Looking at the Subaru for my next car. Any input on Subaru "boxer" engine and CVT trans?
Any known problems?
thanks
Any known problems?
thanks
Subaru
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Can't help with the CVT as my '04 Legacy had the 4speed autobox.
But in my experience Subarus are characterful and reliable.
Interiors may be considered bland by some but I rather like the simplicity of them.
One thing I did note was that they do use a little oil on long high speed runs.
But I would have another if I could afford it. I no longer purchase on finance and the Legacy I want, 2.0 diesel Outback or Estate are not cheap or common.
Once you have driven a Subaru all year you realise what good predictable handling really is.
Though in my experience you need to get the geometry done, usually using camber bolts at the back, to get away from the factory safe understeer.
I got a specialist called Elite Direct in Rainham, Essex to put Prodrive settings on mine, both the Legacy and my previous WRX.
But in my experience Subarus are characterful and reliable.
Interiors may be considered bland by some but I rather like the simplicity of them.
One thing I did note was that they do use a little oil on long high speed runs.
But I would have another if I could afford it. I no longer purchase on finance and the Legacy I want, 2.0 diesel Outback or Estate are not cheap or common.
Once you have driven a Subaru all year you realise what good predictable handling really is.
Though in my experience you need to get the geometry done, usually using camber bolts at the back, to get away from the factory safe understeer.
I got a specialist called Elite Direct in Rainham, Essex to put Prodrive settings on mine, both the Legacy and my previous WRX.
My wife and I are sold on Subaru as evidenced by her current and SIXTH Subaru. We live in the Appalachian Mountains so we do deal with some winter weather. In my opinion there's nothing at the Subaru price point that will match its AWD capability. Since you are in LA this probably would not be a great advantage for you. Her current Legacy has the new FB Boxer engine that has a timing chain vs the belt. Obviously we haven't experienced much mechanical trouble with our cars or we wouldn't keep coming back. If you have a specific question just shoot me a PM and I'll be glad to try to answer.
Short answer....very good quality and price make Subies hard to beat. (And no I don't sell or work for Subaru in any capacity.)
Subaru tops in quality
Are Subaru's the best car money can buy?
Short answer....very good quality and price make Subies hard to beat. (And no I don't sell or work for Subaru in any capacity.)
Subaru tops in quality
Are Subaru's the best car money can buy?
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I am a three time Subaru owner, starting in 1999. Our current 2011 Outback has 24K miles on it and is doing fine. Had no issues with the engine on either older Subarus, even though the 2003 was part of the infamous head gasket issue. Did use the Subaru coolant conditioner every time I did a coolant change on both older Subarus.
The 2011 has the CVT and it shifts well, to my satisfaction.
The 2011 has the CVT and it shifts well, to my satisfaction.
The CVT trans is what I am worried about.
Boxsters are great engines. Balanced, torquey, and weird looking
Wife had a 2010 Legacy with the first gen CVT. The current 2013 has the 2nd generation. So far I like the 13 better. We had no problems with either, but the new one is more responsive. We had a 2006 Ford with a CVT as well. Compare to that thing, the Subaru CVT is 10000X better. As far as drivability is concerned the CVT is "unique," but I believe mechanically Subaru has it figured out.
2010-2011 outbacks have a chronic shimmy / unsteady feeling on the highway that has sometimes been fixed by the dealer. 2012+'s have resolved this issue.
i have 13k on my 2012 outback cvt with no issues. i have also actively trolled subaru outback forums for ANY cvt issues and have seen no problems at all.
its not a fast car or sporty, the cvt sort of makes it numb feeling. if you use the manual shifting paddle shifters its sort of makes it feel sportier but even with aggressive driving its still boring. other then that, it is very quiet, dare i say luxurious.
i have 13k on my 2012 outback cvt with no issues. i have also actively trolled subaru outback forums for ANY cvt issues and have seen no problems at all.
its not a fast car or sporty, the cvt sort of makes it numb feeling. if you use the manual shifting paddle shifters its sort of makes it feel sportier but even with aggressive driving its still boring. other then that, it is very quiet, dare i say luxurious.
