Topic: Test Drive: 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited with EyeSight

[AutoTrader.ca]

Rugged and dependable, like Canada.
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[valuator]

Isn't the jury still out on whether or not the 2.5 engine is reliable, long term?

[Niklasky]

I always liked the Outback. It would be perfect for the needs of my family.

But this 2.5i engine is uninspiring at best, gutless and reliability is a bit of a gamble with head gasket issues, etc.

[greengs]

Is this slower or faster than Volkswagen Tiguan? 

[KD]

Isn't the jury still out on whether or not the 2.5 engine is reliable, long term?

Yeah Subaru have gotten an easy ride from the press regarding the HG issue for many years.  Most of the people i know that buy them over and over again keep them for only the term of the lease, or warranty, then trade up to another.  My doctor and his wife have owned Subarus (currently he an OBW and she a Legacy Sedan) for as long as i can remember and he knows about the hg issue, but doesn't care because they trade them up every four years.

They are a good car to drive, especially for our winters.

[bridgecity]

No-san should be along anytime losing his mind about the "fake news" with regards to failing head gaskets  .

[SKYMTL]

Rugged and dependable, like Canada.
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Is this willingly turning a blind eye towards this problem?  As someone who has a family member currently affected by this ticking time bomb of an engine, the claim of reliability here is completely at odds with reality. 

[Ex-airbalancer]

Isn't the jury still out on whether or not the 2.5 engine is reliable, long term?

Yeah Subaru have gotten an easy ride from the press regarding the HG issue for many years.  Most of the people i know that buy them over and over again keep them for only the term of the lease, or warranty, then trade up to another.  My doctor and his wife have owned Subarus (currently he an OBW and she a Legacy Sedan) for as long as i can remember and he knows about the hg issue, but doesn't care because they trade them up every four years.

They are a good car to drive, especially for our winters.

Does HG problem kill their trade in value at the dealership ?

[johngenx]

I know a LOT of Subaru owners, and most of them just suck up the huge HG bill and pass it off as part of the cost of owning a Subaru.  There was a time when you could get both gaskets done for about $1K, and while that was expensive, it wasn't horrendous.  For some reason now, $2500+ is a common price and that's getting into "really expensive repair" territory.

The one good thing is that the HG seems to last quite a bit longer, but it still kicks your a$$.  I know quite a few owners that shelled out $1500 for timing belts/etc at 170K only then to stare $3K in the face at 200K for the gaskets.

Subarus are absolute beasts in the winter.  They still handle bad roads better than pretty much anything else.  But, you pay for it with problematic head gaskets, expensive parts and service, difficult DIY service/repairs, and a small dealer network (with many of them very arrogant about it).

[ltruong]

No-san should be along anytime losing his mind about the "fake news" with regards to failing head gaskets  .

Haha only took 2 post to bring it up

[JG20]

Unfortunately, trade value does not get affected.  Subaru continues to be leaders in terms of resale value which is part of the reason I sucked it up and bought my STI brand new.  (BTW, similar car to mine is listed on autotrader.ca for about 5K more than MSRP, low kms but mine is not much more)

Also, agree about being a beast in the winter, but... everyone else slows you down anyway.

As far as service, I take my car to a local Subaru specialist.  Much better service and product (Motul synthetic) and more affordable than the dealerships.  This is only while the car is under warranty so I can get a receipt for each service.  Prefer to do my own service once car is out of warranty (unless it's too cold outside  ).

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Question:  Does the H6 suffer from the same HG issues?  Is this a problem that is consistent with ALL Subaru Boxer engines?  Or is it limited to a design flaw in the 2.5 alone?

[JG20]

Question:  Does the H6 suffer from the same HG issues?  Is this a problem that is consistent with ALL Subaru Boxer engines?  Or is it limited to a design flaw in the 2.5 alone?

2.5 NA seems to suffer the most.  I believe the early 3.0 H6 had issues but the newer 3.6 H6 are better.  Turbo engines are more robust.

[Weels]

Unfortunately, trade value does not get affected.

Certainly my experience.  Traded in our Crosstrek at about 3 1/2 year mark, saw it later on a used car lot with an ask price of $25K.
We paid ~$31 for that thing new.

