Greetings all!
I was happy to find a new (to me) Subaru forum. Everyone seems friendly and knowledgeable - I'm looking forward to some good threads.
I'm looking for opinions on repairing the current OB, or getting a newer Subie.
Here's the deal:
1996 Outback Wagon
2.2L 5MT
~185,000 milles (I'm the second owner - 90k are mine)
I'm 99% certain it needs a clutch and flywheel job...
Symptioms:
A "chirp" that disappears when with a little pressure on the clutch.
A loud grinding or bearing type noise is very noticable when you're on the gas, and is still present, but much softer when off the gas.
Stuttering/jerking if you lift off of or get on the gas suddenly.
Slow "pick-up" - when I engage the clutch and step on the gas, it seems like it takes a second for the power to get to the wheels (but the clutch is not slipping).
Lately it realy doesn't like to stay in 4th gear - it's ok if I'm on the gas, but if I let up it has been tending to pop out of gear - no noise associated with this behavior, but it is very reproducable. Also happens in 3rd sometimes.
It is not "slipping" whjen I get on the gas with the clutch engaged, there are no extra revs, no trouble passing or going up hills.
Most of these sumptoms have been getting worse over the last 6-12 months.
I've been quoted ~$950 + tax for a complete clutch job, inclufing flywheel, from an independent shop, and $1100 from the dealer.
The kicker is that I've already put $2000 into the car this year - 60k service + Timing Belt, front breaks, and then a new Cat secion in the exhaust.
So... gents and ladies - what would you do? Fix it and drive it 'till it dies, or get a newer one?
Thanks in advance.
