For quite some time now, I have been coming across many Subaru ads boasting of high customer satisfaction levels when it comes to their cars. Some claims corroborated by well-known bodies like J.D. Power and Top Gear. When I actually began asking some Subaru owners about their vehicle, I was quite amazed to see so many of them were actually very satisfied with their Subaru. To me, that is something not many automobile makers have been successful in achieving on such a consistent basis. In fact, Subaru uses this as their USP now. So how has Subaru been able to achieve such good marks on this front compared to others? Well, most of it can be attributed to the Subaru Engine and some excellent customer service.
Subaru was the first manufacturer to use the "Boxer Engine" in mass production cars; a technology that was previously almost restricted to premium luxury cars like Ferrari and Bugatti. A Boxer Engine is a conventional engine in which the pistons are aligned horizontally instead of being vertical (in-line engine) or diagonal (V-type engine). The horizontal pistons move in and out alternately on either side of the engine thus canceling each other's vibrations and keeping the engine stable. It is this stable engine that gives Subaru cars their incredible power.
Most people still believe "what is under the hood is what matters". An engine defines the nature of the car and the rest of the features are just secondary. A powerful and efficient engine is the prime factor that influences the buyer's choice and the user's satisfaction levels. Some believe that Subaru engines are "tuned for life" in the sense that there is hardly a time when one feels that the engine is not performing well. No wonder, it is this reputation of the Subaru engine in the market that reflects in Subaru's market share when it comes to compact and mid-size cars. It wont be completely incorrect to say that Subaru's tremendous success in America rides on the back of its excellent trademark engines.
With such an impressive engine at your disposal, you might want to maintain it properly so that there are no complications later on. A well maintained engine wont normally make you spend too much money on repairs and part replacements whereas an ill-maintained engine can be quite a handful on the wallet since it will require constant repairs and in extreme cases, replacement. Engine replacement is one condition that may arise either due to ill maintenance or probably a nasty frontal car-crash.
In any case, engine replacement is no small issue. A complete assembly replacement is like a heart transplant for the vehicle. If done improperly, your vehicle may not be the same again. Even if only certain engine parts are replaced, it still affects the true nature of the engine and in turn, that of the vehicle.
The key to minimize this effect is to fit your engine with parts that are most like its original ones. In case of the complete engine assembly, it is always better to go for an engine that is manufactured by the original vehicle manufacturer. This would avoid many conflicts when it comes to fitting the engine properly. Re-built and aftermarket engines should ideally not be considered since there is no guarantee whether they will fit properly and more importantly, whether they will perform properly.
Since a brand new engine will cost an awful lot, you should instead think about going for a used engine for your Subaru. This decision would ideally depend on the age of your car although a used engine would be the perfect fit for an old car as well as a slightly newer one.
James Rodham
WOW Auto Parts
No comments:
Post a Comment