Hi all, I'm looking at getting a new 2002 TS Wagon, 5speed and want opinions and advise.

For perspective, 18 months ago I bought a Ford Focus ZX3, while the car does have some positive qualities, it's been complete junk as far as reliability and drivability goes. I've been in for service/recalls/repairs 14 times in the past 18 months. Items replaced include, clutch hydraulics, clutch disc, axle assembly, strut bearings (once at 9000 miles, and they're going again), among other things.

The worst is a stumble/hesitation at light throttle cruising speed (ie 40 in 4th), the high rpm misfire, the rough idle, and poor fuel mileage (24.6 on the hiway on my last roadtrip). And Ford's complete lack of ability to cure these problems.

Needless to say I'll never buy another Ford, and they don't seem to care.

Anyway, I want to know what you think of the TS, I really want a wagon and I can't quite afford the WRX. So what kind of problems might I expect to encounter, how do the dealers treat their customers, and is quality/reliability up to the typically high Japanese standards?

Thank you,
Whit

Hey Whit,
I don't have the TS Sportwagon but a friend of mine got one a few months ago, black and really beautiful. She got it loaded with practically every factory option available and still paid thousands less than I did for the WRX Wagon. It looks the same as mine except for the hood scoop and alloy wheels. The suspension set up is not as rigid as the WRX. Of course, it has the 2.5 instead of the 2.O Turbo. She loves it. She had problems with one of the windows getting stuck in down position but the dealer worked with her to fix it. IMO, very practical wagon for under 20 grand.

The WRX is my first Subaru, and I love it. My 7-month experience tells me that the car is well designed and engineered, but quality-wise, it probably won't match the Camry or Accord. Still, it'll be a vastly better than any domestics.

As for dealer, your mileage may vary. Go ask around on the Texas i-club board. I believe most Austinites on this board go to one dealer and avoid another.

-Ray

while i don't own a TS, i'm on my third subaru wagon - 85 GL, 97 OBS, and 02 wrx.

scoobies are very reliable - the older ones (1980s and prior) tend to have a major rust habit, but given decent maintenace, they'll putter along this side of forever. i haven't experienced any (?) service recalls that wasn't handled during normal service maintenance. the only time i had to have unscheduled service was when the radiator on my 97 obs leaked and the service rep was quite stunned b/c the radiator had a small clean hole in the metal that he said looked like somebody crawled under the car and fired a gun at the radiator ??? weird enough that i couldn't hold it against the poor car! :lol:

Thanks for the info. I suppose the suspension bits from the WRX would fit the TS, even body parts if I went nuts. Are there any (relatively) common problems that the '02 Imprezas are experiencing?

Are the 2.5L's in the '02 the same as the '01 or '00?

As for the local dealers, I found a thread that had about 5 replies saying "see Brent at Austin Subaru", that's good to see, I've already emailed them for a quote, seems there are *very* few 5sp TS Wagons in Texas. Is this a particularly rare bird, or is nobody buying the automatics.

Whit

The ZX3 was on my shopping list too, as I love hatchbacks and generally like Ford's European designs. Stories like yours turned me off to it, though.

A TS will be much better than the ZX3. The Japanese build quality is excellent, and AWD handling has to be experienced to be believed, even in the dry.

The TS is an excellent value for the money, especially when you consider a much less useful and less powerful Civic or Corolla can be purchased for the same money.

My advice: Go as light on the options as you can. I got the rear spoiler and floor mats, and the dealer threw in the rear cargo net for free. Most common Subaru parts are available for much less from other vendors, and can be installed yourself. Makes it a much better value. (I've since added the rear bumper protector, fog lamps, and FHI 20mm rear sway bar myself).

Go get 'em.

lb
www.trancelab.com

Just a couple of other thoughts. The TS is sprung more softly than the sedan (RS). The RS and Outback Sport also have the nicer / larger alloy wheels and tires. If you're interested in affordable, good handling, the RS should better the TS. The TS advantage is in economical, AWD, fun to drive.

Originally posted by yakabazzi
If you're interested in affordable, good handling, the RS should better the TS. The TS advantage is in economical, AWD, fun to drive.

Really, I thought the TS was basically an RS wagon, hmmm, so an Outback may be better handling that the TS? Does the Outback have a different ride height?

Austin Subaru is getting a 5sp Outback the second week of Nov. I hope to get a chance to test drive it, if not buy it! They say they have no plans to get a TS, in the short term at least.

Hmmmm....

I have a TS wagon and I love it. So far nothing has gone wrong with it. It is a proven platform with a proven engine and reputation for reliability. The suspension on the TS is not "sport tuned" as it is on the RS, but it is still a firm ride. If you are not going to be rallying or off-roading with it I think you will find it OK the way it is. Go to your local dealership and test drive one. That's the only way you will know for sure how it rides and handles. Get it with the 5 spd though, not the auto. Those with the auto find it a bit underwhelming. :o

yakabazzi - you forgot the most important advantage of the TS over the RS -- loads of cargo carrying space!

of course, this car is more of a five door hatch than my old subie hauler, the pimpin 87 GL wagon.. that car could fit half a house worth of stuff in the back, but i digress.

lb
www.trancelab.com

I have a new OBS and love my car. Driver window makes funny sound on the way up but other than that no problems. I love my Scube!! This is my 5Th Subaru and I really like the new rigid structure the car has. Very solid. I put Toyo T1S tires on it and found that to be way better than stock. The speakers stink and need upgrade, and the rear sway bar is too small. The OBS is a better value than the TS due to the options you get for the money. Good luck!!!:)

Just picked up a TS, my 4th subaru Wgn( 88 GL, 93 LS, 99l and this ride. Thousands less than the rex and as others have said, pretty firm, on rail driving experience. I love it. All that room in the back is perfect for stuff. Test drive one. You, too, will love it!

I'd get the RS instead. Its worth the extra money despite that its a sedan, cause it has the same interior as the WRX, rear disc brakes, a better suspension, cruise control, the better rims, and fender flares :D

If they had an RS Wagon, instead of the de-loaded TS, I'd buy that.

There you go, an RS wagon, that would be very cool!!! I need a wagon, or really maybe I like the wagon look over the sedan, so when I buy I'm favoring the WRX sport because then I get a firm handling wagon. I'd actually be ok with the 2.5 instead of the turbo but I won't complain about the extra power either. I'm not sure I'll like the turbo thing, I prefer more low end grunt - never owned a turbo before.

Options:
Get the rear spoiler.
Buy WRX wheels from someone in your area for $400.
Now your car looks just like the WRX wagon.


Buy someone's rear sway bar.

Another vote for the OBS!:) :)

mr_disco wrote..Options: Get the rear spoiler. Buy WRX wheels from someone in your area for $400. Now your car looks just like the WRX wagon. Buy someone's rear sway bar.


Yep that's pretty much what I'm thinking and a set of Tokiko's.


Porky wrote...Another vote for the OBS.


I'm still straddling the fence here. I like the fact you get a few more goodies for the $ with the Outback, it's just the two-tone paint jobs that don't look right, to me.

I want a silver or white wagon, with rear spoiler, and the hood scoop would be cool also. But I don't want to be a poser. <g>


Thanks all for the info, I had the Focus towed in today, as it tried to die in the middle of a busy intersection today. The motor kept running, but nothing happened when I tried to give it gas, about thirty seconds later it was running fine. And the Focus is one of the top ten best american cars, LOL!