Service Subaru or sell it?

[LazyLion]

OK, so I have a 2001 Subaru Forrester 2.0 GL.

It has been well serviced through Subaru but is getting a bit long in the tooth now.

Mileage is up to 197,000.

We just had to have the thermostat removed cos it was overheating and using water.

So now I have to decide if we should do the next service for R14,500.00 or if we should just sell it?

The next service will be good for another 100,000 kms Subaru says.

Subaru said at each 100 000 kms, the Timebelt/fan belt needs to get changed. It can cause serious problems if that goes.
The service would be R14 500.
He said there are some factors to look at.
Is the car paid off. If so and you just want to maintain and use....and get another 100 000 km out of it do it.
If you are looking at getting another car and maybe its not worth it to us to do right now as we could use that money spent on service toward a different car.
We need to figure out if we want to just keep the car for much longer...and if so...we need to do this service. Would like to know if there are some other places in the area who might do a service on the Subaru. Will have to look around for that...but I do think a service here would be needed regardless....Just don't want to look at R14 500.

Anybody know of anyone else who will service a Subaru?

 

[Kal86]

I learnt the hard way like this with an Alfa Romeo I once owned. Last service came to R27 000 :wtf:

If they say it will last 100 000km's that doesn't mean age and wear and tear will not start taking over, and trust me when it does it can get pricey as all hell and wear your bank balance down quicker than a strip club

 

[Beachless]

Find a good mechanic instead of the dealers and that will most likely cost a 1/3 of the quote and be just as good.
The best bet is to ask on the subaru club forum who is good in your area servicing an out of warantee car at the dealers is not worth it.

 

[Pitbull]

Out of interest Gary

If you selling, what price you looking at?

 

[LazyLion]

Out of interest Gary

If you selling, what price you looking at?

I have no idea what a good price would be.

We paid R78,859.65 in 2009 when it was 116,000 on the clock.
So we have put 80K on it in 6 years.
It's still in good nick. It was resprayed when we bought it.
Had one slight fender bender scrape, minimal surface damage.
It has the AWD feature and the aircon is still working.
As I said above the thermostat was just removed.
Also has a towbar.

What would you pay for that?

 

[Pitbull]

I have no idea what a good price would be.

We paid R78,859.65 in 2009 when it was 116,000 on the clock.
So we have put 80K on it in 6 years.
It's still in good nick. It was resprayed when we bought it.
Had one slight fender bender scrape, minimal surface damage.
It has the AWD feature and the aircon is still working.
As I said above the thermostat was just removed.
Also has a towbar.

What would you pay for that?

Don't have the faintest idea tbh. I see one can get 2006/7 models sub R70k

I thought these things would be more costly though?

 

[LazyLion]

Don't have the faintest idea tbh. I see one can get 2006/7 models sub R70k

I thought these things would be more costly though?

These sport models are not as big as the full on SUVs.
They are more like a median between the sedan and the SUV.
I'm trying to find a photo.
Otherwise will take some when I get home.

 

[LazyLion]

 

[WaxLyrical]

Find a good mechanic instead of the dealers and that will most likely cost a 1/3 of the quote and be just as good.
The best bet is to ask on the subaru club forum who is good in your area servicing an out of warantee car at the dealers is not worth it.

This.

Problem is replacing it with another car that will provide you with the same service and not cost an arm and a leg.

 

[silver6933]

Subaru fanatic checking in.

1. The 2.0L N/A subaru engines tend to last forever. I drove one with over 750 000km. There was no major work done on the car. Normal services and rubber replacement. Drove just fine. Apparently it has over 1 million miles on it now. Your model has the same engine.

2. That is ridiculous price for that service. If you are in jhb , I can recommend a VERY good mechie.

3. Price of service.

Below is an example of a aftermarket kit that is used on the turbo models. This is way more expensive than the N/A models


Cost of kit R3100.
It is no more than 4 hours to do the major service. 4 x R350ph(indie) = R1400
oil filter R90(oem filter-you can use gud on that model)
oil R220
Coolant R260
Castrol brake fluid(1 bottle) R35

air filter GUD unknown price

Gearbox and diff oil might need to be done 5l Castrol (very good oil) R270 (you need approx 3.8L)
Fan belts from Midas R70

Total R5435

Extras front brake pads- if needed (N/A model) R545.

