Car buying irritations

[MtlJeff]

IMP, won't be adding power will just stick with base engine.

 

Thanks for the comments though, appreciated!

[Imp]

If you go with a Subaru make sure you get an extended warranty, their quality isn't what it use to be and they have a problem with defective engine blocks cracking and leaking oil.

Umnmm... what? Lots of engines could develop a cracked block. Do a google search for any mfr and "cracked block" and take your pick. It's not an epidemic. It's not even a problem. If it were, there'd be recalls. Almost any cast block can develop a failure. That's why warranties exist. :)

 

--kC

[Ayoung19]

Sorry to hear about your experience Jeff, these things never seem to be easy. I bought my first car a couple months ago, and it was an ordeal start to finish. Dealer promised they could match the interest rate I came in pre-approved for, they came out nearly 2% higher, so I had to redo all the paperwork and give up the discount I had negotiated (I ended up better off anyway). Had to fight them to get my deposit back after they didn't apply it to the car. Then, come to find out there were a number of issues with the car after I picked it up, so day number 2 it goes back to the dealer, they couldn't fix it.. Luckily was still under warranty, but had to wait a few more weeks to get an appointment at an official dealership. I'm coming around to the idea that these sorts of things will never go smoothly or easily.

 

Glad your experience seems to be working out in the end.

[CBJ]

If you go with a Subaru make sure you get an extended warranty, their quality isn't what it use to be and they have a problem with defective engine blocks cracking and leaking oil.

Umnmm... what? Lots of engines could develop a cracked block. Do a google search for any mfr and "cracked block" and take your pick. It's not an epidemic. It's not even a problem. If it were, there'd be recalls. Almost any cast block can develop a failure. That's why warranties exist. :)

 

--kC

 

 

There are recalls for Subaru for this issue, I have owned 4 Subarus, that is why I'm recommending an extended warranty.

 

I'm also a technical sales manager for engines, transmissions, axles, and safety systems for a OEM, with these products relying more on electronics and sensors the cost to repair/replace is rising, a extended warranty from Subaru is 1200-1500 for their gold package (5-6 year coverage) which provides the most coverage. That could easily pay for itself if you happen to need 1 or 2 engine/transmission repairs....

[MtlJeff]

I'm not too worried about quality issues. I realize that sounds silly but i have friends who will swear that every car company sucks. I have one who hates Mazda because of this or that, another that tells me jeeps are horrible, another that hates Honda etc etc...

 

I had a Toyota, who for a while had a bulletproof rep, get recalled 2 separate times.

 

I mean, you just never know. For the most part the people i know who have subarus like them.

 

I'm kinda leaning towards a WRX assuming i can get the model i want. I like the fact that it's fun and a bit smaller. Plus Montreal has some tight roads and parking spots.

[bladehunter]

I wanted a diesel Chevy Colorado. (Starting at 21,900)

 

Oh. Wait. To get a "diesel" Chevy Colorado, I have to buy a fully loaded crew cab 4x4 model. (Starting at 39,600)

 

My want of a diesel Chevy Colorado ended on the Chevy website.

 

That's the kind of stupidity a buyer DIDN'T cause. That's the automaker being money hungry.

 

Oh. One more thing. That diesel Chevy Colorado. Fully loaded. Oh ya. A block heater? That'll be an additional $200

 

F you Chevy.

 

Respectfully I can say , sorry. Still the vast majority of buyers disagree with you. If the truck you want was sitting on a dealers lot he couldn't give it away unless you personally walked up. Why ? Most people who want the upgrade engine also want a loaded truck.

 

Don't take that as a bash in your direction. It's not. I agree with you and would want to choose the better drivetrain in a cheaper body. But most folks don't think that way. When people want cheap they usually want stripped cheap. What you want is a cheap truck with (im guessing on price) a $4k engine option. That makes it a mid priced truck with no equipment. It just wouldn't sell.

