Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: mtnbkr on December 05, 2013, 07:29:04 AM
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I got a call from my wife yesterday that the van was making a noise like a pressure washer and was spewing steam. My immediate thought was that a radiator hose had burst. No sweat, I'll pick her up, then get a replacement hose. When I got there, the hoses were intact and there was no obvious pooling of coolant. I started the van, which ran fine and without making any noises. I drove it to a nearby Walmart a half mile away. No issues, but while idling in the parking lot, it makes the noise and spews steam from *somewhere*. I take care of my biz at Walmart, then drive the van home (3 miles). No issues and the event didn't happen again.
Because an oil change was due, I went ahead and did that, then ran the engine to check for leaks. While the engine was running, I decided to set up my phone to capture video. The link below is the video. It appears *something* is pumping out coolant under high pressure, but not continuously. In the video, it's doing this while I turn the steering wheel side to side.
Video: http://s1100.photobucket.com/user/allencb/media/Odyssey_Engine_zps9a99cab0.mp4.html (van sounds loud because the phone is in the engine compartment, it actually runs smooth and quiet)
It's definitely coolant as there was a small puddle under the passenger side of the van after this.
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1100.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg405%2Fallencb%2Fed0dcb55-b464-4b1b-a95e-d06b23559f73_zpsa0d236cc.jpg&hash=0bfed2eeed5a2193df4a6aa89a99368bcb215e9c)
Any ideas?
I'm glad I bought the extended warranty. I'm also glad this happened now rather than next month because the warranty expires on the 26th. I bought this 2007 model van in 2010 with 34k on the odo. It now has 96k. In that 62k, I've replaced the AC, the timing belt (prematurely due to a failing tensioner), the steering pump, some other lesser bits, and the entire transmission. Now this problem. I had planned to keep it till it hit at least 200k. Now I'm not so sure. =|
Chris
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It does not bode well that you had that many problems with some of them major (transmission, steering pump, AC etc ) before 100k miles. Id look at the water pump.
If you can, Id get it fixed and sell it now before the value really goes down once it hits "high mileage". Being that you brought it at 34k this wouldnt happen to be an ex-rental or fleet van, would it?
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No, it was a privately owned vehicle according to Carfax. Plus, I don't think Honda Odysseys are typically rental/fleet vehicles (at least I've never seen one).
Chris
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In the video, it's doing this while I turn the steering wheel side to side.
Check the power steering fluid level and color. IIRC, they used an integrated cooler on the PS. There was also a rubber O-ring they should have recalled and replaced with a Viton one in that model.
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I just heard back from the dealership. It was the AC pump pressure valve. It was stuck open. The green liquid was AC coolant dye. Something AC-related was my first thought after not seeing a burst hose because it happened when I turned the AC on, but then it happened withe AC off, so I moved onto other possibilities.
It is covered by the warranty, so no money out of my pocket, but it would have been a $600 repair. The extended warranty has officially paid for itself (transmission was covered under the 100k drivetrain warranty for "Certified" vehicles).
Once we get it back, I'm going to document all of the issues we've had and get in touch with Honda to see if they'll extend the warranty on this "Certified" vehicle. If not, we're going to consider selling it and getting something else.
According to Kelly BB, it is worth roughly $9k in a direct sale. We can easily cover a $5k note for a 2yr term. If we get an SUV, I'll sell my 4Runner to extend the budget a bit (and realize savings in terms of insurance, taxes, etc).
Chris
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I would dump that thing in a flash...you have a lemon IMHO.
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Selling it is an option, but we have to temper that with the fact that we already have one car payment. I can handle another one, but it will eat into our discretionary funds, leaving us less resilient to unforeseen issues. I can't make a move until we find out what Obamacare is going to do to our benefits this Spring (our open enrollment is in March). In the meantime, we'll try to avoid driving the van unless necessary.
That said, a $600 repair thrice a year (far greater than what we've already dealt with not including the transmission) is still lower than the cost of payments on a suitable replacement.
Chris
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Couldn't be ... everybody says that Hondas run 200K-300K without any problems at all :P
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Let's see...
a Nissan, a Toyota, and now a Honda, and you have the audacity to claim that Subaru is an iffy proposition?
