2003 Subaru Forester issues: Should I cut my losses and get a different vehicle?

[dishdude]

Originally Posted by mr_rye89

Everything has an interference engine now. I prefer timing belts, they are easier to replace. and in Subarus the engines are longitudinally mounted for ease of access. Lots of domestic cars with OHC engines have timing chains that love to break and guides that get trashed ('08-12 GM 3.6 V6 especially) or the chains get loose and rub a hole in something. The 2.0 DI turbo 4 in my Audi has belts and chains, the belt runs the water pump and the exhaust cam (I think) then there's a little chain on the back of the head going between the exhaust and intake cams. it stretched out and the guide broke. Luckily the previous owner fixed that. Also the timing chain in my truck stretched pretty bad (Mopar 318).

Toyota 1UZ/2UZ V8s can last and last and last if you keep that timing belt changed every 90k

Sorry, belts are rubbish and those GM 3.6 chains that failed were mostly neglected engines that owners failed to change the oil on.