JD Power study finds Korean cars are the most reliable

[SubieN8]

^ " assume "... Super mature

[ncted]

Another video on CVTs, specific to Subarus:

 

[Brisvegas]

SubieN8

it is a video as to why Mazada does not use a CVT, nada to do with Subaru

 

...

 

Yeumy ... I always find your posts informative, but I think in this case you are being a little harsh mate

 

Whilst I agree that the theme of the youtube clip in question was specifically about Mazda ..... the underlying point was why they don't use a CVT, and obviously anything about CVT's is I believe at least, relevant to Subaru owners in some way. As a Subaru owner, I personally am interested in any CVT article, whether it be positive or negative, and I found the video of interest.

[Brisvegas]

Another video on CVTs, specific to Subarus:

 

 

Thanks for that. I agree with the guy in the video who states that the message from Subaru head office is "mixed."

 

I have been down this track with my dealer service center, who I might add, I am happy with.

 

They however belong to the " lifetime" fraternity and they say that it is a complicated procedure to change the fluid. I told them that I don't agree with the "lifetime" theory, and so at that point they said if I decided that I wanted to change transmission fluid at some point in the future they could still do it. I couldn't help but mention to them at that point, that if they are such strong believers in not servicing the CVT's and that if it is, as they claim, a "complicated procedure to do correctly" wouldn't that mean that they don't have a lot of experience in doing it, and therefore even if I eventually decided I wanted it done ... wouldn't I be better off going to a CVT specialist for the job rather than bringing it here? There was an awkward silence for the next few minutes

[Kurtisl8]

I can use my own example. I had a previous Saab Turbo X before my current car and the Haldex XWD system is supposed to be “lifetime” according to Saab. Haldex’s own literature says service is needed every 20-30k.

[Norskie]

The other aspect related to 'quality' is that things like head unit issues continue to ding the manufacturers. The more complex the vehicles are, the more things can go wrong, and that affects the perception and measurement of quality.

 

Despite having a reputation for head gaskets and rust, previous decades of Subaru's were known for being durable. Yet the reason most people bought them was due to offering unique features that other manufacturers didn't ... AWD, turbo, manual transmissions. That's no longer a niche that Subaru plays in; most other manufacturers offer AWD and turbo's, and Subaru stopped offering Outbacks and Legacy's wiht manual transmissions (heck, can't even get an Impreza with a clutch and heated seats). There remains very little reason to stick with Subaru unless you've fallen for their "green" or "love" marketing campaign ("Love - it's what makes a Subaru a Subaru" ... no thanks, give me reliability, capability and economy please!).

 

That's why we'll probably not make Subaru our next car. There's no compelling reason that makes Subaru better than most of it's competitors, at least to my eyes. On the other hand, Subaru is making a killing so it seems their to appeal to the masses is working.

 

I drove a Mazda CX-5 before I bought our Legacy. It was a very nice SUV, handled better than any other SUV I've driven and it wasn't that much more expensive than the Legacy and had a good build 'feel' to it. But it was gutless (more gutless than the Legacy) and I didn't like the high COG. Now they offer it with a turbo, I'd look at it again. The Buick TourX looks promising, left-over new models are going for ~ $23k. But like that crazy girlfriend, I miss my 535ix more than any other car I've owned and it's faults (reliability) seem to fade from my memory over time.

[YeuEmMaiMai]

Yeumy ... I always find your posts informative, but I think in this case you are being a little harsh mate

 

Whilst I agree that the theme of the youtube clip in question was specifically about Mazda ..... the underlying point was why they don't use a CVT, and obviously anything about CVT's is I believe at least, relevant to Subaru owners in some way. As a Subaru owner, I personally am interested in any CVT article, whether it be positive or negative, and I found the video of interest.

 

 

the problem i have with videos like that is

 

 

A he just got the car and is raving about it and in the process complains about something else here...in this case the CVT

 

 

 

that guy has no understanding why the industry as a whole is moving towards CVT... It has nothing to do with driver experience but everything to do with emissions... and that's it. CVT allows for 100% total engime/transmission control under all circumstances in which the car is moving...and in turn this allows for total emissions control...

 

 

 

Same for GDI ti allows for tighter control of emissions vs SMPFI (which is what everyone was using before GDI...has nothing to do with drive ability or engine reliability as GDI is going to have the same type of injector problems that diesels do...not to mention intake tract cleanings...

 

 

 

Subaru CVT are overall leaps and bounds better than JATCO units... I do like where toyota is going with the start out gear to get rid of the rubber band effect...hopefully if it works out we will see it in other cars

[08SpecB_DE]

I've replaced plenty of electronic throttle body's. I've never seen a cable operated one go bad. Hell, I've rarely seen the cables fray or snap. I dont believe for one second that half of the shit they are putting in cars is better than the predecessor.

