the goods and bads of subarus

[millerman]

just wanted to know what everyone thinks of subarus in general.
i want to know the advantages and disadvantages.
it is going to be used for a school argumentative report.
so any help would be apprechiated.

thankyou :smt026

[anothernord]

Advantage; AWD system is not controlled by an idiotic computer, its mechanical so there is always power to all the wheels.

Advantage; horizontally-opposed engines give the cars low centers of gravity

Advantage; parts from on model/year can usually fit cars from other models/years

Disadvantage; permanent AWD kills gas mileage and power to the wheels because of frictional and inertial drive train losses.

Disadvantage (sort of) ; in the USA, Subaru has never released any of the sweet trim levels that have always been available overseas.

[Reason]

Older Subarus had style, now they are watered down and look like Toyotas or just ugly.

[jey]

Advantage: Safety - have won numerous safety awards and comes with standard safety equipment (VDC, ABS, side airbags) that many cars of the same price range do not have

Advantage: Availability of manual transmission models to cater to auto enthusiasts

Advantage: Higher than average reliability

Disadvantage: Low volume car - smaller dealer network and unfamiliarity among auto techs

Disadvantage: Mechanical AWD system requires more attention to tire rotation maintenance, all 4 tires must be replaced together

[ouch1011]

Only the 5MT models have mechanical AWD systems. 4EAT models and some of the 5MT and of course the 6MT models have computer controlled center diffs. The STI with the center diff in auto feels very robotic.

For me, I think, the 2 biggest advantages for the older Subaru models like most of us have is that, while there aren't as many of them out there as say Toyotas or Hondas (I think that is actually another advantage) is that all models used essentially the same drivetrain with small tweeks. All 4cyl Subarus since the early 90s have used EJ engines with only minor changes, and they continue to use them today. And the interchangability between the drivetrain parts is awesome especially in the older models...for instance, if you were to take the 1998 Subaru model line up, you could literally take the complete drivetrain from all the models that year and play the shell game with them, as well as many of the suspension parts. Also, because the drivetrain is so similar between the models and hasn't really changed much during their entire production run, it makes it easier for techs to work on them. And they are already pretty easy to work on as it is.

Disadvantages, well, they have some common and fairly expensive problems. Subarus in general are pretty reliable, but they have a few issues that are unfortunately very expensive to fix. Head gaskets are the most commonly known, oil leaks, auto trans problems on the older models.

[vic66]

Advantage; AWD system is not controlled by an idiotic computer, its mechanical so there is always power to all the wheels.

Advantage; horizontally-opposed engines give the cars low centers of gravity

Advantage; parts from on model/year can usually fit cars from other models/years

Disadvantage; permanent AWD kills gas mileage and power to the wheels because of frictional and inertial drive train losses.

Disadvantage (sort of) ; in the USA, Subaru has never released any of the sweet trim levels that have always been available overseas.


I agree with most of you said, plus weak paint thus body rust!