At least when I put mine in the shop next week it's going in for routine (but expensive) maintenance, not the latest episode of HOLY CRAP, WHAT NOW??? :lol:
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My brother has a Honda Pilot.
Its an SUV Odyssey
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Let's see...
a Nissan, a Toyota, and now a Honda, and you have the audacity to claim that Subaru is an iffy proposition?
At least when I put mine in the shop next week it's going in for routine (but expensive) maintenance, not the latest episode of HOLY CRAP, WHAT NOW??? :lol:
The first two were older or higher mileage vehicles when we got them. The Nissan only had 2 problems, its sin was leaking fluids due to those problems. The Toyota had a whole host of issues, but none were fatal. Only the Odyssey has experienced problems we couldn't ignore safely.
Of the half dozen Subaru owners I know personally, all but one (you!) have had serious, "time to call AAA", issues. One had two engines fail in under 100k, another replaced her transmission twice, and yet another had an engine failure on a brand new Outback (less than 20k miles and he had to fight to get it replaced). Only one, Mr multi-engine-failure, swore off the brand.
Then again, they didn't drive around like an old man. :P
My brother has a Honda Pilot.
Its an SUV Odyssey
Um. yeah?
Chris
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routine (but expensive) maintenance
Yeah, I always wondered about any other car make - if you take it in once every year or so and spent hundreds/thousands of dollars on "maintenance" if it would last a long time too =|
My daughter/SIL just bought a used Honda "Fit". I hope it is better than the Subaru and Toyota and Ford that she/they have gone through.
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Yeah, I always wondered about any other car make - if you take it in once every year or so and spent hundreds/thousands of dollars on "maintenance" if it would last a long time too =|
My daughter/SIL just bought a used Honda "Fit". I hope it is better than the Subaru and Toyota and Ford that she/they have gone through.
Preventative maintenance goes a long ways in the longevity of a vehicle. I do my own work but I follow the manufactures maintenance schedule in the owners manual. Most of the times its just fluids and filters.
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Preventative maintenance goes a long ways in the longevity of a vehicle. I do my own work but I follow the manufactures maintenance schedule in the owners manual. Most of the times its just fluids and filters.
I can't remember all the stuff that my mom has to do to hers every couple years, but there's some things that I never heard of changing in the life of a vehicle unless you were tearing something down.
Seems like it was about $1500 worth. I figure that's a fairly major repair.
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The first two were older or higher mileage vehicles when we got them. The Nissan only had 2 problems, its sin was leaking fluids due to those problems. The Toyota had a whole host of issues, but none were fatal. Only the Odyssey has experienced problems we couldn't ignore safely.
Of the half dozen Subaru owners I know personally, all but one (you!) have had serious, "time to call AAA", issues. One had two engines fail in under 100k, another replaced her transmission twice, and yet another had an engine failure on a brand new Outback (less than 20k miles and he had to fight to get it replaced). Only one, Mr multi-engine-failure, swore off the brand.
Then again, they didn't drive around like an old man. :P
Um. yeah?
Chris
Rented a subaru on a trip back to NJ with the wife.
Was a great car...till it broke. Even broke it was still nicer than the G6 they gave me as punishment for breaking their Subaru :lol:
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I can't remember all the stuff that my mom has to do to hers every couple years, but there's some things that I never heard of changing in the life of a vehicle unless you were tearing something down.
Seems like it was about $1500 worth. I figure that's a fairly major repair.
People don't work for free, tools cost money, got to pay for the building, taxes, etc.
When I change my tranny fluid, I probably have close to $70 in fluid, oil changes are $30 with the oil and filter I use.
Parts, fluids, it all adds up.
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People don't work for free, tools cost money, got to pay for the building, taxes, etc.
When I change my tranny fluid, I probably have close to $70 in fluid, oil changes are $30 with the oil and filter I use.
Parts, fluids, it all adds up.
Routine maintenance is cheaper than a ride on the hook and a stay in the shop...but $1500 every two years...I'd sure like to see what that consists of and such.
I still say that that many problems in less than 100k in a normal daily driver vehicle, particularly one that is fairly decently cared for, is a bad sign. A vehicle should hit the 100k mark easily with nothing more than routine maintenance, most of which is fluid changes as Charby says.
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Routine maintenance is cheaper than a ride on the hook and a stay in the shop...but $1500 every two years...I'd sure like to see what that consists of and such.
