Impreza most expensive car in UK
16 February 2004, 08:15 AM
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Impreza most expensive car in UK
..for none service repairs - over £1600 average bill - nearest rival was £1000 cheaper. In today's Metro paper.
Oh and gosh - reason cited - engine failures..
Oh and gosh - reason cited - engine failures..
16 February 2004, 09:06 AM
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Problem is most still try to treat it as a specialised engine and charge accordingly.
Same thing goes for the Mazda rotary. They charge loads for repairs as they claim it's specialised. Truth is it's a far similar design with fewer parts than a normal engine.
I can't figure £1600 though. Means 2/3 of all Scoobs have had a rebuild to date. Wonder if the figures include suspension, brakes, wheels, etc... when they are modifications and not repairs? They do tend to have more money spent on them in that respect than most other cars.
There is also an increasing number of them on the road these days.
Same thing goes for the Mazda rotary. They charge loads for repairs as they claim it's specialised. Truth is it's a far similar design with fewer parts than a normal engine.
I can't figure £1600 though. Means 2/3 of all Scoobs have had a rebuild to date. Wonder if the figures include suspension, brakes, wheels, etc... when they are modifications and not repairs? They do tend to have more money spent on them in that respect than most other cars.
There is also an increasing number of them on the road these days.
16 February 2004, 09:21 AM
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It's a liquid cooled Beetle engine with a turbo slapped on it, how specialised can it be
There is a little more involved in the extra set of gaskets for each bank but that is a minimal cost compared to what they charge.
What is the survey sample and frequency? They probably only surveyed people who have had repairs without considering all the cars that did not require repairs. Is it a real average or just real costs of a few who have had work done.
Last edited by dosenöffner; 16 February 2004 at 09:24 AM.
16 February 2004, 10:09 AM
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I read the Star's version of this. Apparently according to a Subaru spokesman, most engine failures happen to "Grey import cars with no vreifiable maintenance history". Bollocks! Like UK supplied cars don't have engine failures...
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16 February 2004, 10:12 AM
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Did they just survey supplier shops then and not aftermarket specialists?
If that is the case the article should read 'UK's most expensive dealers'.
Be interesting to see a breakdown of hours repair for each vehicle in the test also.
If that is the case the article should read 'UK's most expensive dealers'.
Be interesting to see a breakdown of hours repair for each vehicle in the test also.
16 February 2004, 10:40 AM
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Made me laugh when I read that this morning,
1600 of 'unplanned' garage costs per year
thought it was funny, my '3 grand' costs this year, were all carefully planned mods
1600 of 'unplanned' garage costs per year
thought it was funny, my '3 grand' costs this year, were all carefully planned mods
16 February 2004, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Wurzel
I have had mine for 4 years and it has never been in the garage for any unplanned maintenence.
<frantically looking for wooden objects>
16 February 2004, 12:22 PM
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Bollocks! Like UK supplied cars don't have engine failures...
16 February 2004, 12:33 PM
#17
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not me as I dont have a warranty
im just careful with my mods
in the 25k miles I have done in mine in the last 12 months, the only repair has been two headlamp bulbs, one number plate bulb, front brake pads, and two tyres, one a slow puncture, the other a blow out
im just careful with my mods
in the 25k miles I have done in mine in the last 12 months, the only repair has been two headlamp bulbs, one number plate bulb, front brake pads, and two tyres, one a slow puncture, the other a blow out
16 February 2004, 10:34 PM
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Funnily enough.... if you go to WarrantyDirect website for an online quote... and choose Subaru. The impreza is not on the dropdown list of models available to insure. Oh well....... looks like they dont want our business 
16 February 2004, 10:35 PM
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NOwarrantyDirect
Funnily enough.... if you go to WarrantyDirect website for an online quote... and choose Subaru. The impreza is not on the dropdown list of models available to insure. Oh well....... looks like they dont want our business
17 February 2004, 01:02 AM
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The survey isn't about reliability
Just to clarify one or two points, Warranty Direct offer a 'bolt-on' policy which covers a car's mechanical failure. These are often purchased by traders who give a warranty on cars purchased through them which are usually outside the manufacturers warranty, but they can also be bought by a private individual.
