2000 Impreza Clutch Update: They fixed it!!!
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Impreza L wagon, but I think I've finally got it fixed.
I bought the wagon a few weeks ago, after test driving a 2-dr sedan (the one
I bought was parked behind a bunch of other cars, so I couldn't test drive
it). The sedan impressed the hell out of me, so I made the deal. On the way
home, I was immediately struck by how awful the clutch in the wagon was.
Getting clean shifts was damn near impossible, and I got a LOT of clutch
chatter when shifting--especially downshifting. I also got the burnt clutch
smell when trying to start up a hill.
I brought the car to the dealer nearest my house, and he blew me off, making
it sound like I just didn't know how to drive a stick correctly (I've only
had sticks since 1983!). I don't think he ever test drove the car, just
claimed they checked the hydraulics and everything was hunkey-dorey.
After 600 miles of total frustration, I was ready to get rid of the car. I
called a different dealership and the service manager was very nice. He gave
me some suggestions about driving the car and offered to road test it if I
brought it in. A day later, a mechanic buddy of mine rode with me in the car
and told me to get it into the shop ASAP.
I brought it to the service manager who had been helpful, and he arranged
for a mechanic to road test it immediately. The mechanic was very
cool--knowledgeable and honest. He told me within a block that there was a
problem, and admitted that they had a lot of problems with new Subaru
clutches recently. He said that many clutches had been replaced at the shop
recently, and that several cars--mostly Legacies--had flywheel problems.
Subaru had told the dealership that there was a problem at the factory--that
some dummy had been storing the new flywheels stacked way too high. The
flywheels are 30 pounds each, and when stacked too high the ones at the
bottom got warped, causing problems. The dealership had replaced the
flywheels on several Legacies recently, but only one Impreza, an RS (do
Legacies, RS's and Imprezas share drivetrain parts such as the flywheel?)
Anyhow, after the test drive, the mechanic checked in the computer and
ordered a new clutch, pressure plate and flywheel for my car. He then
arranged for me to have the car fixed immediately, and found someone to
drive me home. I found it especially interesting that he ordered all the
parts before the old ones were inspected, like he knew what he was going to
find. The mechanic also said there was a chance the service manager at the
first dealership may have blown me off because he knew there was a warranty
problem and didn't want to deal with it.
Anyhow, I got the car back today and was impressed as Hell by the new
clutch. Pure freakin' silk! THIS was the car I fell in love with! I am very
happy with Subaru and the dealership for making things right with no fuss or
hassle. All is forgiven for now.
Radem
n-iterate
very informative post.
i'm a new subaru owner myself (2000 obs), and am trying to collect
dealership exp and put it on a web server for people to look at, so they
would know which ones to avoid and which ones have good record.
could you send the names/locations of the dealers you had dealt with?
thanx,
byoung
R. Kingsboro
reservation. Their mechanics know Subaru, like Subaru and
respect owners! Their service manager, Jim Bettis, is
knowledgeable and courteous.
I began using the dealership in 1991 when I first purchased
an SVX. I never had a problem with their cooperation in
replacing a "bad" window switch on the coupe or having my
car ready when they said it would be completed.
For major services, the Liberty folk have provided loaners
when requested.
They have serviced my 1996 Legacy Outback since new and
quickly remedied the only "glitch" I've experienced (a
squeeking interior door latch mechanism) within 20 minutes,
by removing the panel and repositioning the cable. All
done with a "smile",
I will be trading the Outback for a 2001 H-6 model this
summer and will continue to look forward to being a "part"
of the Liberty Subaru family!
I would be happy to provide further details upon request to
<yellow...@compuserve.com>.
In article <3890455F...@pacbell.net>, n-iterate
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service, is that I didn't buy the car from them because their salesmen
pissed me off. These two clowns were tag-teaming me and telling me what I
wanted and what I could afford, and they wouldn't let me test-drive what I
wanted because they were shoving a more expensive Forester down my throat.
Radem
R. Kingsboro <yellowbike...@compuserve.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:292d8032...@usw-ex0109-066.remarq.com...