3.0R-B (How good are they?) (new to Subaru's)

[FLebbert]

Hi Guys and Gals,

New to the forums and i am currently looking at purchasing a 05/06 Liberty 3.0Lr-B (Spec B).

I have read about some reliability issues related to the 3L engine in the Liberty's and problems with burning huge amounts of oil.

I currently have a 07 CBR600RR that i am currently thinking of selling and looking to buy a car. The bike is absolutely bullet proof and of course will run rings around any car under 500HP but stupid knees (injuries) is leaning me to sell.

Ok that was kind of rambling....questions i would like answers too:

1. Is the 3.0L engine reliable?
2. Is there a problem with most of them burning oil?
3. Would the performance be on par with say a falcon or commodore?
4. What are the other things like aircon, cruise, etc like.....guess quality?
5. Can i put a baby seat in the back? (getting married next year and babies will happen.)
6. Any advantage or disadvantage over the 2.5T?
7. Does anyone in Wagga Wagga have one i could have a look at and possibly drive?

I have had a look on the forums and have found the beginning of answer to some of the above questions but no real definitive answers for most.

Thanks Everyone,

Phil

[smythie]

1. Don't know. Mine hasn't been a problem
2. As above. Others will have better information than I
3. I'd say so. You do need to rev it a bit to get the most from it. If you get caught below 3500rpm, you'll be in trouble in a drag.
4. Cruise is good IMO - pretty accurately maintains set speed. Aircon/Climate I think could be a little better but still heaps better than anything I've owned. Audio is good but the audiophiles always want more....
5. Yes. I'd suggest a wagon to fit all of the other baby gear. Nothing wrong with a wagon either (don't let the others hear me say that )
6. You'll have to drive both to get an idea. It's a very personal thing. The 2.5 is newer than the 3RB you are looking at - the equivalent aged car is the 2.0. Either way, IMO, the turbo's have better mid range than the 3.0. Performance wise, you really only get the 3.0 if you aren't too keen on turbo's. You won't get a 2.0GT with the 6 speed box. The facelift (MY07-MY09) brought the SpecB option to the turbo and upped the turbo engine to the 2.5. They'll be more expensive than the MY05/MY06 3RB.
7. ??

Hope that helps

[BUDDAH]

1. Is the 3.0L engine reliable? I have 100200k s on mine and thrash it every day and not one problem in 3 years
2. Is there a problem with most of them burning oil? Some used a bit when new don't hear anything about it now most flat motors do use a little oil
3. Would the performance be on par with say a falcon or commodore? Apples and oranges
4. What are the other things like aircon, cruise, etc like.....guess quality? Aircon works a treat even in 45c + conditions cruse is excellent
5. Can i put a baby seat in the back? (getting married next year and babies will happen.) Wear a condom
6. Any advantage or disadvantage over the 2.5T? Only disadvantage is all the 2.5T owners think theirs are better
7. Does anyone in Wagga Wagga have one i could have a look at and possibly drive? Wagga Wagga "O" you would be better off with a Holden Ute

[FLebbert]

Thanks for the replies.

Apparently the Ford Dealer here has one so i am going to go and have a look and see if they will let me take it for a spin. No intention of buying just yet but want to know what i am getting before i buy.

Don't mind turbo cars if i am looking for huge power but feel there just another thing to go wrong.

Lol yeah Wagga can be a bit of a bogan town and about 70% of 17 - 25 year old guys drive a ute of some description. Definitely not my thing.

Will post my finding after i get back.

Cheers,

Phil

[FLebbert]

Well just got back and turns out it is a 2.5L non turbo apparently. $18k with 100k on the clock. 1 owner with 100k service complete. Didn't think the price was too bad but just not the same as the 3.0L.

Guess i will keep looking.

[Woodduck]

Everyone else is pretty much spot on with their answeres-

1. Is the 3.0L engine reliable? Iv had a problem with the engine light with mine, but it appears its a very rare problem. Apart from that, NOT A PROBLEM! (To expand, my car pings occasional and it causes the engine light to come on...once he engine light it reset its fine....its only done it a few times an its more an inconvenience than a problem)
2. Is there a problem with most of them burning oil? Mine has NEVER needed a top up in-between services! And i drive mine pretty hard too.
3. Would the performance be on par with say a falcon or commodore? I had a VZ calais with the allotec 190 engine and 5 speed auto before this....and my liberty shits all over it! My dad also has a brand new SV6 ute (with the 210kw engine and 6 speed auto) and from driving both i still feel asthough mine goes better! That said i do have exhaust and V-tune on mine.
4. What are the other things like aircon, cruise, etc like.....guess quality? I live in mildura where over the last couple week/month my outside temp gauge has said 50+, even with the black leather my climate control works excellent Cruise is as good as any other car iv driven. Audio is the best stock sound system iv ever heard! The guy i bought it off had just upgraded to an $150K Audi and said that the sound system in the lib was better!
5. Can i put a baby seat in the back? (getting married next year and babies will happen.) Cant really comment although im quite sure it would easily fit in, and yes it does have the baby seat harness clip thingos on the rear parcel shelf.
6. Any advantage or disadvantage over the 2.5T? A matter of preference. I couldnt get turbo because im on my P's so i went for 3RB...but even now i would probably prefer a 3RB over a 2.5T. Just a personal thing though. Drive em both for yourself and see.
7. Does anyone in Wagga Wagga have one i could have a look at and possibly drive? Not unless you want to drive down to Mildura

