hop Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 Sorry about being a broken record here... but this seems to be the best place to get independent anonymous feedback on these things. So I have found a '96 LSi wagon w/ 113k, belts changed @81k, automatic, 2.5... I can probably get the guy to take $5000 cash. Then there's the '98 L wagon w/ 113k, auto, for $5995. It's at a used car place and they're not sure of the history but "it passed their 52 point inspection..." But I am also looking at a '95 LS wagon w/ 174k, belts done @ 150k, new transmission, no problems... the guy's looking for $5000 as well, which is way above kbb but he just put the brand new tranny in there for 3k. Initial instinct says the LSi is the better vehicle, but thanks to this forum and others, I am a bit paranoid about the 2.5 and the gasket catastrophes that accompany them. Is it a gamble worth taking? Do I pony up for the newer L? Keep looking??? Oh, why did my car have to die? Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hohieu Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 I would keep looking until you see something that is exactly what you want. I think it's good to think long-term when making a car purchase, and though dealers may provide warranties, they also take problem cars that customers could not or did not want to sell privately. The used car market is a big racket. My wife and I were in the same predicament this past April, and decided to scrap our waning 85 Accord because there was a 99 Forester S available from the original owner for $8,800. At the time of the purchase, I had no knowledge of the difference b/t Phase I + II engines, but I am certainly glad that there were no enticing 98 Foresters (Phase I like the 96-99 Outbacks and selected Legacies) in the paper. Although it seems that headgasket problems plague both the Phase I + II engines, the former are prone to develop internal leaks and the latter to external leaks. Subaru issued a recall for external leaks in Phase II engines, which are being treated with a silicone additive manufactured by Holt's of England, and it seems to be doing the trick w/o any adverse effects on the cooling system including the water pump. I had this service done under recall after I flushed and refilled the cooling system - no problems thus far at 76K miles. Furthermore, you don't have any contamination of the cooling system with an external leak, and if you are attentive, you can avert disaster. However, I don't want to go too far afield because I know that you are looking at mid-90s Legacies so if I were in your shoes, I would wait for a decent 2.2L engine, available in MYs 90-96. You can check out the following webpage to research year to year changes and different trims: http://www.cars101.com/. A private Subaru mechanic in Vermont, where Subaru seems to be the state car, told me that his customers were virtually guaranteed 300,000 miles on a 2.2L engine, with one customer having 500,000 on an original 2.2 L, while almost every 2.5L Legacy or Outback (1996-1999) he had for sale on his lot has had the headgaskets replaced. There really is no way to know what kind of damage is done to an engine that has overheated - short of splitting the cases and tearing the darn thing down. However, I also believe there are some suspension issues with the 90-94 Legacies, according to consumerguide.comu, but this seems more fixable for the long haul. As for the 96LSi you mentioned, you should be aware that the first 2.5L engines require premium fuel in order to run correctly. I think that 97 and beyond 2.5 engines ran just fine on regular octane. As a side note, my wife and I got over 26 mpg on our forester during a roundtrip drive from Philly to VT with AC running the whole time, our two labs in the cargo area, and the back seat fully loaded with our belongings - all on 87 octane. That's right around what Subaru projects. In any event, I think it's wise to be patient, if possible, when making a car purchase. I would look for the following: (1) Private seller, original owner if possible: why pay the dealer as a middleman? Chances are, you will not utilize the warranty. (2)Manual Transmission: I just think with used cars, there's so much that can go wrong with an AT, and they're a fortune to fix. With a MT, a clutch job at @ $500 for parts and labor and you're good for at least another 100K miles. Hydraulic components of the clutch are easy to service, if you are so inclined. (3) Get the car that you know you can live with - you do not want to pay good money for a garage queen. Be patient, you should buy a car that you don't have any doubts about because there may be unanticipated problems anyway. This is just one man's honest opinion, hope it helps. P.S. Just last week, I saw a 5sp., 94 Leagcy GT Wagon with 114K miles advertised for $4,000 obo by a private seller in a suburb of Philly. Had this been available when I was in the market, I would have jumped at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hop Posted June 12, 2004 Author Share Posted June 12, 2004 thanks for the info. I think I'll keep looking. That '94 Ti is looking better and better. That might be "the one". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrxsubaru Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Yeah those 1 gen legacys will last you for ever. If taken care of. Those 94s are great cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 I agree. Get a 2.2 and you will be much happier!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hop Posted June 12, 2004 Author Share Posted June 12, 2004 geez... the latest monkeywrench... apparently the Ti requires premium fuel, which sort of goes against my fuel budget requirements. I think I know the answer to this question, but I'm going to ask it anyways. Can I get away with mid grade or even (gasp) regular in the 2.2 turbo engines? What will happen if I do skimp a bit? But thanks to all this help, I have a better idea of what to look for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hohieu Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Does the Ti have the Turbo engine? I wasn't sure. does the "T" in "Ti" stand for turbo? I would not go for the turbo, the 2.2 L engine w/ a MT will have enough pep, though I know this is subjective, but it will surely be more economical because it gets better mileage and only requires regular fuel if the engine is in good condition. I have no experience w/ turbo engines, but I imagine they run hotter by virture of more potent combustion cycles, hence a lower grade fuel would cause knocking as a result of preignition, which will stress the engine and, over time, cause engine damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hohieu Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 But thanks to all this help, I have a better idea of what to look for! Yeah, this USMB is pretty amazing. I really like the car I have but wish I had known about this site before I purchased it so that I could have done exactly what you're doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 geez... the latest monkeywrench... apparently the Ti requires premium fuel, which sort of goes against my fuel budget requirements. I think I know the answer to this question, but I'm going to ask it anyways. Can I get away with mid grade or even (gasp) regular in the 2.2 turbo engines? What will happen if I do skimp a bit? But thanks to all this help, I have a better idea of what to look for! The Turbo motor has to have premium fuel or you will get denotation, i.e. knocking and damage the motor. If you are concerned about fuel prices and fuel economy I would suggest you stay away from the turbo motor. The turbo 2.2 with auto will get you 20-24 mpg tops if you keep your foot out of it. By comparison 2.2 5 spd will get you 28-32 mpg on regular gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hop Posted June 12, 2004 Author Share Posted June 12, 2004 according to the cars101 site (thanks for that link btw) the Ti has the turbo 2.2 engine that requires premium fuel, and the seller of the Ti has always put premium fuel in there. He says his mileage is about 25-30 mpg city-highway. That's not too bad I suppose (ahem Audi A2 diesel 80mpg...) The funny thing about this car is that it's the Ti edition MT, but according to the KBB site, the Ti is only available in a turbo AT. And I can't get back to the cars101 site right now but I seem to remember some sort of inconsistency there as well. Hmm. Just noticed this thread on turbos and fuel. Maybe it won't be so bad after all...http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17424 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viceversa Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 I agree, get a 10 year old Legacy with 2.2L, it will be more cost-effective. Just make sure lots of parts have been replaced. Find one on ebay, with replaced tranny. That's what I am looking for, although I want a manual for a change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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