Ironically I'm thinking of buying a Legacy/Outback..

[V1GiLaNtE]

Didn't want to hijack Rex's thread so I figured I'd start my own..


Well I've been contemplating on and off about what car would I buy if I could get rid of the ssat'.. Searching, making comparisons between different cars I finally settled on a 1996-99 Legacy/Outback/GT wagon for numerous reasons. AWD, I love wagons, practical, cargo space, reliable, parts are pretty well priced and they're not too bad to work on.. I know they are notorious for headgasket issues but I feel I'll be able to sort out the good from the bad.. (hopefully) I guess my questions to MM are what are my other options in the AWD wagon area? I don't really want to deal with the passat anymore cause it's a bit of a PITA to work on and VW parts are just $$$.. And I don't have a lot of dough to work with this year at school and I'm afraid something else expensive will conveniently need replacing... And it's getting boring to drive.. I need a manual..

Thoughts/opinions

Bring it on MM!

[Goodspeed]

You're young...delete these from your vocabulary :thumbup:

wagons, practical, cargo space

[TorinoCobra070]

I guess if you're dead set on a wagon, Subaru is the way to go. DOET!

[Mike]

I guess if you're dead set on a wagon, VAG is the way to go. DOET!

FTFY.

[V1GiLaNtE]

You're young...delete these from your vocabulary :thumbup:

wagons, practical, cargo space

I would Goodspeed except my "hobbies" require these things in my vocab.. As fun as it would to own a miata or an m3 neither of these fit my needs to go hunting, fishing, camping, road trips, etc etc.. An I'm not about to cast those aside.

[V1GiLaNtE]

lol mike I'm walking away from the euro..

cause it's a bit of a PITA to work on and VW/Audi parts are just $$$.. And I don't have a lot of dough to work with this year at school and I'm afraid something else expensive will conveniently need replacing...

[Mike]

i read that and didn't care LOOK AT THAT CAR!

[fiveoh2go]

/thread. :mrgreen:

[V1GiLaNtE]

Lol I'll agree if I could have one an RS4 Avant would be teh sex and my DD

[ScottyB]

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!

[V1GiLaNtE]

Thanks so much Scotty! Yea looking around I'm actually not interested in lowering it.. I've gotten a little H&B'd over legacy's all rallied up. Going up to Harrisonburg this weekend to return the Passat to stock.. I'm hoping to have a new scoobi in my driveway before school starts.

[SlimKlim]

Oh snap, shits goin down!

I love it when people buy new stuff.


I also vote for an "all rallied up" version.

[ScottyB]

I've gotten a little H&B'd over legacy's all rallied up.

my loins are afire.

checklist:
more bigass fog lights to add to the stock bigass foglights
serious business mud flaps
front skid and diff guard
brush guard
forester struts/springs/trailing arms

looking forward to the project thread....

oh, and go here: dirtyimpreza.com and feast on the forums for inspiration

[V1GiLaNtE]

Oh yes.. I've already done a plenty of research about the largest size Hella Offroad lights I can use..

Plus I've already sketched out a design for a Light bar I'm going to build to put up top.. Along with a cargo rack... :thumbup:

I've actually started eyeing the SCCA Rally Cross schedule.. Could prove to be helluva lot of fun..

[SlimKlim]

ZOMG, I'll pay to co-drive a rallycross with you. Or failing that, I'll just come and be you and ken's pit crew, I've never been to one and I'm itchin bad.

[Jake]

ZOMG, I'll pay to co-drive a rallycross with you. Or failing that, I'll just come and be you and ken's pit crew, I've never been to one and I'm itchin bad.

Shoulda been at Burn It Down, I already claimed first co-rally-drive :wink:

[Ken]

FINALLY someone else who would go. That mud flap idea has me thinking...

[SlimKlim]

ZOMG, I'll pay to co-drive a rallycross with you. Or failing that, I'll just come and be you and ken's pit crew, I've never been to one and I'm itchin bad.

Shoulda been at Burn It Down, I already claimed first co-rally-drive :wink:

You shoulda been rebuilding your own motorcycle by hand like a goddamn 'Murican.

Besides, you get every freebie test drive/co drive/mooch ride/borrow-an-E34-for-a-semester-ride. Let someone else have a go.


Only cause I love you

[ScottyB]

more opinions from people who have owned them.

lots of either love or hate

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[V1GiLaNtE]

I think it' settled scotty.. Gonna buy one.. Just got back from harrisonburg. Stock grill and stock resonator is back on the passat. Now I need to find the time to sell it.. Usual routes, CL, Specific forums, Carmax? Anyone actually have decent experience with them? I feel carmax Jews you pretty bad on stuff..