Hey all:

I'm serious about buying a Subaru, probably an '04 OBS.

One thing that kind of irks me is the somewhat lightweight frameless doors on all the Subarus. I'm used to the bank-vault like doors on a VW and these concern me a little... http://www.cheesebuerger.de/smilies/traurig/6.gif

Aside from cringing a little from the feel of pulling them shut (I can get used to that) I wonder how they hold up.

Those of you who've had a Subaru for a few years especially.... are your windows keeping a tight and quiet seal against the rubber weatherstripping? How is the weatherstripping holding up?

Do your windows "rattle" a bit when you pull the door shut with them down?

Minor points, I know, but it's one of my pet peeves. I'd like to think that despite the delicate feel, things will stay solid and rattle free. :(

Thanks.

Subaru doors will feel less "secure" than VW doors. I think its about the same if you look at asian compact cars though, they all have that same feeling. Its not like its rickety, but its not solid like German cars either. Had my WRX for 1 1/2 years and so far no problems with it. It still closed like when it was new.

I have a MY01 RS. The windows seal perfectly but they do rattle when down. If the window is halfway down and you shut it, it bangs around ALOT. My driver side door window started to THUD on the bottom of the door when it was rolled(button pushed)down. I just lined the bottom of the door with egg-crates.

It makes a nice glass-on-metal sound if you slam the door with the window half down. It scared the hell out of me the first time I heard it.

But completely up or down I've had no rattles. Closed I've had no leaks, and no strange air noises. I can't testify to the longevity of the weatherstripping but I treat it every time I wash the car just to make sure it won't rot.

I found that the window regulator mounting scheme is a little weak and had to have that reinforced on my driver's door, but with that done it's every bit as solid as my BMW was- but I guess that had frameless doors too, so it doesn't really quite compare to the VW thing....

Originally posted by psoper
I found that the window regulator mounting scheme is a little weak and had to have that reinforced on my driver's door, but with that done it's every bit as solid as my BMW was- but I guess that had frameless doors too, so it doesn't really quite compare to the VW thing....

How did you reinforce your "regulator mounting scheme"? Is that a professionally done modification?

No recalls on the Subies, but you can bet your bottom dollar that just about every VW ever made has had a recall on it. BTW, ever see the floorpan rust in most VW's from their leaky seals?

No need to get defensive now.

Subaru's have recalls too. All cars have them.

I don't have my VW anymore, but it was completely reliable for the 3 years that I owned it. Subaru's are statisically more reliable than Volkswagens though.

Never heard of the floorpan rusting thing, that's a new one on me. :confused:

The trackless windows work fine, but just to be extra kind to them, DON'T close the doors without the windows being totally up, or all the way or close to totally down. If you do it partway up repeatedly, the tracks will eventually bend and the window will wobble.

my girlfriend has a 91 legacy wagon, with about 81,000 miles, and her weatherstriping is just starting to go. I have my 02 wrx wagon and have no problems, did one one slight problem with some moisture on the window, taking it in on tuesday to have that fixed, but other than that no problems.

Originally posted by BAN SUVS
The trackless windows work fine, but just to be extra kind to them, DON'T close the doors without the windows being totally up, or all the way or close to totally down. If you do it partway up repeatedly, the tracks will eventually bend and the window will wobble.

damn never knew that; ive shut my doors with windows partly open; bad sound!

Originally posted by 04blkWRX
How did you reinforce your "regulator mounting scheme"? Is that a professionally done modification?

Actually it was a non-factory sanctioned, but dealer technician "professional" mod, I think he just went in with some big washers and slightly longer bolts, what he told me was the sheet metal they bolt it into is on the thin side and backing it up like this prevents things from working loose or tearing out.

i'm kinda glad that the windows are frameless, but yes it does rattle when i close the door. not a biggie..i mean, i'm not slamming my doors or anything....so, so far so good :D

I have 96k on my 00RS and have had no problems what-so-ever with the frameless windows. They rattle a little if partially down, but I think that is expected with any car. No leaks, no noise.

Originally posted by BAN SUVS
The trackless windows work fine, but just to be extra kind to them, DON'T close the doors without the windows being totally up, or all the way or close to totally down. If you do it partway up repeatedly, the tracks will eventually bend and the window will wobble.

I've owned a 83 Dodge Shelby Charger for over 10 years. They have frameless doors and I've never had any problems closing the doors with the window in any position. still has the original glass and seals!

That's fine and all, but I'm still going to be upset with passengers who shut the door with the window partly down. An ounce of prevention...

I think the biggest thing is not to close the doors hard when the window isn't in the full up position. If you go easy while closing the doors everything should be fine. :)

i have a 92 legacy, and have a slight problem with whistling on my front drivers door window, nothing that is TOO unbearable though. and i have put that car through the wringer and back, so i am satisfied with them.

my window in my WRX sqeeks like heck because it makes such a tight seal, but other than the horrific sound that you get the doors seem to be jsut fine stability wise


dave

^^

mine goes squeaakkkkkkkkkkk

I've had problems with wind noise. The drivers side window doesn't seal properly if you just close the door. Generally opening and closing the window fixes it. I've had it adjusted twice by the dealer. The second time was more effective in that the wind noise stopped for a while. Now window squeaks and the window noise is back. I think it maybe somewhat temperature related. Not the car's best feature imo

whats good about the framless glass, ajwrx??

j/w cuz this is a thing that bothers me too about the subarus...but really i dont think its that big a deal

less weight, less cost (probably - for the manufacturer not you), style. No user advantages I can think of.

since we're on the topic of frameless doors, will a roof rack on the sedan damage the windows and/or weather stripping?

im considering getting the yakima q-towers and respective clips if that info helps.

My wagon windows have withstood kid abuse for three years (kids broke a seat belt and cup holder but they were replaced by SOA). I thought for sure the windows would snap off with kids hanging from them & etc but they seem to have survived (kids and windows). However, the frameless windows make breaking in to the car E-Z.

I have a 97 GT and it has about 148000 miles on it and the weather stripping and window seals are still fine. I don't have any leak problems and I use my Thule racks frequently. As long as the racks are designed for a subaru it should be no problem. As far as the original question I wouldn't let a frameless door keep you from buying a suby. Good luck

I had a 92 legacy with 200K+ on it and didn't have any problems. IIRC the first gen Legacy's had to have a valve of sorts installed to allow the pressure to change when you shut the doors. The cabin was so airtight that the door would not shut and seal properly because of air pressure. So though they don't make a nice sound when you close them, who cares. As far as safety, how many suby models score tops in safety in all areas...side impact included.

I have an 04 STi. Everything is fine, except at oh 130+ (Dont do that much,
Maybe more than I should) alot of wind noise.

It isnt really a problem. More of an "You should slow down now" sign.

I've had the same problem with the drivers side window slipping down and causing wind noise.

only problem i have is that when you car has been in the rain. if the car is wet and you open the door, a lot of water drips from the top of where the window closes and on to my seats.