I still say that that many problems in less than 100k in a normal daily driver vehicle, particularly one that is fairly decently cared for, is a bad sign. A vehicle should hit the 100k mark easily with nothing more than routine maintenance, most of which is fluid changes as Charby says.
I don't remember the list of all the things they required my mom to have done just to satisfy the warranty ;/
Our little 2006 Chevy - everything that has gone wrong with it in 80K miles is stupid crap with the keys and shifter and door latches, etc etc etc. I dunno if it is a good vehicle engine & transmission wise but I don't think the rest of it will last that long to find out. :facepalm: I'm totally pi$$ed with it right now :mad: (spent all yesterday afternoon getting the anti-theft system straightened out so we could start it again)
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"Then again, they didn't drive around like an old man."
Seems to me that that may be serving me well, as I'm not coming in here every three months going "I was driving really, really fast and stupidly and something broke on the car. Again." :facepalm:
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Who's sinking $1,500 every two years into routine maintenance?
I'm not.
This is the 105K timing belt replacement. You do NOT want to cheap out on this particular maintenance item with ANY car that has timing belts and an interference engine. The results WILL be catastrophic if the belt breaks.
At the same time the timing belts are replaced in a Subaru, it's prudent to replace the water pump. The labor to replace the timing belts is virtually identical to the water pump, so you do them at the same time. My water pump is showing signs of leaking, so I'm not all that upset at it. I don't like where Subaru has chosen to put its waterpump, but you live with it for the many other positive attributes of the car.
I'm also having the outer axel boots replaced. They're torn. Another thing that goes bad.
This is a 2006 Outback. I bought it 2.5 years ago. I fully expect it to last me at LEAST another 5 to 10 years.
The Outback that this one replaced was a 1997. I had it just shy of 10 years. I had one wheel bearing go bad, had to do the timing belts, and had the head gaskets go. I also did the brakes and replaced the tires. Over the life of that car I figure I averaged about $200-$300 per year routine maintenance (stuff that I had to farm out to a shop).
I don't think that's bad at all.
I would have kept it, except at 14 years old, it was starting to exhibit signs that I was going to have to put a LOT of money into it. The power steering seals were leaking, the oil pump O ring was leaking and oil usage was increasing, the AC was starting to get a bit wonky (but still worked), the brakes were going to need to be replaced, the exhaust system was showing signs of major problems, and I was having rust starting to come through around the windshield (which had been replaced before I bought the car due to a bad stone chip).
I buy used cars. I let other people take the depreciation and deal with any recalls, and I buy very carefully.
Any car/brand can have problems. And any other can CAUSE problems that he attributes to the car/company. One of my favorites in that vein was a former coworker (he was a moron) who changed his oil and put in brake fluid instead of oil. Of course, the engine blew in short order. To this day he insists that it was Ford's fault, not his, and he won't buy another Ford because they won't honor their warranty... Right.
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Oh, and Chris?
I've known probably triple the number of Subaru owners you have, if not more. Quite a few of my friends and acquaintances have them, I'm quite active on several Subaru owner's boards with probably 10,000 to 15,000 members total, and I've been to a number of club events.
Out of all of the owners whom I know personally, having met them in the flesh, I can think of only one who has had a spontaneous engine failure. It was due to a timing belt failing, which was fixed under warranty without hesitation.
I can't think of anyone reporting a sudden onset transmission failure, either among the owners I know, or board members.
So, I really have to put your friends' experiences with their Subarus down to either owner abuse/inattention or a cluster anomaly.
As a class, though, I can say without reservation that the Subaru owners I know are generally extremely pleased with their Subarus, and many have multiple current and past Subarus and have every intention of purchasing another Subaru.
I have absolutely no doubt that my next car will be a Subaru.
Or an Aston Martin.
But probably a Subaru. :)
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While this may cause the end of the universe as we know it, I do have to agree with Mike. :laugh:
Once my Saab hit the 12 year mark (and Saab had gone TU), I started doing research on what would replace it.
My needs were: good FWD or preferably 4/AWD. Manual Transmission. Enough space to haul a couple dead deer/hunting&camping gear/football/baseball crap and the like. Good warranty, good history of quality.
And I talked to people about what they drove. When I talked to ones that owned Subaru's they were almost* unanimous in their praise for not only their cars but also the company and the dealership near here#.
