marsh56

Nipper, thanks for the reply. I am BIG on tire pressure, having 4 cars in the family to watch! In fact, I generally check once a month and especially after an oil change since those guys apparently don't know how to read the numbers on the door panels! It turns out that the automatics are cheaper because the parts and labor are less. The tranny guy I'm using just did an automatic for about $750. He's quoting me a bit high due to the time involved. You're right--I don't know if the previous owners understood the importance of the tires. However, none of this explains why Subaru designed the tranny WORSE than previous models. As for me, I'm done with Suby's after this one. Most of our friends with later models are disgusted as well. One just spent about $2k on a Forester and another had the VC go on his automatic and then blew a head gasket! I've got a '91 Honda Accord with 375k miles and a '99 with 235k. I know they're not AWD but who cares. The cost to maintain (I have all the repair records) the Hondas is about 1/3 vs. the Subarus. You have to ask why Subaru's market share is static and not increasing. "You can't fool all the people all the time"! Thanks again for the input. Mark

Nipper, it sounds like you're on top of the VC issue with 5-speeds. I have read elsewhere on the forum that the tranny issues happen less often on standards. Is that maybe because there are more automatics on the road? I ask because I've now had two in a row! Am I just cursed? First, I had a one-owner '99 Outback Wagon where the VCU went after 80k miles. The dealer quoted me $2k to fix it! So, I handed him the keys (literally) and they put me in a 2000 Outback Wagon with 70k after having had the other one for only 6 months. At just about 80k, guess what? The dealer had told me the problem was not common and that the '99 was "just a lemon". Oh, really? I just got 3 quotes from tranny guys and they all say about $1200 to do the job because the tranny has to be completely removed to replace the VCU/clutches etc. and they figure a day's labor plus about $600 for the part. Does this sound reasonable? Also, since I keep my cars, should I plan on this happening after 80k miles again? Funny thing (only I'm not laughing!) is that I have a '96 Outback 5-speed with 269k miles and have NEVER touched the tranny! Apparently Subaru decided to make the standards worse instead of better. Put an unserviceable unit INSIDE the tranny--yeah, that makes sense. My 2000 is already costing me more to repair than the '96! Any input would be appreciated. Thanks. Mark