Originally Posted By: Rand
the subaru cvt is the best on the market.. how it would hold upto towing a trailer and heavy-duty use for 10 years no one really knows yet.
Thats a problem for me.
the subaru cvt is the best on the market.. how it would hold upto towing a trailer and heavy-duty use for 10 years no one really knows yet.
Thats a problem for me.
I'm fairly sure Subaru doesn't recommend the CVT for towing.
I'd read the owners manual to get the specifics on towing capabilities/recommendations.
I know several people who own Subarus and I haven't heard of anyone having reliability issues.
My friend has on older Outback with 270k miles on it and it is still going.
Another friend has a '12 Outback with the CVT. He seems to like it, but it is still to new to determine how reliable it will be in the long term.
MY '05 Forester is going strong at 135k miles. I haven't had any unexpected repair bills yet.
I know several people who own Subarus and I haven't heard of anyone having reliability issues.
My friend has on older Outback with 270k miles on it and it is still going.
Another friend has a '12 Outback with the CVT. He seems to like it, but it is still to new to determine how reliable it will be in the long term.
MY '05 Forester is going strong at 135k miles. I haven't had any unexpected repair bills yet.
I've owned 5 Subarus including currently: '12 Impreza Sport, '13 Crosstrek (lifted Impreza).
OP: you are looking at a brand-new powertrain - the FB20 engine mated to a new CVT. Both are designed to optimize fuel economy and allow an AWD Subaru to theoretically compete with the FWD mass market cars on fuel economy. The CVT does an excellent job of managing the engine's (modest) power. It's a superb implementation - better than the 5sp manual. This says a lot coming from a stick driver.
What concerns me is that you're looking to tow, and because you're in Louisiana, you're not likely to reap the benefits of AWD that make Subaru such a strong contender in the snowbelt. The FB20 + CVT combo is a win for now, but there is the risk of the unknown down the road.
OP: you are looking at a brand-new powertrain - the FB20 engine mated to a new CVT. Both are designed to optimize fuel economy and allow an AWD Subaru to theoretically compete with the FWD mass market cars on fuel economy. The CVT does an excellent job of managing the engine's (modest) power. It's a superb implementation - better than the 5sp manual. This says a lot coming from a stick driver.
What concerns me is that you're looking to tow, and because you're in Louisiana, you're not likely to reap the benefits of AWD that make Subaru such a strong contender in the snowbelt. The FB20 + CVT combo is a win for now, but there is the risk of the unknown down the road.
Originally Posted By: vtdave
I've owned 5 Subarus including currently: '12 Impreza Sport, '13 Crosstrek (lifted Impreza).
OP: you are looking at a brand-new powertrain - the FB20 engine mated to a new CVT. Both are designed to optimize fuel economy and allow an AWD Subaru to theoretically compete with the FWD mass market cars on fuel economy. The CVT does an excellent job of managing the engine's (modest) power. It's a superb implementation - better than the 5sp manual. This says a lot coming from a stick driver.
What concerns me is that you're looking to tow, and because you're in Louisiana, you're not likely to reap the benefits of AWD that make Subaru such a strong contender in the snowbelt. The FB20 + CVT combo is a win for now, but there is the risk of the unknown down the road.
Thanks! The towing would be under 350 # total.
I've owned 5 Subarus including currently: '12 Impreza Sport, '13 Crosstrek (lifted Impreza).
OP: you are looking at a brand-new powertrain - the FB20 engine mated to a new CVT. Both are designed to optimize fuel economy and allow an AWD Subaru to theoretically compete with the FWD mass market cars on fuel economy. The CVT does an excellent job of managing the engine's (modest) power. It's a superb implementation - better than the 5sp manual. This says a lot coming from a stick driver.
