oakland suburu Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Hello and thanks in advance for any advice, I love my 92 suburu legacy station wagon. It has 175k, and let's say shows its years...besides the less than perfect body, it has an oil leak that i was told a while ago not to fix as it would cost too much. It doesn't leak fast, i just have to check once in a while. I would guess it would burn as fast at this point. anyway, i took it in today for an oil change, and i do need 4 new tires and a new muffler. The husband (who drives a 2000 impreza) has been urging me to stop fixing this car (not that i've put any real maintanance money in). I want to get the new tires and muffler, all of which would be about 600-700$ total. he thinks the car's gonna go soon, i say it's got at least 50k left (i'm on my third clutch, due to city driving in SF where i no longer live). we are expecting a baby in june, so questions of safety and reliability become more important. all input appreciated, Oakland Sube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coloradosubarules Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Let me start off by welcoming you to the board. Fix your car! I have 243K miles on my 90 legacy and it still gets me everywhere it needs to be. Sure it doesn't peel out anymore and it doesn't get the greatest fuel ecconomy. The exhaust is kinda loud and the brakes make a little noise sometimes. Big deal. 3 places your oil can (most likely) be leaking from: 1. The oil seals on your oil pump (easy fix) 2. The cam seals (not the end of the world) 3. Crank seal (once again on the oil pump and no big deal. Take it to your favorite mechanic and have him install a new water pump, oil pump gaskets (3 in all and tighten the screws on the back) and timing belt. Replace cam seals if leaking as well. DRIVE ON!!! Take care of your car and it will take care of you. Best way to save alot of money is to find out yourself where the oil is leaking from. If it is the seals on the oil pump you will notice it just to the right of the center of the engine (drivers side) on the front of the block. Cams are on the left and right side of the block. do what I did...Degrease your engine really good top and bottom, then jack it up and start the car. Look for the leak. Then you can roll it to your mecahanica and tell him what I told you above. If the cam seals are not leaking I would not replace them. Others might but if you are trying to save the dough..... Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 You may be able to get another 2 to 3 years of service with this car if you do the repairs. Something also may happen to it that will kill it. It's hard to say, but I think the chances are it will be ok. By fixing it, and not buying another car that you may have to make payments on, that money could be used for other things may need the money for. Especially with new addition to the family coming. There will be more expenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballitch Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 take care of your car and it will take care of you, good point, i say fix it, find the leak make your husband find out where the leak is, you have the best bargaining chip ever...........uh....ya..........take it to the mechanic youlike the most and tell him/her the story. there isnt any reason why this car wont go for another 5 years if you keep doing the maintanence on it. ya youre spending money on a crappy old car, but at least you dont have to pay payments on a new car and higher insurance. ~Josh~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 the block can definitely handle more miles without a problem. if you've owned this car for awhile (sounds like you have) and have taken care of it then i'd say the block is good for another round of tires. shop around for tires, www.tirerack.com is awesome. i bought a set of tires for 180 dollars (SHIPPING INCLUDED). mounted them myself...and you know i haven't even balanced them yet and you can hardly tell while driving??? i expected much worse vibration. i'm tempted not to worry about balancing them anytime soon, i don't even notice it while i'm driving...lucky i guess? don't bother replacing the muffler. if you must, find someone to weld up a generic muffler, it'll be much cheaper. don't replace the muffler with a bolt in replacement, they are typically expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerFahrer Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 My 91 Legacy has 140k miles on it, and I say this with 100% honesty and confidence, with no exaggeration, that it runs like new. The car still has every last bit of power, performance, fuel economy, and smoothness as a new car. And I only do regular maintenance and don't beat the crap out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallrat_ld90 Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Unlike everyone else here, i am going to say sell it to one of these guys who say fix it and get another, newer model subie. Don't get me wrong. I am not saying any of these guys are wrong in any way. My 92 legacy has 285k on it and it does not burn or leak any oil, and it still gets 28-25mpg depending on the temperature. I've never changed the berings or any other drivetrain work. Your car can last many more years. However, i do know that there are many great new safety features that have come about since 92, and guessing that the baby will most likely be in your car more, you should get a new one, for the baby. There will always be one of us who don't need to worry about anything be our own transportation that will be here to buy your car. Remember though-- I stress new "subie." Don't sell it and get a saturn or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndsnewleg Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 My 2 cents is take one of two courses. Trade cars with the hubby and let him worry about what to do with it. Having as sound a vehicle as possible is imperative with a new baby. If it's not good enough to commute to work, it's not good enough to get stranded in with a baby. That said, have a good mechanic do a thorough evaluation and the cost to bring it up to a reasonably high standard. At this point in the cars life there are a multitude of things that can go wrong that aren't cheap if you are paying someone else to do them. If husband needs the impreza and you afford it I would get a later model of most things Japanese. Good luck. I drive a Subaru because they are infinitely practical in snowy Colorado. