Subaru service access

What's this about 'new' models?
Just having a dig.
We've had subes for a few models now (12 years, 3 cars. new tribeca at the moment). You'll get used to the user friendliness - they've been doing it for a while ;)

A bit easier to do that on a flat 4 like the old VW Beetles. Just about everything was on top of them. The boxer engine has it's own issues though, mainly in the oil department but in general pretty trouble free and a good car for sure.

It will give you good service, Have had two libertys over the years ,as mentioned above oil leaks are a pain when the kms get up, otherwise their build quality is better than most, not so sure in comparison to the VW....LOL.

Cheers Axle.

Been like that since the day they came out, mostly as been a boxer engine and wide on the bottom pretty much every thing else had to go on top of the engine. Love the exhaust note of the subi's especially when an open exhaust has been added, bit like a harley, sound of their own. Amazes me toyota still persist in putting aircon, alternator, etc on the bottom, or close enough to it so they cop everything, mud been the killer, Why at least they cant put the alternator on top like a commdore V6, would be great. I believe the 200 series has a very low alternator ? Could be wrong might be the aircon compressor thats extremely low. My uncle has had subi's since the first of the skinny little station wagons (thats the first one I remember him having), still drives them today 30 years later, He absolutely loves and swears by them, currently has the outback.............nice car you will enjoy it

That's why you pay a premium for Subaru's.... once you have owned one you realise how poorer quality and un user friendly other makes are.

Glad to hear the positive f/b about Subarus. We added the extra 2 years factory warranty making 5 all up even though we will probably sell it before then, just to be comfortable.

We were happy with the VW, especially the excellent fuel consumption of the TD but this time we went for petrol as the extra cost of the diesel would not cover the fuel saving. We thought initially we would probably just get another Jetta but found such a huge range of small/medium SUV type vehicles, some with 2wd that offered better functionality. We spent a lot of time test driving all the different makes and models but in the end Subaru offered a good deal and we liked the feel of the Forester.

The one thing that I noticed yet again is the modern tendency to go to larger wheels with lower profile tyres that are much noisier than tyres with a larger cross section. For a daily drive around town I prefer quietness. It actually was going to cost us extra on most cars to opt for the larger profile as the cars in stock mostly had the 'more popular' larger wheels.

I know the boxer style engine is well suited to making things accessible but if companies like Toyota who also charge a premium for their vehicles, really tried in their engineering design they could do it. I am very happy with our 2 L/C and was initially quite keen to get a 200 series with the V8 diesel but after my first look I was really dissapointed with the engine design. The alternator down very low, the starter motor at the rear of the valley which I am told takes about 7 hours labour to change. I service our 4wds myself and there were too many things that seemed awkward. By comparison the old straight 6 diesels seem a breeze.

cheers