Sid Scrod

To answer your question about what the 30K includes: $339.95 Lube/oil/filter/top off fluids Rotate tires Clean and adj brakes as needed Replace brake fluid Replace front/reaf diff fluid Replace PCV vavlve Replace air/fuel filter Replace coolant Replace platinum plugs add $50

I have a 2000 Legacy GT Wagon with 61K on it (standard transmission). Getting ready for a week long trip with a lot of driving. Just made an appt for the 60K service. I have done all the recommended services up to this point. The dealership says to do the basic service for 30K ($339) and then add $70 to rplace drive belts and clean and service throttle body. Then they recommend adding $250 to do the timing belt. None of this seems too bad in terms of price. In fact it's the same price sheet they have had for several years. They told me that if the timing belt goes on a zero tolerance Subaru engine that the pistons hit the valves and destroy the entire engine and the replacement cost on that would be $4-5K. I am wondering first of all how you folks feel about the 60K service? Secondly, what about the timing belt in specific? Also, do Subaru engines seem to knock a little more as they older? Is it also normal for me to get a little rattle noise from the gear shift (on the floor) when climbing steep hills? It stops if I rest my hand on the shifter.

This is the second time my heat shield has come loose and is vibrating. The dealer says its a very common problem and they can tighten the 4 shields again at a cost of $35 or they can cut them off. My brother said a friend cut them off, parked over a leaf pile and started a fire. What is your advice? Why the heck doesn't Subaru have a fix for this defect? Should I just cut them off or have them tightened? Also, as it gets colder, the car revs real fast on start-up. Then the idle kicks low. Also seems to be a little extra rough in low. Dealer says this is typical. The problem is when it kicks down low and you are trying to pull into traffic, it seems to react very slowly and is dangerous. The dealer can't duplicate the problem, but believe me it is there.