1 Lucky Texan

is the CEL on? what is the maintenance history of the car?

FT will know but there's a switch, or part of a switch that is supposed to signal a foot on the brake during starting I think.

try starting in N, also try 'popping' the brake pedal. (depress a little and quickly release)

+1 on the Turtle Wax kit.

I think some systems need you to use the fob to lock, then unlock the car???

do a vacuum test when its running well, then compare to vacuum when failing - maybe exhaust is getting clogged by a bad cat conv ?? (uncommon, but possible) some older soobs had crank position sensors that would crap out with heat. if the CEL is on, post the codes here.

as a VERY general rule, avoid late 90s to 2000 or so 2.5l DOHC engines. (severe HG failures if not rebuilt with MLS gaskets) I'd suggest used turbo engines are also very risky, the worst being around the 2007-8 years, depending on model. (oil screen problems) used cars of all type have issues. Also, even the above problems can be mitigated if caught soon or 'properly' rebuilt. plenty of other little gotchas here and there....what are you considering?

I have only heard of the friction part of a rotor separating from the hub/mount once before - and that was decades ago on a co-workers old late 70s or early 80s Toyota. crazy!f

^^^ fair points to consider - good post with good info.

if the car were cranked with the hood up and someone listening to the noise - where would it come from? F B L or R, etc.?

Fair - are those also the MAFs prone to a poor solder connection inside?

both of those vehicles are fine, just go and compare. If the Forester seating feels OK, it might be slightly more economical and easier to park in an urban environment. If they haul gear, passengers, cruise the highways or need more 'comfort' - Outback might get the nod.

disappointing I know, but it seems Subarus do go through wheel bearings faster than we'd like. I had a rear go out at less than 50K miles on my 06 WRX so..... no question its the bearings?

if it seems to be the same as the bolt at the other end, take it to the parts store and match it - including the GRADE of the bolt. maybe removed for clutch or engine work?

^^^ good post - any dew/moisture around will cause arcing until the egine compartment heats-up/dries-out.

what vehicle were they driving before?

could be the IACV is gummed-up/sticking i guess. is the CEL on?

consider switching to a new mechanic.

maybe they introduced the FB engine during our model year, but in canada ? I dunno, maybe they were just wanting to know if it was turbo or na ?

double check you are using the correct marks, line them up (there are pics on-line) and install. I like to also confirm things with a tooth count, before pulling the tensioner pin, after pulling it, after rotating the engine with a wrench - basically, trust the marks and the tooth count, but triple check everything. NEVER use the arrow/triangle mark on the front of the crank pulley - don't worry about a whiteline being off a half tooth on the back of a new belt. Don't worry about those lines after you rotate the crank with the wrench - it takes 2-300 revs for those lines to sync-up again. use the marks on the pulleys and a tooth count. when the mark on the back of the crank pulley is lined-up, one side of the engine has a piston halfway down from a power stroke and the other halfway up on compression. That cam's valves are closed. The other side (the left/US driver's) has it's pistons halfway down on intake and halfway up on exhaust - those various valves are open. you can find Subaru engine animations on line too.

look you car up at the Bosch website maybe?

nah, I wouldn't replace it again. getting some data from the ecu might be helpful. maybe something mechanical is changing? a valve sticking when cold maybe? compression and leakdown test might be good, dropping the exhaust manifold and looking dropped valve guides might be helpful.

nasioc.com also has threads like - will this suspension fit my car, and similar . kartboy, whiteline, cusco, etc all have drop links and other parts - new of course.

yep - it'd be nice if we had some ohm or voltage test to try first, but.....

might be the coil - or oil on the wire boots from leaky gaskets. do you ever smell fuel around the fill door? some folks get holes in the filler neck causing evap codes. they rust behind the plastic cover. Also, poor gas cap seal and cracked rubber hoses, etc. can cause evap leak codes.