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Looking to join "the club"... should I buy this '96 Outback?


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Hi folks, I'm looking to join the "club" with a '96 Outback w/ 110,000 miles on it. It seems clean but has this ding in one of the rims. What would a repair/replacement cost for damage like this? Apparently it was a parking lot incident...owner hit the curb.

The owner hasn't told me if it has a 2.2 or 2.5. It's an automatic.

 

Aside from the wheel rim the car looks to be in very good shape. The front body panel on the other side has been repaired and repainted as well.

They were desparate to sell and were looking for $5500 obo.

Should I? Any other things to look for?

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Well since it has the Auto is has the 2.5 motor.

 

These are great cars but be prepared to pay 1500-2000 to have the headgaskets replaced. And this is not a matter of if but of when they will blow.

 

If they hit a curb hard there could be some suspension issues with the car. Make sure it tracks correctly and drives strait.

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I just bought a 1996 OBW 2.2l 5m. I paid $6000 for it with 90,000 miles. If the rim is bad and the tire deflates just go for new rims...check out Sears if you want something cheap, or check out junkyards for one of the same kind. Look for a 2.2l manual...unless you don't drive manuals...then just look for a Legacy Wagon auto with the 2.2l engine :D

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So how often do these head gaskets blow up? I've heard that blown head gaskets are a common problem, but if they are the sort of thing that happens once or twice in a lifetime (hopefully to the previous owner...) then maybe I'd be ok. However, sinking 1500-2000 into a car every few years isn't my cup of tea.

And aren't the 2.2's way more bomber than the 2.5's? If I could find a 2.2/manual, (assuming everything else checks out) I'd be set, right?

Thanks a lot.

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So how often do these head gaskets blow up? I've heard that blown head gaskets are a common problem, but if they are the sort of thing that happens once or twice in a lifetime (hopefully to the previous owner...) then maybe I'd be ok. However, sinking 1500-2000 into a car every few years isn't my cup of tea.

And aren't the 2.2's way more bomber than the 2.5's? If I could find a 2.2/manual, (assuming everything else checks out) I'd be set, right?

Thanks a lot.

Phase I 2.5 motors head gasket will go. And it seams that after they go once, they will go again sometimes as soon as 12k miles later depending on how good you do the work or the shop does the work on the HG.

 

Yes the 2.2 are Way more bomber. :cool:

The motors will go forever and are akin to the 1.6 and 1.8 motors that live forever.

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Does anyone have an idea whether or not 1996 2.5l engines are as likely to have a headgasket failure as later years? '96 engines had hydraulic valve lifters which probably means the head configuration was different and there was more oil flowing through the head. I know there isn't much information to go by, the problem was never officially acknowledged after all.

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