[kwelifan]

If you go with a Subaru make sure you get an extended warranty, their quality isn't what it use to be and they have a problem with defective engine blocks cracking and leaking oil.

Umnmm... what? Lots of engines could develop a cracked block. Do a google search for any mfr and "cracked block" and take your pick. It's not an epidemic. It's not even a problem. If it were, there'd be recalls. Almost any cast block can develop a failure. That's why warranties exist. :)

 

--kC

 

I don't know about the cracked block but google "Subaru oil consumption" It is an epidemic. Many owners were having to add 1 quart every 1000 miles. Subaru was sued and settled. Car makers typically don't recall things that aren't safety specific problems. If your car is any good the warranty is for out of the ordinary problems. Subaru hasn't made a car with a good NA engine since the 90's.

[Imp]

If you go with a Subaru make sure you get an extended warranty, their quality isn't what it use to be and they have a problem with defective engine blocks cracking and leaking oil.

Umnmm... what? Lots of engines could develop a cracked block. Do a google search for any mfr and "cracked block" and take your pick. It's not an epidemic. It's not even a problem. If it were, there'd be recalls. Almost any cast block can develop a failure. That's why warranties exist. :)

 

--kC

 

I don't know about the cracked block but google "Subaru oil consumption" It is an epidemic. Many owners were having to add 1 quart every 1000 miles. Subaru was sued and settled. Car makers typically don't recall things that aren't safety specific problems. If your car is any good the warranty is for out of the ordinary problems. Subaru hasn't made a car with a good NA engine since the 90's.

You touched on it in this post. Jeffs not buying a N/A engine in the WRX (FA20), so it's moot, yeah? :)

 

But the oil consumption was in the "not ready for prime time" FB20 in the Impreza/Crosstrek - is a black eye for them, absolutely. I feel for those that had it (and to some extent some EJ25s suffered the same fate, but not on the scale of the FB) Probably why they went with the FA20 in the new '17 Impreza (and new Crosstrek).

 

Before my 17 Impreza, I had a 13 Crosstrek but one of the lucky ones that didn't have the burning. At that, most of the burning were on cars with the previous gen CVT, which leads me (and others) to think it's an issue of the rings not seating properly, because constant RPM around 1.5k-2k rpms all day long and not getting hot enough by revving higher in the rev ranges like you would see in an MT. You need heat to bed the rings properly. Much like the coking in the RX8... if they didn't rev the engines, build up heat, deposits formed. The heat was necessary to burn off those deposits. Like lots of DI engines, no revs, no heat, you'll get clogging. VW/Audi suffers the same fate.

 

--kC

(For those following along at home, "FA", "FB", "EJ" are engine codes in Subarus. :) )

[PixlPutterman]

Plus Montreal has some tight roads and parking spots.

 

Fiat or SmartCar :)

[CBJ]

Go with a Mercedes!

[Mulligan26]

If you go with a Subaru make sure you get an extended warranty, their quality isn't what it use to be and they have a problem with defective engine blocks cracking and leaking oil.

Umnmm... what? Lots of engines could develop a cracked block. Do a google search for any mfr and "cracked block" and take your pick. It's not an epidemic. It's not even a problem. If it were, there'd be recalls. Almost any cast block can develop a failure. That's why warranties exist. :)

 

--kC

 

I don't know about the cracked block but google "Subaru oil consumption" It is an epidemic. Many owners were having to add 1 quart every 1000 miles. Subaru was sued and settled. Car makers typically don't recall things that aren't safety specific problems. If your car is any good the warranty is for out of the ordinary problems. Subaru hasn't made a car with a good NA engine since the 90's.

You touched on it in this post. Jeffs not buying a N/A engine in the WRX (FA20), so it's moot, yeah? :)

 

But the oil consumption was in the "not ready for prime time" FB20 in the Impreza/Crosstrek - is a black eye for them, absolutely. I feel for those that had it (and to some extent some EJ25s suffered the same fate, but not on the scale of the FB) Probably why they went with the FA20 in the new '17 Impreza (and new Crosstrek).

