Thinking about a Forester

[coyote]

I’ve always overserviced my subies and have rarely paid more than $200 for a service, so what they’ve quoted is not cheap unless a 100,000km service will fall due.

In the last 6 months we’ve bought a new Impreza and a 3 year old Outback. I love that the Impreza has a manufacturer warranty that covers everything, but kindly told the dealer he could keep the paperwork for his dealer warranty because I thought it was worthless. I even had to get it serviced at their dealership for it to keep the warranty!

The only warranty claim I’ve made in over 10 years of owning late model subies is to have a rattly exhaust heat shield replaced, so I’m not too concerned.

[Vl5spd]

I’ve always overserviced my subies and have rarely paid more than $200 for a service, so what they’ve quoted is not cheap unless a 100,000km service will fall due.

In the last 6 months we’ve bought a new Impreza and a 3 year old Outback. I love that the Impreza has a manufacturer warranty that covers everything, but kindly told the dealer he could keep the paperwork for his dealer warranty because I thought it was worthless. I even had to get it serviced at their dealership for it to keep the warranty!

The only warranty claim I’ve made in over 10 years of owning late model subies is to have a rattly exhaust heat shield replaced, so I’m not too concerned.

I don't think that the 100k service will be due for about 4 years at the rate we use it. Would they do the car cheaper without dealer warranty? I suspect not.

Whilst its re-assuring to know that they don't break that often, in the event something big goes, it would be nice to have some warranty to cover it.

How much do dealer warranties cover? I doubt it is going to be as good as factory but never the less, is it worth my time?

[Captiva Fan]

The dealer warranties are quite often written in double-speak that sounds like stuff's covered when it's not. For example, if a nut comes loose way down inside the HVAC system & it takes 10hrs of labour to identify & tighten it, no part was replaced so the warranty may not cover it (well, this was the warranty my mum had; fortunately it was only an hour of labour).
On the other hand, there are other warranties cover exactly what the factory warranty covers, and you don't have to keep going back to the same dealer for servicing. My mum had this on her '98 Liberty; of course, being a Subaru it turned out to be a waste of money.

Oh, and in NSW the dealer legally has to give you a warranty for 6 months, unless the car is still inside the factory warranty period for 6 months after you buy it; you can't bargain the price down by canelling this. The other warranties are usually taken out with a 3rd-party warranty company rather than the dealer itself (eg. Wynns), the dealer only sells the warranty to you.

[smee]

My XT uses oil and a fair bit to. Dealer was not shocked when I told him.
Having to add 1 litre after a trip up to QLD was not good.
I check th oil each fortnight, and before we travel away.
Car has puff of blue smoke on startup and has just on 50,000k on it and has had since about 8000k
I know of 2 XS's personally (not here say) that have had an engine replaced due to oil consumption and a number of Outbacks/liberties due to the same problem from NRMA serviceman friend who put them on the truck.
Give me back my GT any day for comfort and handling, but the XT for outright power and speed.

[Vl5spd]

Dealers!

So we went to the dealer on Saturday to test drive the Foresters.

They were pretty good to drive, a bit more go than the Mirage which was nice. Boot space was pretty good and the back seat leg room for the kids was pretty good too. So overall I was happy.

After test driving 2, a 2003 and a 2004 model, we decided to go with the 2003 model as it had been looked after muuuuchh better (i.e not run into poles).
While we were out, they did a valuation for a trade in on our car - 2003 Mirage, with air p/s alarm mags etc etc 50k.

Then we came to the fun negotiating bit - however, he didn't want to negotiate, stuck to his ticket price of 27k and offered me 6k trade in on the mirage (which I found quite insulting despite the fact its a mirage). After about half an hour of "negotiating" I got the shits and left forester-less.

Such a pain in the arse. Anyway now I've got to sell the mirage privately and then find another Forester.

[DRIFTIN]

27K?!! Christ. That's a bees dick away from a new one.. $31990 onroad (and there is a bit of room in that to get some options thrown in)

[Vl5spd]

27K?!! Christ. That's a bees dick away from a new one.. $31990 onroad (and there is a bit of room in that to get some options thrown in)

Exactly my point. He didn't seem to get it though. A new one is on the cards now

[smellytofu]

Subaru are not known for discounting... do get a new one if it's only a few k off.

[DRIFTIN]

I got 6k off my WRX and have just negotiated 4K off an XT-L with options. Haven't decided if I am going to buy it yet though.

[Vl5spd]

Starting to think about that Xt in the NT now tee hee...

[DRIFTIN]

you'd want to hurry! the owner is genuine, but also sold his sti quite cheap as he doesn't seem to want to waste any time selling!

i've thought about it myself (save 15k on buying a new 06XT-L) but i can't get over the auto thing.

[Jim]

FYI I switched to premium fuel and instead of the halfway mark at the tank being at only 200k's it's currently at 280, so I'm expecting a tank range of 500k's from 40L, and that's with the air con on this week! (Just got it fixed). 500k's per tank is a LOT more convenient than 400.

[DoctorB]

I got 6k off my WRX and have just negotiated 4K off an XT-L with options. Haven't decided if I am going to buy it yet though.

Those discounts are unheard of in Melbourne.

It would almost pay to buy a car in Darwin and drive back (almost)

[DrNick]

Truck it down... Would be ~$800 via TNT...

S

[DRIFTIN]

i'm sold on the XT-L

just waiting for the rex to sell before i sign - tyre kickers abound.