Like Saab, they came up with solid designs and only slightly modified them to improve the quality based upon customer/field experience and input. Not radical re-designs year after year after year like the other car companies. Plus it was made here, in America@.
And with USAA I got over $5,000 off the list price. :O Yes, That is correct. I got a new $23,000 car for $18,000 and change after plates and taxes. I checked Kelly Blue book a week or so ago and my car is STILL valued for much more than what I paid.
And I know how to drive in bad weather having lived here in Chicago for 30 years%.
*- One guy who had a Tribeca complained about it's poor weight to power ratio with the four cylinder engine. The car is simply to heavy and gets poor gas mileage compared to their Legacy. Which he uses as his everyday driver (he sells to grocery stores all over the Chicagoland area and puts on 50-60k miles per year.)
# Gerald Subaru, 3.6 miles from my house straight down Naperville Rd. They also provide a free lifetime powertrain warranty above and beyond Subaru's. They got great reviews from the Subaru owners I talked to about their customer service. Not one "They screwed up and fixed it" story, all "They do great work at a great price" stories.
@- Lafayette, IN, we drive by everytime we go to Indianapolis. (It's on the Bataan Memorial Hwy in Lafayette. ;/ :O ;))
%- Except the four years, I was in Germany. On a Mountain. In the Schnee Eifel. Where we would look down at the tops of the clouds.
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I declare today APS Subaru day! Let it be written.
I can't imagine a Tribecca with a 4 banger. My mom has a 2006 with the 6 and while it is decent, it is certainly not overpowered.
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I prefer to pay for parts and maintenance than car payments, but I'm a cheap bastage. >:D
My everyday driver (not a Honda) is 16 years old,has a 1/4 million miles on it, ain't pretty, but I haven't made a payment on it in 14 years.
I figure if I have to budget $50-100 a month to keep it up, I'm still way ahead of making regular car payments.
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I'm also having the outer axel boots replaced. They're torn. Another thing that goes bad.
AFAIK, you can't replace the axle boots. You have to replace the axle. Maybe they have changed ...?
I'm sure Subaru is perfect for many people. We had a bad experience with a used one from the only dealer in this half of the state, so I'm pretty sour.
Also, my mom and a neighbor have one, and I find the seats to be too low and hard to get in and expecially out of. Our crappy little Chevy is much more truck-like and it is bad enough (a half ton 2wd pickup is about right for me - not too high and not too low).
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AFAIK, you can't replace the axle boots. You have to replace the axle. Maybe they have changed ...?
I'm sure Subaru is perfect for many people. We had a bad experience with a used one from the only dealer in this half of the state, so I'm pretty sour.
Also, my mom and a neighbor have one, and I find the seats to be too low and hard to get in and expecially out of. Our crappy little Chevy is much more truck-like and it is bad enough (a half ton 2wd pickup is about right for me - not too high and not too low).
Depending on the year you are right about the seats. My Mom has a 2003 Legacy that I simply don't fit in and I'm a short guy - not Jamis short but who else is?
Her Tribecca and all the newer models are perfectly comfortable.
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I looked at a Tribeca when I was going to replace the first Outback, and I was pretty underimpressed.
But, I also looked at a newer (2009, IIRC) Forester.
I first drove a Forester in 2001 (probably a 1998 model or so) when I was contemplating my first Subaru, and I hated it. The new Forester is NOTHING like the old one I drove.
I came seriously close to buying a Forester instead of an Outback, but I just wanted that bigger car for Mason. Surrendering the entire rear seat to him, I still have a ton of cargo space in the back.
The one thing I don't much care for about Subaru is that their warranty, while decent, isn't all that great compared to a lot of other companies now. What it covers is fine, but it's still only a 3 year, 60K miles warranty. Most other companies have gone to 5 or even 10.
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AFAIK, you can't replace the axle boots. You have to replace the axle. Maybe they have changed ...?
I'm sure Subaru is perfect for many people. We had a bad experience with a used one from the only dealer in this half of the state, so I'm pretty sour.
Also, my mom and a neighbor have one, and I find the seats to be too low and hard to get in and expecially out of. Our crappy little Chevy is much more truck-like and it is bad enough (a half ton 2wd pickup is about right for me - not too high and not too low).
