2009 Subaru WRX 265

Before I tell you what happened, why it happened and what happened after it happened. I want you to know I am not making excuses and what happened is totally my fault

So if your comment back to me is, you are an idiot, save your self the trouble.

(AGAIN NO EXCUSES) But, I have been quite busy lately, really busy, more so than I need to tell you. I had also gone on a few long trips with the car, Toronto a couple of times, NYC, etc… and somewhere between work and life, totally forgot about the Oil Change. How much you ask? well lets say I over shot it by 4K.

I was driving to Toronto, car loaded, and about 3 hours in. I hear a hissing noise. When I heard it, it hit me that the car has not been going as fast as normal, and the noise seemed to come on when I press the gas. I exited, got to a gas station and looked at things. checked the oil and lets just say it was LOW. So I added some, and hit the HWY again. By the time I ramped up to 120, the noise was really loud. So I dropped down the speed and put it on cruise, wanted to get to the next exit and get off again. Within a minute, the car made a weird noise, then the cruise came off, the check engine light came on, and the traction control light came on as well. Luckily there was an exit close by, got off, parked, and called road side assistance.

They offered to take the car to the closest dealer, which I asked them to do in the morning. They where very helpful except that the one thing I really wanted / cared for when its that late at night, and cold, is the safety of my family, which the road side assistance does not care to cover. I had written a blog post on that in the past you can read it here

In the morning the car was taken to Whitby which was the closes dealer to where I was

As soon as they looked at the car, the decision was clear and instant.

a) The Turbo is gone
b) It was my fault for neglecting the car

Since it was Saturday they could not source the part to work on it, but they promised to work on it on Monday and get it fixed. The only question was, who will pay for the damage.

Long story short, the dealer called me on Monday afternoon and informed me that Subaru Canada would like to have a word with me. within 30 minutes, a lady and a gentleman from Subaru was on the phone. They where very pleasant, and did a good job letting me know that I was at fault. Informed me that the cost of replacing the Turbo was close to $2000 and that it is not covered by warranty. No argument from my side. What can I say. However they had a proposal… They would pick up the cost of the turbo IF, I am willing to do an engine flush and the 24K service at the dealership. That sounds like a great offer, Deal. With that Subaru was generous to pick up the tab, and I got off with a $600 bill for maintenance that had to be done anyway.

So the moral of the story is, PLEASE, learn from me, Change your OIL on schedule, its very important… TRUST ME

Before I warp up, I want to give a plug to the Whitby dealership, they were nice and Mark the shop manager was very helpful.

I started to think after why Subaru would do that I don’t have the answer yet but I have 3 theories

1) I know the Subaru folks that called knew about my blown engine and maybe they feel bad so they paid for the Turbo
2) The Subaru folks thought if I pay for the Turbo, I wont do the engine flush, and by the time I get back home, I will need a new engine
3) The Subaru Folks know about this blog and want me to say something nice about them

Maybe its a combination of all of the above, and that is fine by me.

What do you think?

The car was at the dealership this week for a MAJOR unexpected repair (I will write about that and the events that followed in short time) but I want to give this topic first attention and get opinion.

I was planning on taking the car in for service soon and putting on my snow tires but this incident happened and forced me in. I had noticed that the tire tread is getting low, but did not think it was that bad, until the shop called me and told me that my front tires where pretty mush dead, the tread is gone, the steel is coming through, you cant drive on them any more. Fair enough, let put the snows on I said and so it was.

The car has 27K on it, of these about 5 where put on snow tires last year. So the factory installed tires lasted 20K or so. THAT is low in my opinion. I know they are performance, and tread life depends on “how you drive the car” but 20K? that is all you get?

Is that normal? what do you think?

Started looking for information on whats new for the 2010 WRX. There seems to be rumors out there about 5 more HP and not much more, I will keep an eye out. But if I was Subaru, I will make the following changes ASAP

1. Fix the engine issue
2. Add a 6th gear
3. Fix the pop out of 4th gear issue
4. Add a wind shield washer fluid sensor
5. A better sound system.

What do you think??? Add yours here…

I have a bad habit, when I drive, i keep my right hand on the gear shift.  But lately and maybe I imagining things, I noticed that while i am driving, the gear just pops out of 4th gear, and i find myself in neutral, with a nice rev

Does this happen to you?

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?

