Chef Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 I would like to introduce myself to the board. I just purchased a 1992 subaru legacy wagon LS, and would like to state for the record that I have fallen in love with the car. It is an automatic with 216 000 km, and the engine purrs like a kitten (or roars like a lion when stomped on). Normally I'm a manual tranny kind of guy, but decided to try an auto this time and I'm really impressed. It shifts smooth and sharp without being harsh, and is very responsive to downshifts and upshifts. I'm a poor student living on loans that needs a car. I purchased it because I've always wanted a subie, and felt it would be the most practical and reliable one for the money. I managed to pick it up for $2500 cdn including taxes. The body is in good shape, but it has had some rust repair around the wheel-wells. The inside looks amazing, and is filled with more options than I could have wanted in all the right places. Plus, it's sophisticated and practical at the same time. The handling is great, both sharp and cushioning at the same time, although I have some concerns over the hydraulic lift system. It doesn't appear to work - no big deal - but the height adjuster button seems to flash for extended periods intermittently. I don't care if it doesn't lift, but I don't want to have to replace the exceedingly expensive shocks It was serviced at the dealer for the first 9 years, so at least for that period of time it was taken care of well. Anyways, I'll be around from now on, hopefully only raving about my new car. It's the best I've ever had, and if all goes well I'll be a converted subie fan forever. Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretgem Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 Hello and welcome from another newcomer to the board (been a member for awhile, but I think you have to have a certain number of posts to be recognized fully). I am curious to know if you had the work done to the wheel well rust spots, or was that done before you bought it? Is it noticeable? I am considering having some done, but haven't decided if it will be worth it. Thanks - Bret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstwagon Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 Welcome and I agree with you. I bought a 91 Legacy LS wagon 2 weeks ago with 171,000 km and no rust (BC car) for $3000 and I think it's great. Mint shape except for that little flashing light on the dash. What it is is the computer telling you there is a fault with the air suspension system. When it on, does you car sink down onto the bump stops? With the motor off can you hear hissing at any of the wheel wells? From what I've been told there are several things that can cause it but I'm only familar with one. In my case it's a small tear in the driver side front strut airbag. Because it can't build enough pressure to lift the car to full height, the ride height sensors trigger an error code after about 15 minutes of running and turn the light on and the compressor off. My car will then settle down on the bump stops unless I stop and restart the motor (resets the computer I guess) I was quoted $ 569.00 from the dealer for a new one and I haven't had any luck yet finding a used one. You might have better luck as Toronto should have a bigger selection of wrecking yards then Vancouver. Hopefully it will be something less expensive in your case. Paul I would like to introduce myself to the board. I just purchased a 1992 subaru legacy wagon LS, and would like to state for the record that I have fallen in love with the car. It is an automatic with 216 000 km, and the engine purrs like a kitten (or roars like a lion when stomped on). Normally I'm a manual tranny kind of guy, but decided to try an auto this time and I'm really impressed. It shifts smooth and sharp without being harsh, and is very responsive to downshifts and upshifts. I'm a poor student living on loans that needs a car. I purchased it because I've always wanted a subie, and felt it would be the most practical and reliable one for the money. I managed to pick it up for $2500 cdn including taxes. The body is in good shape, but it has had some rust repair around the wheel-wells. The inside looks amazing, and is filled with more options than I could have wanted in all the right places. Plus, it's sophisticated and practical at the same time. The handling is great, both sharp and cushioning at the same time, although I have some concerns over the hydraulic lift system. It doesn't appear to work - no big deal - but the height adjuster button seems to flash for extended periods intermittently. I don't care if it doesn't lift, but I don't want to have to replace the exceedingly expensive shocks It was serviced at the dealer for the first 9 years, so at least for that period of time it was taken care of well. Anyways, I'll be around from now on, hopefully only raving about my new car. It's the best I've ever had, and if all goes well I'll be a converted subie fan forever. Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted March 8, 2005 Author Share Posted March 8, 2005 I am curious to know if you had the work done to the wheel well rust spots, or was that done before you bought it? Is it noticeable? I am considering having some done, but haven't decided if it will be worth it.Thanks - Bret Well, it's looks fairly good, and I only noticed it because I've done some bodywork in the past myself. I suspect it will start to show rust again within a few months, but I intend to take a couple of extra precautions by refinishing the edges myself and the inside of the wheel-wells with some spray on tar. As for if it's worth it, that depends on how bad it is and how bad do you want your car. If it's pretty bad, it might be worth a quickie job if you intend to sell it. I know it may not be fair to the next buyer though, so that may figure into your thoughts. If it's only just begun to rust, do it ASAP. Rust spreads like cancer, and the earlier it's treated the better the repairs will last. It will inevitably come out again, but a good job now hen there is miminal rust will last for a while. Good luck! Welcome and I agree with you. I bought a 91 Legacy LS wagon 2 weeks ago with 171,000 km and no rust (BC car) for $3000 and I think it's great. Mint shape except for that little flashing light on the dash. What it is is the computer telling you there is a fault with the air suspension system. When it on, does you car sink down onto the bump stops? With the motor off can you hear hissing at any of the wheel wells? From what I've been told there are several things that can cause it but I'm only familar with one. In my case it's a small tear in the driver side front strut airbag. Because it can't build enough pressure to lift the car to full height, the ride height sensors trigger an error code after about 15 minutes of running and turn the light on and the compressor off. My car will then settle down on the bump stops unless I stop and restart the motor (resets the computer I guess) I was quoted $ 569.00 from the dealer for a new one and I haven't had any luck yet finding a used one. You might have better luck as Toronto should have a bigger selection of wrecking yards then Vancouver. Hopefully it will be something less expensive in your case. Paul Yikes. I hope there's no significant problem. I don't recall any hissing, and the car rides fine without sinking. Perhaps it's a sensor or solenoid issue? Hopefully by the time it manifests itself problematically I'll have a few more bucks to deal with it. I've read that it might be most practical to simply replace all shocks/struts with conventional ones instead. Not a cheap or attractive alternative, but consideirng the cost of t he air ones, well... I will check it out a bit netter in a little bit. I noticed today one of the inner CV boots is torn, so I need to get on that before anything I suppose. Trying to decide how to go about it. I've been reading on this site about some kind of "quick-boots" or split boots - although maybe not the best choice, it may be a good temporary fix. The joint is still intact, no noises coming from it. Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstwagon Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 If you don't find it sitting on the bumpstops when you get up in the morning then your struts are likely fine. (breathe a sigh of relief here) I considered changing to strut/ coil suspension as a cheaper repair but it doesn't seem to be as cheap as I thought (at least here in Canada). See my post here.... http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=31879 Yikes. I hope there's no significant problem. I don't recall any hissing, and the car rides fine without sinking. Perhaps it's a sensor or solenoid issue? Hopefully by the time it manifests itself problematically I'll have a few more bucks to deal with it. I've read that it might be most practical to simply replace all shocks/struts with conventional ones instead. Not a cheap or attractive alternative, but consideirng the cost of t he air ones, well... I will check it out a bit netter in a little bit. I noticed today one of the inner CV boots is torn, so I need to get on that before anything I suppose. Trying to decide how to go about it. I've been reading on this site about some kind of "quick-boots" or split boots - although maybe not the best choice, it may be a good temporary fix. The joint is still intact, no noises coming from it. Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 i had a 89 gl-10 sedan with air suspension/just had it replaced with regular spring struts when the air struts started to leak.after the change over/light came on,on dash for the ride height reature.guess cause the air lines were left in along with compressor.i just ignored it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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