 

Before my 17 Impreza, I had a 13 Crosstrek but one of the lucky ones that didn't have the burning. At that, most of the burning were on cars with the previous gen CVT, which leads me (and others) to think it's an issue of the rings not seating properly, because constant RPM around 1.5k-2k rpms all day long and not getting hot enough by revving higher in the rev ranges like you would see in an MT. You need heat to bed the rings properly. Much like the coking in the RX8... if they didn't rev the engines, build up heat, deposits formed. The heat was necessary to burn off those deposits. Like lots of DI engines, no revs, no heat, you'll get clogging. VW/Audi suffers the same fate.

 

--kC

(For those following along at home, "FA", "FB", "EJ" are engine codes in Subarus. :) )

 

I'm not worried about my FB20 in my '13 impreza because its the MT. I shift at 3-4k depending on the road. There's no power below 3k as it is and it doesn't have the fun snail

[MtlJeff]

At Buick now checking out the Encore. Same deal.... All of them have 3000$-4000$ extra packages. Maybe it is just american cars!

 

Website shows 35k CAD for the model I want. We can't find one for sale in Quebec under 39000$

 

Sigh

[GHIN n Juice]

Good luck in your search, but whatever you do stay away from the Jeeps. I have never owned a more unreliable vehicle in my life and I currently drive a Jaguar, lol.

 

I had a 2006 WRX that I put 100K miles on in two and a half years. It was extremely reliable and I put it through hell. I agree that it is a firm ride but it was fun to drive. I never had any issues with the engine block or oil leaks but it's been a while.

 

I found a lot of companies are moving to the package/option groups. I'd have to say Mercedes is the worst. Try and build a car on their website with a few basic options and all of a sudden you're $10K up in option packages.

[MtlJeff]

I take everything back....sales dude found me a demo model of the top end Encore with only 700km on it that had the exact package i wanted just with the smaller engine. Which is no big deal, they are both small.

 

I went there just to see it. Wasn't really on my radar. But it's got a really nice interior, decent enough ride height and ground clearance. Reliability reports are good, supposedly does a good job in the snow according to the major testers like C&D etc...

 

Anyone got an Encore?

 

Guy quoted me an awesome price

[SilverBullets]

I take everything back....sales dude found me a demo model of the top end Encore with only 700km on it that had the exact package i wanted just with the smaller engine. Which is no big deal, they are both small.

 

I went there just to see it. Wasn't really on my radar. But it's got a really nice interior, decent enough ride height and ground clearance. Reliability reports are good, supposedly does a good job in the snow according to the major testers like C&D etc...

 

Anyone got an Encore?

 

Guy quoted me an awesome price

 

If other people test drive cars like I do, I wouldn't be comfortable buying a demo car lol

 

In all seriousness, break in periods are a myth so the car will more than likely be fine

[MtlJeff]

I understand i'm kinda all over the place too LOL

 

Guy was like , what cars are you looking at?

 

I said: "Legacy Limited, WRX, Renegade Trailhawk, and now this"

 

Him: That's a weird mix of cars

 

....yeah

[dan360]

I wanted a diesel Chevy Colorado. (Starting at 21,900)

 

Oh. Wait. To get a "diesel" Chevy Colorado, I have to buy a fully loaded crew cab 4x4 model. (Starting at 39,600)

 

My want of a diesel Chevy Colorado ended on the Chevy website.

 

That's the kind of stupidity a buyer DIDN'T cause. That's the automaker being money hungry.

 

Oh. One more thing. That diesel Chevy Colorado. Fully loaded. Oh ya. A block heater? That'll be an additional $200

 

F you Chevy.

 

Respectfully I can say , sorry. Still the vast majority of buyers disagree with you. If the truck you want was sitting on a dealers lot he couldn't give it away unless you personally walked up. Why ? Most people who want the upgrade engine also want a loaded truck.