This weekend, I took the car for a spin in Quebec in a very hilly area on my way to a ski hill.

Just to describe the area, and I wish I had pics, but anyway. Like they say, Quebec is “la belle provence” and there is a reason for it. The area was very hilly, lots of steep ups and downs both short and long. Tons of winding roads which make the drive both challenging and fun. One of the hills I had to go down, then up, had a 21 degree slope which ended in a nice left hand turn.

I have to say, I had a blast. The car performed so well, I did not feel that it was choking going up, and had excellent control going down. I loved it when the car pulled to an incline right after it finished completing a down slope, and when I gave it gas on the way up, it just launched.

Can’t wait to get back out there.

Are companies really listening to you?

I was not sure where to write this post, on this blog or on my personal blog. Ultimately I choose this blog. True to the purpose of this blog, I am documenting my entire experience with my car and Subaru for the term of the lease, and the post belonged here.

I picked up the mail today and in there is a letter from Maritz Research, Intrigued I opened it and found 2 items inside the envelop.

1) A Survey: “2009 Customer Satisfaction Study”

2) A Check, my reward for completing the survey.

The survey which can be filled online http://www.maritzarg.com/ca/ has 8 pages packed with questions. You name it, they asked it. I honestly dont mind filling surveys and giving feedback. But this survey pissed me off. Why? two reasons.

1) This survey is not from Subaru, there is no indication it is. I swear it looks like Subaru gave my data to this weird company who now wants to collect more information on me.  I quote from the letter.  “The manufacturer from whom you acquired your vehicle provided your contact information to Martiz Research. Martiz Research is committed to protection your identity”… Then the kicker “Your involvement is vital to the success of this research; therefore, enclosed is a token of appreciation for your reply” (The check is the token).

Subaru if you sold my data, shame on you. DO NOT EVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!!!!!

2) The check, is for $2. yes two dollars. Now dont get me wrong, two dollars is two dollars. But come on, what planet do you poeple live on, what an insult, 2 dollars? I dont know who is worse this Martiz scam or Subaru?

In anycase, I am so annoyed. How dare you Subaru sell my data for 2 dollars? How out of touch are you people. Do you not have a product manager who knows what a blog is? Do you not have someone who looks at the survery web site and say this is wrong?  (See the link, i urge you, does this Maritz company and its website look trust Worthy?)

You want my feedback on your car read my blog or other blogs and news groups where Subaru owners are giving you good meaningful data. Be involved, reply to a blog post, be human. Dont sell my data and send useless surveys attached to a $2 check. Want feedback on your engine, you got it here. A review on your bad radio – check, a review of the interior – check, feedback on gas consumption – yup got it.  On and On, its there; you just need to listen.

Many people read this blog, Many have sent asked me directly about the car before they bought. Even thought I had a garbage engine, I still said this car is great, But this survey totally changes my perspective. Subaru the world has changed, those tactics dont work any more.

Subaru/Maritz, you can take your $2 check and stick it.

What do you guys think, do i have the right to be upset? Am I making a big deal out of this

Over the last 2 weeks I did not update this post, I kept it quite until the break in period is over. SO the break in period is over.

I drove the car as instructed, I am willing to take an oath that i did, during the break in period I have to incidents. In both incidents I heard a weird clicking noise out of the engine (maybe i am just paranoid) .Iin both cases I called Subaru as soon as they happened. Unfortunate in both cases it happened on a Saturday and no mechanics where there.

I took the car in today, thought it would be ideal if I get an oil change after the break in is over and wanted them to test drive it and make sure everything checks out. Got the Oil change, and Chatted with the mechanic, No issues from what they can tell regarding the new engine, they tested everything.

Talked him at a bit about the break in. I am going to be as clear as possible. Subaru Mechanic told me today, The Break in period is just a precaution, it is not required. “The car is supposed to be driven”. I asked him about all this discussion online about breaking in the engine. Again, Break in is nice to have he said.

My advice better safe than sorry break in the engine, especially if you are buying not leasing the car.

Mechanic told me that Subaru has identified a common thread between the 09 wrx engines that have failed, even thought he said that no official word is out, what he heard is simply rumor. If there is a common thread and its confirmed soon, I would imagine they would let me know. In any case I am due back in April and will follow up.

In the mean time. I am going to do what the mechanic told me. “Just drive it, its meant to be driven hard”

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