john in KY

There's a fuse panel under the hood also. A test light can help pinpoint where the failure is. Use it inside the car to determine if current is even reaching the individual fuses.

I have no idea if this could be the problem but whatever that plate is called that is between the top of the coil spring and top hat bearing is only installed one way. Thinking it has arrows or something etched in it to insure proper orientation.

Anyway you can contact the previous owners?

Fairly sure any subaru radio from the 1990s and even into the 2000s will be a plug and play. Double din radios swap into single din holes just by removing that tray under the single din radio. Probably also want to look at the speakers because I bet they all need replaced. As for the heater problem, lots of possible causes. I would run a hot wire to the fan motor just to see of the motor is the problem. Edit: If you decide to swap radios, the trim piece needs pulled. Pull the ash tray and look up. Should be 2 small screws. Need a really short screwdriver to remove.

Car has 2 dipsticks. One on the left is for the differential.

Those companies on the west coast that deal with Japanese 1/2 cuts is a source.

Change the spark plugs/valve cover gaskets while the engine is out. A horrible job once the engine is installed.

Goggle "philadelphia pick a part". I hear Harry's is an especially good yard to find Subaru parts.

Slop/excessive play.

Take a look at the driveshaft U joints.

Sounds like part of the problem could be from a ruptured fuel pressure regulator or leaking injectors. Do a fuel pressure test to verify if pressure is within specs with engine running and after shut down. Pressure should remain steady after the engine is turned off. If the needle slowly drops over time then there is a leak somewhere. An easy way to check for a ruptured FPR is to just pull its vacuum line. If fuel squirts out, engine running, then the FPR has failed. Since you don't know the history of the car, previous owner could have replaced the stock injectors with much larger ones which would compound the problem.

Be careful with the YELLOW wires. Yellow = airbag.

Fairly sure this has the 2.2 engine so no head gaskets problems. First thing you need to do is to replace the timing belt.

Pull-A-Part in Louisville has several Subarus.

Unless you are positive the timing belt was changed around 200K miles, I won't drive it out of state.

A collapsed radiator hose suggests to me a clogged radiator. Has happened to me several times over the years and it was in all cases the radiator. My theory is either the previous owner used a lot of radiator stop leak or being it is Hawaii, straight water was used for years.

Recommend you use an impact screwdriver when removing those 3 mirror screws. Often they are really in there and the heads are easy to strip out. Recently bought an 08 LL Bean. Took me 2 5-hour days to change the 6 spark plugs. Yours probably need changed. Paying someone to replace them will not be cheap.

Here's another forum you may like: http://www.subaruoutback.org/

What model year and what are some of the problems?

Should be no need to cut the holding bracket. Reason will be obvious once the clip is removed and the line pulled slightly in one direction.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/108429-pictorial-wheel-bearing-guide-4wd-rear/

I once ran a 90 turbo wagon. The only part of the stock system, starting at the turbo, was the flange that bolts to the turbo. Everything else was replaced with 2 1/4 inch pipe. Muffler was a straight through design. Not even close to being too loud.

The VW center bore is larger which means these wheels on your car will not be hubcentric. May or may not be a problem. Why not just buy used Subaru steel wheels?

The steering rack is held in place by rubber bushings. Sounds like they may need replaced. The rack itself could be moving side to side.

My guess is yes. Can't think of any good reason Subaru would change coils between model years.