Update: It's a Subaru thing you wouldn't understand

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland) 09/16/2019 at 11:15 • Filed to: Still more reliable than an Alfa

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Previously on LA Law: “ Christmas tree->Limp Mode->turned off, turned back on limp mode off but CEL, Cruise Control, and brake light blinking. My Subaru mechanic must want a new ski boat this year.”

Update: apparently the engine harness connector is bad, like they messed it up when pulling and re-installing the engine the previous 3 times. I’m in this for about $200 and they are covering the rest of what is about $9 00 repair at dealer costs.

CalzoneGolem > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 11:25

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Subaru disables cruise at even a hint of trouble. I’m surprised my dead TPMS sensor(s?) don’t/ doesn’t disable cruise.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CalzoneGolem 09/16/2019 at 11:32

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Yes I’ve found that to be true, and it’s annoying as hell if you have to drive long distances like we do in Montana. This car has been a pain in the ass the last few weeks.

Under_Score > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 11:40

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90,500 miles and nothing like that has happened in my Toyota.

benjrblant > CalzoneGolem 09/16/2019 at 11:42

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Maybe this has something to do with all the viscous couplings and trying not to damage a differential if one tire has a different OD?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 12:34

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Meanwhile in “unreliable” Mopar land:

and 175,000 miles on the Acclaim.

None of mine have ever been lit up like that.....

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/16/2019 at 12:36

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I don’t think I’ll have this car more than a few more years.... I will then be shopping for a late 90's Plymouth grand voyager.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 12:40

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LMFAO!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 12:41

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I dunno, I find Subie’s reliability has actually gotten worse in recent years. I never had issues on my 2002 Impreza like that...hell, it had the fabled ea ter of headgaskets 2.5L NA engine and it never even blew a gasket once in the 5 years and 70,000kms I owned it!

CalzoneGolem > benjrblant 09/16/2019 at 12:49

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This sounds logical to me.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 09/16/2019 at 12:51

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I had a 2002 bug eye impreza wagon. Drove it 110,000 miles. It went through 3 axles and 6 wheel bearings. Needed a valve adjustment at 75,000 miles otherwise fine.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/16/2019 at 13:00

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When the Mitsubishi Outlander starts to look good to me I know I have a problem.

https://www.donksubaru.com/used/Mitsubishi/2015-Mitsubishi-Outlander+Sport-whitefish-kalispell-mt-6da3c9930a0e0aea3b6c48f576b7a950.htm

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 13:02

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I will admit, they’re not terrible looking. After driving one however, holy hell are they cheap crap. They make my 94 Voyager feel/sound refined.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/16/2019 at 13:05

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Yeah, that’s my impression too. At least my outback “feels” like a quality car even if it keeps trowing CEL’s it still has a solid ride, excellent road composure, and no squeaks or rattles.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 13:08

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That’s what mine was - 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5TS - bought it with 110,000kms and sold it at 180,000kms due to living in the rust belt known as Nova Scotia. Other than a shoddily installed aftermarket alarm installed by the previous owner that went off the second you set it, and there being some sort of ground issue as a result that made the car think the rear hatch was open constantly when it was not, the only repairs were a new battery once, a new muffler twice due to them rusting out and new brakes pads and rotors , i t was dead reliable otherwise!

Sammyno55 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 13:25

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My ex-wife has a 2010 Outlander. It has been amazingly durable. It’s terrible to drive, but it seems to send it every time she starts it. Last time I saw it, she had 150K with just normal repairs (tires, oil , filters, brakes, belts, battery, wiper blades). The only things I have seen are tie rod ends at 85K and a battery terminal that broke at the clamp when the car was only 3 years old. 

M.T. Blake > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 13:31

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Subaru + Reliability = Fallacy

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/16/2019 at 15:14

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Engine harness connector. I think the dealer fucked it up the last time they worked on it. I’m not paying for this. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CalzoneGolem 09/16/2019 at 15:14

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Engine harness connector. I think the dealer fucked it up the last time they worked on it. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > M.T. Blake 09/16/2019 at 15:15

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Engine harness connector. I think the dealer fucked it up the last time they worked on it.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 15:16

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More than likely. Gotta love it when you can’t even trust the dealer to do the work correctly.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/16/2019 at 15:17

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They are the only ones that have ever worked on this car. If they balk I’ll call Subaru of America and bitch. They are typically great about these kinds of things .