 

Don't take that as a bash in your direction. It's not. I agree with you and would want to choose the better drivetrain in a cheaper body. But most folks don't think that way. When people want cheap they usually want stripped cheap. What you want is a cheap truck with (im guessing on price) a $4k engine option. That makes it a mid priced truck with no equipment. It just wouldn't sell.

 

Nissan sells every "stripper" diesel Titan they make. So do Chrysler, GM and Ford with the bigger trucks for what it's worth.

 

The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and the diesel Colorado/Canyon are outliers. I can only imagine the lunacy Ford will pull with the upcoming diesel F-150.

 

People who buy half ton pickups don't necessarily want to spend 45-50,000 but when forced, they're sheeples who think they have no other choice. :)

 

I'll wait for it used and pay half price then spend the rest of the 40,000 on a V12 Mercedes money pit. lol

 

 

[Mulligan26]

I understand i'm kinda all over the place too LOL

 

Guy was like , what cars are you looking at?

 

I said: "Legacy Limited, WRX, Renegade Trailhawk, and now this"

 

Him: That's a weird mix of cars

 

....yeah

 

If you end up buying a WRX I'll have extreme car envy. They're my favorite car of all time.

[bigred90gt]

In all seriousness, break in periods are a myth so the car will more than likely be fine

 

Please tell me you're not serious with that statement?

 

If no one takes anything else from this thread, please know that the above statement is completely and utterly false. Breaking in an engine is absolutely not a myth, and improperly doing so can be detrimental to engine life.

[SilverBullets]

In all seriousness, break in periods are a myth so the car will more than likely be fine

 

Please tell me you're not serious with that statement?

 

If no one takes anything else from this thread, please know that the above statement is completely and utterly false. Breaking in an engine is absolutely not a myth, and improperly doing so can be detrimental to engine life.

 

Lol nope I was being serious. I should have qualified it. I wouldn't drive a brand new car at idle RPM across the country or anything like that. But I certainly will (and have every time I've bought a new car) get into higher revs. I fully agree with varying revs. I simply don't believe you need to stay out of high revs for however many hundreds/thousands of miles they say.

 

I did it that way with my Acura, my Audi and my WRX. Never had an engine related issue with any of them (well the Audi did have a handful of sensor issues later in its life). My Audi was one which that model commonly had oil consumption issues. Mine never had that problem. My dad buys and collects a lot of cars. He operates under the same belief. He had a GT3 on the race track within its first 1000 miles. It's 10 years old now and has been bullet proof. Porsches are kind of a different animal though as Porsche runs its motors at redline for a few minutes immediately after coming off the line. If it fails they scrap the entire batch.

[Imp]

Same. Varying the revs is more important than keeping it at constant lower RPMs. You just want to avoid prolonged exposure at the constantly same RPMs. Also, revving into the higher rev range occasionally is better than not, as long as you don't do it constantly like a car that has 10k miles on it already and your preferred racing is stoplight to stoplight, or treating it like a rental from the get go.

 

--kC

[Mulligan26]

Imp can explain it mechanically better than I; but for the love of jesus don't lug a turbo car then try to accelerate hard in the same gear. Gotta down shift

[MtlJeff]

Well I bought the top trim Encore tonight, got the demo model. Pick it up Tuesday.... Woohoooo

[GHIN n Juice]

Congrats! Enjoy it.

[MtlJeff]

there she is....

[dan360]

That's an interesting vinyl wrap job. Tour issue?

 

 

[hammy83]

that thing is small. Isnt that the same engine as the cruze?

[MtlJeff]

It's pretty small, which is fine with me. I like being able to park anywhere etc.

 

Yes engine is tiny. Wanted the upgraded one but this was a demo and i got a good deal so I was ok with it.

 

I will have to cancel all my drag races, that's for sure

[Imp]

That's an interesting vinyl wrap job. Tour issue?

:lol:

 

Yeah, how much is GolfWRX paying you to advertise the site like that?!?!

 

--kC

[MtlJeff]

Lol, didn't even notice that