Comments: 1-15, 16-22
First problem is the car doesn't like to go into reverse a lot of the time. Have to put car in neutral let clutch out, then push clutch in and try again. Usually works, but very frustrating. I always wonder in the back of my mind what would happen if I needed to reverse quickly to avoid an accident and couldn't get it into reverse! Dealership tells me that this is normal operating behaviour.
Second problem. Got stuck in some major stop and go traffic, starting smelling terrible hot metal / hot rubber smell. Once out of stop and go, smell disappeared. Took to dealership, was told it was the clutch getting too hot and is also apparently normal operating behaviour as well.
Third problem. When taking off in first gear, after car had started moving and is past point of stalling because of lack of gas, the car makes a shuttering movement - like it's going to stall. Best way to describe is - feels like you're taking off in second gear and not giving enough gas. Haven't ventured to the dealership to try and explain this problem yet, but dreading that I'll get the "normal operating behaviour" line again.
Overall, despite all of our problems, I love my car. Sporty and lots of fun to drive - when it's working properly. Sick to say, but I'd buy another despite the nightmares I've encountered with this one.
Has anybody else had any of these problems or did I get a lemon?
J
I think you have a lemon for whatever reason.
The reverse isn't that big a problem. The smell is normal and I get that with all the manual cars I have had, although not consistently.
I've never had the stalling experience and I've had my 2004 RS for two years now.
I honestly think you need to learn how to drive stick-shift, sounds like the problems my grandmother used to have until she got herself an automatic.
Saludos.
Manuel.
My 2003 Silverado has the same issue with the reverse situation. It only happens once a month or so, especially in hot weather, but it just will not go into reverse until I let up on the clutch and try it again. It never grinds or anything else, it's done this for the 3 years I've had the truck, and have had no problems with it. So if it is or isn't normal behavior, and if it's doing it for the same reason my truck is doing it, I'd say don't worry about it.
As for the smell I'm not sure, it's kind've hard to give a guess without actually smelling it myself.
As for the stalling issue, you obviously know how to drive a stick, and since you say it's after the point where if you just let out of the clutch the car still wouldn't stall, correct? You may have a fuel delivery problem, I'd suggest taking it into the dealership for an inspection.
To all those saying he/she needs to learn how to drive a stick or buy an automatic, grow up and don't be so ignorant. I have the same problem going into reverse with my truck, and I've owned only manual transmissions for the past 8 years, not to mention a CRX with a stage III clutch, which if you've ever driven a car with a racing clutch in it, you know how those clutches are.
I strongly suspect that the car is fine, and your technique driving a manual transmission needs work. Practice smooth, steady (not necessarily slow) release of the clutch with balanced amount of gas. Keep an eye on the tach to get a feeling of what the right amount is. The 'problems' will go away as your technique improves.
It's obvious that you don't drive manual cars.
Reverse is a straight cut gear and you will have that problem in all cars. The clutch smell you get is because you are riding your clutch in traffic, as the car gets older and clutch wears a little you won't get it so much. Before you wear the clutch learn not to ride it so much!
After driving my 03 Impreza for ages, I just bought my 2005 RS and I have to say that I love it. I recommend driving in a low noise area with the windows down and no music as it really helps a driver get to know their car. I find that most of my friends that drive a manual tend to keeps their Revs a lot higher than they would if they really knew what their car sounds like.
I think the original poster don't know how to drive a manual or have no clue about Subaru AWD.
My 06 impreza won't go into rear either, put into 1st or dbl-clutch will solve it. 2ndly, for AWD, you can't dump clutch to make the car move like 2WD, it won't, and it will sputter or stall. Even though with 1st gear, you have to give a bit gas until it really moves, dude, it's a stick with AWD not an auto with RWD/FWD.
Your problems all stem from a lack of knowledge when it comes to driving a manual transmission.
