On Friday, I started to notice that once I hit 4K RPM the car would slip a bit in that I would lose power for a tiny bit. I called Subaru but it was too late they had closed for the day. On Saturday, I called again, and unfortunately the shop was closed for the weekend, I was hoping to chat with anyone, but no luck. In anycase I decided to take it in and show it to the sales people maybe they would know. I showed it to the guy who sold me the car, and he was not 100% sure, but he said to be safe not to drive it much, and I did not.
By the time I got home, It has started to slip more and at lower RPM. On Sunday the car was pretty much parked. Today, drove it in, it was really bad.
Got to dealership, left it there, then a few hours later, I got the call, clutch is gone. Not sure why clutches would go, why so early. I dont think I am that bad of a driver, but could be.
I was told that I would hear back and the estimated cost is 1600 + tax. outch. I love this car, but really I am also tired of this car. Maybe we are just not made for each other.
Isn’t that a lot of a clutch?
Samer, don’t want to sound judgemental but…. man, I think you really hammered the car. Tires gone in 20k might give you a clue. I have to admit though, the car begs to be hammered
.
Comment by cata_o — May 18, 2010 @ 8:15 am
But if you are going to get a car like that and drive it like a Honda Civic, then just buy a Honda Civic what is the point of getting a WRX
Comment by Samer Forzley — May 18, 2010 @ 8:18 am
I don’t know, it is possible that Subaru kept the clutch from the old WRX with 224 HP. They probably thought it will have no problems with the higher output. Maybe they were wrong.
Comment by cata_o — May 18, 2010 @ 8:40 am
To be honest I cant claim to understand the mechanics that much so I cant comment on a clutch for 224 vs 265.
All I know is, I got a performance car, I drive it like a performance car. It could be that I am driving it wrong, I dont know.
Do I drive it fast, Yes, but its, a WRX
Comment by Samer Forzley — May 18, 2010 @ 8:51 am
Do you/did you drop the clutch? I mean rev to 4-5k rpm at a stop and then drop the clutch for a “launch”? The AWD doesn’t allow much of a wheelspin and all the stress goes to clutch and transmission. Usually the transmission dies first but I read that Subaru improved the 5spd transmission. Maybe it is a “protection feature”, a transmission is more expensive than a clutch
.
Comment by cata_o — May 18, 2010 @ 9:03 am
Clutch IS covered under the warranty policy. Push them to cover it, if they don’t, contact Subaru of Canada and push them!
They try and claim you abused, you claim they screwed something up when they replaced the engine on a brand new car. Ask them to show you proof of their claim that you abused it. An abused clutch disc will turn a blue shade from the heat. I wouldn’t take it lying down. You’ll know yourself if you really have abused it or not. You can smell VERY clearly burning clutch.
Problem with clutches is the labour involved, not the parts cost. If you can’t get anywhere with Subaru covering it, then get an independant Subaru specialist to do the work. Should be cheaper than the dealer and you would have the option for an uprated aftermarket clutch to prevent this problem reoccuring. Check out Toronto Subaru Club for vendors, there’s a good few highly recommended shops in the GTA.
Comment by BG — May 21, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
@cata: Samer, don’t want to sound judgemental but…. man, I think you really hammered the car. Tires gone in 20k might give you a clue. I have to admit though, the car begs to be hammered .
20K miles is about right for sticky summer tires.
Comment by Geoff — June 4, 2010 @ 4:33 pm
@Samer I dunno how long you have been drive a manual transmission car, so I don’t mean to speak down to you. Please don’t take it as such. The more you drive the car with the clutch partially engaged, the more you’ll wear the clutch. Taking longer than a few seconds with the clutch pedal partially depressed while starting from a stop, driving with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, and dropping the clutch while revving the engine as mentioned by cata can all wear a clutch faster than ‘normal’.
Comment by Geoff — June 4, 2010 @ 4:36 pm
Geoff
Fair comments, I know your not talking down. I appreciate your feedback.
I have driven standard cars all my life, I never owned an automatic car. having said that, all the cars i ever drove before where not performance cars. Maybe I am driving this car wrong, It can be the case.
But I will say this, and its to answer @cata point. This car has a clutch that is designed for the GT which is the low horse power car. Does a high horse power engine burn a clutch fast if the car is driven hard?
Comment by Samer Forzley — June 5, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
@Geoff 20k miles = 32k km
Comment by cata_o — June 6, 2010 @ 11:39 pm
I got my car at the end of last year and fear my clutch might be in bad shape as well. I have driven it fairly hard, not trying to burnouts or dropping the clutch, but heel toeing quite a bit which I’m not great at. I also taught a few friends to drive stick, so that may have worn the clutch a bit. Point is, how can you tell your clutch is burnt? It has just been feeling rougher on the transition to first. I wouldn’t say slipping, but definitely a rougher feel when I engage and disengage. I also don’t smell any burning. I will just take it in soon, but I was curious to hear you guys’ opinions.
Comment by Achudo — July 9, 2010 @ 10:49 am
Wow I put 296k on my 2002 WRX factory clutch. Wasn’t slipping when I sold it either.
Drove it really hard the first 120k and was more gentle after that. Always made a point to avoid slipping the clutch and that paid off eh?
Comment by Will — October 8, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
It seems like there is a trend to suggest that the clutch on the WRX is not well matched for the engine power. It also appears that Subaru does not intend to do much about it anytime soon. That said, is there an aftermarket heavy duty clutch out there that is better matched for the power?
Comment by Adam — December 21, 2010 @ 3:02 pm