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Subaru Problems

Are you having problems with your Subaru? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Subaru issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Subaru in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

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Solutions for Subaru Liberty road noise?

Try a sound system specialist; they are doing that sort of thing all the time. Another possibility is Mordialloc Auto Parts, they specialize in Subarus.

Used small cars review: 2007-2010

You can save a motza on a late-model used car, because the first owner has already taken the biggest hit... usually 30-50 percent, in depreciation. Ideally, you want to be the second owner, and hang on to the car for a few years, to maximise the value you get from your motoring dollar.

We’ve picked our top five used small cars under $15,000 based on reliability, quality, safety, space and low running costs.

You won’t find any Euros on our list. The VW Golf, Peugeot 307 and Holden Astra are sweet to drive, but they can also fall to bits. They’re hideously expensive to fix and to service. Trust us. There is no such thing as a cheap, reliable, European used car.

A well-maintained 2007-2008 Corolla Ascent or Conquest is used car gold, because chances are it will still drive like new and you’ll enjoy many years of trouble-free ownership. The 1.8-litre engine, still used in the 2012 model, is frugal, uses regular unleaded and performance, with the six-speed manual or four speed auto, is reasonable.

It’s very easy to drive and park, with great vision, light, precise controls, comfortable seats and a durable, high quality interior. There’s enough back seat space to accommodate a couple of teenage kids; the sedan also has a huge boot. This Corolla also scored five ANCAP stars when fitted with seven airbags; there’s no traction or stability control on 2007-2008 models, though.

TOYOTA COROLLA - see other Toyota Corolla verdicts

 

Model: 2007 Toyota Corolla Conquest
Engine: 4-cylinder, 1.8-litre petrol, 100kW/175Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 4-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Thirst: 7.4L/100km, CO2 173g/km
Safety: 5 ANCAP stars
Body: 4-door sedan, 5-door hatch
Dimensions: 4540mm (l), 1760mm (w), 1475mm (h), 2600mm (wheelbase)
Tyres: 205/55 R16 91V, 16” alloy

You’re looking at a 2007-2008 R model hatch or a 2008 sedan, with a dour 100kW 2.0-litre engine that prefers premium. Five-speed manual or four-speed auto transmissions. Impreza R’s standard spec sheet reads like a 2012 model: all-wheel drive, six airbags, stability control, cruise control and Data Dot identification.

Impreza sedan is a more practical, spacious kid carrier than the hatch; both were the safest small cars available in 2007-2008, with five star ANCAP scores. If Subarus are scheduled by the book, they’re reliable; if not, they can be temperamental. The engine will probably use a bit of oil. This doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem; Subaru says check it monthly, or every 500 kilometres.

SUBARU IMPREZA - see other Subaru Impreza verdicts

 

Model: 2007 Subaru Impreza R model hatch
Engine: 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre petrol, 110kW/196Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed sports auto, four-wheel drive
Thirst: 8.9L/100km, CO2 210g/km
Safety: 5 ANCAP stars
Body: 5-door hatch, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4415 mm (l), 1740mm (w), 1475mm (h), 2620mm (wheelbase)
Tyres: 205/55 R16 89V, 16” steel

Among many good things going for the i30 is the fact that if you pick up a 2008-2009 model you’ll still have at least 12 months coverage on the car’s standard five years/unlimited kilometres factory warranty. Chances are you won’t need it, because the i30 is bulletproof, and cheap to run. Pick of the range for economy and performance is the i30 1.6-litre turbodiesel, Carsguide’s 2007 Car of the Year. The 2.0-litre petrol is a strong, reliable engine too.

Hyundai was the first maker to offer full iPod connectivity as standard in an affordable car with the i30. The hatch was joined in 2009 by the CW wagon, which has a family-sized boot. Go for base SX spec with the optional six airbags/stability control safety pack, giving it a four star ANCAP rating.

HYUNADAI I30 - see other Hyundai i30 verdicts

Model: 2008 Hyundai i30 SX
Engine: 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre, 105kW/186Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Thirst: 7.2/100km, CO2 170g/km
Safety: 4 ANCAP stars
Body: 5-door hatch, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4245mm (l), 1775mm (w), 1480mm (h), 2650mm (wheelbase)
Tyres: 195/65 R15, 15” steel

Blue-chip Japanese engineering doesn’t get any better than the Mazda3. It’s also the pick of this contest as a drive. You’re looking at a 2008 Neo Sport hatch or sedan, which should have the optional safety pack fitted. This includes six airbags and stability control. The 2008 model is a four star ANCAP scorer.

The 2.0-litre four is strong, responsive and runs on regular unleaded. Handling is agile and secure and on the road the car feels solid and polished. The stylish, durable interior has ample space for four, complemented by useful boot volume. The standard equipment list is stingy in Neo Sport spec; if you’re lucky, you may find a Maxx Sport, with cruise, 16-inch alloys and classier trim.

