Subarunation 713

this is the EASIEST way on the planet. Pull the little rubber plug out, jam a big screwdriver (or something) in between the flexplate and flywheel by a bolt that connects the 2, move engine slowly to make sure screwdriver is clear of all hoses, wires, etc and you are done. Less than 2 minutes and you have a way to loosen the bolt and a way to tighten the bolt. If you want to do it the hard way the are are many other ways, just read previous posts! ;-)Good luck, Greg

Check out Wescosvile Auto Sales. It is Becker's "ugly duckling" lot. If Becker Subaru takes a 9 year old car with 135,000 miles the sell it across the street. I bought a 1993 Legacy wagon from them in 10-2002. It had 132,000 miles on it but was cherry. I was the 2nd owner. Serviced at Becker's from day 1. I picked it up for $2800, drove it 72,000 miles did little to it (repairs) and sold it for $1000. If you want a diamond in the REAL rough go to Joe's in New Ringgold (up 309 and west on 895 or 78 west to 61 north and east on 895). I think it is the 1st Saturday of the month they have an auction and sometimes fixer uppers go through there. After you buy it, you can go to their U-Pull it lot and get whatever parts you need. They have a bilion generation 1 Legacy's (they did after Christmas anyway). Good luck, Greg

I wish some of these ebay sellers would pull their heads out of their butts, wipe the crap out of their eyes and LOOK at the cars they are selling. They will list it with AWD when they are FWD, Autos and the pictures show a clutch and a manual shift. Look at the car seller! A clutch usually means the car is MANUAL not auto! Look for an ABS system, they are as plain as day! A wagon is often times not confused with a sedan, duh! There is a guy in South Bend, www.cars2you.com, who will list options not even available on the model. Why, a cheap computer program shows him the option is available. It only bothers me because the person who thinks a Legacy Brighton has ABS and premium sound will bid the car higher than it is worth. At the time the car is picked up the buyer says "wait a minute it doesn't have blah, blah blah". The seller reduces the price or the buyer gives bad feedback but it doesn't change the fact the auction is bid under false pretense. We who buy on ebay should be more willing to leave bad feedback. I don't because the seller won't leave feedback until the buyer does and if I leave negative feedback than so will they. Ebay needs to rethink the way feedback is given, but that is something else for a different forum. Back to the issue at hand, the 1.8 was never available on US sold Legacys. Sorry for the rant, Greg

Best deals are to be had when people are broke...i.e after Christmas and before the tax return checks come in. What part of PA are you in? eastern or western? Whenever I go back to my parents place (Reading area) I am surprised by the number of cars available. Check www.cars.com www.autotrader.com and if you are in the eastern or central part of PA pick up an Auto Locator. Good luck, Greg

And what, take all the fun out of it! I wanted to see the post that follows "How to remove breaker bar from battery", "Breaker bar busted ABS pump, what to do next", "Breaker bar flew off and killed neighbors cat, anybody know a lawyer" or something as fun.Greg

First of all you are not a moron. You asked a question and got 10 posts and hardly any of us agree! :-) I live right across the lake from you and on our 96 OBW we plug it in at night and leave it. We are on a "time of day" electric plan so they all but give the surplus electric away from 9:00PM to 7:00AM (that is when we plug it in) and all day Saturday and Sunday. Temp wise, if it goes below freezing we plug it in (it is on the same switched plug as our birdbath heater) and I credit the block heater for helping our original battery last 9+ years and still going. The only thing I would STRONGLY suggest, is use a grounded extension cord and plug.Best of luck, Greg BTW-the block heater from Subaru (1996 to 2004) is 400W.

I will admit I am WAY out of my element here but the SeaFoam can said 100% petrolium, can you get naptha from oil or is coal tar a petrolium by product? Or is carbon carbon...more or less? For those of you who didn't know the #15 NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, ask him who he drives for after he gets a shot of novacain at the dentist and he will tell you, NAPthA. Sorry, I just couldn't help myself, Greg

The advantages; Intake and exhaust valve timing durations are longer and the lift is also increased. This allows more "fresh air/fuel" in and more exhaust out per cycle. The disadvantage is the piston and valve can "Kiss" if the timing belt breaks. The good thing, with normal maintenance and following manufacturer recommendations for changing the timing belt very few belts just break. If they do, it is very rare. Usually it is because the engine gets over revved, oil leaks from the cam seals on the belt, seized water pump or a bad idler pulley. If you have an interference engine change the timing belt when you should and you will be fine.Greg

Who are the Mad Scientists in the group? What is in this SeaFoam stuff that it works like it does? I am always a little skeptical of additives but after reading several posts (and from people I trust who wouldn't screw up their cars) about the stuff I gave it a whirl. I followed the directions and ran it through the PCV hose. I put the rest of the can in a full tank of gas. Just like people said, engine smoothed right out. So what is it? The link is for their MSDS. http://www.seafoamsales.com/pdf/trans_tune.pdf It doesn't look much different than some of the other stuff but works wonders! Curious but pleased, Greg

Ditto. Happened about 2 months ago and there is still an odor. Not as strong, but still there.

