School me on Subaru Transmissions.

NYSpeed Automotive
1

I will be moving next summer and will not be in a situation to have a fun car for at least a few years after that. I want something that will last me, and not need costly repairs.

I am leaning towards a well maintained Subaru wagon simply because of AWD will be much appreciated considering I will be in Vermont, and the storage space will come in handy.

Now on to my real question…

I am a big fan of MT cars, and have always preferred them, but I am leaning away from a MT for this car simply because I don’t want to have to worry about an expensive clutch replacement on a used car.

How are Subaru auto transmissions? Do they last a long time? Reliable? Is it worth the possibly higher initial cost, and less vehicle control in snow to not have to worry about the clutch needing replacement?

School me.

2

No clue on the autos, but I have 91k on the original clutch on my WRX wagon with moderate use here still grabs great. As long as the prior owner didn’t sit there doing launches, or roasting it at stop-lights I could see it lasting an extremely long time before replacement.

3

The only time i have heard of transmission issues with them is after they have been heavily modded and abused a bit.

4

Unless a previous owner of my RS chimes in (wicked civy or eclipsed), as far as I know mine is still on the original clutch at 150k miles and doesn’t slip at all.

From what I hear STi/Wrx transmissions can take a lot of abuse and only go after a lot of beating on them/redline drops, etc.

5

putting a clutch in a subaru isn’t that hard. don’t let that be the ONLY reason you shy from a manual.

6

[quote=“newman,post:5,topic:30826"”]

putting a clutch in a subaru isn’t that hard. don’t let that be the ONLY reason you shy from a manual.

[/quote]

+1. I find no reason ever to get an auto over a manual in a car. Even on a DD/beater it just gives you more of a reason to enjoy the car.

7

[quote=“newman,post:5,topic:30826"”]

putting a clutch in a subaru isn’t that hard. don’t let that be the ONLY reason you shy from a manual.

[/quote]

Well, I will be in an apartment in Rutland, VT most likely with no garage…So that does limit my self-repair abilities.

I love the Imprezza Outback Wagons though. It’d be perfect for what I need in a DD.

But if Subaru clutches are that solid, I may go ahead with MT, because it is so much better to drive than auto, especially control-wise.

8

[quote=“ryanmcell,post:6,topic:30826"”]

+1. I find no reason ever to get an auto over a manual in a car. Even on a DD/beater it just gives you more of a reason to enjoy the car.

[/quote]

Part of enjoying a car when it is a DD and your only car is knowing you won’t need to dump boatloads of cash into it to get around.

9

You know what are fun for a DD? Impreza 2.5rs’… :slight_smile:

10

Eh, while I do love the 2.5RS there are a few reasons why I am not going that route.

First, they aren’t cost effective for my situation.

Second, many of them have been driven hard, again increasing odds of needing repairs sooner.

11

[quote=“ryanmcell,post:9,topic:30826"”]

You know what are fun for a DD? Impreza 2.5rs’… :slight_smile:

[/quote]

agreed, yet my next vehicle of choice is a rex wagon for certain…

12

every single vehicle with an automatic transmission I’ve ever owned has had the transmission fail. I’ve only blown up one manual.

13

[quote=“Bigairskier1580,post:7,topic:30826"”]

Well, I will be in an apartment in Rutland, VT most likely with no garage…So that does limit my self-repair abilities.

I love the Imprezza Outback Wagons though. It’d be perfect for what I need in a DD.

But if Subaru clutches are that solid, I may go ahead with MT, because it is so much better to drive than auto, especially control-wise.

[/quote]

Impreza WRX Sport Wagon, doooo itttt. Join us!

14

Not happening guys.

I’m going N-Ghey. I have a weak spot for wagons. I really do. And AWD is the only way for a DD for me.

15

Opinions?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=223248462&dealer_id=58259787&car_year=1998&search_type=used&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=SUB&transmission=Manual&model=&distance=300&make2=&address=14052&default_sort=mileageASC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=5000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=All+wheel+drive&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=278

Looks clean, and it has a new clutch at 95k. I know those engines are solid, aside from the Head Gasket (correct?)

16

[quote=“newman,post:12,topic:30826"”]

every single vehicle with an automatic transmission I’ve ever owned has had the transmission fail. I’ve only blown up one manual.

[/quote]

2.5TL will desecrate all.

17

[quote=“newman,post:12,topic:30826"”]

every single vehicle with an automatic transmission I’ve ever owned has had the transmission fail. I’ve only blown up one manual.

[/quote]

lets tally my history with automatics. +1 on my 88 taurus and +4 on my turbo SHO (3 of them were on bone stock power) My saturn one is on the way out as well.

buying a automatic because they are less to maintain is a mistake IMO. a clutch job is WAY cheaper than a rebuilt automatic every few years (or every year in my case)

18

[quote=“RedGoober4Life,post:16,topic:30826"”]

2.5TL will desecrate all.

[/quote]

But… only after we put about ten-grand under the hood.

19

The clutch in the Legacy and Legacy Outbacks are rock solid. Buddy in Rochester is on the original and he is close to 100k, I am at 40k on mine and it’s in great shape.

20

i went to buy a wrx wagon and came home with a brand new legacy GT sedan… what can i say i got it cheaper than a wrx.

deff get a MT much more fun.