody to walk round under it undoing a few nuts and a bit of prodding.
When you go to a main dealer you put your trust in the management because you don't have a clue who is actually working on your car while its out of sight
FYI - new clutch fluid seems to have sorted the gear change issues - think it might have been slightly gaseous. Also had the gearbox fluid changed at the same time. Quite impressed with the mpg (getting 29.5 from a mixture of short and long journeys - though mostly along the A3 and not always with a light right foot!). Now to sort out the temperamental boot lock - garage says it cost £300 to replace the mechanism(?)
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