08-10-2010, 09:32 PM
subaru-lover and 2.5 owner here:
get the newest leggy/outback you can. the reason is that the "phase 2" N/A 2.5 engines began in 2000, and is SOHC. "phase 1" DOHC engines are slightly more complex with no power advantage and have the vast majority of the head gasket problems. phase 2's still have HG issues but it's much less than phase 1's, and if they do have an issue they primarily leak externally instead of internally. Sure, some phase 1's (and 2's) never leak but it's a much higher probability with the 1's.
some owners may disagree but i would recommend you check service records for consistent 30-40k coolant changes using subaru coolant. because of the gaskets subaru recommends using their coolant which has a "gasket conditioner" in it that seems to help prevent leaks. other brands may be substitutable but i wouldn't risk it.
Aside from the HG issue the EJ25 is understressed and built tough. most of the engine components are all designed to handle a very long service life. it's really nice having all the accessories (alternator, pumps, A/C) right in your face when you open the hood thanks to the longitudinal layout and pancake engine height. Oil changes are probably the easiest in the entire car universe, you could literally do it 1 handed without raising the car if you wanted to. T-belt intervals are 100k. MAKE SURE whatever car you check out currently has, and is kept at, proper oil level. the flat-4's tend to consume oil (just how they are with the cylinders laying flat) and inatentive owners won't check the oil level as it gets lower and lower until the engine starts making angry noises.
the leggy chassis actually shares compatibility with imprezas. many struts/spring/tophat combos work, it just takes some research. they can be made to handle very well, and you don't necessarily have to slam them to do so (for your hiking/fishing needs....i share the same). brakes are swappable as well IIRC. no matter what you want to do, somebody likely has parts or a swappable update for you.
it won't be fast but with a 5 speed i bet they're fun. you won't run into any "glass tranny" issues like the early WRX's since they don't make enough power to hurt the gears :lol: at highway speeds you should see 25-28mpg or so. there's plenty of room inside. my sister has a 2004 legacy sedan and the back seat is great for an adult, a wagon would be really nice.
lastly, a friend of mine from Atlanta who is also a master tech at Subaru of Jacksonville has an old-ass 250k+ mile automatic outback that's stock aside from a plethora of trick suspension upgrades. it's his beater/parts runner/kid hauler and with sticky tires he periodically raises eyebrows at autocrosses. it probably makes 100AWHP but in his hands it scoots along OK.
check out nasioc.com and RS25.com for more general info. good luck with the hunt!
get the newest leggy/outback you can. the reason is that the "phase 2" N/A 2.5 engines began in 2000, and is SOHC. "phase 1" DOHC engines are slightly more complex with no power advantage and have the vast majority of the head gasket problems. phase 2's still have HG issues but it's much less than phase 1's, and if they do have an issue they primarily leak externally instead of internally. Sure, some phase 1's (and 2's) never leak but it's a much higher probability with the 1's.
some owners may disagree but i would recommend you check service records for consistent 30-40k coolant changes using subaru coolant. because of the gaskets subaru recommends using their coolant which has a "gasket conditioner" in it that seems to help prevent leaks. other brands may be substitutable but i wouldn't risk it.
Aside from the HG issue the EJ25 is understressed and built tough. most of the engine components are all designed to handle a very long service life. it's really nice having all the accessories (alternator, pumps, A/C) right in your face when you open the hood thanks to the longitudinal layout and pancake engine height. Oil changes are probably the easiest in the entire car universe, you could literally do it 1 handed without raising the car if you wanted to. T-belt intervals are 100k. MAKE SURE whatever car you check out currently has, and is kept at, proper oil level. the flat-4's tend to consume oil (just how they are with the cylinders laying flat) and inatentive owners won't check the oil level as it gets lower and lower until the engine starts making angry noises.
the leggy chassis actually shares compatibility with imprezas. many struts/spring/tophat combos work, it just takes some research. they can be made to handle very well, and you don't necessarily have to slam them to do so (for your hiking/fishing needs....i share the same). brakes are swappable as well IIRC. no matter what you want to do, somebody likely has parts or a swappable update for you.
it won't be fast but with a 5 speed i bet they're fun. you won't run into any "glass tranny" issues like the early WRX's since they don't make enough power to hurt the gears :lol: at highway speeds you should see 25-28mpg or so. there's plenty of room inside. my sister has a 2004 legacy sedan and the back seat is great for an adult, a wagon would be really nice.
lastly, a friend of mine from Atlanta who is also a master tech at Subaru of Jacksonville has an old-ass 250k+ mile automatic outback that's stock aside from a plethora of trick suspension upgrades. it's his beater/parts runner/kid hauler and with sticky tires he periodically raises eyebrows at autocrosses. it probably makes 100AWHP but in his hands it scoots along OK.
check out nasioc.com and RS25.com for more general info. good luck with the hunt!
2010 Civic Si
2019 4Runner TRD Off-Road
--------------------------
Past: 03 Xterra SE 4x4 | 05 Impreza 2.5RS | 99.5 A4 Quattro 1.8T | 01 Accord EX | 90 Maxima GXE | 96 Explorer XLT
2019 4Runner TRD Off-Road
--------------------------
Past: 03 Xterra SE 4x4 | 05 Impreza 2.5RS | 99.5 A4 Quattro 1.8T | 01 Accord EX | 90 Maxima GXE | 96 Explorer XLT