$2000 to $3500 to replace a car headlight, that has burned out. Ouch!!!

[gmiller1977]

So a minor price adjustment has to be added to the MSRP listed on the Link to the CND web site. :-)

On top of the listed price for a car, you would also be charged a mandatory price of $2200 for freight and a government air conditioning tax. Then of course there is the GST to add on ( around $5,700 and up) .  This info is in the legal fine print, on the web page.

On a lease, taxes are only applied to the consumed portion of the sale.

[gmiller1977]

Before COVID, I was planning to shop around for a new car about this time, and I was eyeing Subara Impreza, their low end model.  Now, it's less urgent.

Subaru is good.  That's what I'll be looking at the next time.  Not the Impreza, but the Crosstrek (Impreza platform, just with a higher ride height).  I need to tow.

[ssfc72]

Thanks for the info, about the GST being based on the monthly lease payment. Good to know

On a lease, taxes are only applied to the consumed portion of the sale.

[ssfc72]

Watch out for the OEM car battery, mine failed just outside the 3 year waranty.  Typically I have gotten 7 years out of a OEM car battery before they fail.

I was complaining about the battery while the 2016 Outback was under the 3 year warranty and had them test it, but the dealer said it was good.  The battery was spewing out sulphic acid fumes and corrosion was all over the battery metal hold down clamp.
The battery failed the next year when the during a service the dealer said the battery was sulphated and should be replaced at a cost of $200.  I of course went to Canadian Tire and got a good battery for a lot less.

I also think the sulpuric fumes got on the steel air conditioning line, that ran below the battery and ate a hole in the steel line.  Cost me $600 at the Subaru dealer, to find the air conditioning problem and replace the steel line and the 2 air conditioning freon charges required.

A Google search of my Outback battery problem, shows that early failure of Subaru OEM car batteries is a known issue.

Subaru is good.  That's what I'll be looking at the next time.  Not the Impreza, but the Crosstrek (Impreza platform, just with a higher ride height).  I need to tow.

[gmiller1977]

Watch out for the OEM car battery, mine failed just outside the 3 year waranty.  Typically I have gotten 7 years out of a OEM car battery before they fail.

I was complaining about the battery while the 2016 Outback was under the 3 year warranty and had them test it, but the dealer said it was good.  The battery was spewing out sulphic acid fumes and corrosion was all over the battery metal hold down clamp.
The battery failed the next year when the during a service the dealer said the battery was sulphated and should be replaced at a cost of $200.  I of course went to Canadian Tire and got a good battery for a lot less.

I also think the sulpuric fumes got on the steel air conditioning line, that ran below the battery and ate a hole in the steel line.  Cost me $600 at the Subaru dealer, to find the air conditioning problem and replace the steel line and the 2 air conditioning freon charges required.

A Google search of my Outback battery problem, shows that early failure of Subaru OEM car batteries is a known issue.

It was probably other manufacturers having the problem too... Subuaru doesn't make their own batteries, they'll farm it out to another group.

I had a pin prick sized hole on the weld of the compressor of the A/C for my Ranger a few years ago.  No idea how it got there, but I know the costs for doing AC work, and it sucks LOL.  Otherwise, what do you think of your Subaru?

[ssfc72]

So far, I like the Outback very much. It has the  2.5L engine and it has impressive get up and go.  I get over 42 MPG on the highway, in the summer time and that is impressive for an all wheel drive.
I only have 55,000 Km on the vehicle, at this point.

[William]

So far, I like the Outback very much. It has the  2.5L engine and it has impressive get up and go.  I get over 42 MPG on the highway, in the summer time and that is impressive for an all wheel drive.
I only have 55,000 Km on the vehicle, at this point.

42 MPG = 5.6L/100km.  That's diesel territory!   Subaru comes with only 3 years warranty compared to 4 or 5 years on other brands.  How much did that weigh on your decision to go with the car?