Warranty Direct do not cover cars over 10 years old.
The figures they publish give the costs of warranty work. NOT how likely you are to claim. In reliability surveys the Impreza scores well for a car of this type, and Japanese cars always top these surveys.
But whilst Japanese cars and Scoobies score well for reliability, if things do go wrong, they usually cost more than European cars.
Of the cars WD cover, the Scoob costs the most to put right. They do not cover 911s for example, which you could claim was the closest car in terms of engineering and owner profile. Mind you, as Scoobydood says, they've stopped covering the Impreza too.
Sorry if this post is lengthy, but clarifying lazy journalism isn't easy!
Warranty Direct do not cover cars over 10 years old.
The figures they publish give the costs of warranty work. NOT how likely you are to claim. In reliability surveys the Impreza scores well for a car of this type, and Japanese cars always top these surveys.
But whilst Japanese cars and Scoobies score well for reliability, if things do go wrong, they usually cost more than European cars.
Of the cars WD cover, the Scoob costs the most to put right. They do not cover 911s for example, which you could claim was the closest car in terms of engineering and owner profile. Mind you, as Scoobydood says, they've stopped covering the Impreza too.
Sorry if this post is lengthy, but clarifying lazy journalism isn't easy!
17 February 2004, 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by greasemonkey
How many owners of UK cars fit warranty-busting mods, damage their engines and then remove the mods before traipsing down the garage and claiming on the warranty?
My MY00 is 4 years old, and has done 61000 miles with just the PPP fitted. Until a couple of weeks ago it had never suffered worse than a faulty interior light switch.
Right now it's strewn in bits all over my dealer's workshop having suffered a sudden big-end failure. The total repair bill (parts & labour) is estimated at £5100. I have no warranty - but managed to persuade Subaru to pick up the tab for parts. Even so, I stand to drive away from the garage on Friday £1700 poorer.
Ironically I could have had a recon short engine fitted for that elsewhere, but if Subaru are going to pay for all new parts then I'm not going to argue. After all, I paid my rip-off-Britain tax when I bought the car and I want to get some value out of it!
17 February 2004, 10:13 AM
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Last I knew was £440 for two year limited to 60 thousand miles or £770 for unlimited. There will be things that will be "natural wear" like the clutch after so long, but I'd expect a blown engine to be covered <shrug>.
The unlimited cover a couple of years ago was £550. The increase probably reflects the number of claims!
Edited to add these prices are for an additional two years.
The unlimited cover a couple of years ago was £550. The increase probably reflects the number of claims!
Edited to add these prices are for an additional two years.
Last edited by sooby; 17 February 2004 at 10:14 AM.
17 February 2004, 10:26 AM
#27
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Andy C
I bought a new short block direct from Subaru UK and it didn't cost a hell of a lot mate
Can't remember the exact figure...but including a new MAF and all the labour it was around £2600 and that included cambelt and the 90k service thrown in .....
Just maybe worth noting
Cheers
I bought a new short block direct from Subaru UK and it didn't cost a hell of a lot mate
Can't remember the exact figure...but including a new MAF and all the labour it was around £2600 and that included cambelt and the 90k service thrown in .....
Just maybe worth noting
Cheers
17 February 2004, 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by 787b
Of the cars WD cover, the Scoob costs the most to put right. They do not cover 911s for example, which you could claim was the closest car in terms of engineering and owner profile. Mind you, as Scoobydood says, they've stopped covering the Impreza too.
Last edited by slimtim; 17 February 2004 at 10:44 AM.
17 February 2004, 12:56 PM
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Extended Warranty...
I've just extended my Subaru Warranty for another year making 6 years of worry free motoring!
It's paid for itself many times over on a few clutch / gearbox issues. Well worth the money IMHO.
Don't let it lapse tho. If it lapses you can't go back!
Peter
of worry free motoring!It's paid for itself many times over on a few clutch
/ gearbox issues. Well worth the money IMHO.Don't let it lapse tho. If it lapses you can't go back!
Peter