Also, agree about being a beast in the winter.

It was. 
But.. our CX-5 is even better. It just bulldozes through anything, completely secure.
Had same WS80 Blizzak's on both the Crosstrek & Mazda

[dirtyjeffer]

I know a LOT of Subaru owners, and most of them just suck up the huge HG bill and pass it off as part of the cost of owning a Subaru.  There was a time when you could get both gaskets done for about $1K, and while that was expensive, it wasn't horrendous.  For some reason now, $2500+ is a common price and that's getting into "really expensive repair" territory.

The one good thing is that the HG seems to last quite a bit longer, but it still kicks your a$$.  I know quite a few owners that shelled out $1500 for timing belts/etc at 170K only then to stare $3K in the face at 200K for the gaskets.

Subarus are absolute beasts in the winter.  They still handle bad roads better than pretty much anything else.  But, you pay for it with problematic head gaskets, expensive parts and service, difficult DIY service/repairs, and a small dealer network (with many of them very arrogant about it).

my coworker just went through that...was quoted about $4k..it also needed other things (new tires, wheel bearing, etc)...she ended up selling it kijiji for $1k and got a new Elantra instead.

a friend of mine just bought a new Crosstrek, in orange...looks really nice...he seems to keep his cars for some time, so i'm guessing he isn't aware of the oil consumption and HG issues...his Matrix served him well over the 10+ years he's had it...i'll cross my fingers for him, but it's a risk i wouldn't take...and its a shame, because i like most of their cars.

[ltruong]

Question:  Does the H6 suffer from the same HG issues?  Is this a problem that is consistent with ALL Subaru Boxer engines?  Or is it limited to a design flaw in the 2.5 alone?

2.5 NA seems to suffer the most.  I believe the early 3.0 H6 had issues but the newer 3.6 H6 are better.  Turbo engines are more robust.

I think they had issues 2 generations ago not sure about this one.

[johngenx]

The CrossTrek has the 2.0L engine, and the verdict isn't in on that one - too few engines with higher kms on them.

Most of the 2.5L NA engines seem to need the gaskets done at about 200K - not many last much longer than that.  In some ways it's worse, not better.  The kid's Forester has had the driver's side HG leaking for about 100K now, but externally oil only, so it keeps on trucking.  On the older SOHC 2.5s you could extend the life of the HG by frequently changing coolant and using the Subaru Coolant Conditioner - some sort of stop-leak that doesn't gum up the cooling system.  I'm sure that's how her car is at 440K on the original gaskets.

The later 2.5s seem to have a better gasket in terms of original build, but there seems no way to extend it's life much past 200K.  Friends of mine bought a 2009 Forester to replace their 2000, and they, like me, changed the coolant every other year and religiously used the conditioner and their 2000 model was on the original gaskets when sold.  Their 2009 didn't make 200K despite frequent coolant and oil changes.  $3000 plus shop fees, taxes, etc, and it was painful.  They sold it afterwards.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

The CrossTrek has the 2.0L engine, and the verdict isn't in on that one - too few engines with higher kms on them.

Most of the 2.5L NA engines seem to need the gaskets done at about 200K - not many last much longer than that.  In some ways it's worse, not better.  The kid's Forester has had the driver's side HG leaking for about 100K now, but externally oil only, so it keeps on trucking.  On the older SOHC 2.5s you could extend the life of the HG by frequently changing coolant and using the Subaru Coolant Conditioner - some sort of stop-leak that doesn't gum up the cooling system.  I'm sure that's how her car is at 440K on the original gaskets.

The later 2.5s seem to have a better gasket in terms of original build, but there seems no way to extend it's life much past 200K.  Friends of mine bought a 2009 Forester to replace their 2000, and they, like me, changed the coolant every other year and religiously used the conditioner and their 2000 model was on the original gaskets when sold.  Their 2009 didn't make 200K despite frequent coolant and oil changes.  $3000 plus shop fees, taxes, etc, and it was painful.  They sold it afterwards.

See, other makes don't require PITA coolant changes every 2 years just to preserve headgaskets...