Subaru Recall

Waiting in line (me in my red Subaru) for service this morning at the dealership

Just got back from Dover. I took my car to my Subaru dealer for a recall.  Brake linings and passenger side airbags.  

I didn't want to go.  I received the recall notices the past year and ignored them. I purchased my Subaru Forester from this Dover dealer back in 2010. At that time I had excellent service. However, a few years ago, when the dealership changed ownership, the service I received was terrible. I vowed never to go back.  I've been in the service industry all my adult life and I know bad service when I see and experience it. When I receive bad service, I don't go back.

However, last week I received a second notice from the Subaru headquarters about the air bag recall.  The recall correspondence mentioned the deadly danger of the passenger side air bag going off, injuring and killing passengers with shrapnel. WTF?  Unbelievable!  

I considered ignoring this notice too but upon second (and third) thought I decided to just get it over with.  I called and made an appointment.  The service desk had a problem finding my name until I gave them my Subaru VIN number. They found my records. She said "You haven't been here for awhile."  Uh, yes.  I decided not to dump on her why I had not returned.  She was an innocent party.  She wasn't there when I received the terrible service the last time I was at their facility.

I made an appointment for today at 8:30 am.  That meant I had to get up early, which I did.  How's 5:07 am sound?  Yep, I didn't sleep all that well knowing I had to make the thirty-nine mile trip to Dover this morning.  

It rained last night. This morning when I got up the rain continued. I debated with myself whether of not to go up.  I hate driving in the rain. But it wasn't raining real hard but enough to make me uncomfortable driving that distance. I decided to go. 

Ten miles up the road (Route One, the main artery to southern Delaware), the rain increased followed by fog.  Great, my worst driving conditions. I pulled off on a side road and told Bill "I'm not going. I'm calling and cancelling."  He said "Why? You halfway there."  Well, actually I wasn't "halfway" there but well on my way.  I pulled in a private driveway and backed out onto the road and resumed my journey in the rain and fog to Dover.

Another eight miles up the road I encounter road construction. When don't I encounter road construction when traveling? I briefly considered turning around again but decided just to barrel through and get this over with.

Twenty minutes later I arrive in downtown Dover. I approach the dealership.  I am immediately impressed with the new service area.  Instead of going inside and seeing a couple of guys behind the service desk, instead I see a young lady with an iPad outside checking the car in front of me with the car's owner. Another service rep comes out (Carol) and says "You are Mr. Tipton?"  Hey!  I'm impressed already.  She's expecting me.  

Carol checking out my Subaru

She tells me to accompany her while she walks around my car for an examination.  She explains to me I am there for a recall on two items.  Gee, I don't have to explain to The Guy Behind The Service Desk why I am there.  She notes the split rubber on my rear windshield wiper but otherwise, everything on my Subaru looks good.  It should, my 2010 Subaru only has just over 61,000 miles on it and has a comfy home in my garage.  I sign off with my finger on her iPad.

Carol directs me inside to another service rep who gives me the key to my loaner car.  It's another Subaru!  And here I thought they were going to give me some chintzy car.  But ah, there is a method behind their actions.  When I got into my Subaru I felt at home immediately!  Aren't they clever?  

Me signing off on the loaner car

I LOVED the updated dashboard!
I LOVED the comfort of the new higher seating!
I LOVED the color display on the radio!
I LOVED the backup screen!
I LOVED the feel of more power of the engine!

Of course when I returned home I checked the Kelley Blue Book value of my present Subaru (between $8,000 an $11,000) and the price of this new Subaru ($25,000).   I really don't need a new car but I do like new and shiny objects. My care now is a 2010. Next year's Subaru would be a 2020.  Sounds nice and neat. 

My loaner Subaru is now safely ensconced in my garage now, waiting for the return trip to the Dover dealership tomorrow. I'm so glad today turned out on a positive note. 

106,000 Miles

Today, as I was driving back from a friend's house in Rehoboth Beach, my odometer turned over 106,000 miles. A few minutes before my friend pointed out that I dripped oil on his brand new white cement driveway. I told him "No way!" and to prove it, I got in my car and moved it from where I was parked in front of his house to show him that I wasn't dripping oil. Oops! There, on the asphalt roadway were three telltale signs of oil. Egad. I backed up my car and there again, was another drop of oil. Okay. So I was in denial. A few weeks ago I took my car into a local garage to have them check out the oil leak. It wasn't leaking a lot but it does leak a few drops every day. The mechanic checked it out and told me (I'm terrible at this kind of thing) something about the drive train and fan or something like that. He gave me an estimate of $1,450 for them to "attempt" to fix it (no guarantee). He did mention that I had over 105,000 miles on my 1998 Subaru Forester. Hmmmmm. Is he saying my car is old (like me)? I decided not to get anything done at that time. I would live with the occasional oil leak. However, when my friend pointed out to me today the steady leak, I'm thinking maybe I better consider getting a new set of wheels to take me into the sunset years of my amazing life. My previous car was a Honda Civic. I had that car for 14 years and 56,000 miles. I keep cars a long time. I'm very fond my my red Subaru Forester. It was love at first sight when I first saw it. We've been through a lot together, me and my red Subaru Forester. I love this car but I've been thinking about getting a new car anyway before things start to go wrong like dominoes with this car. I've been thinking about a Toyota Prius from the time a friend offered me a ride in his last winter. Besides the great gas mileage, the interior of the car is roomy and comfortable. Due to my height and long legs (longer than Michael Phelps), leg room is a serious consideration for me. Also, I would like to have a GPS navigation system. A co-worker of mine also was starting to have problems with her car last week. She got it fixed when her engine light came on. Shortly thereafter something else went wrong with her car. She decided she needed dependability more than she needed to avoid putting out bucks for a new car. She took the plunge and bought a new car and is now very happy. I'm 66 years old. I figure this new car will last me at least another 10 years. That should take me well into my sunset. At least I want to do it in style. Now if I can just get it in fire engine red.