badjer Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Ok, my beloved Baru (96 outback, 5 spd manual, 191k) has reached the milestone of its first significant problem. The tranny has developed a persistant whine and my mechanic says its days are numbered. The estimate is for about $2000 to put in a rebuilt tranny, new clutch (its still on the original one), and replace the timing belt and water pump. I know it is a reasonable deal, but I have NEVER put 2000 dollars into a car with 191k. I am wondering if, and need reassurance that this is a good investment, and that the 2k would not be better spent putting toward a different car? any thoughts and opinions are welcome.. as are suggestions for a source of a different tranny! thanks badjer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy777 Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Does your 96 have the 2.2 or 2.5? $2000 really isn't too bad. You won't find much of a car for that unless you score a screaming deal. At that kind of mileage, I would expect the normal wear items will need to be attended too. How long have you had the car? Did you do the routine/preventive maintenance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badjer Posted July 1, 2005 Author Share Posted July 1, 2005 I have had the car since it had 85k miles, and I have had all the maintenance done- apparently the tranny maintenance wasnt enough though! In my mind I know the 2k is a good investment as there is nothing else wrong with the car... boots and CVs are fine, AC is fine, no rust, interior is good, power steering if fine, and it has the invincible 2.2l engine. Burns no oil, and still gets 25 mpg no matter what... its just the 2k that gets me... usually I buy cars that cost 3k! ha ha ha. Thanks for the response! badjer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy777 Posted July 2, 2005 Share Posted July 2, 2005 I'd probably put the 2k in for the tranny. Just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeman90 Posted July 2, 2005 Share Posted July 2, 2005 a 96 with a 2.2 and a 5 speed.... i would do it in a heartbeat! Put me down for heck yeah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjb240z Posted July 2, 2005 Share Posted July 2, 2005 "Opinions please.." My .02, I have owned five cars that I have taken over the 200k mark and only one of them needed a new/er transmission. It whined etc. PERSONALLY I would not buy a new/rebuilt trans, but I would call wrecking yards in your area to FIND you a trans for the newest year they can find, 99 perhaps or look for yourself in your local yards while yours is still working. Yards usually want only $100 + $50 core. If you cannot do to the work yourself, labor could cost up to $300-500 more. You would get a warranty from the yard that it works for X miles, months etc and you would most likely get ALLOT of life out of that trans and save roughly $1500 or so in the process. The car that needed a replacement trans worked out great for another 50k while I still owned that car. Another car for me was a 4spd to 5spd swap and it had 125k on the ODO and since then I have put another 35k and its still going strong. I am a cheap guy so for me saving $$$ would be a big deal. Good luck to you either way you go. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 i'd install a used transmission from a yard....couple hundred. a local trans shop here in MD will install an AWD transmission that you supply (with new filter) for 150-200. you won't need the filter though because you have a manual. source a used trans for 300, pay somewhere to install it for 200 and you saved 1,500. i'd rather do that twice then pay all that money for a rebuild on a car with that many miles. that 1,500 could be better put towards tune ups, timing belts, radiators, pulleys, wheel bearings...etc. that's how i'd do it anyway. 2,000 is a decent deal and that's good of him to throw in that timing belt stuff as well. i'd replace the water pump and reseal the oil pump as well. at that mileage i think i'd honestly replace all the timing belt pulleys if you want to keep this thing awhile. or at the minimum ask him to check the pulley bearings for noise. when the bearings in the t-belt pulleys seize they wear the belt out in real short order and leave you stranded. thermostat should be replaced as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 "A persistent whine" It's a Subaru gearbox, it's always gonna be noisy. The only time to consider a rebuild if is there is a grape sized lump of metal shavings on the gearbox drain plug. (Yep, it's got a magnet in it) Drain the gearbox and have a look. Fill with Valvoline Synpower 75W-90 - despite my sworn allegiance to other gear oils, I have seen evidence of this oil doing very well in worn gearboxes. Keep your hard-earned in your pocket and try new oil first :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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