How Many Miles Can I Get Out Of My Subaru?
How Many Miles Can I Get Out Of My Subaru?
While results will vary and the big variable is always how well the car has been maintained, what I can tell you is a Subaru is capable of going 300,000 miles. And if you are a regular maintenance type of owner you should expect to get that type of mileage out of it. The lower end of a Subaru engine (this would include the pistons, rings, crankshaft and bearings) is virtually bulletproof as long as it is never starved for oil they will last a very long time without ever needing repairs. We have done several head gasket repairs on Subaru’s with over 200,000 miles and the cylinder walls of the engine block still look great. The real key to getting the most out of your Subaru is identifying your driving habits and coming up with a maintenance schedule that matches. In your owners manual you will find two different maintenance schedules one is normal and the other is severe. The real purpose of this is to give the car manufacturer a way to show vehicle ownership costs over a time period. By having a maintenance schedule that requires less maintenance, the car manufacturer is able to decrease advertised ownership costs. All car makers do this and it is very confusing and sometimes frustrating. In the Puget Sound area just about every car owner out there is going to fall under the severe category. As consumers there is this natural need to want to save money. This can truly be done without sacrifice to the longevity of your Subaru. The quality of parts used and the knowledge of the vehicle are very important. Saving a little money on car maintenance isn’t the same as saving money on a pair of shoes. The quality difference may be very obvious with a lesser priced pair of shoes as you are walking in them, but the difference in car service may take a while to be realized. If the original part in your Subaru lasted 5 years and a lesser quality replacement only lasts 18 months what have you gained. The best kept secret on how to reach 300,000 with your Subaru is to establish a good relationship with a great shop that specializes in Subaru service like All-Wheel Drive Auto. We will help you get there.
[...] post by Justin Stobb No Comments [...]
Hi Justin. I’ve been reading your website avidly over the past week – what a great resource! I am a proud owner of a new 2010 outback – premium with all weather package – and LOVE IT! I am now looking for a used Subaru Forester, Legacy or Legacy-Outback. 2004 – 2005 era seem to be in my price range. Most of the cars I’m looking at have at least 80K miles on them. I realize that i can find history on Carfax and the like – but how can i really know if the car was well maintained? If i get intersted in a car, i’m planning to take it to a local mechanic (Boston) that specializes in subarus for an evaluation. However, you seem to really know your stuff – and my wife is concerned about buying a car with 100K+ miles. What can i do to figure out if the car i’m looking at is in good shape to get to 300K miles? what can i tell my wife to assuage her fears of a “high” mileage car? If i am sure to take care of head gaskets, belts, water pump, tires, oil, filters, fluids, springs, shocks, etc. – is there anything else i should be worried about failing? Stated differently, what would cause a car not to make it to 300K? Is there some part that could “go” that is prohibitively expensive to repair? THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!
Hello Ben,
Service records will help you try and ascertain if it has been maintained.
The head gaskets are the typical thing it will need that can add up, the rest of the car is solid.
I dont suggest the used car lot thing, and I don’t really suggest buying a car from a new car dealer without license plate frames at that usually means it was bought at auction, and regardless of what Carfax states, cars sold through Auction have a greater possibility of being the one you dont want.
I like the idea of buying form a private party that has had another child so its time to buy A Tribeca or a mini van.
Justin
I love your article above, Justin. I’m in the 267,000th miles of my 1996 Legacy L and am still quite proud that it’s getting no less than 30 mpg. It needs some body work, but nothing serious, otherwise, I just replaced the radiator and it’s like I just got a new car! I didn’t dare drive it on hills the past year because it would try to overheat – though my full-blast heater wouldn’t let it. I rented a lot of nice cars in the past year but I’ve been most pleased with the Subaru and .. now that I’ve got a son needing a car, I want to give this to him and get another older Subaru [for cost and insurance reasons]. What is the life I can still expect out of this car for my son? We have a neighbor that has one that reached 3,000,000 miles 5 years ago – and they’re still driving it! I do regular maintenance and simple tricks to keep the motor cooler, but what are your suggestions and ideas on this buggy?
Thank you, Justin!
Justin,
I need your advice please!!! My wife has wanted a Subaru for a year and we our about to pull the trigger on one Thursday. 2010 2.5x Forester Premium but has 103k, just came off a lease. Lease company shows all regular maintenance done nothing major. (were getting it at a great price) From reading the forums Im now worried, does the 2010 Forester have the updated gasket? What should I be looking for? I know the timing belt will need replacing ASAP, i’m planning on buying the timing belt kit form you, what else should I replace while they are doing that? Last question do you know any Subaru mechanics in Kansas City area? Thank You!!!!!
Hello George,
The 2010 Forester Doesn’t have an updated Gasket, there are some other changes such as coolant, grounds etc that prolong the life of the HG.
Many Subaru’s don’t need HG done that is a fact many do that is also a fact. If they are not leaking now they may or may not in the future.
Any other car in the class will need its fair share of service and repairs over a like time frame. Google or bing any other model with the word “problems” afterwards.
I will add however that 103k on a three year old car is Driving!
Justin
I have a 2005 Forester with 60,000 miles and a turbo engine. I am wondering if this is a good year for Subaru and how long can I expect this to last. I am trying to decide whether to trade in now ? So far I have had to replace the radiator and there is a funny noise in the back like something is rolling across the back when I take wide turns but no one can find anything lose or anything to say what is causing this? thanks
The 2005 2.5l is a Good engine provided the oil is changed lots and often so there is no Turbo failure.
Im sorry but I cant think of anything in regards to the noise either without listening for it my self.
Justin
Hi Justin!
Thank you so much for all your valuable information on your site! I’m soon going to be the proud owner of my first Subaru. Its a 2002 WRX. It’s currently at 124K miles which has my family worried. I personally knew that the owner took excellent care of the car. But at such a high mileage, what should I look out for before closing the deal?
The only problem that occurred was a viscous coupling leak that was immediately replaced – but does that mean that the car was “beat on” so to speak?
Thanks so much!