I had a 05 KLR built in Thailand and had no issues as well.Scoobynut said:
You make a very good point. I think culture may play a large roll in the quality of a japanese product built in Japan. I think this because most of the work being done by japanese residents take pride in the work they do and would be ashamed (ashamed might be to strong a word) if there was any defect in the product they played a part in making/creating. Not to say an american or canadian worker feels any different but the cultural differences I think does make a big difference.markjenn said:
I will need to get a car before the snow flies. I was going to buy a new car but I blew the money on a Super10 instead. ONFTEN said:
So I am looking at used cars. Subarus are on my list. However people keep telling me that Subaru head gaskets are like BMW final drives. I might buy one anyway, because I drive so little. But it is giving me pause.
I drive a 2005 impreza wagon, 70,000 miles, changed a front brake caliper and one o2 sensor, total less than $200. I think thats quite reasonable. in the snow, its amazingly well balanced, almost as much fun on dirt...just wish I had more power as its not a wrxelizilla said:I will need to get a car before the snow flies. I was going to buy a new car but I blew the money on a Super10 instead. O
I've owned 5 Subarus. Never had a heads gasket go, nor did I know of any other owners that did....elizilla said:I will need to get a car before the snow flies. I was going to buy a new car but I blew the money on a Super10 instead. O
I knew one person who had a bad gasket, it leaked, but didn't snap in half and dump the car on it's arse, so comparing that to BMW final drives problems is a bit extreme.elizilla said:
Here's the deal on the headgaskets. The old DOHC 2.5, circa approx. 1996-99, did have common headgasket problems and was replaced by a SOHC 2.5 in 2000. The later SOHC 2.5 only seems to have any headgasket problems if people neglect regular coolant changes, just as most any other motor would. I drove my WRX, a fairly stressed high-performance turbocharged 2.0 liter motor, for 176,000 miles and never had a headgasket problem. Matter of fact, it still ran like new when I sold it. Most of the bad rap about headgaskets is based on that earlier DOHC 2.5. The people who are telling you they are like BMW final drives are probably still basing their 'opinion' on that older motor. The problem has largely been eliminated. Subaru headgaskets are no more problematic than any other headgasket these days. I love WRXs, even at my (somewhat) advanced age (47). Porsche-like performance for around 26 grand, and you can use most of the performance even with snow and ice on the roads. The Subaru AWD is rear-biased so you can practice your tail-out powerslides on snow if you feel like it. I've gotten to where I can drive entire city blocks sideways! (Professional driver on a closed-circuit course, please do not attempt). >elizilla said:I will need to get a car before the snow flies. I was going to buy a new car but I blew the money on a Super10 instead. O
Is that because there is always an EVO hanging around somewhere?Scoobynut said:
Get the STI and you can tailor your brake bias as you like, Woo Hoo! Subarus are fine cars and in the auto industry, engineering does not stand still. Auto companies address maintenance and performance issues, because to ignore them is to lose sales.Scoobynut said:Here's the deal on the headgaskets. The old DOHC 2.5, circa approx. 1996-99, did have common headgasket problems and was replaced by a SOHC 2.5 in 2000. The later SOHC 2.5 only seems to have any headgasket problems if people neglect regular coolant changes, just as most any other motor would. I drove my WRX, a fairly stressed high-performance turbocharged 2.0 liter motor, for 176,000 miles and never had a headgasket problem. Matter of fact, it still ran like new when I sold it. Most of the bad rap about headgaskets is based on that earlier DOHC 2.5. The people who are telling you they are like BMW final drives are probably still basing their 'opinion' on that older motor. The problem has largely been eliminated. Subaru headgaskets are no more problematic than any other headgasket these days. I love WRXs, even at my (somewhat) advanced age (47). Porsche-like performance for around 26 grand, and you can use most of the performance even with snow and ice on the roads. The Subaru AWD is rear-biased so you can practice your tail-out powerslides on snow if you feel like it. I've gotten to where I can drive entire city blocks sideways! (Professional driver on a closed-circuit course, please do not attempt). >
Long story short, if you're looking at a used Subaru, make sure it's a 2000 or later, and inquire about coolant changes, and any other maintenance history for that matter. Beware of any turbocharged Subarus owned by the immature crowd or that have been highly-modified (the two usually go hand-in hand) -- it's a good indicator the entire car, and not just the motor, have been beat to within an inch of its life. The non-turbo SOHC 2.5 is a good, tough motor and will last hundreds of thousands of miles if maintained. Take your time and find the right one. Good luck!