[specbtommy]

oil is a massvie problem in mine. 700ml in 2000kms.

and went down the snowys topped it up 2 weeks ago and it's less than half full...

new engine you think? lol


other than that. which isn't a big deal cause it will be getting replaced under warranty .

the 3rb is a top car and cannot fault. i would love more power. since going for a rexy at 190kw atw



you won't be disappointed

[FLebbert]

Thanks for the replies,

I am guessing these cars have 5 year warranties on them? Just wondering if i buy an 06 if i can it will still be under warranty if there is an issue with the engine?

Cheers,

Phil

[Woodduck]

3 year warranty...so itd havto be a very late model 06 and would only have a couple weeks of warranty left

[west_minist]

6. Any advantage or disadvantage over the 2.5T?

Phil

Phil, this is a hard one especially if you are not sure if you are wanting power down the road and many are left to decide.

The 2.0GT or even the 2.5GT from a modification and power delivery point of view will always out shadow the 3R. At the end of the day, its really your decision on maintenance and needs. If you love the sound of the car and feel of the engine, go for it.

In addition, If you are looking for a MT or AT, then you choices become limited to the MT in a Legacy. I have driven the 5EAT and personally do not like it and would prefer a 6EAT. But you need to know what sort of driver you are.

I mostly find that any car will burn oil, especially the type that is used in it. There are some oils that burns quickly and some that don't. I have customers who will put castrol in their car, even me and it will go down. Even the RS Racing oil from them. Mobile tend to do the same. Some of us uses Motul racing oil with 0 drop. So when you see issues about burning oil, just review the information a little bit more.

I hope this help.

[specbtommy]

mines 6 months out f warrenty but cause the guy before has serviced it by subaru they said it should be covered.. but we'll find out soon enough

[Woodduck]

Mine was about the same out of warranty, and it was late on a couple of services when in warranty, but subaru still covered it for the pinging problem...as its not fixed, if something else happens im hoping they cover it again, as they have admited it is a manufacturing fault and covered under warranty already....but im not holding my breath...

[HODMAN]

Mine is a late 04 6MT, purchased privately in April 09.
First lesson - dont buy privately, This mistake cost me an extra $3000 approx. (instrument cluster, Central locking)(budget for mods blown).
Second lesson - if you do, have a autoelect check it out.
Third lesson - Dispite my fopar it is still one of the best drives I've ever owned.(over 20 vehicles)
I had to travel from the country to sydney to find it as there were none for sale where I am.
Had to go for a wagon to handle 2 kids.
Said no to turbo because of my insurance budget.
The issues I had did not play up when I test drove and my forte is Mechanical engineering not electrical.
If you buy from a dealer it may cost a little more but the dealers have to warrant against problems like these if the vehicle is not too old.
Pound for pound the liberty will retain a better value than commodore or falcon (I sold & traded subarus for 4 years) and easily be safer (i.e AWD)
Ive found Subes build quality to be excellent in the past. It seems my issues were rare.(just my luck, now eating crow)

Best of luck with your choice.

Cheers

[FLebbert]

Hi Guys,

I have had a bit more of a look and decided on the 3.0R-B due to insurance etc and what i am after.

I was going to wait until Feb or so before starting to look at purchasing however found this one on car sales that looks quite nice.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... 46836FD4DE

Had a chat to the guy who owns it and said never used a drop of oil. Has nice low KM as well. No mods what so every either which is good. Private sale though.

What do you guys think of the car?

Thinking i might go over and have a look if it doesn't sell between now and then. He is happy to take a deposit while i sell by RR as well.......No one wanting to buy an 07 CBR600RR? (is in great condition, never dropped, garaged every night, only 98 Octane ever put in, has Yoshi with polished pipe connecting, about 13000 KM) After $13,000 ono

All opinions welcome and needed.

Thanks everyone.

[smythie]

27k is a bit much IMO but it gives you a good starting point for bargaining. Keep in mind rego appears to be due very soon too (then again if you are buying interstate residual rego is probably wasted money anyway)