[gathermewool]

I've replaced plenty of electronic throttle body's. I've never seen a cable operated one go bad. Hell, I've rarely seen the cables fray or snap. I dont believe for one second that half of the shit they are putting in cars is better than the predecessor.

 

How many have you replaced, and why?

[08SpecB_DE]

Easily a dozen, possibly up to 20. Internal malfunctions that put the car in limp mode. Chrysler and GM attributed to at least half, a few Fords, a couple Nissans and a couple Mazda's. I know there was one where a guy tried cleaning it but I dont recall the specific make. The last one I replaced was an Impala. It had ckp codes, 2ndary air codes, stuck in limp mode, app codes. All but the 2ndary air codes were related to the throttle body. They all share a 5v reference, so through my test procedure, I found the t/b was shorting out that 5v internally which took everything else out.

[Kirk1233]

I’m seeing tons of the new Forester on the road here seems they can’t keep them on the lots. Heck if the new design was out when I got the Legacy I would have considered it.

 

(Then again when I drive long distance I notice Subaru is far more popular where I live than most places (western PA)

 

He doesn't specifically talk about Subaru CVTs. He does talk about CVTs in general. The most interesting thing he says in my mind is Mazda doesn't use them, and their cars still get very good fuel economy which is supposed to be the whole point of CVTs.

 

TBH, if Subaru doesn't get solve their quality/identity problems, I am likely to shop around a bit more next time we need a car. I don't know much about Mazda's AWD system, but it seems like they are killing it in most other areas. It seems like they are making smarter engineering decisions as well as producing attractive, comfortable, efficient cars.

 

Where I live, I am starting to see more and more new, current year Mazdas and fewer new Subarus. I am not sure the new Forester is selling nearly as well as the previous model for instance. I see them on test drives as the dealer is close to my house, but I haven't seen very many with permanent tags on the street. It really makes me wonder if I should have test driven the Mazda 6 when I was in the market for my Legacy.

[ncted]

I’m seeing tons of the new Forester on the road here seems they can’t keep them on the lots. Heck if the new design was out when I got the Legacy I would have considered it.

 

(Then again when I drive long distance I notice Subaru is far more popular where I live than most places (western PA)

 

I tons of new Subies, but mostly Crosstreks, Outbacks, and Ascents these days. I see plenty of 2018 and older Foresters as well. Seems like the new CR-Vs, RAV4s, and the CX-5 are far and away the most common new vehicles (with temporary tags) I see though. My local dealer has 21 2019 Foresters in stock according to their website, which is admittedly less than the 78 Outbacks, 38 Ascents, and 39 Crosstreks they have. Maybe they are just sending them all to you neck of the woods.

 

In checking the sales numbers, it seems like the 2019 Forester is doing fine, so it must just be a shift in regional tastes.

 

http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales-data/subaru/subaru-forester/

Edited June 29, 2019 by ncted

[gathermewool]

Easily a dozen, possibly up to 20. Internal malfunctions that put the car in limp mode. Chrysler and GM attributed to at least half, a few Fords, a couple Nissans and a couple Mazda's. I know there was one where a guy tried cleaning it but I dont recall the specific make. The last one I replaced was an Impala. It had ckp codes, 2ndary air codes, stuck in limp mode, app codes. All but the 2ndary air codes were related to the throttle body. They all share a 5v reference, so through my test procedure, I found the t/b was shorting out that 5v internally which took everything else out.

 

Damn, that's a major design flaw! Thanks for the thorough response.

 

You didn't mention anything about Subies, which is good news for us.

[08SpecB_DE]

They're a pita and I dont see any real benefit to them other than being able to adjust throttle angle such as the si-drive. I have not seen or heard of one going bad on a Subaru.

[dgoodhue]

They're a pita and I dont see any real benefit to them other than being able to adjust throttle angle such as the si-drive. I have not seen or heard of one going bad on a Subaru.

 

Electronics throttle bodies eliminates idle circuits that often got gummed up. The throttle cable stretches out over time. (unless your going out to check to see if the throttle plate are fully open, the average owner never notices it.) The leveraged mounting point of the throttle cable wears out the brushing/seals in the throttle body faster than the center mounted motor as well.

 

The drivability advantage is that in theory an electronic TB can make for a better tune, because the tune does not need to account for jack rabbit on/off throttle behavior. It would also help the emissions of on/off throttle. I am pretty sure that is the reason why newer Subaru MT have rev hang.

[Big Nick]

JD Power is bunk.

Just look at all of the Chevy commercials.

Yah the ones with "real people, not actors".

 

C.R is still trustworthy IMHO.

 

Those commercials are all terrible lol

[Painless]

Fun take (and exactly how I feel) about the Chevy Commercials.