You can replace the CV boots. You do not have to replace the whole axle.
Judging from what I'm seeing, there are also kits that allow you to replace the boot without disassembling the axle; a two piece boot kit. I'm not so sure about that...
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I looked at a Tribeca when I was going to replace the first Outback, and I was pretty underimpressed.
But, I also looked at a newer (2009, IIRC) Forester.
I first drove a Forester in 2001 (probably a 1998 model or so) when I was contemplating my first Subaru, and I hated it. The new Forester is NOTHING like the old one I drove.
I came seriously close to buying a Forester instead of an Outback, but I just wanted that bigger car for Mason. Surrendering the entire rear seat to him, I still have a ton of cargo space in the back.
The one thing I don't much care for about Subaru is that their warranty, while decent, isn't all that great compared to a lot of other companies now. What it covers is fine, but it's still only a 3 year, 60K miles warranty. Most other companies have gone to 5 or even 10.
Same here except I have the cargo and dog reversed using a barrier. I'm apparently asking too much of Maddie to stop trying to crawl into my lap while driving. The barrier works great for this.
The Forester is tricky, it kind of looks better since the internal volume is taller. However the usable space is a lot less than an outback now. Also the pet barrier is so far back that there is not much space for the pup.
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Not sure how big your dog is, but Mason is 110 pounds, and is undersized for his breed.
I've always carted the dogs in the back seat, primarily because I don't need it to cart humans around.
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Exactly 1/2 that size. If I need to haul something boxy I can let her up front, but have to be ready to stop her before the cuddle attack.
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You can replace the CV boots. You do not have to replace the whole axle.
Judging from what I'm seeing, there are also kits that allow you to replace the boot without disassembling the axle; a two piece boot kit. I'm not so sure about that...
Couldn't just replace the boots on the 90-something Legacy AWD. But by that time the axles were ruined anyway. We were told that once the boots are compromised that the axle is done. Something of a question whether the muddy roads destroyed the boots (making the Subaru unfit for our location) or the boots were bad when we bought the car (you know, with the "128 point inspection" blah blah blah ). The independent shop said it looked like somebody had opened up the boots to try to lubricate the axle. I know that didn't happen after we owned it. There was other stuff, like the engine light coming on conveniently the day after we brought it home. Turned out to be a plugged cat convertor (not one of the 128?). That would have been over a grand from Subaru but we had a local shop weld in a generic for a couple hundred.
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Depending on the year you are right about the seats. My Mom has a 2003 Legacy that I simply don't fit in and I'm a short guy - not Jamis short but who else is?
Her Tribecca and all the newer models are perfectly comfortable.
I've never even see one of those. If it needs a 6, aren't you back in <20mpg again ???
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I've never even see one of those. If it needs a 6, aren't you back in <20mpg again ???
It gets around 23 MPG with a 6.
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Couldn't just replace the boots on the 90-something Legacy AWD. But by that time the axles were ruined anyway. We were told that once the boots are compromised that the axle is done. Something of a question whether the muddy roads destroyed the boots (making the Subaru unfit for our location) or the boots were bad when we bought the car (you know, with the "128 point inspection" blah blah blah ). The independent shop said it looked like somebody had opened up the boots to try to lubricate the axle. I know that didn't happen after we owned it. There was other stuff, like the engine light coming on conveniently the day after we brought it home. Turned out to be a plugged cat convertor (not one of the 128?). That would have been over a grand from Subaru but we had a local shop weld in a generic for a couple hundred.
I remember talking about all the problems you had with that car in discussions past. And it still sounds to me that it wasn't really the car that was the problem, it was the people who (mis)maintained and abused it and the dealership that you got it from.
I know it's easy to blame the car and how you can be soured on it, but I really think you're misplacing your anger.
And, did you try replacing the boot yourself? Or did a dealership tell you it could only be a replacement axle?
My first Subaru was, I believe, a 1996 or 1997 (I'll have to go look) and I had a Hanes or Chilton manual for it, and one of the services they covered in the manual was how to replace the boots.
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Exactly 1/2 that size. If I need to haul something boxy I can let her up front, but have to be ready to stop her before the cuddle attack.
The ONLY time I ever had problems was with the old Outback and Ruger. If I hit a rumble strip on the pavement, she was over that seat and into the passenger seat in a flash. For some reason those things terrified her, and the only way to get her back in the back seat was to pull the car over.
