noisy gear change

It was very difficult to change gear, and noisy in certain cases.

I took it to Subaru in Dubai, and they changed the whole gearbox under warranty. However, almost exactly the same problem reappeared about 100,000 km later (now out of warranty), and I have also had two problems with the clutch (again, one under warranty and one not). I will list these problems separately.

Given the repeated problems, I am not convinced that Subaru's solution is the answer. I think there is something else wrong here but there is no desire to investigate, or even pass the problems on.

Though it wouldn't have made any difference with this incident, had I bought a Toyota 86 instead (almost exactly the same car - minor trim differences), Toyota's unlimited mileage warranty would have saved me a great deal of money. It also took Subaru a very long time to receive the part(s) they needed. Other companies provide courtesy cars.

Please note: I am not certain of the mileage and date listed in this entry. They are approximate.

As I was driving, changing gear became noisy. After a short time, I could barely change gear at all, then the car started to smell, and made some grinding noises. I assumed it was the clutch, having only recently had some work done on it (see other post), and took it to the dealer, via a recovery vehicle.

The car is at Subaru in Dubai; they said that the clutch was fine, and that it was a gearbox problem. They called yesterday to say that it would cost marginally more to replace the gearbox than it would to replace the individual defective parts, and that it would take 30-45 days to receive the parts. I am still waiting on a lead time for a gearbox.

This is the second time I have had this problem (the first was under warranty). To my mind, to be on my third gearbox and third clutch in a car than it less than three years old is a symptom of a larger problem somewhere. A constant repetition of the same problems is clearly no cause for concern for the Subaru guys in Dubai. I would like to think that somebody at Subaru is concerned (embarrassed?) but I don't know whether they are even aware.

I have said it before, and I will probably say it again; had I bought a Toyota 86 instead (almost exactly the same car - minor trim differences), Toyota's unlimited mileage warranty would have saved me a great deal of money. I believe Toyota would have also paid for the recovery vehicle and given me a courtesy car.

This car has been great fun to drive, but I am left with the thought that the best minds at Subaru are working on making parts that are designed to only marginally outlast their warranty period. The guys at Subaru in Dubai are pleasant enough, but I would honestly expect a more sympathetic and apologetic response. They are the only people to have done any work on the car, so it must be the Subaru car, Subaru parts or Subaru people.

As far as I am concerned, the Subaru name is damaged. I will get the car back (eventually), then probably exchange it for something else.