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Whats the best Outback under $10,000?


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Hey all,

I'm the current owner of a 97 OBW and thus far have been fairly happy with the car aside from a few repairs. However, I'm aware this car has the Phase I engine notorious for head gasket probs as well as sneaky leaks. I'ts also got the infamous 4EAT auto tranny. I must admit I'm a sucker for the Outback's looks.

 

What I'm after is: If I were to sell my current rig due to a sneaking suspicion of expensive problems down the road; is there a more reliable Outback out there for under 10 grand? For example, were other engines besides the Phase I offered in these cars? I hope I'm not beating a dead horse with this one. Thanks!

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Not trying to be smart...

 

But probably the same generation of car with a CCR Engines Inc rebuilt engine in it.

 

I can't say I've heard too much about transmission problems, other than the center diff / clutch pack in the tail end.

 

Commuter

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I'm not aware of any other engine in those model years. I think the 2.2L was in the 95 "Outback" which was nothing more than a Legacy trim level... it was not the 'look' that came out in 96. And that might have only been in the manual.

 

As to the head gaskets... Well, design is more than just the parts, it's also the assembly procedure. You could ask them.

 

Commuter

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None whatsoever. Your best bet would probably be a '99 or '00 Forester for under ten grand, or wait until the new gen Legacy/OB comes out this fall. The price of the previous (right now the current, at least in North America) generation should fall within reach. Stay away from the '00 models, though--I've heard bad things about their brake setup. (The brakes were too small for the car, especially with the added weight of the auto tranny and OB suspension.)

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a ccrc rebuild. When I used to do Fords and Detroit Diesels every day we knew the weak points and we tried components until we found what worked.

I won't bore you guys with details, but if those folks have not found a good long skirt piston, or had them made I would be surprised. With the head gaskets I bet they have found what works for them. You don't want the things coming back broken.

Now that its twenty years later I can admit to you guys that we cured 289 Fords from thowing rods at high RPM by using custom rod bolts manufactured for Chevys and reaming out the bolt holes.

As far as the head gaskets go I used to make my own for Nortons out of a thick copper sheet. You can O ring them or change to studs.

CCRC has workd out some cures I am sure.

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The hard part is going to be finding one that's already been rebuilt, or one that's had a blown gasket and is being sold cheaply enough to warrant the repair. I'd just as soon steer clear of the whole Phase 1 mess and wait until the Phase IIs become more widely (and affordably) available.

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Originally posted by WagonsOnly

The hard part is going to be finding one that's already been rebuilt, or one that's had a blown gasket and is being sold cheaply enough to warrant the repair. I'd just as soon steer clear of the whole Phase 1 mess and wait until the Phase IIs become more widely (and affordably) available.

 

I would wait until the Phase II failures become better understood and a reliable fix is available before buying a Phase II. If I buy another subaru it will have a 2.2l or a 3.0l. No 2.5l unless I find a really good deal on a used one.

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probably would have waited or bought another brand myself.

I was aware I wanted to stay away from the phase 1, but not really aware there were as many phase 2 problems as there are.

Off the top of my head I think I have about $18,000 into my 99 Forester and I have gotten one year of wear.

If I get the next several without anything major I may come out OK yet, but right now it seems that I might have done better putting the money into a newer car.

I do like driving the Forester which may make up for it.

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