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Brisk driving - in a Forester with an EJ20 ? I briefly drove a 98 Forester with an EJ20 and brisk was not a word I would have chosen to describe it (though it was an auto)...

my first Subaru was an 89 GL wagon (basically the same as the Loyale), 5spd, FWD - I paid all of $150 for that car (it needed a clutch and a few other items) and I drove it for 8 years! She had 150K miles when I got her, and was pushing 285K miles when she was finally permanently retired due to serious rust issues - motor still started first time, every time, and ran strong. It was because of that car that I found this group - way back in 2001, and they have helped me many times over the years to keep my Subarus going. I try to pay that back by helping others where I can. So yeah, this is kind of like a family. =)

Overheating is the ubiquitous over-taxed Subaru weak point when towing across multiple model's/decades with AT/MT. It's largely dependent on ambient temp/humidity and grade. If you're towing in flat land and zero degrees you can tow well over the limits. I'm not saying it's safe or wise I'm just saying it'll do it. If you're traversing steep grade mountain passes in high humidity and 100 degrees with a heavy load/poor aerodynamics, you can plan on it overheating.

The Snap On man call's a 14 mm 12 point , 1/2 " drive socket the Subaru Head Bolt Socket. Buy a high quality one before doing your heads. Replace your pcv with a Subaru one , they are not that expensive. Confirm all the rubber piping from it & the valve covers to the block are pliable and have clamps (many are rock hard with age and the clamps are gone) When the head gaskets start leaking oil it will start slowly , lots of time to notice .

Hi Bennie That is an interesting note about the synth oil that I did not know. Yesterday I ordered a new Nissens radiator at a ridiculously reasonable price, 80 euros delivered. Subaru want 375 euros for the Calsonic!

Replace the radiator - it's worth the coin for the sake of the engine. Try replacing the PCV to curb oil usage. If you're running with synthetic oil, if it's burning it you won't see the oil burning out the exhaust pipe as it burns "clean". Cheers Bennie

I once went through 4 different parts store alternators before I finally got a good one. I would of went with a Subaru one but the closest dealer was 50 miles away in the wrong direction.

$hit rebuild. Get a reman from Subaru. It's both cheaper and better quality. Due to a recall back in the 90's the Subaru dealer reman units for those cars are like $70. GD

Subaru's go there, fords get stuck. That made me laugh! I do feel like I'm already in the family. Heh. I do have one bit of Subie history, I had a (I think) 89-90 Loyale wagon over 10 years ago, and even though this car was pre-AWD, I did love that car. It was so handy. Much easier for a short woman to load than a pickup truck. I drove it about a year or two then sold it to my aforementioned neighbors very cheap and they drove it for another year or so.

I talked to the guy that I see all the time at the local burger joint who has a Subaru. Right off the bat he gave me the name of a guy who works on Subarus (who was also recommended by a local garage that has a good reputation). I found this man (he has a junkyard/body shop) and he has 4 Subs (that I saw) in various stages of repair at the moment. It was raining on us and I was on my way home from the vet with my cat, so I didn't talk to him long, but he sounds like Montana Tom upthread. He had a beautiful silver OB in the repair bay he's asking 3500 for right now - so assuming he can keep Subs in stock, I should be good to go once I have the money saved up. My neighbors had bought a fixed up non-Subaru from this guy and it's been a jewel of a car - I have to borrow it sometimes when my#$^*% truck tears up. I had been peeking at this guy's place when I would drive by, but I didn't see any Subies on his lot. Thank you all for the push to go up to people and ask...who knew I'd find someone this close by and so easily? Of course I will carefully check over any car he has for sale...but I have faith in the 'hillbilly grapevine" especially when it comes to the guys at the burger joint...I've been talking to them off and on for the last year or so; they strike me as the kind of fellas that would look out for a woman in need of help and not lie to me about stuff. If they say he's good, I believe them.