In Jan of last year, I wrote:
I gambled, I lost. :-) Ah well.

That 30k mi is now down to about 600 miles. My car's in today with a
variety of nitty complaints fishing for the last ounces of value out
of the warranty, and nothing came of the fishing expedition.

o drivers door window squeaks mid-travel. Dx: worn weather
strip and rubber components requiring taking apart the door
and a part they don't stock. Est: $300. Not covered by
warranty.
o groaning of rear wiper motor during cold weather. Claimed
it was my wiper blade and no noise made when wiper blade
lifted from glass. *sigh* The noise I experience is
indpeendent of that, but of course it's not cold today. I
wonder if having the complaint on record may help when it
does get cold.
o groan/squeak from rear strut when going over curbs or
speedbumps slowly. No problem found. Strut not leaking at
least, which is good news. Dunno if suspension would be
covered or not anyway.
o Broken retainer clip on rear headrest. $26. Interior trim
not covered.

So, despite a lot of early trips to service for various engine and
idle issues and it being relatively new in a subaru design cycle
(which motivated me to seek the extended coverage I normally turn
down), the car has been awfully damned reliable in it's mid-life. I
think I did get about $400 worth of repairs or so out of the warranty,
but nothing really to write home about.

So the warranty didn't pay off for me, for whatever that's worth in
the net.knowledgebase.

Happy subie-ing,
--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA

They replaced a leaking front strut with the subaru gold warranty.
That was at least a $3-400 job. Warranty cost $1k . Still have 25k to
go. I noticed the coolant level drops in the reservoir. I'll bring it
in on Christmas vacation. If its head gasket the warranty will have
paid for itself. Most of the stuff you complain about is just age
related. At 100k miles you WILL have noises squeaks etc. If the wiper
works thats okay. The headrest clip is no biggie.

Todd H. wrote:

bigjim (AT) backpacker (DOT) com writes:

Oh that's right--that coolant additive recall I'd forgotten about.
Was the agenda with that to prevent head gasket failure? Dunno if
I've checked the coolant level consciously lately. :-)

Are head gaskets failing on this vintage as a trouble spot?

Mine didn't either on my 00 Outback Wagon. About $150 worth of warranty
repairs that would have been done on the 3 and 36. Got 82K on it right
now. I guess I shouldn't complain....that's pretty trouble free and that's
what we are hoping for. I just wouldn't buy one again on a Subaru. Jim


"Todd H." <subaru (AT) toddh (DOT) net> wrote

Todd H. wrote:
Looks like mine is paying off. Two days ago I heard a high pitched whine
then lots of metal pieces banging against each other while in 2nd gear.
I purchased a 100k/1 year/50 deductible on a used 2003 WRX. Mine cost
$550. The labor just to tear down the tranny is $850.

Ed <edwardbruce (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net> writes:

Ow...

Did a gear shatter or something?

--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA

Todd H. wrote:
mechanic said some kind of retaining clip broke off and busted up 2nd
gear. Actually they first drained the transmission and two gear teeth
came out. Told me that it would cost $850 to open tranny. Thats when
they found out what happened and said my extended warranty covered the
problem. Since they have the tranny open decided to change the clutch.