MAZDA 3 - see other Mazda 3 verdicts

Model: 2008 Mazda3 Neo Sport hatch
Engine: 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre, petrol, 108kW/182Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed sports auto, front-wheel drive
Thirst: 8.2L/100km, CO2 194g/km
Safety: 4 ANCAP stars
Body: 5-door hatch, 4-door sedan, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4400mm (l), 1755mm (w), 1465mm (h), 2640mm (wheelbase)
Tyres: 195/65 R15 91V, 15” alloy

The Lancer was (and still is) heavily discounted when new, so you can pick up a late-model used one on the cheap: a 2009 or maybe even 2010 ES sedan or hatch (Sportback in Mitsubishi-speak). There’s nothing wrong with the big, basic Lancer except that it’s so stupendously boring. Still, in the car business, boring usually means reliable, durable and grief free, which the Lancer certainly is.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine has plenty of power and goes well on regular unleaded; you can have it with a smooth, efficient CVT transmission, which works beautifully around town. Stability control is standard; seven airbags were optional on 2009 ES and standard on the 2010 model. You’ll also have plenty of coverage left on the five years/130,000 kilometres warranty.

MITSUBISHI LANCER - see other Mitsubishi Lancer verdicts

 

Model: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ES
Engine: 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre petrol, 113kW/198Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed CVT optional, front-wheel drive
Thirst: 7.6L/100km, CO2 182g/km
Safety: 4 ANCAP stars
Body: 4-door sedan, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4570mm (l), 1760mm (w), 1490mm (h), 2635mm (wheelbase)
Tyres: 205/60 R16 92H, 16” steel

RIVALS

Ford Focus

The 2008-2009 Focus was engineered in Europe; ours were imported from South Africa, so quality and reliability aren’t as bankable as Japanese and Korean rivals, but a well looked after Focus is worth considering because late model ones are cheap.

Shop around and you may find a 2010 2.0-litre petrol LX sedan or hatch, with very low kilometres and a year or so left on the three years/100,000 kilometres factory warranty.

FORD FOCUS - see other Ford Focus verdicts

Model: 2008-2009 2.0-litre petrol LX sedan or hatch
Engine:  4 Cylinder, 2.0 Litre 107kW /185Nm
Transmission: Sports Automatic, Front Wheel Drive
Body: 5 door hatch
Thirst: 8.2 / 100Km

Honda Civic

The Civic is big sedan, with the most sophisticated, fuel efficient small car drivetrain around in 2008, plus impeccable Honda quality, luxurious comfort and a smooth ride. So why isn’t it in the A team? No stability control or curtain airbags were available on the base VTi model, a bizarre omission only rectified in 2010.

If you can find a 2010 VTi Civic for $15,000, buy it.

HONDA CIVIC - see other Honda Civic verdicts

Model: Honda Civic 2008 VTi sedan
Engine:  4 Cylinder, 1.8 Litre 103kW/174Nm
Transmission: Automatic, Front Wheel Drive
Body: 4 Door Sedan
Thirst: 7.2 / 100Km

Hyundai Elantra

Like the i30 (which has the same 2.0 petrol engine), there’s a five years/unlimited kilometres warranty.

So the fact that you can get into a 2010 SLX sedan for $15,000 means you’re basically scoring a new car at a big, fat discount.

The only major caveat here is a three star ANCAP score for the base SX; go instead for the SLX, which has six airbags as standard.

 

HYUNDAI ELANTRA - see other Hyundai Elantra verdicts

 

Model: 2.0-litire 2010 SLX sedan
Engine: 4 Cylinder, 2.0 Litre, 105kW/186Nm
Transmission: Manual, Front Wheel Drive
Body: 4 Door Sedan
Thirst: 7.4 / 100Km

Kia Cerato

Shares DNA with the Hyundai Elantra, but you get a better 2.0-litre engine with more power, and less geriatric styling, in sedan or hatch body styles, both family-sized. You’re looking at a 2010 S or Si model, with the same warranty as the Hyundai, so you’re still covered against any unlikely problems for a few years.

Six airbags and stability control standard on Si; four star ANCAP.

KIA CERATO - see more Kia Cerato verdicts

Skoda Roomster

It’s a Volkswagen with a Czech badge, so the usual warnings apply about dubious reliability and high servicing costs, but if you want a small, perfectly-formed, five star family wagon, the eminently sensible and undeniably cute 2008 Roomster is almost irresistible.

The petrol 1.6 is as slow as Tuesday, and prefers 98 octane. So you’ll spend heaps on fuel even though it doesn’t use much. Aren’t European cars wonderful?

SKODA ROOMSTER - see more Skoda Roomster verdicts

 

Model: 2008 1.6-litre
Engine: 4 Cylinder, 1.6 Litre
Transmission: 5 speed manual
Body: 4 door wagon
Thirst: 7.0 / 100Km

 

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Recommendations for a new station wagon

You are choosing from a good line-up as all three of your contenders get The Tick from me. My personal ranking puts the Passat ahead of the Outback but there is no reason not to go ahead with the Subaru.

Is Subaru obliged to fix this oil issue?

The fact is we don't have the same clout as Americans do, that's because our consumer laws are weak. Your best course of action in the short term is to talk to your dealer about the problem, and have them do an oil consumption test to establish the actual oil usage. If the test proves your assertion that it's using too much oil you will then have good grounds on which to ask Subaru to do something about it.