The N/A model works just fine with the aftermarket parts.

Subarus labour is R750p/h.

That model can be worked on by a junior DIY'er.

Timing belt needs to be replaced every 100 000km or 5 years.. However the new/current belt(design) is rated for over 160 000km. The 100 000km interval was for the older belts. Most workshops still follow the old interval(which is just dumb)

Link to kit

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-replacement-parts/kimberley/gates-timing-belt-kit-subaru-wrx-sti-04+07-tck328/1001086125540910003743009

Just Belt R1519 (this is oem quality belt) Many in SA use it on the turbo models with no issues.

http://durban.olx.co.za/sub281fsd-powergrip-timing-cam-belt-subaru-ej-engine-iid-647978287

 

[Drake2007]

So it'll take more than six year to do 100 000km for R14.5k, about R2k a year.....

 

[LazyLion]

I can recommend a VERY good mechie

Yes, please!

 

[silver6933]

PM'ed ya.

 

[LazyLion]

PM'ed ya.

Thanks man!

 

[zizo911]

Awesome

 

[silver6933]

PS. Overheating.

If you removed the thermostat to fix overheating, You have an issues. Removal of the thermostat can cause head gasket leakage.

1. They should have recommended a test to see if exhaust gases are present in the coolant. (indicates HG leakage)
2. Water usage can be caused by a number of issues. The most common on that model is damaged/corrode coolant pipes.

The thermostats primary function is to keep the engine temperature regulated and thereby maximise performance. If you remove the thermostat, the engine temp will swing from very cool to hot. This continuous cooling and heating will cause the block to expand and contract (sometimes rapidly, eg sitting at a robot then getting on to the freeway.) This could cause the head gaskets to blow.

Check underneath your oil fill cap. It there is ANY white goop under there , HG is going.

Note the most likely issues are as follows(due to age)

-radiator blocked
-rad cross over pipe blocked inside by corrosion
-leaking rubber coolant hoses.
-water pump failure(can be replaced during timing belt service(OEM price below R1000)
-HG failure(on those models this is very rare)

The issue with the removal of the thermostats is that the subaru engine uses the temp of the coolant to richen the mixture. This will result in poor mileage.

Given the age of that car, I would get a quote and determine if you want to fix it.

BTW my turbo scoob is almost that age and does not miss a beat(but I have replaced EVERY wear and tear item, eg all hoses, sensors, etc, maintenance is done religiously).

 

[silver6933]

dbl post

 

[ponder]

Gary that car still looks great!

I would keep it & have it serviced outside of the dealership.

 

[LazyLion]

PS. Overheating.

If you removed the thermostat to fix overheating, You have an issues. Removal of the thermostat can cause head gasket leakage.

1. They should have recommended a test to see if exhaust gases are present in the coolant. (indicates HG leakage)
2. Water usage can be caused by a number of issues. The most common on that model is damaged/corrode coolant pipes.

The thermostats primary function is to keep the engine temperature regulated and thereby maximise performance. If you remove the thermostat, the engine temp will swing from very cool to hot. This continuous cooling and heating will cause the block to expand and contract (sometimes rapidly, eg sitting at a robot then getting on to the freeway.) This could cause the head gaskets to blow.

Check underneath your oil fill cap. It there is ANY white goop under there , HG is going.

Note the most likely issues are as follows(due to age)

-radiator blocked
-rad cross over pipe blocked inside by corrosion
-leaking rubber coolant hoses.
-water pump failure(can be replaced during timing belt service(OEM price below R1000)
-HG failure(on those models this is very rare)

The issue with the removal of the thermostats is that the subaru engine uses the temp of the coolant to richen the mixture. This will result in poor mileage.

Given the age of that car, I would get a quote and determine if you want to fix it.

BTW my turbo scoob is almost that age and does not miss a beat(but I have replaced EVERY wear and tear item, eg all hoses, sensors, etc, maintenance is done religiously).

Thanks, I suspected this.
Will ask your contact to give it a fine tooth comb.

 

[Hemi300c]

You'll not get a better car for 3x what you sell it for and it's a cool car which won't go out of fashion.
14.5k is worth it and if you get it done cheaper and I hope so all the better.
Good man for keeping it in such good nick.