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazz698 Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 However, i do know that there are many great new safety features that have come about since 92, and guessing that the baby will most likely be in your car more, you should get a new one, for the baby. The main thing is airbags, still is and will always be a big no no with car seats! As far as child safety the biggest thing would probably be the LATCH system, my 93 actually has it- didnt even know it was around then either (then again, I wasnt even 10 yet lol) So honestly there's not a lot of new safety features your legacy doesnt already have that'll benefit an infant. And your car, I say keep it. Mine currently has 242k on it, runs strong and better than the last couple cars I had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 A good friend of mine has a 93 legacy wagon with 178k. No major problems yet. The only problems its really had is wiper motor, starter,alt,froze hatch,tires.batt, and a door latch thats fell apart. Other than that just keep the oil changed and go. It had a problem with the transfer clutch banging when going around left or right turns, but after having the oil changed in it and driving it in sharp turns it quit banging . Dont know how long it will last but its not doing the banging anymore. Its like it never really had a problem. After being around this car its made me want to make my next car a subie. Im not telling you what im driving now, dont want to offend anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarunation 713 Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Hello and thanks in advance for any advice, I love my 92 suburu legacy station wagon. It has 175k, and let's say shows its years...besides the less than perfect body, it has an oil leak that i was told a while ago not to fix as it would cost too much. It doesn't leak fast, i just have to check once in a while. I would guess it would burn as fast at this point. anyway, i took it in today for an oil change, and i do need 4 new tires and a new muffler. The husband (who drives a 2000 impreza) has been urging me to stop fixing this car (not that i've put any real maintanance money in). I want to get the new tires and muffler, all of which would be about 600-700$ total. he thinks the car's gonna go soon, i say it's got at least 50k left (i'm on my third clutch, due to city driving in SF where i no longer live). we are expecting a baby in june, so questions of safety and reliability become more important. all input appreciated, Oakland Sube I have had a 90, 91 and have 93 Legacy L awd 5 speed wagons. I think they are great cars. If it was CHEAP me, I would put new tires on it and in a few months get a muffler and when the oil leak get really bad replace the seals and timing belt. If it was my wife with a baby (she would have some expaining to do but that would be another story for another time ;-) I would sell the 92 and look at a 95 or 96 Legacy wagon with the 2.2. Safety would be the reason. You can find a nice 95 or 96 Legacy with 90-100,000 miles for a pretty decent price. Side impact is the main reason. It isn't your driving, it is the "fast and furious" 18 year old or the intoxicated driver you need to worry about. The 95 or 96 will have an airbag for you and a passenger and larger and stronger crumple zones for the bambino, in the back seat, in his/her properly installed Good Housekeeping seal of approval, police inspected, titanium car seat with kevlar reinforced padding (least I get flamed)! The other posts are also correct. To answer one of your questions that car with some repairs will last until the papoose is playing high school soccer! The 1st generation Legacy with the 2.2 is as near as indestructable as a car gets. So in a word, yes, the car will last 50,000 more miles with minimal maintenence and longer with thourough maintenece. If you do buy another car just get a Subaru! :-) Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger83 Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Get rid of it while you can still get something for it and get something newer, with more safety features. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC_Grown Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 Hey, my 92 Legacy wagon LS has 355k ON IT. and still runs ok.. Not great but it dose not burn oil its tranny is ok.. the body is ok - rust around the wheel wells... but its a great car! depends.. what kind of life it had in the first part of its life! I say keep it and try and fix it up! thats what im doing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 that's 355,000 km right? that would be 220,000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakland suburu Posted January 30, 2005 Author Share Posted January 30, 2005 thanks so much for the helpful feedback. my last question (for now)...any advice on finding a safety rating for that year? my attempts on GOOGLE haven't found anything useful. Thanks again, Oakland Sube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallrat_ld90 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 It was rated very good for that year. Now with other considerations that were not taken before like front corner impacts, there is not really a good picture of what it is. Still up there i am sure, but not as high. Side impacts kept it down a bit too. That is where the biggest safey advancements have been made as far as collisions go. Besides that though, the traction systems computer is faster and hence beter able to control in bad situations. Someone said back there you should trade cars with your husband, that is a really god idea if you can get him to take on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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