[ssfc72]

The measly 3 year warranty was a consideration for me but due for the Subaru reputation for being a well built vehicle, I took the hit of not having 2 extra years of warranty.

42 MPG = 5.6L/100km.  That's diesel territory!   Subaru comes with only 3 years warranty compared to 4 or 5 years on other brands.  How much did that weigh on your decision to go with the car?

[gmiller1977]

The measly 3 year warranty was a consideration for me but due for the Subaru reputation for being a well built vehicle, I took the hit of not having 2 extra years of warranty.

Subaru's warranty isn't drastically different from anyone else in their segment.  3 year 60000km full warranty, 5 year 100000km powertrain.  Same as Chevy, Honda, Ford, Toyota.

[ssfc72]

Oh, I just remembered, shortly after I had bought the Outback, I got a letter from Subaru saying that they were extending the powertrain warranty to 10 years.  The Outback has the relatively new design, CVT transmission.  The letter said there was nothing wrong with the transmission, that would cause them to extend the drivetrain warranty.

I have kept their letter in the glovebox of the car,  just in case I might need proof of the extended warranty, someday. :-)

[gmiller1977]

Yeah, Subaru was using Jatco transmissions in vehicles that were CVT based back then.  They had some pretty serious design issues when used in Nissan/Infinity. 

Subaru engineers upgraded the base Jatco designs (thankfully), so they were far better.  Some still had some problems.  Just make sure you're doing the maintenance on them and you'll be fine.  Our Prius has a CVT, and while it is exciting to drive as a slice of wet bread, they are very fuel efficient, especially at low RPM.

Subaru makes their own CVTs now.

[Jason]

This is quite the topic. Didn't know so many of you guys were car geeks, too.

[William]

Our Prius has a CVT, and while it is exciting to drive as a slice of wet bread, they are very fuel efficient, especially at low RPM.

Before COVID, fuel efficiency was the most important factor, because I do 120km daily commute.  I was looking at cheap hybrids, like Kia Nero and Hyundai Ioniq.   After COVID, even if we go back to work, I expect to continue to work from home, for most things.  So, factors shifted towards safety and comfort.  If there are no repairs, then Subaru wins.  But, I never had a car that didn't need repairs.

[gmiller1977]

Before COVID, fuel efficiency was the most important factor, because I do 120km daily commute.  I was looking at cheap hybrids, like Kia Nero and Hyundai Ioniq.   After COVID, even if we go back to work, I expect to continue to work from home, for most things.  So, factors shifted towards safety and comfort.  If there are no repairs, then Subaru wins.  But, I never had a car that didn't need repairs.

I hear you.  That's part of the reason we got the Prius, I was going into Toronto from Bobcaygeon almost a couple of times a week.  It's a great car for long drives, sure beats the gas that my 4.0L V6 Ford Ranger uses..... but, you can't haul firewood with a Prius, or move ATVs either LOL.  The new AWD Prius is interesting, and if gas is $1.40+ a litre the hybrid system starts to pay for itself.  Otherwise, forget it.  It is fun to drive to Ottawa and back on a tank of gas though.

All cars need repairs, but, I've been pretty lucky with most of my vehicles.

My Ranger is a 2010.  I've done work on the AC ($600), replaced seals (axels and drive shaft), font bearings (pricey because it's 4X4), and had to do a pulley for the AC clutch last year.  MOST of the work I do on it is CHEAP.... under $100 in parts and labour.  But it's a 2010 that hauls firewood, gravel, toys, and stuff.  It has almost 175,000km.

I've done nothing other than maintenance and a recall on the Prius (2014).  It's got almost 165,000km

Lexus can worry about the Lexus while my girl drives it.

Next time I would seriously consider a Crosstrek.... but I worry I would miss the bed of a pickup.

[gmiller1977]

This is quite the topic. Didn't know so many of you guys were car geeks, too.

I love cars.

I so miss going to the Autoshow.  COVID broke an almost 20 year streak my business partner and I had going down to it.