2009 Subaru WRX 265

Alright, this topic has popped up a few times, worthy of its own post and discussion. Last comment came from cata_o and mwrx in the 1 year review post

Here are the comments:

“Just wanted to ask you a question about the engine at idle. Mine trembles occasionaly. Not all the time, here and there, there are some little shakes. This is not new, I felt it from the day 1. The dealer told me everything is fine. Did you experience this?”

and

“My 2010 wrx idles rough when I first start it and it does shake every once in a while like when sitting at a red light. Its has about 1,100 miles on it. I also noticed somtimes when I go to pull in my driveway or a parking spot it almost stalls out. It only happens in low speeds and when its in first gear. I hit the gas to go then push in the clutch an almost stalls out.
Anyone had any stalling problems?”

Comments?

Where does the time go, it has been 6 month since I got my WRX 265, and I thought it will be fun to do a review. I was thinking, I will give this car a grade, you know how fancy car magazines say this car is an A or a B or a D. And so here is the grade a B+

The ride: A+

This car is fast, do not buy this car if you are in the market for a slow Sunday stroll, this car wants to go, and will go. I am shocked that I dont have more speeding tickets. The ride is tight, Subaru did an amazing job with this car. The seats are comfy, the handling is perfect, the AWD is also awesome. BUT again, the speed, man o man

Subaru: A -

Even though i had some issues, the dealership i deal with where great, I have to say that they treated me fairly and well. Except for that horrible survey they sent out, and there not so great road side assistance program. So far my dealing with Subaru has not been painful, and that is more that i can ask from any dealership

Interior: B-

Dont get me wrong, the car is nice, and they did and excellent job with the dash. But the car can use a few fixes. For example:

The sound system is sub par

The Mechanics: D+

That is expected, what can i say, a blown engine. I mean I wont give them such a bad mark if I was the only one, but i am not, there are a lot of people out there with bad engines, so something is off, and Subaru needs to fix it

Overall the car is great, a lot of fun, and real fast. Do I love it, YES. Would I buy it again, YES.

WRX owners, do you agree, was I fair in my assessment?

Here is the latest update.

First I have to say, that I received excellent service so far from Subaru. They gave me a car right away. And took care of things as much as they can. They where very help full at the dealership. So full marks for that.

Subaru called on Friday and said car is done. I asked for the cause, the person said that the engine was changed and that full analysis from Subaru Canada is not back. I asked him if I needed to do anything when I drove the car. No was the answer. I asked again, do I drive it any special way? No again was the answer. But He did ask me to bring it back at 1000 KM to check to make sure there are no leaks.

I went to the dealership, picked up the keys, chatted with a sales guy. Yea that is weird that this happened, I agreed, asked him if I should drive it any special way, Nope. Then I started chatting with the receptionist dude. Do i need to drive the car any special way? Oh Yes Yes, you have to break in the engine. OH…. How do I do that? well drive it at variable speed. for the first 1000 KM. That is it, yup that is it. Ok thanks. Back to the sales guy. Hey, the receptionist dude says I need to break in the car is that true? Oh yes you have to break in the engine. How do I do that? Well drive it at variable speed for 1000 KM.

It was like pulling teeth. Anyway, at least everyone seems to think the engine needs a break in for the first 1000 KM, which is not what is the manual. Manual says 1600 KM. But what does the manual know, I am going to do what they told me and go from there. Back in 1000 KM, gonna do a long trip this weekend, so that should get the 1000 KM in quick.

BTW, here is what was done on the car.

2009 WRX engine replacement work

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

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?