Joe,Check your ramcharger email. I forwarded the report to you. Greg

There is no better way to appreciate my car than by driving another. I drove a 2005 Malibu Classic (and Classic leaves room for much debate) while traveling for business. What a gutless dog POS! OK, I know what some of you want to say, "well what do you expect, it is a rental". Well, this rental had ONLY 634 miles and no car can be beat to death in 634 miles. I have heard quiter chainsaws than the this cars fuel pump. Lack of accelaration! I think a Justy with four football players in it could beat this car off of the line. And just plain unappealing in comfort, looks and style! I know from time to time we all have problems with our cars but by in large we are a pretty lucky group of car owners. We really have some great cars. So in celebration of Valentine's Day let me say to my new (2 weeks old to me) 99 Legacy L sedan 2.2 5 speed, I LOVE YOU! Doesn't it just bring a tear? Greg

PAezb, "161K on my 96 OBW. They've soften a bit over that time but still very driveable, I'm actually quite amazed at how the original suspension and exhaust components have held up. Kind of lessens the pain of the HG replacement." Petersubaru, "190,000mi and still going strong thru the streets of Detroit..all orginal". So I am not nuts if I think my struts are still pretty decent? Well...I might still be nuts but the struts are not the defining mechanism! :-) Greg

Perhaps I will notice a difference after I put new struts on however these struts still act like they are really pretty decent. I know what bad struts feel like and how steering is a little more challenging, but these feel pretty good. I guess I will take your word for it and budget new struts in. It won't hurt anything to put new ones on. I think I can GR2s at Tire Rack. The worlds largest tire store on my way home from work, you can't beat it! Thanks, Greg

I am wondering if I have the Iron Man version of the Outback. My wifes 96 OBW with 164,xxx miles still has the original struts and the car is still tight, handles well and rides nice. I am greatful and feel blessed. How long have others gone on their struts? Do these cars not hammer the struts by design or does Subaru "overspec" the OEM struts? curious, Greg We are normal drivers, no off roading but many of the roads in southwest Michigan with all of the potholes this time of year make on roading the equivelant of off roading!

I would think your noise is a wheel bearing. Sounds like you are mechanicaly inclined so you would know whether or not it is a CV joint. If the brakes are making a noise you may have a stuck caliper. The brakes are VERY easy to change on these cars so don't worry about the difficulty factor. However you will need a shop to press out and refit the wheel bearing. BTW-the original clutch on my last 93 wagon went over 204,xxx miles and then I sold it but it was still strong. Good luck, Greg

It doesn't make a difference what I consider their 1st year, what do they consider their 1st year? and then perhaps stick to it :-) It isn't an earth shattering issue, just kind of funny. Was the van the only 360 offered in 69 or did they have the "pickup" too? Think about that, in 1969 you could order a 4-door Lincoln Continental with a 460 ci engine that weighed in a little less the USS Nimitz or you could be on the same highway in a Subaru 360 that weighed about as much as the power steering pump on the Lincoln! Those first Subaru drivers were an adventerous group! Greg

Go to:http://www.subaru.com/owners/care/schedules/middle.jsp They will have all of the service intervals from 90 on. Greg

I just got a new car yesterday. A 1999 Legacy L AWD 2.2 5 speed 30th Anniversary Sedan. I drove it from Asheville, North Carolina home yesterday. What a treat! After driving the Hertz Chevy Malibu all the way down to Asheville driving a car home that you can actually feel the road with was a welcome sensation. The car that will be going "out to pasture" is a 1993 AWD Legacy L 25th Anniversary Wagon 2.2 5 speed. Now, here is where I get a little confused. 1999 minus 1993 equals 6 30 minus 25 equals 5 So, perhaps Subaru knows something about the real number system I do not cuz if I subtract 5 from 1999 I come up with 1994 or if I add 5 to 1993 I come up with 1998. Perhaps Subaru isn't sure of their annivesary or I am not sure of my math :-) Greg

Funny, I was a Volkswagen loyalist and I mean LOYAL. Nobody dare say anything bad about a VW or I would set them straight! I was unhappy with our Jetta after a string of Bugs, Rabbits, GTIs, diesel Jetta and pickup and Golfs. I got a 96 OBW with a 2.2 and 5 speed. My wife is still driving it and you LOTR fans, it's name is "My Precious"! I have had 3 Legacy wagons, 90, 91, and 93. It would take a signed note from God to get me back in VWs! The salesman told me he had many VW people switch to Subarus. Maybe we have that sideways piston thing in our blood? Greg

Most any reputable, AAA Approved or the like, will know and will send a flatbed. A friend of mine has a towing company/garage. He knows more about what and how to tow then I could imagine. Almost all towing company's have a flatbed with a wheel lift. The Subaru isn't the only car with specific towing requirements. However if "Fast Eddy's" towing company sends out a zit faced 17 year old to tow you car and burns up the transmission because he didn't put a fuse in the AWD or pick all the wheels off of the ground specificaly on a manual trans I would say they are responsible. Unless you are unconcious after an accident or on the way to a hospital in an ambulance, hang around and make sure it is done right. If you are in an ambulance my guess is you have more to worry about than a car that can be replaced! Greg

"i just want to buy the car and get the turbo and stuff off of it", Don't all of us Subaru freaks!! There is one in your general neck of the woods: http://www.barlowauto.com/ They are in Rainer, WA and it $600 with 96,ooo miles. Poke around, you are bound to find one if you are patient. Right now there are 3 on eBay but too much $$. Good luck, Greg

My wife's 96 OBW still has the original struts and springs. Her car has 165,ooo on it. Unless you have beat the crap out of your car (and I doubt you have if you have 216,ooo miles on it) I would just replace the struts. Her 96 has the recall and they put the little guard on it so if the spring did break. Your car is made in Japan but her's is made in Indiana by one of your fellow Hoosiers! My 93 Lagacy wagon still has the original springs. I just checked Consumer Repots and suspension was not a problem area for the 96 Imprezas. Where did you find the struts and how much if I could be so nosey? Greg

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

Thanks for your feedback. I pulled the trigger and I am driving down to Asheville, NC on Sunday to pick it up Monday morning (after a going over first of course). I will let you know what I think. My first drive will be an 11 hour one so by Monday night I should have a pretty good idea if I made a genius or bonehead move! Greg thanks for the hil holder info, not really a huge deal but a nice thing to have