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 18:16

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Ah, at least they are taking care of the majority of the cost...not sure how you owe them ANYTHING though if they are the ones that messed it up...

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 18:17

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Your engine has been out 3 times??!  That’s Ferrari-level.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 09/16/2019 at 18:20

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The first two were for leaking cam seals, the third was a short block. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 09/16/2019 at 18:22

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I agree and I also am okay with how this turned out. If I bitched loud enough I could probably get it lower but I’m looking forward to having a car that doesn’t Christmas tree.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 18:35

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Why was the engine pulled in the first place?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/16/2019 at 18:40

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Cam seals under warranty x2, and a short block under warranty. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 18:41

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That's a lot to go wrong in 70k miles.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/16/2019 at 18:43

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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/16/2019 at 18:45

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My datsun has become my defacto commuter while my wife is busing the kiddos in my mazda .

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 09/16/2019 at 19:11

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Nah 70k miles would have required at least 7 of those as regular maintenance 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > M.T. Blake 09/16/2019 at 19:12

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Not true, my Sti has been deadfast reliable. Just ignore the $4000 headgasket job performed immediately before purchase at about 135k miles. But at 172k miles now and only regular maintenance, its a damn reliable car. Moreso than the Miata at least that’s for sure!

M.T. Blake > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 09/16/2019 at 19:21

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I’ve never met a well loved Subaru that had  original head gaskets.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > M.T. Blake 09/16/2019 at 19:27

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Im just glad it wasnt a “needed headgasket replacement because it blew up and milkshaked everything”. Instead it was needed just to pass emissions testing. So it was addressed long before anything blew up. Of course I still have to worry about ringlands, the oil consumption (no matter how “normal” it is), my clutch, and my turbo as the car ages. But its moreso the internet scaring me into believing things are supposed to explode because subaru...

M.T. Blake > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 09/16/2019 at 19:41

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True. From my recollection I believe the head gaskets being an issue is more of a geometry of the engine (boxer) rather than Subaru... I wonder if Porsche has a high failure rate...?

Michael Woyahn > CalzoneGolem 09/16/2019 at 20:36

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What I find interesting is Toyota lets you use cruise, but it disables the traction control and stability control with the check engine light! When my thermostat was failing, I got to have way more fun driving my RX in the snow than intended.

shop-teacher > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 09/16/2019 at 20:48

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Congratulations, you made it 37k miles without a major repair!

shop-teacher > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/16/2019 at 20:51

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Unimpressive Subaru. Unimpressive.

CalzoneGolem > Michael Woyahn 09/16/2019 at 21:23

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That is confusing to me.

Michael Woyahn > CalzoneGolem 09/16/2019 at 22:17

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It’s definitely confusing to me, too. I honestly thought it just threw the lights up to scare owners into  fixing their car, so I was really surprised when it let me spin all four tires with no inhibition. It doesn’t fully disable the stability control though, since it did kick in once when I got it really sideways. Why Toyota would disable safety systems with the CEL is still beyond me though.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/17/2019 at 06:39

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That is terrible IMO.

Almost as bad as the recent post about replacing 9 water pumps in 62k miles.....

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/17/2019 at 09:11

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Yeah the wheel bearings were like changing the oil. For a while I didn’t take it seriously until the rear hub failed and the wheel almost fell off the car. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > shop-teacher 09/17/2019 at 11:15

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The wonders of a car that has been properly maintained and unmodified in its lifetime. In that time I have replaced a starter, brake rotors, brake pads, tires (twice), spark plugs, oil every 5k, intercooler hoses, coolant, thermostat, coolant hoses, radio, the hid bulbs (probably original), and various other light bulbs . My flywheel has been acting up almost the entire time but I have ignored that since the clutch is still kicking. But it is totally reasonable to need to do a clutch job eventually since its on the original after this many miles. Throwout bearing makes noise and the flywheel skips on startup occasionally but clutch friction life is still very good so I will see how long it goes.