GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Okay I need help from subie owners that know which engines are bad, issues etc with what models and what not.I am in a little conundrum not a big deal, but I can get winter tires rims for $750 OR I was thinking of getting a used subaru beater as I drive a lot and dont want to put more miles on the ms3 and awd would be sweet. The issues I know are, another car, parts to fix, reliability and more for insurance. So those aside, I found some on CL but like one 2.5 is known to have bad head gaskets?So what engines are better?any bad years to watch out for?I see some legacy's had fwd in the 90'sany AWD on certain models to look out for?What about auto vs manual? any tranny issues?98 legacy outback 5spd for $2100, but had head gaskets replaced as precautionary measure. 144k miles.97 legacy 2.2l awd with option of fwd? can you switch? $1000 but needs new bumper and taillight also new tabs.95 impreza 2 door w/ 164k miles clean title for $198097 impreza, 154k miles automatic for $1200Those are just some of the ones I've seen...lets me know

Subaru 2.5L 4H engines (non-turbo version) from 2001 to 2005½ have faulty engine gaskets after 20K miles and often require changing out 2 of the 4 pistons after about 40K miles.The problem was in their Mexico engine plant, pistons did not have a perfect shape.I owned a 2002 Subaru Legacy and changed the engine gasket and pistons in the 2nd year.Older models I can,t comment on.

Any 2.5 L from '96 up that has already had the head gasket replaced should be OK. If not don't touch it. They all and I mean every one has a head gasket failure. If you want to be safe, go with the 2.2 L. Also anything over 100,000 miles should have had the timing belt, seals, water pump done. It's an interferance engine and if the belt goes your engine is pretty much toast. My "97 Outback wagon has 185,000 miles and runs like new. It had the timiing belt and head gasket done by the previous owner(my sister). My Subaru SVX also has 185,000 miles+ but it has the H6 engine.

well if I had to pick from those I'd go with the following order.#1: 95 impreza 2 door w/ 164k miles clean title for $1980#2: 98 legacy outback 5spd for $2100, but had head gaskets replaced as precautionary measure. 144k miles#3: 97 impreza, 154k miles automatic for $1200The late 90-early 2000 model legacy and forester had headgasket issues that really didn't get resolved until about 2002 and onward. 98-99 foresters were also known for going through rear wheel bearings. I'm a Subaru service advisor and I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head in regards to those. Only that thats a good price for the ones you mentioned. They go for more up here in Alaska.

Keep what you have... It will be more economical in the long run... You may have your mind made up already it seems. Never would I see the day you would go back to a non-turbo vehicle.

LOL well most likely ill just get winter tire/rims, but it would be nice to store the ms3 and save miles on it. I think it would be super fun to have awd to whip donuts in the winter though...we get a lot of snow here in duluth along with those huge hills :/ But yes economically its stupid for me to get a car but man I drive sooooo much for work, I bought my car feb 29th 2008 w/ 11 miles on it and now it has 20k miles...

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »LOL well most likely ill just get winter tire/rims, but it would be nice to store the ms3 and save miles on it. I think it would be super fun to have awd to whip donuts in the winter though...we get a lot of snow here in duluth along with those huge hills :/ But yes economically its stupid for me to get a car but man I drive sooooo much for work, I bought my car feb 29th 2008 w/ 11 miles on it and now it has 20k miles...Yeah I'd consider a winter car with the miles you drive.

Ive been told to look for a 90's 2.2l legacy or impreza w/ 5mt. I found a couple for around $1200 they just have like 200k miles on them but are 1997's.I also heard the awd legacy from like 94 had a fuse to pull to make it fwd.....

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »I also heard the awd legacy from like 94 had a fuse to pull to make it fwd..... The fuse is only to be used temporarily when the donut spare tire is used, otherwise differential damage will occur. There's a fuse socket near the firewall on the passenger side marked FWD. When the fuse is put in the rear drive is dissabled. These cars are very sensitive to tire diameter. All four tires must be nearly identical diameter or damage to the drivetrain will result.

Quote, originally posted by Raven » The fuse is only to be used temporarily when the donut spare tire is used, otherwise differential damage will occur. There's a fuse socket near the firewall on the passenger side marked FWD. When the fuse is put in the rear drive is dissabled. These cars are very sensitive to tire diameter. All four tires must be nearly identical diameter or damage to the drivetrain will result.ah well there are some FWD legacys for sale and well i dont want fwd at any rate the 90's and 2.2l with manual are what im looking for now i guess.... how long can these cars go without major repairs? id hate to get one then drop another 500 into it right away. remember this has to get me like 250 miles twice as week sometimes almost daily M-F :s I do want a car to work on though...hard to fix a new car :/

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »But yes economically its stupid for me to get a car but man I drive sooooo much for work, I bought my car feb 29th 2008 w/ 11 miles on it and now it has 20k miles...You are preaching to the choir... 70 miles round trip 6 days per week here. A vehicle is transportation, that is all.

yeah but I dont want my warranty to run out in year 1 of owner ship....uhhh that would suck. I mean I havent had real issues but I have a couple things I need to get looked at like..interior rattling of the glove box. Im still thinking though..cuz i want a car to tool around with as a new car doesnt need to get fixed ever :/

yes, that's a lot of miles to burn thru in less than a year. I know when I still had the LGT, I tried to put some miles on that and not as much on the new car.

Everybody has covered most things.... I just want to add, once you DO drive a subie in the winter, you won't want to drive anything else.. espically if you put snow tires on it...

well I can't find a good 2.2l 5mt subie so I started looking at geo trackers and then my dad found a rav4 2door but it's a little expensive.... Mmm

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »well I can't find a good 2.2l 5mt subie so I started looking at geo trackers and then my dad found a rav4 2door but it's a little expensive.... MmmWell, anything that is mechanically sound with a body in decent shape the price will reflect that.

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Everybody has covered most things.... I just want to add, once you DO drive a subie in the winter, you won't want to drive anything else.. espically if you put snow tires on it... AWD ones. We had a 92 Legacy wagon FWD (last year they made FWD) and it SUCKED! I hated that car!!!! In fact, until I got my 05 LGT, I hated all Subies because of that one crappy car.