| Author |
Message |
    
Wilkanoid
Citizen
Username: Cseleosida
Post Number: 79
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 10:11 am: | 
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My 1997 Subaru is due for its 75K maintenance check-up. I'm having a debate with myself as to whether it's cheaper (assuming same quality) to have a regular mechanic check it, as opposed to having the dealer do it. The manual puts these points of inspection down for this go-round:
- replace oil/filter
- inspect brake pads, linings, front/rear axle boots, CV joints (what are these?), axle half shaft, parking brake
- inspect clutch and hill-holder system (only present in Subarus, I believe)
- inspect steering and suspension
- rotate tires
Any educated input to this? |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3863
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 10:47 am: |
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None of the items are rocket science. A dealer will charge more for the service than an independent garage and probably will be just as satisfied.
BTW, when does the timing chain have to be replaced on Subarus? I know on my Mazda it is at around 50k to 60k miles. |
Phil
Citizen
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 714
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 10:51 am: |
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I love Toomey on Baker for this kind of stuff. Whatever you do, don't use the place with the Subaru sign on Valley, or Hillside dealership. If you want to go with a dealer, use Morristown or Verona.
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jonnyt
Citizen
Username: Jonnyt
Post Number: 19
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 11:18 am: |
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Phil, have you had problems with the place on Valley? |
Wilkanoid
Citizen
Username: Cseleosida
Post Number: 80
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 11:35 am: |
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Is the timing chain the same as the timing belt? If so, it is supposed to be replaced at 60K miles as well. Can't remember if it was done, but I do follow the maintenance sked pretty religiously. |
jonnyt
Citizen
Username: Jonnyt
Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 3:01 pm: |
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any feedback from anyone on the subaru place on valley street? |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3869
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 3:20 pm: |
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Yeah, actually it is a belt instead of a chain, which is why it has to be replaced.
If this fails, the damage can be catastrophic as valves go out of sync and crash through the pistons. This actually happened to a friend with a Toyota. |
Phil
Citizen
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 717
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 5:51 pm: |
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Yes I did. I took it in for a minor radio repair (my son fed it some quarters!). They ended up causing more damage, and were completely unwilling to remedy the situation unless I agreed to further payment.
I took it to Hillside three times who couldn't fix the problem that the Valley guy had caused. Finally Morristown found the (minor) problem and fixed it (under warranty no less)!
I even called Subaru who told me he wasn't recognized as an authorized repair place and he shouldn't be displaying the sign.
Whatever the story of the mechanical cause and effect, I was really angry about his attitude, which basically was: it's your problem.
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Mergele
Citizen
Username: Mergele
Post Number: 26
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 6:04 pm: |
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Call me crazy, but I go all the way to Oradell (Liberty) for major/warranty service on my Forrester. It's a hike, and I've never been a big fan of car dealers for much of anything, but I've had nothing but good luck with the folks there.
"Cats climb because being ruler of all you survey sucks when all you survey is ankles." -- Unknown
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tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 236
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 10:07 pm: |
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Same here--the only place I will ever take our 1999 Subaru is Liberty Subaru in Oradell. They are the only place I trust not to rip me off and they know how to fix the car. As far as I know, the timing belt can go to at least 80,000 miles. Mazdas are replaced much sooner. Liberty charges about $300 for the timing belt replacement. They are also the best place to buy a new Subaru. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3870
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 4:41 am: |
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I believe that the "Subaru" place on Valley was a franchised dealer when Subaru started to import cars in the late 1970s. I sort of remember this from when we moved here in 1979 or so and as the brand grew they lost or sold the franchise. |
Lydia
Citizen
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 184
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 7:52 am: |
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My Subaru is coming up on 100K, I second BobK's warning about the Subaru place on Valley.
In my experience, the best local place for the big check-ups in the place in Morristown. They'll drop you off at the Morristown train station so you're not stranded out there. I've taken the Subaru to several of the local places for tune-ups and I usually end up back in Morristown and have to pay twice. |
houseodeb
Citizen
Username: Houseodeb
Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 11:47 pm: |
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I own a Subaru Outback. This is the 4th Subaru
and the other 2 cars always went to the dealer
at Loman in Parcipanny. Kenny the mechanic there
is great. My new outback I take to Gulf on the coner on Milburn & Valley. They keep it up to
the Subaru Standards. No problems yet. |
houseodeb
Citizen
Username: Houseodeb
Post Number: 21
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 11:49 pm: |
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It is best to do what the Subaru Warranty tells
you. The car will last longer. I have experience
These cars go up to 200,000 miles easily. |
euclidean
Citizen
Username: Euclidean
Post Number: 155
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 21, 2003 - 6:48 am: |
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I believe that timing belts or chains will actually last much longer than the 60K miles recommended by the manufacturer. In my Mazda manual, there is a California clause that says it should be replaced at 100K miles. I think the manufacturers are erring on the side of caution. Still, for $300 or so, I suppose it doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 20
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2003 - 1:36 pm: |
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I bought my 2001 Subaru Outback at Lynnes Subaru in Bloomfield (on Bloomfield Ave.). I have taken it in for a couple of major mileage maintenances, and I have to say thatI am very pleased with the service there. They do good work, are polite, have the car ready when promised, and provide a loaner car. Just wanted to give them a plug -- they are closer than Oradell or Morristown and are really, really good. |
psychobabbler
Citizen
Username: Psychobabbler
Post Number: 167
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2003 - 2:57 pm: |
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I bought mine at Somerset Subaru, and have been pleased with their work the couple of times I've used them. It's a 45 min. hike, but I've found both the sales and service staff far more pleasant to deal with than other places (mind you, this is coming from someone with a rather negative impression of car dealers/mechanics)and they provide a loaner car. I did the 60K service and replaced the timing belt there; for minor maintenance like oil changes I go someplace convenient to where I work. |
irl
Citizen
Username: Irl
Post Number: 53
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2003 - 9:56 pm: |
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We tried the Valley place and it was a similar disaster.
Lynnes was an even worse one. In fact, We were told that they fired the entire staff there because they were charging for work that was never done. The last time we took it there, we decided not to have the extensive work they suggested done and they gave it back to us without putting the car back together!! When we made a stink about it, they asked what our problem was. Be afraid of Lynnes. Be VERY afraid!!
Long story short, we've had non-problems "fixed" and real problems mis"diagnosed" for so long that we've had to give up our outback for lost. At this point, we've been told it needs a new engine...cha-ching!!!
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jonnyt
Citizen
Username: Jonnyt
Post Number: 21
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 10:02 am: |
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irl, what was the "disaster" that befell you at the valley place? |
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