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Wow, a 2006. Moosens enters the Space Age.

Not that I’m aware of - do you mean engine oil, like turbos? NA never got those. In terms of oil this is the same oil pump and oil supply system since 1990. Good! Thats a good car, I like that shade of green on those years too. Best part about 2006 is it’s the latest model generation 4EAT transmission you can get. That’s probably the single biggest reliability win over anything else mechanically.

I think 2006 does have immobilizer. Don’t loose that key until you verify. 2006 also has the airbag light come on due to the dome light issue. Solder or replace dome light if soldering doesn’t work. the struts suck. They’re fine new but don’t take age and mileage as well as any previous generation Subaru. I just figure any 2006 is going to need them and consider myself lucky if not. 2006 power steering pumps also suck. More frequently problematic (squealing leaking air bubbles loose power assist), not resealable like previous models, and aftermarket is a crap shoot waste of time. Those last two won’t strand you so they’re low key, just annoying how much worse they are than prior generations.

Should be an EJ253 (variable valve timing SOHC 2.5). Wiring into the tailgate fatigues and breaks. If you get any electrical gremlins pertaining to taillights, defrost, rear wiper, etc., pull back the boot where the harness goes from the body to tailgate. Obviously wires can be repaired, but the whole harness from Subaru isn't too expensive (there are at least 3 part numbers, make sure to use your VIN. They were on the shelf at the dealership where I worked). Rear bushing for the front control arms is now mounted vertically, and has to flex when the suspension moves. Much more likely to wear out. Any trouble codes will disable cruise control I don't think a 2006 Base model would have an immobilizer, but double check. If it does, do not loose your last key!

Both control cables seized in my forester when it was about 10 degrees out, with the heat off of course. (In snowy weather I cool the windshield before parking and leave the heat off to help keep it cold) I ended up putting 2 small holes in the dash with stiff wire coming out, the wire connected to the doors.

Yes, exactly as on mine.

It needs a new timing kit. new belt is usually pointless because they don't replace the lower cogged idler which is the most prone item to fail. It's an interference engine = bent valves. bare minimum it needs a new Subaru belt and new lower cogged idler: they're like $30 on ebay. best case scenario is a full Subaru or AISIN timing kit and water pump and Subaru thermostat/gasket. that's what i do on any vehicle expected to last awhile. i'll ocassionally go belt and lower idler (bare minimum) if it's rusty or someone really needs to save every penny they can. the other components rarely fail, water pump usually gives plenty of warning, and the tensioner can be visually inspected for hydraulic oil leakage and kept if it's not wet - so they can be avoided and are less risky. look up 2006 outback on cars101.com and look over it's features to familiarize yourself with the ones that are most important to you. ignore everything else - but that's a good resource for the few items that stick out to you. they typically leak oil at the lower headgaskets - keep an eye on it. progressively get worse over time, very manageable, nothing dire.

Don’t stress about your feet, it mainly ends up in the passenger footwell for us Cheers Bennie

27x8.5 R14 General Grabber ATX with a 2" ADF lift kit