Timing Belt

[bigjimpack]

Your point is? I wouldnt bother with a 6 cyl subaru in a wagon or
sedan as the performance increase isnt noticable and the fuel economy
suffers. I wouldnt use premium no matter what it says as it is a
waste of money and will cause no damage despite what those brainwashed
think. I do not plan on buying another subaru until they fire the
current deigners and engineers and make the outback what it used to
be. The new subes from WRX on down are just plain ugly. New outback
has poor ergonomics and has lost the raised roof and big foglights.
The GT lost the hood scoop and the tribeca- dont even get me started
on that one. I will keep my 04 for a couple more years as the wife
is up for a new car next.

 

[StephenW]

Next vehicle will likely be an Xterra or Wrangler. Both have chains
so I wont have to shell out the $500 to fix it. One has a LIFETIME
powertrain warranty so even if the chain goes at 400k miles it's
free. No I dont buy "cheap" vehicles thank you. I buy reasonable
vehicles that provide long service. The premium gas thing is a
complete scam and even if I bought a vehicle that "required" it (not
likely) I'd use regular gas and have NO problems.

While I like (Jeep) Wranglers, to say they are quality shoots a hole in your
own theory about saving money.
Jeeps 4.0 have been known to crack exhause manifolds, so much that out local
junk yard sells aftermarket replacements.
Jeeps love to leak; Seen countless rear axle seals, some with 30k-60k miles,
lots of leaks around the transfer case and transmission.

And the premium gas is not a scam. We have had a few 6 cylinders running
like crap due to lower octain gas. I believe the 6 cylinders rule is premium
suggested, if performance problems is noted, then go to a higher octain.

--
Steve
ASE Master Tech
L1 Diag
Currently residing at a Subaru Shop
4.5 years doing tires and alighnments

 

[bigjimpack]

That's why the Jeep is a big IF. Chrysler quality is always a
crapshoot. That's what extended warranties are for though. If
Toyota was smart theyd have revived the FJ cruiser as a direct
wrangler competitor instead of an ugly impractical waste of money.
Toyota name, four doors, removable top and theyd sell like hotcakes.
I had personal experience with a turbo passat 01.5 same as audi.
"Required" premium never got it. Many many problems but none related
to fuel. LAsted 140k+ then was on its way out for tranny and other
issues. They new Jeep uses a 3.8l which is reputed to be pretty good.

 

[Todd H.]

That's why the Jeep is a big IF. Chrysler quality is always a
crapshoot. That's what extended warranties are for though.

And I bet that extended warranty costs more than a pair of $500 timing
belts. And based on owner reports rolled up in Consumer Reports every
year, if reduced mtc costs are your interest, neither of those
manufacturers are exactly known for reliability.

If you want a chain and an engine that doesnt' seem to have major mtc
problems, the Subaru H-6 seems like one of the less trouble prone
you'll find, based on what I've read here for 6 years.

 

[Fred Boer]

I've not heard anything bad about the 6 cylinder Subaru engine - in fact
everything I've read is very positive about it.

Unfortunately, you have to go to an Outback to get that engine. No offence
to those who like the Outback! I've never found the Outback very
appealing - I have no off-road pretensions, and the styling always seemed a
bit garish to me with the add-ons... To my mind it would be nice to see a
regular legacy wagon with 6 cylinder...

Cheers!

 

[bigjimpack]

Warranty covers anything From AC to trans. So spending $1k is worth
it. Paying for "maintenace" in a ripoff. I don't give much
credibility to consumer reports after they bashed the Trooper. Right
before that they had the trooper as reliable as the landcruiser- The
Standard for off road vehicles. I wont buy an outback until they
make it look good again

 

[JD]

And because the performance would be down as well as the mileage, you
probably spent more on regular gas than you would have on premium, and you
ran the risk of damaging the engine.

Like I said; nothing is free. You will pay for it all one way or another.

One of my cars requires 93 minimum. It runs like crap on anything less; no
guts and absolutely abysmal gas mileage. The other requires 91 and 89 can
be used in a pinch. It runs OK on 89 but gas mileage sucks. So I have done
the math on that one. It costs about 10% more to use a lower grade of fuel.
On the car that requires 93, I wouldn't even attempt it. It runs very
poorly on 91 on a hot day.

That's why the Jeep is a big IF. Chrysler quality is always a
crapshoot. That's what extended warranties are for though. If
Toyota was smart theyd have revived the FJ cruiser as a direct
wrangler competitor instead of an ugly impractical waste of money.
Toyota name, four doors, removable top and theyd sell like hotcakes.
I had personal experience with a turbo passat 01.5 same as audi.
"Required" premium never got it. Many many problems but none related
to fuel. LAsted 140k+ then was on its way out for tranny and other
issues. They new Jeep uses a 3.8l which is reputed to be pretty good.

 

[David]

Your point is?  I wouldnt bother with a 6 cyl subaru in a wagon or
sedan as the performance increase isnt noticable and the fuel economy
suffers.  I wouldnt use premium no matter what it says as it is a
waste of money and will cause no damage despite what those brainwashed
think.

I test drove a 2008 4 cylinder Outback before purchasing a 2003 6
cylinder Outback last summer. I noticed the performance increase of
the 6 cylinder enough to decide that I really wanted a 6 cylinder
Outback. But I am annoyed that Subaru no longer will sell a 6
cylinder Outback without all the expensive options that I am not
interested in. But I like the 6 cylinder enough that I plan to
purchase a 2 or 3 year old one next time.

I guess I have been "brainwashed" -- I use premium in my 2003 6
cylinder Outback and my 1993 BMW 525i. The 1989 Volvo 240 wagon gets
mid-grade.

David
2003 Subaru Outback H-6 wagon
1993 BMW 525i Touring wagon
1989 Volvo 240 wagon

 

[alf]

EVERY car needs the oil, gas, tires etc. There is NO need to add an
extra $500 for a timing belt change which will end up being more for
those who change it 2x or more or those fools who buy vehicles that
need a belt change at 60k.

correction: Subaru requires t/b change @ 104K miles.

anyways, if you do not like, do not buy it. I do not see your problem.
there are plenty of other cars to chose from.

 

[AS]

The replacement interval depends on the engine your subaru has, some
call for 60K, some for 100K

 

[alf]

The replacement interval depends on the engine your subaru has, some
call for 60K, some for 100K

this is interesting, do you know what model needs 60K?

 

[Todd H.]

this is interesting, do you know what model needs 60K?

My mtc book said 100k but then from several sources i was told they
changed their mind about that and were recommending 60k.

Best Regards,

 

[Rev. Bernie]

Why does Subaru still use a timing belt. Eventhe newcheapo suzuki sx4
has a chain

Because Sunaru depends on 40% of it's income
from planned obsolence and degradation of internal
engine parts and 300% markups from the dealer
to bring the money in. I bought my first
Subaru in 2002. I was the WORST mistake I ever
made! Their dealer service sucks ass and you're SOL
with them as far as warranty service is concerned
unless you like to do battle with corporate morons.
As far as I am concerned they should ship half the
Subaru cars in the USA to Iraq for AlQuaada to
use as car/suicide bomber platforms. That's all they
are good for. My next car will be a Honda like I had before
I went and bought a Subie-piece-of-shi+.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Because Sunaru depends on 40% of it's income
from planned obsolence and degradation of internal
engine parts and 300% markups from the dealer
to bring the money in. I bought my first
Subaru in 2002. I was the WORST mistake I ever
made! Their dealer service sucks ass and you're SOL
with them as far as warranty service is concerned
unless you like to do battle with corporate morons.
As far as I am concerned they should ship half the
Subaru cars in the USA to Iraq for AlQuaada to
use as car/suicide bomber platforms. That's all they
are good for. My next car will be a Honda like I had before
I went and bought a Subie-piece-of-shi+.

HAHAHAHA!
Such language - and from a Reverend too!

lol!


Carl

 

[JD]

My mtc book said 100k but then from several sources i was told they
changed their mind about that and were recommending 60k.

Best Regards,

The STi recommends 96,000KM; approx 60,000 miles

 

[AS]

the 2.2 engine used in the 95 called for 60K intervals, those used the
belt with the square teeth. The 2.5 which uses the belt with rounded
teeth calls for 100k