Subaru Questions: I Needs some help

[StereoInstaller1]

Hey guys, my roommate is looking to buy a mid 90's subie.

He wants something easily moddable, wants good power, and all season use.

Suggestions? Stuff to watch for? Tell me what you know, please!

Luke

[Iain]

Having a full service history is good.

Watch for oil leaks - Subarus with a bit of age on them start leaking oil - especially from places like the power steering pump, cam seals on the front of the motor, rocker cover gaskets on the side of the motor, from the steering rack itself. Check for worn or torn CV boots/shafts (turn full-lock in a car park and drive slowly - listen for "clicking").

If the auto gearbox slurs its shifts or bumps hard into gear it will probably need new fluid, or if the manual is notchy and difficult to shift it could need fluid at a minimum or it might be on its way to needing new synchros.

Certain models kill their air flow meters (particularly MY99-00 WRX/STi) which can lead to big-end bearing failures. Knock sensors also go, early model coilpacks wear out, too.

They're pretty robust, just watch out for patchy servicing as they won't like that. Check NASIOC for more info.

[e30nub]

Early Subarus are prone to head gasket failure I believe. I'm a little dusty on Subaru's these days.

[e30maniac]

hey my friend has been a subie mechanic for years, pm me and i'll get you hooked up with him. he worked for subaru..

[Bimmerman325i]

I'd recommend a 95-99 Legacy GT personally. I have a 95 2.2L, which is damn near bulletproof, but doesn't have lots of power modding potential. The 2.5L GT is the one with head gasket issues, but makes 20hp more than my 2.2L and has more tuning options (same engine as in the 2.5RS Impreza). Basically though, aside from cams and porting, the 2.2L and 2.5L have identical bolt ons. Subaru changed the port designs for the headers on the 2.2L from 96 on, so if you want to swap headers (which gives a good amount of power but is reaaaaally expensive), get a 2.5L or early 2.2. Or just swap a WRX motor in, that's easy enough and not terribly expensive.

Suspension mods, all Impreza parts aside from the 05+ STi bolt on to the 95-99 Legacies. The first gen Legacy, the 90-94 (culminating in the awesome but rare Legacy Turbo....wicked amount of aftermarket stuff for that car), can use any Impreza suspension from 92-03 or so. By changing upper stut mounts, you can install literally any suspension into the later 95-99, again aside from the 05+ STi.

Exhaust is all bolt on Impreza stuff, might need to get lengthened. I personally prefer the Legacy interior to the Impreza's, and it is a more balanced, more comfortable car.

...hope that helps!

[Shift_Now]

I just bought a 1994 WRX, and I found that the 2.5rs has very little for power-adders. The SOHC engine does not like boost. WRX engines bolt right in. the GC8 body is concidered a driver`s car`, so you know what that means....`
If he wants tuneability, I would definately recommend a WRX over an impreza.



I paid 7000 for it once it including shipping, and inspections

[8380 Labs]

The first gen Legacy, the 90-94 (culminating in the awesome but rare Legacy Turbo....wicked amount of aftermarket stuff for that car)

i had a 91 wagon and a 94 turbo wagon, i loved them both. the non turbo was much easier and cheaper to maintain but the 94 was soooo much fun.

[Hick]

transfer case noise when making tight turns, forward and reverse.

[Tavern Gnome]

I really loved my Legacy Touring Wagon with a 5sp. The early turbo Legacys are great cars. Really solid motors. They have a very helpful community of guys too.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/

[allwheeldrive]

People pretty much covered all of it. I've owned 2. A 95 impreza and still have my 2001 2.5rs. The headgasket issues were an issue with the 2.5 liter naturally aspirated engines, DOHC(97-99) and SOHC(00+). I put well over 100k on my 2.5 liter and never had any issue. Slight valve cover leak in the corner, but nothing major.

Honestly, both were extremely reliable cars for me. I've done a ton of work on both of them. Swapped the RS engine with wrx engine, etc. And converted my 95 from 2wd to awd. So really, just basic maintenence and these cars should last for a long time. And parts are pretty interchangable with alot of the models. Hell i was able to use a 2004 wrx radio on my 95. Plugged right in and works fine.

[RobE30]

My wife has a 5spd 03 legacy wagon. Its a great car, but the HG's popped around 64k, dealer replaced them along w/ timing belt etc for $100 (factory recall). The car's a little sluggish, but the entire imprezza subframe engine etc bolts right up.... so that is a possibilty in the future. Tell him to find one that hasn't been owned by a young person (or offroaded).... but that goes w/ out saying I guess

[Rennsport]

Luke, I just became friends with a guy that knows a shit load bout subaru's so if you want someone to talk back and forth too let me know and ill see if he is up for it.

[StereoInstaller1]

Guys, you have all been great help, keep it coming please.

Quick question: are there any Subarus that aren't ugly?

(SVX doesn't count, just too damn weird...and we know the XT has the most baller door handles of all time, but is still butt ugly)

[BraveUlysses]

They're only available in different degrees of ugly.

[Jonny Cash]

transfer case noise when making tight turns, forward and reverse.

Transfer case? How old of a Subie we talking here?

Im with Bman, Legacy GT all the way. I loved the earlier models too. Most of the Subies were pretty odd looking, but simple cosmetics can do them justice.