Piston Slap: New or Used? Neither.

James writes:

My wife and I are considering replacing one of our cars. I drive a 2007 Honda Fit Sport (125k miles) and she drives a 2002 Subaru Forester (135k). We both have long commutes and I drive 30k per year and she drives over 20k per year.

Her Subaru is well cared for but aging. While is overall has been a pretty good vehicle, we’ve had to make the following, fairly typical, repairs over the last few months:

• New ball joint

• New CV joint.

• Timing Belt/Water pump/Thermostat/Camshaft and crankshaft seals.

• New tires/battery

Recently the CEL has come and gone, reporting that the catalytic converter is not operating optimally. This has been replaced once already in 2007. Thankfully, we’ve had no transmission or head gasket issues thus far with her Subaru.

My Honda has been an excellent vehicle and we’d likely hang onto that for another year or so. We’ve had our eyes on the new Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Chevy Equinox, but are also considering something used so potentially save a few dollars. I also have a friend who is a used dealer that has offered to grab us something from the auction for a reasonable price.

Both vehicles are paid off and we can theoretically pay cash for a new/used vehicle. We have one 2wd vehicle and would look for another 4×4 vehicle with adequate cargo space to assist with the mid-atlantic winters and children. She’s not all that picky (a well above average wife with a well below average desire for things automotive).

So my question: Fight or Flight…is it worth keeping the aging Subaru with hopefully minor future repairs or selling it and nabbing a newer vehicle that is comparable in size, perhaps safer and perhaps better equipped?

Sajeev answers:

It sounds like your Subie is well cared for, with owners who understand the pitfalls of this specific vintage. Odds are if you keep the coolant changed at regular intervals, use the correct oil (more of a problem with WRX-hoons) and generally keep an eye on things, I don’t see why this Subie can’t go well over 200,000 miles with regular upkeep. Did I just say that?

Yes indeed, so keep those “Sajeev/TTAC has an anti-Subaru agenda” comments to past Piston Slaps. If the owner or the vehicle’s condition were less advantageous, by all means, dump this complicated piece of quirky charm-tastic Japanese engineering for something more mainstream. Like maybe a Honda CR-V.

By all means, keep up the good fight. If the check engine light came on, have it tested at a local parts store and look up the code on NASIOC.com. And be proactive for the next few years, if for no other reason that your foresight creates a window of opportunity: I don’t much care for any of your “new car” alternatives, and there’s cooler stuff on the horizon. Fingers crossed on that last part.

Send your queries to mehta@ttac.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry.