2009 Subaru WRX 265

I have not heard back from Subaru yet, Which is ok I guess given its the holidays. Board of driving the station wagon they gave me. Dont get me wrong its a nice car, but not exactly a WRX.

In any case, my story does not seem to be isolated, good feedback on youtube and where i posted the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cjXSNxfJfI and by email.

I also got several news groups linking to the blog and chatting about the problem and mentioning my story. Hope Subaru sorts this engine problem out soon.

Here are some of the other discussion online around this issue, lots others as well, wont list all

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=680384

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1648372&page=12

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=246033&perpage=20&pagenumber=2

http://forums.evolutionm.net/2009-lancer-ralliart-general/389234-edmunds-ralliart-wrx-27.html

Will keep you posted

First I want to thank everyone who posted and the many who sent me emails, much appreciated.

I got a few emails from people saying they are not going to buy the car because of this . I would say lets wait and see until the final verdict is in.

The guy from the dealership called me first thing in the morning and wanted to get some information on what happened, I told him what happened and he said he will call me back after technicians looked at the car. 2 hours later, i got the call, they found metal shavings in the oil when they drained it. They asked more question about what happened, they wanted more details and I provided it to them.

Another hour later, I got the call that the engine is out and will be on its way to Subaru Canada where they will take it appart, assess and let me know. The process usually takes two weeks, but with the holidays coming up, I expect it to take a bit longer, in any case, they provided me a replacement car.

I picked up the car in the evening, tried to chat a bit with the technician, but I could not get more info. All i gathered up is that this is not normal based on what they told me (but I expected that) and that the engine is the same as the 2008 model with some modifications.

So for now, I have a Subaru Legacy, and need an engine, other than that I dont know anything. I will keep everyone posted.

There where some comments about a break in period for the car. The more I think about this the more I am convinced that, that is not the problem. As I mentioned in a reply to a previous post, The week I got the car, I drove it about 1000 KM on a regional HWY between Ottawa and Toronto, so the car engine would have been broken in. I also know 100% that no one in the dealership talked to be about a break in, again in anycase, like i said I think 1000 KM is proper. BTW. I did go and check the user manual and no where do i see language on break in, where is it, what page? there is nothing in the warning section, nothing in the index, nothing in the content of the chapters. If you know where it is in the manual, let me know. To me bottom line, if break in is important, the sales man should not ask me to let it rip on the rest drive, if its important it should be told, and noted first thing in the manual.

Anyway for the time being, I have the replacement, I am happy with that, but sad that I dont have the car, and which I was not in this situation

When the car broke down, I called the Subaru Road Side assistance, the program came with the car. I reached into my dash, grabbed the card and called.

The lady answered the line with the most pleasant and reassuring voice, she was very positive and helpful, asked for my id, asked if i was ok, asked if I need emergency assistance, asked if i was in a safe location, etc… She then asked me to hold as she dispatched a truck, promised me that the truck will be there within 45 minutes(which was the case, he came in about 20)  as it was not a “busy night”. So far so good, I am impressed.

But things started to go sideways. Here is why. She asked me if I wanted to have the car taken to the dealership, yes please i answered, great she said, please wait till the driver gets there, give him your keys and make sure you take an valuables out of the car. Ok thanks will he drive me home?

NO, that is not part of the service – But its – 17, its 11:30 pm, I am on the hwy, how do i get home. You will have to call a cab after the driver gets there… You are not serious right, do you want me to wait on the side of a hwy, in the freezing cold weather until a cab comes? Sir there is nothing I can do. Now I am getting pissed. What if i had my kids with me what do i do? Sir you will have to call a cab. Its late at night, my wife cant leave the kids and come get me, and I am not waiting for a cab in the cold, what if I was on a major HWY like the 401 in Canada or I81 in the US, how do you propose I get to a town?What f the car was packed with kids and I had a trunk full of stuff? if i was out of town would you give me a rental or some type of transportation? nope that is not part of the service.

So be prepared, if you ever call on Subaru road side assistance, you will get great service for your car, on the other hand you should get ready to be stranded.
How did i get home? Truck driver drove me, i was lucky it was on his way, he had to go by my place anyway, and I convinced him, he was a super nice guy.

2 weeks ago, I heard a very faint rattle noise coming out of the car, looked under the hood, did not see anything, then the noise went away (i thought it did anyway).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cjXSNxfJfI&feature=channel_page]
Yesterday I was going to meet up with some Friend and the car started making a very very loud noise, I had my little camera so i took a video of it, because i thought i would be good to post on the blog, so here goes

Well anyway, I was worried about the car, but made it to my meet up, then headed home. On the way home, the noise was just getting louder and louder, at one point, i felt that the car is losing power, but wanted to get home and it was too late to take it anywhere, also, it was really cold, – 17,  so thought id keep going. A few minutes latter, the noise was way too loud and then, silence, the engine shut down, and car wont start.

Called Subaru road side assistance, that is another post altogether…

I think the engine is gone, what do you think?

Car busted, so much to write about. For now, car is towed to dealer, I think it needs a new engine, just over 2000 KM on it, so disappointed.

Subaru WRX 265 Towed away

So i got snow tires today, took a while to find some, i guess tires are a hot item these days especially we where are because in Quebec, snow tires are mandatory, so seems like there is a shortage. In any case, got them installed, and oh my, what a difference, I am glad I got them on.

Well i cant wait anymore, I wanted to see if the tires that came with the wrx 265 where going to hold up given that the car was AWD.

So far they did ok, but today maybe because it was too cold, i found the traction very low, I slipped and slid on take off and as I slowed down.

So i have to bite the bullet and get the ugly steel rims, and snow tires.

Well, I am back in the saddle and wouldn’t you know it, its super cold. In the morning, I gotta scrape me some ice of the windshield to get going. Today was a bit colder than has been in the last 2 days. I scraped the windshield, but though going Id put on the defrost to get the back window defrosted. Yes i am lazy.

Off i go driving, 5 minutes in, Nothing, not a thing, its as if the defrost button was not even checked. i pressed the button 3 times (its on a timer) NOTHING.

Then i blast the heat up, and point the vents towards the back, boom instant meltdown. I wonder if my defrost is defective, I swear our other car defrosts faster.

Anyone else have that issue with their wrx 265?

Oh one more thing, their is a rattling noise coming out of the engine, sounds like something is lose and making a crackly noise, I gotta figure that out as well, will keep you posted. I wonder if having it parked for so long hurt the car.

Enough is enough, went to physio yesterday, and the man said i can drive as early as next week because i had enough strength. So why wait. I drove today, back on the road, thank God.

BTW, here is what happened, it was very weird, and the car has not moved for a while and parked out in the cold, the first 300 meters or so, the car put out a big stink rubber burning smell and the tires where shaky. I guess things needed to losen up a bit, but after that, I was back in business.