03 Subaru repairs question

[aela]

Greetings,

I'm new to the group and have been reading the group's posts for a
while. I just purchased a used 03' Subaru Forester X with 53,900 miles
on it from an individual seller. The car was inspected by a mechanic
prior to purchase and is in good condition. In addition, it has
remaining Subaru powertrain warranty until 60,000 miles next year.

Would you recommend investing another $1600 in buying more warranty (5
yrs/100,000 miles) from an insurance company since the Subaru dealer
can't offer it? (one of the disadvantages of bying a car from a non-
dealer source, I guess). I already took a loan for this car so I'd
rather pass on the added warranty, but again, I'm not very familiar
with the kinds of problems that this car may have further down the
road, since I've never owned a Subaru before. My previous car was a
'96 Jeep Grand Cherokee with many miles on it that was pricey to
maintain.

What are some of your experiences with maintenance costs and major
repair issues after the 60,000 miles on the '03 Forester? Can had
gaskets become a problem later on or perhaps the trasmission? Is the
added 100,000 warranty cost justified for a car that is consistently
ranked as mechanically reliable?

I'd be grateful for your insight and opinion on this.

Thanks,

Mihaela

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Greetings,

I'm new to the group and have been reading the group's posts for a
while. I just purchased a used 03' Subaru Forester X with 53,900 miles
on it from an individual seller. The car was inspected by a mechanic
prior to purchase and is in good condition. In addition, it has
remaining Subaru powertrain warranty until 60,000 miles next year.

Would you recommend investing another $1600 in buying more warranty (5
yrs/100,000 miles) from an insurance company since the Subaru dealer
can't offer it? (one of the disadvantages of bying a car from a non-
dealer source, I guess). I already took a loan for this car so I'd
rather pass on the added warranty, but again, I'm not very familiar
with the kinds of problems that this car may have further down the
road, since I've never owned a Subaru before. My previous car was a
'96 Jeep Grand Cherokee with many miles on it that was pricey to
maintain.

What are some of your experiences with maintenance costs and major
repair issues after the 60,000 miles on the '03 Forester? Can had
gaskets become a problem later on or perhaps the trasmission? Is the
added 100,000 warranty cost justified for a car that is consistently
ranked as mechanically reliable?

I'd be grateful for your insight and opinion on this.

Thanks,

Mihaela

Personally, I'd say put the $1600 in the bank and callit 'auto-money'.
Add $300-$400 dollars to it every year - if possible. Should you NEED a
major repair, use it. If you never need it, throw it in as downpayment
in the future on your next car.

my $0.02

Carl

 

[frank.logullo]

Personally, I'd say put the $1600 in the bank and callit 'auto-money'.
Add $300-$400 dollars to it every year - if possible. Should you NEED a
major repair, use it. If you never need it, throw it in as downpayment
in the future on your next car.

my $0.02

Carl

Good answer. I don't believe in warranties either. My Foresters have been
low mileage but I lost my '98 in '03 with an accident. If I had extra
warranty, wonder what would have happened to it? My '03 has not had one
single problem. Testimonials based on a few cars are hard to make, but
friend of mine had a Jeep Cherokee and had lots of problems with drive train
before it came off lease.

Frank