bigjeep

The problem is, when test driving the car at the dealers, is finding the "hills". They put the dealerships on flat ground! All joking aside, I live in the mountains and if "dragging" up the hills is a problem for you go with the 3.6R. It can get frustrating climbing the hills everyday with a line of cars behind you! Also think of a used 3.0R. They are fun to drive! PS- I have been known to "sneek" the AC off in the summer climbing a hill! Owning Subies going back to 81 and having a 2004 2.5, I have lots of experiance!

I am replacing the valve cover gaskets on my 2004 sedan at 44,000 miles. This is not a major problem. I have done many myself on all kind of cars throgh the years. I have found through the years that Subies are high maintance cars, but always seem to get you where you want to go, even though they look like they are on their "last legs".

My dealer looked up my vin number and told me I had a number XXXXX head gasket, and that was the corrected one and I would be fine. But I must admit, I still am concerned. I check for leaks under the car, easy to spot in the white snow! So far the snow is still white!

Not a good Idea to run a car without antifreeze anywhere. If the water did freeze in the engine and expanded, water could have gotten into the cylinders, just a guess. I had a 1995 subaru that I bought new and it went 226,000 miles before my son traded it in. Fantastic car.

I'm told that Subaru does not recommend synthetic oil for their engines. It sounds like you are caught between a rock and a hard place. I would check if that is true. If it is, then you will have a problem with Subaru. I had a 2005 Subie that I was using synthetic oil in from the day I bought it new. Engine seemed to run fine, but I traded it in at 36,000 miles. Did have a bearing go under warranty.

I'm told it takes 20 miles of driving to "burn" off the condensation in the crank case.

rule of thumb is to replace a battery after five years. After that you take a chance on being "stuck" out on the road. Even if everything seems fine. thats my motto!

Helppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp!

Driven on lots of icy and snow packed roads. As far as a "packed car", I have driven with two passengers. I don't recall driving in snow and ice with a heavy load in the back though!

I am shocked reading these posts about this problem! I have a 2009 3.0R Subie and live in the snow covered land of the Poconos, so I get to drive in snow quite often. I have had to make emergency trips to the hospital a few times. Almost ever trip is up or down a hill. I must say, I have not experianced this problem, unless I wasn't paying attention! I have had a few Subies in my time going back to 1981. The one "problem?" with all these Subies I would have to say is in un-plowed high snow the Subies will sway back in forth and are hard to control, but I have always assumed this was normal behaver driving in high snow with a light car. Had the same problem with my 1972 Artic snowmobile. :-\

I'm in the "hills" between Wilks-barre and Allentown close to Rt 903. Its Subie country! Bought my 2009 Subie at Becker! Gary

Hi all I have joined today and own a 2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R and a 2004 Subaru Outback 2.5 Sedan. I have had many Suby's dating back to 1981, but I do not attempt to do my own work on them as I have two left hands and can turn a $50 repair into thousands! Although I have had many brands of auto's, Subaru is my favorite and in buying a car, there is no other option for me now. Some times the Subaru "people" seem to try very hard to change my opinion, but I am a stubburn man. Glad to be here!

Hi I just recently purchused a 2004 Subaru 2.5 outback sedan with 42,000 miles. I have noticed a vibration, mostly through the gas pedal, between 2300 and 2500 rpm in all gears ( its an automatic with overdrive ]. I also get some "idle shake" mostly when the car is cold. Before I take it in for a check, I am hoping to get some thoughts about it here on the board. Any help will be greatly appreciated.