The only thing Mason does is every once in awhile he'll stick his head over the seat and lick my ear.
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Which is about what it gets with a four. Compared to 28-33 on the Outback and Forester.
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I remember talking about all the problems you had with that car in discussions past. And it still sounds to me that it wasn't really the car that was the problem, it was the people who (mis)maintained and abused it and the dealership that you got it from.
I know it's easy to blame the car and how you can be soured on it, but I really think you're misplacing your anger.
And, did you try replacing the boot yourself? Or did a dealership tell you it could only be a replacement axle?
My first Subaru was, I believe, a 1996 or 1997 (I'll have to go look) and I had a Hanes or Chilton manual for it, and one of the services they covered in the manual was how to replace the boots.
Well I'm not too excited about buying a car for which the only dealer within hundreds of miles is crooked :(
The gals were down in Colorado when we finally discovered the axle problem. And the service plan did not cover the axles becasue of the open boots :facepalm:
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Axles on my 01 Outback were only $45 apiece and the originals make it to 170K. Only catch is wheel bearings, I can usually do any bearing with not much for special tools. I needed a press badly. I discovered this once my only vehicle was in a lotta pieces. :facepalm:
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This is the 105K timing belt replacement. You do NOT want to cheap out on this particular maintenance item with ANY car that has timing belts and an interference engine. The results WILL be catastrophic if the belt breaks.
I submit you don't want to cheap out on timing belts, PERIOD - considering what a pain in the ass they are to get to.
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I submit you don't want to cheap out on timing belts, PERIOD - considering what a pain in the ass they are to get to.
Absolutely. I consider timing belts to be good for about 100k. Like I said, I'd have to see what the dealership is claiming to find out if they are full of BS or not. Personally I do all my own maintenance just to not have to deal with any shop bullshit (not to mention it's cheaper...)
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dealer wanted 950 for timing belt and water pump
private shop wanted 400
i called dealer asked if he could compete. he did it for 425
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dealer wanted 950 for timing belt and water pump
private shop wanted 400
i called dealer asked if he could compete. he did it for 425
I'm so mad at Rimrock Auto that I wouldn't even bargain with them. We finally had the Legacy fixed at a shop in Gunnison that started out as just a salvage yard, but that guy seems to really know his stuff and doesn't screw you. He remembered us from when we used to live there. I can't remember what the total bill was ... seems like the axles were over $100 each just for parts (could be some extra shipping there). Then he got all that done and started it up and the water pump started spraying :facepalm: So that must have been several hundred more and of course we did the timing belt ($100 ?) at the same time. Must have been about $800 total =|
One daughter took it to Michigan and she had more problems with it back there but now I don't remember what .... She finally gave up on it and bought a Toyota van which turned out to be a total lemon (electrical/computer problems) and Toyota wouldn't fix it. She had a big claim in through MI consumer affairs and I don't remember how that came out. Then it got wrecked so that was the end of that.
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Scout, you mentioned this:
"My needs were: good FWD or preferably 4/AWD. Manual Transmission."
That's getting to be a problem with a Subaru. It appears that only the base models are coming with manuals these days. If you start adding on stuff, you have to go either to the automatic or the flappy paddle sport shift transmission.
I looked for almost two years before I finally found the one I have. It's semi-loaded for its model year (leather, heated seats, a few other upgrades) but certainly wasn't the top of the line.
I've been keeping an eye on the used and new listings for some time, and I'm not seeing much in the way of manuals on anything other than very basic models or the sporty WRX.
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It's hard enough to even find a pickup with a manual transmission anymore =(
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Just for grins and giggles I did a "build your own" Subaru. You can still get the manual transmission on the base model and the premium, which is the next step up. Good thing is you can also get the All-Weather package (heated seats, heated mirrors) in the premium. The heated seats are nice, but the heated mirrors are absolutely awesome. I'll never buy a car again without heated mirrors. Not only do they clear ice, they also do a great job of clearing rain.
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That's what I got, the premium model with the All weather package and one or two other options/upgrades. The tray liner in the trunk back is awesome. I went with Weathertech floor liners as opposed to the Subaru ones.
