moosens

Ear plugs. Yes I’m serious. Enjoy responsibly.

Think about the other issues you’ll be on top of if you pull the engine. Rear main seal , clutch or empty/refreshen torque converter and tranny. I’m not at all familiar with anything from this millennium but my old 2.2’s have rear cam seals or O ring. Of course only you know how much space you have , tools , budget etc. But even the cheap harbor frieght engine crane works and saves the back from bending into the engine bay while also using your arms. Might not sound so bad if you’re a young buck but back issues are real and often crop up from such activity. Cheapy engine crane - $100-140 , probably cheaper than the co-pays from the chiropractic therapy sessions. If you do manage it while in the car please post back with your experience. Good luck with it.

Don’t expect dashboards to swap.

Good luck. Sounds like a scene I’ve lived through at least a few times. Yeah , can’t have traffic when you make these type of runs.

Hey you’re back ! Good luck on the badge.

I agree , those bodies just plain bit for rot. No repairs are great although you sure can fudge it to look decent for a short term. Too much effort for me personally.

Yeah , run the heater too , as mentioned. Good old New England humidity and it’s going to be around 90 degrees , higher this weekend. You should loose two or three pounds on the ride back. Lol

Get in and drive , watch the gauge and pull over when needed. I’ve done this oh just a few times in my life. You’ll be fine and you don’t need that engine so don’t sweat it.

Sweet !!! Can’t wait for the next 2 1/2 years to go by. :) How’s life up north ?

Unless you head up towards Hagerstown you’re not likely to hit hills you’ll suffer. Sure mods like an EJ22 are awesome , but I’ve had countless positive experiences with stock. All depends on what you want out of life , budgets , and time. Had so much fun off-roading several stock EA82 wagons and such. Perfect for my budget and time constraints. Patience helps. Being “that guy” on the road up here in the Northeast with the old vintage ride you are generally disrespected most of the time you’re on the road. They only have to see that you’re in an old car and they immediately hound you like you’re slowing them down , etc. So I used to just cruise mine and wave the finger. Enjoy !!!

Have run in FWD with a 96 same as yours , not for gains but to avoid the rear binding issues. Never was a problem. Going back to AWD in snow and the car worked as it should. With snow those systems seem to show no symptoms but on dry you’d be annoyed especially when backing into a space. Good luck with it.

I agree , hills can be an issue.

Ahh you power hungry types !!! A 1300cc powered Subaru from the 70’s was also underpowered but I absolutely loved mine. And it was impressive enough on the city streets. Same for my 1600’s. Enjoy !!

Can I bum that can of refrigerant off you ??! Lol just kidding.

Oh man , if I had my way I’d just move out there. I shall return ! When ????

Very nice for the DC area. Welcome ! Not to trash your old brand but you’ll fine more reliability here. Those EA82 engines get a little knocked around - opinion-wise , but in general they’ll run a good long time with an intelligent owner and a little luck. I suggest you find as many quality replacement parts ( NOS dealer) ASAP as parts are disappearing quickly. You’ve probably already seen people griping about lack of new pumps etc. Be sure to check your rear strut towers from top and bottom. Make sure the struts aren’t about to pop through the top. Your mounts if original are best kept. Or replace with KYB only , don’t buy anything else for struts or top mounts should you need them. Watch for leaves , pine needles , etc collecting by the firewall and behind the fender tails. Relays under seat tend to corrode , check those and make them pretty again. 13” wheels - getting hard to find tires , brakes , etc. Just sometimes have to look really hard. Enjoy the ride !

Timesert is another option if you’re going long term and expect to remove the y pipe again. Pricey , but excellent.

Larry , if you find any like that and want to make some money , you know I’m a good customer. I’d gladly pay because there are NONE up here to choose from and if there were they’d be crap. Down your way and up in PNW area you can find cars that have replaced suspension and they’re good and not so ugly. Here they’d be rusted and I couldn’t trust anything from up this way that was under a car. Contact me if you need to or just add a note for your next trip to the yards. Ours are 1992 Legacy FWD sedan , 1992 FWD wagon , and 1994 AWD 1997 Outback still waiting to get on the road. That was riding well two plus years ago but keep an eye open for this one too. Thanks man! If you can pull anything reasonable. And save any good top mounts , bearing , etc.

Crosstrek , Jim. You deserve one. And you can likely afford one. ;) Your 12+ year old car can help somebody who can’t afford a new one. Otherwise I’d say you just need a recharge. But I know way too little about an actual 2005 anything. Good luck man ! That lovely humidity is back.

RIP

Waaaaagh ! I wish I could drool over (next to) your Coupe. Enjoy ! Not sure how soon I’ll be back on your coast. Hopefully sooner than later.

Sounds like you’re doing exactly what I intend to do someday. One suggestion , and don’t tell anybody else , try Nova Scotia after Maine. Take the ferry from Bar Harbor next time. And pardon me if you’re already familiar. Cape Breton is my happy place. Meanwhile , enjoy the 48 States ! Cheers!

Lol , that’s fine. Buddy , it’s CT and it’s an As Is vehicle. It’s thereby understood to have issues YOU the buyer will need to tend to. I sure do appreciate you’re being so kind to humanity. Look man , I’ve been here so damn long and helped so many people you have no idea. This is dumping off a car. It’s southwestern Connecticut. Take a breath and relax. I have already brought vehicles from the west several times over. You sure do make it sound easy and cheap but I research and price shipping as well as anybody. Of course you’re going to tell the buyer what to be aware of. But it’s an As Is sale in CT so buyer beware , buyer be smart , buyer be ready to assume repairs. Seller enjoy. I just sold my 1978 4WD wagon always from CT , for $1800 needing brake lines and rot repairs. I went over everything and the guy is completely happy. Then there’s the countless people I’ve hooked up with parts. Enough !

Used cars are priced outrageously up here . It just passed emissions - show positive points and don’t disclose crap. Your price is as expected for what it is and the location. These nice folks don’t know Fairfield County. Maybe take some off to a negotiator but not much. You’re selling “AS IS”. It drives , passed emissions. Right there it’s worth $1500 Brakes have to be done all the time. Screw dumping money into it. But if you feel too guilty about the brakes - do the front rotors , pads , and calipers refreshed. Moments like this I would get aftermarket and just be sure to lube the spots you should. And be sure the pads are able to slide easily enough. Sometimes the aftermarket pads need grinding to clear the caliper bracket. Those wagons with automatic AWD ride so nice in the snow! Good luck with it. Just ignore everything I said if I show up to buy it. LOL The great $500 Beater has just about vanished from the northeast.

Steve ! Been ages man ! Good to see you still around. Good luck with things. Cheers!