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OK.. after a look at the records... the transmission fluid change and speed sensor pin-cleaning were done AFTER the problem appeared -- I think we had them throw in an oil-change while they were under the hood. It was the dealer's first attempt at fixing it. This was under $150. The second visit, we were only charged a half-hour technician fee, while he checked for other problems, like loose wires, etc. He did use our car for a couple of days to see if he could spot the problem, but that's not uncommon with an intermittent situation like this one. We've never had the donut spare on the car. Early on we had a nail in the sidewall, but got it to a garage while it was just low and still ok for driving. The tire tread was still within range that a single tire replacement was ok. Later, as I recall, we got a whole new set, because it was time. One other thing, on another site, I saw where another 98 Outback owner had a very similar complaint, only his was sticking in 2nd... this was in 1999. Nobody on that board responded. I sent him an email... so far no reply. Thanks yet again.

We are the original owners. It has 74,000 miles, and the transmission fluid was changed, as recommended, in September 2003. In general, it gets its all of its maintenance according the schedule in the owner's manual. It is usually driven on surface streets and highways to work and home (10-20 miles each way) a couple of days a week, errands on the weekend, and occasional weekend and vacation trips. This car's never been wrecked, bumped, or towed, nor has it ever been used to tow anything else. I can't say "not a scratch" because it does have a small "parking lot" door dent. The tires are all the same age and get rotated when and how the owner's manual suggests. The battery is only a year or two old -- a Die Hard, I think -- I remember buying it at a Sears, but not exactly when. This was before the proper diagnosis of #1, below. The only troubles it's ever given us before are small: 1. A keyless entry problem, which caused the parking lights to blink continuously for a couple of days. This was corrected by resetting something near the driver's knees. We'd remember what we did if it happened again. 2. A a broken cup holder, on the dashboard. Hoping to fix it (impossible), I took it apart, cleaned it, and re-assembled it. We decided to just use it carefully. 3. Thre's a light or two out near the radio. After dark, we remember if the AC or heat is on and choose radio stations by sound alone. The dealer quoted a really high labor charge to replace the bulb(s) ... and we decided not to bother. Again, thanks for any ideas.

This is driving us nuts! Our 98 Legacy Outback has been a great car...we even drove it 6000 miles on vacation in the spring with no problems. But during the past few months, some days after as little as 20 minutes behind the wheel, it just refuses to shift to second. (Until this week, you could count on 45 problem-free minutes.) The problems seem to happen regardless of the weather. You're driving along fine and come to a stop. When you hit the gas to go, it does ... up to maybe 20 MPH... and the RPMs soar but no shifting. Turning off the engine and letting it rest sometimes helps, but only if you rest at least 30 minutes. This happens rain or shine, although today, with the 20-minute record, it was wet and around 50-60 degrees F. We've taken it to our local Subaru dealer twice in the past six weeks or so. The first time, the car performed its little trick and the mechanic decided it must be the speed sensor, which he cleaned. But that didn't help. The second time the dealer kept it two days, drove it around quite a bit, and decided nothing was wrong. Then they took a couple hundred more bucks! Besides a new mechanic, anyone have any ideas? Thanks.