Opinions on Subaru B4s? (yes a car)

**huff3r** · 13th October 2009, 17:21

Originally Posted by peasea

Ok, so that's around 9.5-10km per litre say? Pretty thirtsy I reckon when our V8 does 580k's to 65 litres, or 8.9k/per l. That's an average, it can do better if we cruise everywhere.

Not bagging your car, mate, just making comparisons.

But is your V8 any more powerful or torquey? Not bagging your car either, its just you cant look at a turbo'd subaru compared to other 2L cars... you have to think of it as a bigger engine, and for that it seems to do reasonably well.. The damned thing is super-heavy too, 4wd doesnt help with that...

**FROSTY:Me** · 13th October 2009, 17:38

holey cow so much information. -Subaru 4 cylinders are great cars.
at 80k budget for cam cover gaskets, cam end seals cam belt and 1 tensioner. Other than that do normal servicing INCLUDING transmission oil changes.

**peasea** · 13th October 2009, 17:56

Originally Posted by huff3r

But is your V8 any more powerful or torquey? Not bagging your car either, its just you cant look at a turbo'd subaru compared to other 2L cars... you have to think of it as a bigger engine, and for that it seems to do reasonably well.. The damned thing is super-heavy too, 4wd doesnt help with that...

Quite right on all counts but many see V8's as gas-guzzlers when in fact they aren't any worse than a highly stressed four-banger.

I, like my missus, just prefer the effortless hill-climbing ability of the V8, always have. Then there's the aural bliss.

I have to add that after 30yrs in the motor trade and having dealt with many hi-perf engines both on the street and the track, I'll take the least-stressed unit for my own driver any day. Reason? They require less maintenance. The last thing a spanner-thrower wants to do on weekends is work on his own car. (Unless it's a hobby car/bike of course, that's different.)

**steve_t** · 13th October 2009, 18:05

And it's great for getting up to the snow!!!!

**peasea** · 13th October 2009, 18:16

Originally Posted by FROSTY

holey cow so much information. -Subaru 4 cylinders are great cars.
at 80k budget for cam cover gaskets, cam end seals cam belt and 1 tensioner. Other than that do normal servicing INCLUDING transmission oil changes.

That's pretty good advice for any car with a cam belt.

**huff3r** · 13th October 2009, 19:07

Originally Posted by peasea

That's pretty good advice for any car with a cam belt.

Yeah, its just the amount you have to budget in for a subaru lol.

Unfortunately, as the cambelt is about 6ft long (Quad Cam) its quite expensive!

No doubt V8s are similar though?

**peasea** · 13th October 2009, 19:44

Originally Posted by huff3r

Yeah, its just the amount you have to budget in for a subaru lol.

Unfortunately, as the cambelt is about 6ft long (Quad Cam) its quite expensive!

No doubt V8s are similar though?

Chain drive buddy, they got pushrods too! Gotta love that good old, reliable technology.

**Mikkel** · 13th October 2009, 20:52

Originally Posted by peasea

Sheeyite. Having to spend that on a clutch and cam belts would make me puke. 50,000kms in our V8 Berlina and only oil/filter changes and a set of tyres. We chose to put good shocks and springs in it but that's not because they were knackered, we just like to 'drive'.

Our V8 could probably match your 5km/l too, especially on the Takaka Hill. Good fun, eh?

Don't get me started on tyres - gone through 3 or 4 sets by now

With the B-spec GT legacy you don't have to put in good shocks and springs. If Bilstein is good enough for Porsche it'll be acceptable for my everyday drive

I've only ever managed those 5 km/l once, and that was around town. But yes, Takaka hill is awesome both in the car and on the motorcycle. The real advantage of the bike is that I can't take passengers...

Originally Posted by steve_t

And it's great for getting up to the snow!!!!

Yep, that - and for quickly getting to that trail head 50 km down obscure gravel roads. Peace of mind when driving in very wet weather or on gritty winter roads is pretty good too.

The number of times I've driven up to Mt. Hutt... never have I had a need to put on chains - and that's on Goodyear Eagle F1s.

Originally Posted by huff3r

Unfortunately, as the cambelt is about 6ft long (Quad Cam) its quite expensive!

I really don't think the expense has that much to do with the actual price on the part. But getting to the cam-belt on a flat-four takes quite a bit of time...