What concerns me is that you're looking to tow, and because you're in Louisiana, you're not likely to reap the benefits of AWD that make Subaru such a strong contender in the snowbelt. The FB20 + CVT combo is a win for now, but there is the risk of the unknown down the road.
Thanks! The towing would be under 350 # total.
350 lbs?
I'd say you'd have no worries towing that kind of weight with anything.
We like our Subies and have found them to be reliable and trouble free.
For the same money as an Accord, you get a world class AWD system.
You also get a slower car with inferior fuel economy, but that's worth it on a bad winter day.
The AWD is priceless when you need it, and you have a comfortable, decent handling, albeit thirsty, car to drive when you don't.
Who knows how the CVT will fare, but I don't think towing something so light would have any adverse consequences wrt durability.
I'd say you'd have no worries towing that kind of weight with anything.
We like our Subies and have found them to be reliable and trouble free.
For the same money as an Accord, you get a world class AWD system.
You also get a slower car with inferior fuel economy, but that's worth it on a bad winter day.
The AWD is priceless when you need it, and you have a comfortable, decent handling, albeit thirsty, car to drive when you don't.
Who knows how the CVT will fare, but I don't think towing something so light would have any adverse consequences wrt durability.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
350 lbs?
I'd say you'd have no worries towing that kind of weight with anything.
We like our Subies and have found them to be reliable and trouble free.
For the same money as an Accord, you get a world class AWD system.
You also get a slower car with inferior fuel economy, but that's worth it on a bad winter day.
The AWD is priceless when you need it, and you have a comfortable, decent handling, albeit thirsty, car to drive when you don't.
Who knows how the CVT will fare, but I don't think towing something so light would have any adverse consequences wrt durability.
Haven't had the opportunity to get the 2013 out on the interstate, but our 2010 Legacy with the 2.5 and CVT would consistently do 36-38 MPG on the highway at 68 MPH. If this is thirsty I'd hate to find the word to describe my full size truck
..... I know, I know you were speaking relatively. But the CVT does wonders for the mileage as compared to the old slush box 4-speeds on the earlier Subies.
350 lbs?
I'd say you'd have no worries towing that kind of weight with anything.
We like our Subies and have found them to be reliable and trouble free.
For the same money as an Accord, you get a world class AWD system.
You also get a slower car with inferior fuel economy, but that's worth it on a bad winter day.
The AWD is priceless when you need it, and you have a comfortable, decent handling, albeit thirsty, car to drive when you don't.
Who knows how the CVT will fare, but I don't think towing something so light would have any adverse consequences wrt durability.
Haven't had the opportunity to get the 2013 out on the interstate, but our 2010 Legacy with the 2.5 and CVT would consistently do 36-38 MPG on the highway at 68 MPH. If this is thirsty I'd hate to find the word to describe my full size truck
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Our four speed slushbox Forester will get maybe 27 mpg on the highway although we'd be going a little faster than 68 mph.
More like 75 mph.
Are you relating calculated fuel mileage figures, or relying on the lie-o-meter?
Our Forester will indicate about 4-5% higher fuel economy on the computer than it gets by actual calculation.
With very gentle driving after a fuel fill, it's both easy and fun to work the car's computer indication up to 33 mpg or so.
More like 75 mph.
Are you relating calculated fuel mileage figures, or relying on the lie-o-meter?
Our Forester will indicate about 4-5% higher fuel economy on the computer than it gets by actual calculation.
With very gentle driving after a fuel fill, it's both easy and fun to work the car's computer indication up to 33 mpg or so.
So no long term problems with a front and read differnal with the AWD?
At its current 151K, the old Impreza has no problems with either.
The Forester is at only 51K, so it's too new to count.
Subarus may have their problems, like head gaskets and oil leaks, but the AWD system appears to be totally trouble free.
The Forester is at only 51K, so it's too new to count.
Subarus may have their problems, like head gaskets and oil leaks, but the AWD system appears to be totally trouble free.
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