Car advice re 2003 Subaru?

[RobertInOntario]

DO you know what exactly failed with the transmission? It's possible that an incorrectly installed clutch contributed to the failure, and also the abnormally short life of the second clutch. Good luck with getting any recompense after that much time though.
Now, being a car guy and liking the idea of racing for cheap, I'd drive it into the ground, until it was worth less than $500, and then make it into a Lemons car. Yes, Lemons, not LeMons. Google 24 hours of Lemons and find the one that doesn't look like a professional auto race. I don't know if they've made any forays into Canada yet though.

--Randy

Thanks, Randy. It seems that various bearings went with the transmission. It was making a terrible loud whirring noise and driving roughly.

I also wonder about the clutch causing problems. My other theory is that All-Wheel Drive is over-rated and puts extra wear & tear on the clutch & transmission.

I'm not mechanically-minded, but -- when I can -- I try to double-check any info I receive from mechanics by taking the car to more than one garage. When I go to various garages, I don't say too much (or let on what I've learned) to avoid causing any bias & to be objective. If the findings (diagnoses) are consistent, then you know for sure what the problem is. However, if they're radically different, then you know that at least one garage isn't being straight with you.

Hopefully, if I can keep it running into November (without making any major repairs), it will still be worth $3,000.