1Subaru1

Well, I picked her up this afternoon. She ran like a charm from Sudbury to Muskoka (2.75 hrs.) and I couldn't be happier! I love this car!:clap:Off to the dealer to get a couple of things looked after. The oil pump gasket has a small leak so I figure I'll get the timing belt done, water pump and oil gasket and seals. Then I should be good to go another 100,000kms at least.(knock on wood). Anything else I should consider getting done?

:banana:Thanks for all the advice guys, and to this Subaru site. I purchased the Brighton Wagon, after a test drive and an inspection by Subaru of Sudbury. They said it was solid and looked good in all of the right places.They let me go into the service bay to see the underside of the car too.So now I'm the proud owner of a Subaru. :clap:Hopefully I'm not on here too often trying to figure out how to fix things. I'm off, I have a manual to read!

I'm going to look at puchasing a 1999 Brighton Wagon SE, 2.2L, auto, air, cruise, p.m.,p.w., with 165000 kms on it. What things should I be inspecting, or make sure the independent mechanical inspection covers? The more detail the better. One thing I know is: routine maintenance records are important. The car is in northern Ont., Canada. Any help would be appreciated.Thanks.

I just want to send him an e-mail about a car I'm considering buying. He seems (seemed ) to be the most knowledgeable on this site.

Hasn't anyone heard anything at all?

Where the hell did Alias 20035 go? I've checked his web site, left messages, no answer. Did he change his posting name? I haven't seen anything from him in a long time. Anyone know anything? S

Actually, the last year for the EJ 22 in the Legacy was the phase 2 in the 1999 model, used for a couple more years in the Impreza. All outbacks since '97 used the EJ25. Try a 1999 Legacy wagon. There's no definitive proof as to what's better -auto or man. so take your pick and hope that the person who had it before took care of it. There was a tranny improvement in 1998 or 1999 for the autos-look for a spin off oil filter at the front of the tranny- that indicates the improved tranny. Manuals have 50/50 power split all the time; autos are 90/10 front/rear, shifting depending on load and wheel sensors.Look at the tires to check for signs of "scrubbing." Get it checked by an independent mechanic, who knows Subarus, you can trust before you put your cash down. If there's no documentation as to the last oil, coolant,etc. change, then flush and refill all fluids. You may be better off changing the timing belt too if you don't know when it was last changed, as when the belt breaks, it can be catastrophic as the engine is an interference design. Legacy L models are a good deal as they came with "Anniversary" packages that year for a good price. Do your homework and you should be able to get a good car at a good price. Good luck!

Start simple : fuel filter(s). A piece of floating gunk can cause intermittent problems as it floats freely until it gets stuck, then the engine cuts out and suction decreases, releasing the gunk, and fuel flows again & repeats. I had the same intermittent problems on my truck. I had a garage do a whole wack of stuff on my way home from a long trip; they did a diagnostic and suggested wires, cap, rotor, sparks,which I agreed to, 10 miles down the road, the symptoms appeared again, so I limped 150 miles home. When I got home, I took it to my mechanic and he replaced the fuel filter: $5, $15 to install, and it fixed the problem. All those other suggestions are good, but eliminate the simple, cheap stuff first. It cost me $200 to learn that.

As these good previous posts suggest, start with the simple things first. Possibly drain the fuel tank as well as change the fuel filter(s). Then add some good fuel and some gas line antifreeze, just to be sure. Check air filter just to be sure as well. Then move on to plugs, wires, etc. Good luck!

Alias20035 posted this problem with his 2001 Outback I think, so good luck on them fixing it soon. I don't know where Alias20035 is though,( does any body?) he's been gone a long time. Do a search for his posts and you'll see a picture of the same problem. Good luck 1Subaru1

That price is WAY too high. Check out autotrader.ca for Ontario Canada prices and you will find it's about twice the price we would pay here, especially in the Ottawa area. Heed the warnings about head gaskets, etc. you see on this forum and good luck!

I'm not a mechanic, but it sounds like it could be a lazy water pump...

Lucky bastard ! The '99's are the best, especially wagons with the Ej22 Phaze 2 engine and manual transmission. See postings by Alias20035 ,I think ( do a search) for more refrences and advice (by far the best posts on this site). If your car is in good shape now, keep up on the maintenance (flush all fluids if you're not sure whether they've been done or not), rustproofing and proper tire inflation, and you can pass the car on to your grandkids. Enjoy it, and laugh your way through just about any kind of weather!

Does any one know what year the limited slip rear differential became available on the Legacy? And is it possible to get one on a car that has the 2.2L engine? If not, any suggestions on getting one installed later if I buy a used '98 or '99 Legacy? I'll probably need it this winter in northern Ontario. Thanks for the help.

Hi there: I'm looking to purchase a good used Subaru and need some advice. I'm looking at a Legacy, Outback, or Forester, probably 1998 to 2001. I know Subarus perform well, and I'm concerned about reliability. There are so many differernt factors to consider, such as engines; (2.2L, 2.5L -gen1,gen2) transmissions: auto vs. manual, different awd drive systems in the auto and manual in the pre year 2000 models, as well as which is easiest to work on. I guess I'm looking for the most reliable combination, and what to look for when getting a used Subaru, and why. I'd appreciate any advice you can send my way. Thanks