2011 - Should I keep with new motor, or sell back to dealer? - SOLVED!

Here’s another opinion, for what it’s worth...

While it appears the dealership is attempting to be “stand-up” and dping the right thing, in the end you’re still getting a 10 year old vehicle, and very few 10 year old vehicles stay trouble-free for any extended lengths of time. ALL moving parts, as well as electronics, has lifespans... and some of these components can be quite expensive to repair/replace. Even with a completely new engine, you’ll still be driving on a transmission and suspension with 130K miles on the clock.

Not an attempt to dissuade you from keeping the vehicle and getting it repaired, but just a reminder that even if the dealership does a class ‘A‘ job going over the vehicle, there are likely things that won’t be addressed (ie., worn brake pads/rotors that will need replacing in a few thousand miles, as a lower costing example... drive train components can be, and usually are, far more expensive).

Personally, I think this has the potential to be a great vehicle for one that has the willingness and technical capability to do much of the repair work on their own, but I’d be hesitant to recommend it to repair-shop-dependent purchaser.

If you do select to retain the vehicle, then I’d suggest you create a repair “reserve fund” to deal with any unexpected breakdowns/failures. If you never need it, then it’s just more money in your pocket.

Hi All - update on this thread. After the dealer installed the new motor, they drove it around for a few days to ensure all the kinks were out. They then offered to drop the car off at my house, which is about 4 hours from the dealer. Nice of them to do this but remember I was without my car for about 3 weeks, so a considerable hassle.

Anyway, on the drive down the dealer tried to get the heater working but no luck. It’s summer so I never tried the heater, but he realized this for whatever reason. He stopped on the way down at a Subaru dealer to fix a hose which was apparently kinked and was preventing the heat from getting through. Ok, fine. Another issue but allegedly resolved. (Note the Subaru dealer didn’t do the work, but the mechanic dropping the car off at my house did...had to open up the dash to address it).

So then I have the vehicle back in my possession earlier this week and use it to do some errands around town - no more than fifty miles total since they returned the car to me. Today I get the “check engine”, “traction control”, flashing green cruise control signals!!

I’ve read this is a common signal that people get but it’s crazy as they had been Closely monitoring this car oveR the last several weeks especially as they installed a new motor. As soon as I take possession this issue flares up. I read it can be a gas cap but also possibly any number or other issues.

kind of at my wits end...will talk to the dealer about it tomorrow.

I had a 2011 with the original engine, was using one quart of oil about every 3,200 miles, not great but livable. At 140,000 miles, things began to fall apart.

Of course the heat shields had to be clamped because the bolt holes rusted out. Then an ignition coil went bad and I barely made it to my service station. Friends of mine said that when one goes bad, the other 3 will eventually follow. Then a rear wheel bearing had to be replaced as well as front brake pads. All of these repairs plus a rental car put me back almost $1,000.

Here's the clincher. I was not going to throw good money after bad so I went shopping for a new car. A dealer had a pristine 2019 XV that I really wanted to move to. As my wife and I were pulling into the lot, I swear the left front hub was totally breaking down. Fortunately they gave me $5,000 towards purchasing the Crosstrek.

I realize that many people here have had great luck with this model Forester, even racking up thousands of miles with few major problems. Some have had success with the short-block replacement while others didn't.

My experience may help you out in that when major repairs start happening one right after another, it may be time for an upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my Forester for the short time I owned it, but its age was rapidly catching up to it.
Good luck!

My last car prior to the Forester was a CR-V, it had 185,000 miles with all 4 original bearings. Do older Subarus have problems getting to 200,000 miles without replacing hubs?
Oil consumption stayed at the rate I stated as long as I had the car.
All used cars are selling at inflated prices because the economy was basically stalled for months with the pandemic. You are correct, the dealer will replace the hub and sell it for 8k.
I'm happy that $1,000 in repairs is "nothing" to you. I am not a mechanic and rely on the dealer to fix my vehicles. It was the only car I owned so down-time to replace another bearing was the cost of it plus a rental car for 1 or 2 days.
I was looking for another Subaru and hoped that a 2018 or 2019 was engineered better than those from a decade ago. With 16,000 miles on the Crosstrek plus remaining original 36/36 warranty plus purchased extra 5-year warranty on everything plus electronics, I am covered for most repairs going forward 7 years. Safety features like Eyesight are fantastic