WTF - Engine rebuild 4 months out of warranty...

[swingn]

damn subaru cars can only last about 70000kms?

I woundnt say that because I have seen plenty with 200,000ks on them.

As I've said in a previous thread, it's luck of the draw.

My Liberty was bullet proof mechanically & I know people who have the same models that have had no dramas & have 80K or more of the clock.

That being said, I know of people who have had cars that have lasted 5K before needing a new engine (Both Subaru & other brands)... Hell, I saw a 6 months old 911 blow up on the track!

Luck of the draw guys... Cars cost money & when they get a few years old, you've just got to be prepared to pay a bit to keep it running nicely... One can only hope it's not something as significant as a motor going bad...

[teK--]

This is the reason (IMHO) why the second hand car market is so dead. People want to buy newer cars with warranty so they are covered if something should go pear shaped.

I agree totally, my parents wouldn't have recently bought a second hand car each, no matter how much I tried to convince them. They both had enough of having to repair their previous cars and just wanted something new for a change so they at least didn't have to worry about repairs for 3 years or so.

Upside is that the newer a car is generally the safety features are better, except for cheap econoboxes.

[Spec B Wgn]

caveat emptor..

[nico]

How bout "implied warranty".

From the NSW Fair Trading website...

"Statutory conditions and warranties are implied by statutes or common law and require traders and manufacturers to ensure that every product provided is suitable for the purpose for which it is supplied.

Products must do their job properly, bearing in mind their price and the way they are described. This is a legal obligation that applies, whether or not a trader or manufacturer decides to provide a written warranty or guarantee (voluntary warranty).
Consumers may ask for a refund if the goods purchased:

1. are not of merchantable quality ie so defective that they should not have been sold, for example they don't work, they break down or they develop a serious fault. If an article becomes defective after sale, one of the considerations for merchantable quality would be the price received by the supplier for the goods (eg. a $2 watch wouldn't be expected to last as long as a $300 quality watch)
2. are not suitable for their intended reasonable purpose made known to the supplier, or do not match the sample or description provided.
For example, a refrigerator is an expensive item. It is not unreasonable to expect it to last longer than 18 months before it’s ready for the scrap heap. Even if the voluntary warranty on the refrigerator has expired, a consumer may still have a valid complaint under the law if it had a structural fault eg. defective insulation not apparent at the time of purchase, which became obvious after only 18 months.

These statutory warranties cannot be excluded or modified by a manufacturer or trader when the product or service is bought for personal or domestic use, even if the consumer does not return a manufacturer’s guarantee card or notice provided with the goods."

[swingn]

Interesting read that ^^^... Lots of loop holes if you ask me.

Taking the above into account, I think you have a reasonable argument. However, once again, it's out of warranty & they can fall back on stupid things like "You've driven the car too hard" etc etc etc... I'm not suggesting this is the case, but obviously there is no proof either way, so to speak.

If you have the time & energy, then I would go after then & try to get as much as you can... IMO, I don't think you'll come out on top. Subaru (Or the dealership) have already decided how far they are willing to go.

[teK--]

That is exactly what I am referring to Nico. There is manufacturer's warranty which is accompanied with all sorts of terms and conditions and only for a specified period of time/use, and then there is statutory warranty as you have just found.

It is common sense that the engine should not have only lasted that long if maintained properly and not used outside of its design intent.

Once it's outside of manufacturer's warranty you will pretty much have to seek legal recourse, unless you want to accept Subaru's peace offering (which is sometimes accompanied by a release and NDA which you must sign).

[nico]

Update...

Subaru Aust. have now offered to supply complete short motor at their cost & have reduced labour component from $2900 to $2300.

[Spec B Wgn]

Update...

Subaru Aust. have now offered to supply complete short motor at their cost & have reduced labour component from $2900 to $2300.

take it or leave it...

[nico]

I'd rather see how deep their pockets are.

As a last ditch effort at diplomacy, I've sent them an email today & in the interest of having the matter resolved quickly, I've offered to contribute $1000 to the labour component of the repairs on my car. Hopefully they'll go for this, if not, I guess I'll be calling Jackie Chiles

[teK--]

Update...

Subaru Aust. have now offered to supply complete short motor at their cost & have reduced labour component from $2900 to $2300.

take it or leave it...

What other option is there?

E.g. I love it when people start a statement with "This may, or may not be true, but....." Well of course, what other freaking possibility is there?

It's probably a bit late Nico, but hopefully you made your reason clear, because there is no quicker invitation for a knockback when you offer to pay less, just because you don't want to pay more.

[nico]

Yes I've laid out all my reasons in point form very sicinctly in an email to Subaru & I can assure you that "just because I don't want to pay anymore" doesn't really enter the equation...

[swingn]

Good luck with it mate Good to see you're progressing (Didn't think you'd get any further to be honest)... Look forward to seeing what Subaru come back at you with.

[nico]

Finally reached a resolution on this issue which I'm (relatively) happy with.

Subaru Australia are to recondition heads etc & suply new short motor & gasket kit free of charge & I've agreed to contribute $1800 towards labour. To be honest I just couldn't be arsed arguing any more.

Work has now resumed & I've been told I'll have the car back next week.

[Spec B Wgn]

Finally reached a resolution on this issue which I'm (relatively) happy with.

Subaru Australia are to recondition heads etc & suply new short motor & gasket kit free of charge & I've agreed to contribute $1800 towards labour. To be honest I just couldn't be arsed arguing any more.

Work has now resumed & I've been told I'll have the car back next week.

well done..$500 is better in your pocket.. hope the rebuild goes to plan..

[swingn]

Great work mate!