k-squared

just bumping up hoping for some suggestions... checked out the rockauto website and they have a remanufactured one for about $75 with shipping (plus $25 core). so far, that's the best price i've seen online. if anyone knows of a place to get it cheaper, i'd be most appreciative! kathy

Hello! The driver's side window on my '00 outback wagon (ltd) (approx. 147,000 miles) stopped working a few weeks ago, so my mechanic replaced the switch for me. It seemed to work fine for a couple of days, but then the window got stuck in the down position. After having to drive for a couple of hours in 30 degree weather with the window down, I finally got it to go back up by pounding on the door and opening and shutting it a few times. The following day, the window got stuck in the down position again. I drove to the garage, and my mechanic was able to get it back up. Both times it got stuck in the down position, I had accidentally hit the "auto" switch. I had also lowered it part way a couple of times and was able to put it back up. Now, I have duct tape over the switch so I don't accidentally touch it and get it stuck in the down position again. I had my mechanic check the new switch to make sure it wasn't defective and he said that the switch is fine but it looks like the motor is bad and that the part is $180! A little pricey, especially after I just ordered four new tires and replaced the timing belt. My mechanic has no problem with me getting the part cheaper somewhere else and installing it for me, so, i'm wondering, is there someplace to buy Subaru parts online at discounted prices? I've done a quick internet search and found a couple of places that have the motor for $85, plus $20, which is refunded once you send back the bad motor. I checked ebay and there aren't any listings for window motors fo rmy car. I'm also going to check the local salvage yard. Any other suggestions? thanks! kathy

i also expected them to last a little longer....they seemed to go down hill fast once i got about 40k on them. the treads don't *look* too bad (haven't measured them) but they are not gripping the road as well as they were and hydroplane quite easily now. kathy

Thanks all!! I had the car at the garage today for an oil change, tires rotated, etc. and left a list of other things for them to look at, including the window switch and the leaky light. I called to see how things went and if they encountered any major issues, and the mechanic said "we had to replace the motor." funny, funny guy! they are ordering a switch for the window and told me what the problem was with the tail light (which i don't remember off hand) but said i should probably take it to a body shop to have it sealed properly. i think that they did attempt to seal it. i'll have to get the skinny on it when i pick the car up. i was also having some hesitation during acceleration. they said that the air filter was really dirty and replaced it, so we'll see if that fixes it. i'm hoping it's not a more serious problem. i'm now looking for some new tires......i currently have Goodyear Assurance Triple Treds (they replaced the Potenzas, which replaced the stock tire (Firenzas?)). they've got about 40k-45k miles on them and the tread still looks good, but i've been having problems with hydroplaning the last few months (lots of rain here in PA lately), and i'll definitely need more tread with winter coming. i'm looking at getting the Assurances again or maybe Yokohamas. any suggestions? i've gone through some of the posts and seen BFG Traction T/A mentioned as well as a couple of Michelin tires. Would like to keep the price around $100 per tire. I drive about 20-25k miles a year. thanks! kathy

hello, my 2000 subaru outback is starting to fall apart and i'm wondering if it's time to get rid of it. i purchased it with 13k miles on it and it now has a little over 140k. first, the weather stripping around the front doors keeps falling off. i've been able to fix that problem with a little glue, but it's annoying. i've also had intermittent problems with the sun roof and moon roof leaking, but i think that i've finally solved that problem. my current issues are the driver's window doesn't always work. the others work just fine. also, the interior liner on the hatch keeps falling off, and i'm not sure what to do to keep it secure short of supergluing it. the pins/plastic screws just don't seem to hold it for very long. finally, water is somehow getting into the rear driver's side lighting fixture, and it is also leaking onto the hatch liner and into the cargo area. can these things be easily fixed? we were hoping to run the car until it died, hopefully after we hit 200k, but all of these "cosmetic" problems are getting to be a real pain. it's quite annoying to open the hatch and have the liner fall on your head, and if i keep it off, i see the rear lights in the rearview mirror and it's quite distracting. i also need to be able to roll down the driver's side window on occassion, and to be able to put it back up. if these problems can be easily fixed, is it necessary to go to a dealer, or can my friendly neighborhood mechanic handle them for me? the car seems too young to be falling apart already. thanks in advance for any and all advice. kathy