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So what do y'all think about this:
2000 SUBARU Forester All Wheel Drive, 4 cylinder, auto, a/c, pw, pl, heated seats, great winter car, runs and drives excellent, looks nice, 131k miles, $3950
???
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2002 Subaru Forester L - $3,800
Permalink: http://cargur.us/yfRF
Fair Deal
You save
$12
View analysis
Dealer Rating
Read 3 reviews
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2002 Subaru Forester L - $3,800
Permalink: http://cargur.us/yfRF
Fair Deal
You save
$12
View analysis
Dealer Rating
Read 3 reviews
210,975 miles ;/ :facepalm:
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Hence the discount. =D ;)
As far as the car you posted.
Don't know. I would have to go see it, fire it up and take it for a test drive (yes, with the owner in the car, especially if she's hot. Or a hot Lesbian.)
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I pulled my service records and mapped out the non-maintenance-related issues we've had since purchasing the van.
• June 11, 2011: AC Failure. Replaced clutch and stator. Mileage: 56,606
• June 18, 2013: Timing belt tensioner replaced, PS Pump replaced (making some noise, but
not impacting performance), early timing belt service performed while
replacing related components. Mileage: 92,419
Note: Started noticing subtle transmission irregularities and reported them. No problem found by tech. I embarked on a strategy of reporting the issue every few weeks to establish a pattern in case a failure occurred after the warranty expiration date.
• July 27, 2013: Returned for suspected transmission issues, none confirmed Mileage: 93,274
• August 14, 2013: Returned for suspected transmission issues. Tech determined there was a problem
after extended test drive (he had the van for over a week and actually drove it to/from home multiple
times). Transmission replaced under warranty. Mileage: 93,364
• December 5, 2013: AC-related failure. Replaced relay and valve assembly. Mileage: 96,951
So, this year was the only bad year. The repairs were not as numerous as I remembered. Except the transmission, most of the repairs wouldn't have been terribly expensive at an independent shop. The timing belt would have been an expensive job, but 92k miles is not all that early (official change interval is 110k).
I sent a letter to Honda America and CCed the GM and Cust Service Manager for the dealership I purchased the vehicle from. I've received great service from that dealership and have no complaints with them.
If Honda comes back and offers an extended warranty for another 2-3 years and 40k-50k miles, we'll probably keep it. There's no promise that the next vehicle will be any more reliable. Not only that, the totality of these repairs, absent the transmission, would have cost less than car payments for a year.
Fingers crossed...
Chris
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well, still not as bad as the 95 windstar we had. i was a die hard ford fan until then. aside from the small items, it had the head gaskets replaced and 3 tranny's go bad by the time it had 120k. i was so ticked at that van that i parted it out on ebay, just for the satisfaction of dismantling it. it wasn't until after we had it that i read comments like "of course it's rated the safest minivan for '95, it never leaves the driveway.".......... :facepalm:
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Thinking about trying to trade our Chevy HHR for an early vintage Ford Escape with not too many miles, if such a thing exists.
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My but that was brisk and bracing!
Not the wind, but the $1,670 I put on my credit card last night to get my car out of hock.
I knew it was going to be expensive, but you're never quite prepared for it, no matter how much you've told yourself that yes, it's going to be $1,500 plus.
At least I'm not prepared for it, primarily because I'm a cheap bastard.
But, I'm good for the next 105,000 miles.
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Thinking about trying to trade our Chevy HHR for an early vintage Ford Escape with not too many miles, if such a thing exists.
You know the rear axle on those vehicles have CV joints.
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You know the rear axle on those vehicles have CV joints.
Well of course, anything can fail or wear out. And we've pretty much learned to not take the short way to town with anything but a full size pickup, and even then not when the road is very wet.
I keep bouncing back and forth between trading for a small/midsize AWD/4WD SUV, and just saying screw the gas mileage and get another somewhat newer Suburban (1992-2002). There are a lot of them out there for sale, and a lot of used parts available if you need something (most parts interchange with the pickups).
We took trash to the dump in town yesterday, and I have to say that the 1989 K-1500 with 204K miles drives very nice and is much more comfortable than the little car. It looks like hell - with busted windshield and faded paint and drivers door that rattles and whistles, but it still drives very nice. I have no clue how the mpg is working out because I use it mostly for getting firewood which is basically all low range 4wd.