I have the same experience as you on all three issues. I traded in a 2002 WRX for a 2006 Impreza 2.5i. The WRX never had the stall problem. The stalling problem in the 2006 car appears to be from a defect in the electronic system used to control the amount of gas from the gas pedal. Apparently the newer models use a gas pedal which is according to the dealer now "electronic" -- no cable (as was the case in the 2002 WRX). The problem has nothing to do with poor driving ability. I can say this with confidence as I have been driving a stick transmission for over 40 years, including several years as an amateur rally car enthusiast. The problem is particularly bad when one is in traffic and the car is either in first or second gear and the air conditioning is on. The car cannot maintain a constant speed and shudders. I think the pedal does not have enough resolution in it. Secondly, the car changes its idle when the air conditioning switch is on. It oscillates on its own. The problem was particularly noticeable recently when I was stuck in a snow storm and found myself going downhill at slow speeds. The local dealer admits there is a problem with this model, but says Subaru does not have a fix at this time. I would like to hear if others have this problem.
OK I have a question.. I have the smell of "burning rubber" maybe electrical, but sure smells like rubber. my girlfriend says it does it when its cold out I just noticed in the past two days I was doing between 70-80 mph on the interstate and I got a breif scent of it.. it lasted maybe 5 seconds at most. and it was very strong.. I wasnt behind a disel or anything. I didn't believe her, but now I do, so what the heck is it? my belts are fine, not even a crack. not rubbing, don't look too tight. I searched the web and closest thing I could find was belts, or a seized bearing freeing up, then seizing up again causing the smell. dealership says they can't find a problem... help please??? ccampton@ne.rr.com.
Thanks to all of you who posted helpful comments. We finally received an error code after many visits to the dealer. Replaced an oxygen sensor and it now works like a charm - thus explaining the shuttering and lack of "get up and go" we were experiencing. Car doesn't seem to have near as much of an issue going into reverse anymore - still very rarely does it... so not sure what that means.
If I had to guess (I have never driven a Subaru) but I would guess the issue of Reverse is a safety feature to keep people from accidentally grinding the vehicle into reverse (be it because they are used to a 6 speed or the vehicle is still rolling forward and making it necessary to double-clutch would cause the user to slow down before putting in reverse).
As for the burning clutch smell I would think this would be user caused (harsh use to keep it simple although this is a vague statement).
I have all 3 of the issues with my 2002 2.5RS. I know exactly what you mean with the stuttering. That happens only when my suby is cold. All I need to do is to rev up on neutral a little bit (1 second or 2 maybe) then go first gear and if it's a snowy day and its extremely cold just start by half cluching your first gear, or just start with 2nd gear if it bothers you too much. 2.5 litter engine has a lot of power.
The other two issues you mentioned are normal.
I have an issue of mine too. I'm trying to figure out if its possible to tighten the cluch. There aren't any cables to tighten in this model (maybe electronic?).
I own an '06 'preza wagon and have experienced the "rubber/metal" smell a few times. I haven't experienced the smell in a while, namely since I learned to drive stick a lot better. The smell is actually that of your clutch burning. I used to burn my clutch up on a daily basis, but I have learned to drive a lot better.
I also have that same issue with reverse. I have never had it checked out, but have spoken to a friend of mine about it. His tranny does the exact same thing in order to prevent you from accidentally slipping it into reverse while moving forward. Even when you aren't moving, mine takes a little coercion to get into gear.
As for the sputtering, stuttering and other issues: I experience those from time to time when I don't give it enough gas to get a good start or drop the clutch too quickly.
My clutch went out on me today (which seems to be a current problem) and upon calling the dealership, the technician was not surprised at all that my clutch had gone out at 25k miles, I'm hoping that a replacement clutch may solve the stuttering issue, but I'm anticipating the "smell" again with a new clutch.
Lets see I have a 05 2.5rs as well. I have all of the same problems I think in all honestly the car is junk. my grandmas goes faster. And you can't even put a turbo on it cause the motor can't handle it. what a pointless car to own. its not because he don't know how to drive stick the car is just junk. I say if you want a car that is fun to drive its not it keep looking.
Mike hunt.