n00b question: How are your windows in those frameless doors?
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n00b question: How are your windows in those frameless doors?
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...
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.
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...
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.
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Posts: 3,462
From: Honolulu, HI
Car Info: 2008 MB C350S Chip/Exhaust 268whp
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.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,205
From: Anytown, USA
Car Info: '00 RS, Subrosa Letum
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.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 499
From: North NJ
Car Info: Black WRX, stock
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.
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.
250,000-mile Club President
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
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....
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 499
From: North NJ
Car Info: Black WRX, stock
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....
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....
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 65
From: CT
Car Info: 2004 Subaru WRX STi World Rally Blue with Silver BBS wheels WICKED!!
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?
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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.
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.
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
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.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68
From: buffalo/ rockland county
Car Info: 2002 wrx wagon, wrb
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.
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.
250,000-mile Club President
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
Originally posted by 04blkWRX
How did you reinforce your "regulator mounting scheme"? Is that a professionally done modification?
How did you reinforce your "regulator mounting scheme"? Is that a professionally done modification?
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7
From: Baltimore, MD
Car Info: 00 Impreza 2.5RS
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.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 385
From: Ironton Ohio
Car Info: 04 Blue TS
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.
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.