Used Subaru Liberty and Outback review: 2003-2016

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2013 Subaru Liberty and Outback as used buys.

The Subaru Liberty is a no nonsense sedan or station wagon with a reputation for toughness and reliability. The Subaru Outback, launched in 1996 is based on the Liberty wagon and has increased suspension height, meaning it sits about midway between a conventional wagon and a 4WD. The Outback is one of the earliest of the so-called crossover vehicles that have been increasingly popular over the last decade.

As more and more SUVs are really just 2WD vehicles with a taller body, The Outback is standing out from the crowd.

In its first model the Outback had a tougher appearance than the Liberty wagon because of the protective plastic facings on the doors. These were discontinued with the new generation of 2003 to give the vehicle a more upmarket flair. In this week’s feature we will look at this used-car feature, for no other reason than the original Outbacks are ageing and there can be a wide difference in their condition.

all-wheel drive

The Liberty is sold as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon, with a much larger percentage of wagons being sold than in other models in its class. The combination of the traction of all-wheel drive and the practicality of a wagon rear end is a strong one with those who go to the snowfields or want to tow a midsize boat.

The engines have a flat ‘boxer’ layout, that is horizontally opposed (as in Porsche and old Volkswagen models) to lower the centre of gravity for improved road holding. This layout gives them the distinctive beat that many owners just love.

Engine capacities in the four-cylinder models are 2.0, 2.2 and 2.5 litres. The 2.0 actually has more performance than the 2.2 being a later design. Flat-six engines began with a 3.0-litre unit in the Outback, and later in the Liberty range, its capacity increased to 3.6 litres in September 2009. Subaru calls the flat-six engines the H6 - ‘H’ for horizontally opposed.

These Subarus are reasonably easy to work on and most routine jobs can be carried out by an experienced home mechanic. However, safety items and most areas of the high-performance variants are best left to the professionals.

Spare parts prices are about average for a car in this class. The Subaru dealer network, though relatively small, works efficiently. Because of Subarus’ popularity in country areas there are dealers in comparatively remote areas.

There are a couple of high-performance Liberty variants. While these predate the 2003 starting point we have set for the rest of Liberty range we have included them because they are gaining some sort semi-rarity status and appeal to those who want to keep clear of the madding crowd.

The Liberty RS has a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit and was launched in Australia in 1992. It was on sale for less than two years, when it was upstaged by the smaller and lighter Subaru Impreza WRX. The Liberty B4 sports machine has a twin-turbo 2.0-litre. It first came here in August 2001 but the engine had been significantly detuned from the one offered on the Japanese market to run on our lower-octane petrol. The recently released Subaru Levorg can be likened to the RS and B4, but it’s far too new to be considered as a used car in this report.

Insurance charges are moderate on all but the high-performance Liberty RS and Liberty B4, which can be very expensive to cover. Even more so if you are a young and/or inexperienced driver.

Rust is not common in Subarus, but if one has been badly repaired after a crash it may get into the metal. Outbacks that played in the waters edge on a beach may also have problems.

Call in a professional inspector if there’s the slightest doubt about the body’s condition.

Have a look underneath an Outback, for signs of damage as some owners really do treat them as though they are ‘real’ 4WDs. The undersides of the bumpers, especially on their corners, are usually the first to suffer. With the sill panels a close second

Mud or a real buildup of dust may indicate a lot of time spent of the beaten track.

Look over the interior trim and carpets for signs of damage, though they usually hold up well.

Check out the luggage area for signs of harsh treatment caused by carrying big and/or sharp loads.

Be sure the engine starts quickly and immediately idles smoothly no matter how cold it is.

Manual gearboxes should be quiet in operation and gearchanges should be smooth and light. Automatics which tend to hunt up and down the gears, or which are slow to go into gear, could be due for an overhaul.

Read the article
Toyota Australia recalls almost 15,000 86s, Subaru 3000 BRZs
Toyota Australia has issued a recall notice for nearly almost 15,000 of 17,000 locally delivered 86 two-door coupes to remedy a potential fault that could affect the car's steering.
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Kia Sorento 2016: Opinion on it as a package?

The Sorento is a long-term CarsGuide favourite and one of the best things is the basic package is so good you don't have to spend big to get a car that will work well for the long haul. It definitely gets The Tick.

Why 2016 has already set a car safety recall record
We've passed the annual peak for car safety recalls -- and there is still six months left to run.
Read the article
2011 Outback value

An Outback with the four-cylinder petrol engine has a private price guide between $19,500 and $22,000. At 50,000 km yours has done less than the average, so it would most likely come in at the higher end of the range.

Problems with non-factory reversing camera

Fitting non-factory accessories by dealers is normal practice, so I'm not surprised that the dealer did that on your car when you asked to have a camera fitted. You assumed it would be a factory camera, but you should have asked and specified that you wanted a factory one fitted. Still, the camera they fitted should be covered by a warranty and if it is malfunctioning you should be able to have it repaired or replaced.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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