daehttub2000

Subaru exterior "design" has always been a bit off in a quirky way. What counts is what is on the inside. The 3.6 sounds like a promising fix to a woefully underpowered 3.3 in the Tribeca. I hope Subaru can pull off "ugly fast" again the the super ugly new WRX. I thought my 2002 WRX was ugly... Subaru is tempting fate though with "ugly" spreading through its entire lineup. I never thought Subaru could come up with a design more hideous than the "Alfa" nose designs. I was wrong. The Alfa nose WRX looks stylish next to the, new, um, thing... I'm not buying a new Subie until this design phase passes. Good thing Subies last so long:grin:

Somebody let out the Fugly Subaru design team out of the basement. I thought my 02 WRX was ugly... I'll let the scribes at Car and Driver say it for me. While it applies to the Impreza, it could also apply to the Legacy... Holy bejeebus—what happened to its face? The ’08 WRX will again be offered in two body styles, a sedan and a five-door. The five-door looks more like a traditional hatchback this time around, so fans of the old wagon might be disappointed. Disappointment only begins to describe our reaction to the new car’s looks, however: If the WRX was hoping to win us back with its exterior make-over, it can forget it. The styling can at best be called a derivative of a copy—check out the Sebring-meets-Saab-meets-smiling-samurai front end—and at worst a total disaster. The new sedan in particular is disappointing, with a rear end that looks like it’s in heat and a high beltline that screams cheap-rump roast econocar. Here’s hoping the new styling grows on us as quickly as the 2006 model’s Tribeca-inspired nose job did.

Looks in the parking lot. That brings a smile to my face. My co-workers always marvel at the ever changing Yakima Rack setups I have on my 95 Legacy Wagon depending on whether I'm bicycling with friends (4 racks), kayaking, windsurfing, skiing, or some combination thereof. It's also usually covered in salt/mud/snow as well as small divots from various types of equipment bonking the top of my car. I do have to be careful about not ruining my suit when I get in and out of my car. Some newbies at work are somewhat shocked to see a respectable (haw!) business person enter and exit such a battle-scarred car. They're expecting some crazy kid intern... Of course, nobody want's to ride in my car on lunch runs. Beach sand, bicycle grease, mud flecks... The nice thing is I never have to remember where I park my car in a parking lot. I just look for the little yakima forest sticking out from the top of my car

A lunchbreak thought: A "few" years back, the auto stores sold a gas substitute in a plastic gas can that was "safe" for storage in the back of a car. I still have mine. No stink or smell. I've had it in my 95 since 95. I don't know if they still make them. I suppose it might be ethanol. It's a small can that supposedly would give me just enough to make it to the next gas station. However, if you were on the Alcan (Alaska-Canada) run, that probably wouldn't help you....

Thanks for the interesting post and link to IEEE magazine. However, that article on Phase-Locked Loop Simulation - Modulated Analysis was pretty captivating as well:grin: I've always been impressed with the considerable knowledge base of the USMB participants. It's nice to know we have the propeller head slide-rule carrying crowd as well

There have been a few extensive O2 sensor threads here. Do a search and I'm sure you'll pick one up. The 1995 Legacy has a technical service bulletin for O2 sensors "freezing up" in cold weather. I found out the hard way after replacing a $few$ on my 95 to no effect. I now just ignore the intermittent CEL in really cold weather. My mileage takes a slight hit but it's no where near the cost of an O2 replacement. However, if gas keeps going up...

Wow. Some serious gearheads in this group. Is there any meaningful way to boost 2.2 output without screwing around with the engine? I am curious about a low cost and low risk way to make my Legacy a bit peppier. It's tough when I switch between my Legacy and WRX. Is it worthwhile to use a cold air intake and low restriction exhaust/cat or will any power boost be undetectable or not worth the cost/effort?

LOL, Great point about "hitting range." Unfortunately, kids don't need to be within striking distance on each other to start a ruckus in the back seat. At least in a Legacy, the back seat kids are within arms reach of either parent so there is a deterrent factor. Ever had a kid in the 3rd row of a minivan mouth off to you when you were driving? Unfortunately, the large Volvo wagons do have a bit more width but my sister got stranded on the interstate in the middle of summer with her kids in a new V70 due to engine failure. No air conditioning, screaming kids, big (multiple) repair bills for a car with a huge monthly payment. It’s been a nightmare for them. As much as I’d hate to admit it, Minivans are really quite nice if you have three kids. Now only if Subaru didn’t make the Tribeca so ugly… Brighton model Tribeca anybody? Good luck shoehorning 3 baby seats into a Subaru back seat. I have put 2 baby seats in back with a very tight middle spot open for baby stuff. It didn’t look promising for a 3rd car seat. If you did get in a 3rd seat, where do you put all the other kid stuff and keep it within arms length (wipes, sippy cups, snacks, diaper kits, toys, valium…)?

Well thanks for identifying yourself as Canadian and using Imperial gallons. It confuses us Yanks. One U.S. gallon is ahboot 0.8327 Imperial gallons so: Your results translated into "American" Gallons is: Highway 32.5 mpg (Wow! Driving 55-60 really helps) Combined 25 mpg I'm thinking about those Labatt "I am a Canadian" beer commercials...

Holy Cow! 33-36 on the Highway??? Sedan or Wagon? Is it a Manual or Automatic? If it's an automatic, is the AWD disabled? Do you have a clean top with no roof rails? Is it stock? Are you from Canada using Imperial Gallons???? I don't think I've heard of anyone getting that kind of Highway mileage consistently...

Subaru needs to bring back a cheaper product option and stop making some of its cars so ugly. Subaru needs to bring back the Brighton "stripper" option for the Legacy line and it probably wouldn't hurt for the Impreza line either. Keep the AWD and make more manual transmissions available in snow country markets. It would be fun to see a "Brighton" WRX line. They've started with the "rally ready" WRX. A Brighton Hybrid-Drive (Toyota) Legacy would be a hot item in some granola/birkenstock markets. Subaru should bring back something to replace the "Justy." A cheap AWD minicar would find a niche market in snow country. Subaru tried to market the Impreza against the Toyota/Hondas in the early 90's but that was a disaster. Subaru's are an "odd" car line and they need to capitalize on that. Of course, they could try to stop making their cars look like modern day Edsels (Tribeca and that Alfa Romero nose thing...). I like the new Legacy design. It's kind of going back to the cleaner lines of the 95 model. They've go to do something about the Impreza though. It's a miracle that Subaru sold as many as they have despite their hideous looks. I quote Car and Driver who wrote about the 2002 WRX "...if it was a looker, it would be too good to be true..." Just my rant on Subaru strategy...

That's terrible. Did you recently go to a really cheap gas station? If you're lucky, maybe it's bad gas (high sulfur) and you'll lose the smell after you go through the tank. Another possibility is that you somehow picked up a leak in the exhaust system (offroading?). Did you loan to car to somebody? I'm thinking about a scene from the movie Goodfellas...

Oops. I thought the 99 was an Outback. My bad. I'd still stay away from the 2.5L.

The 2.5 Head gasket problem would scare me. I'm biased but I'd pocket the $1,000 and go with the 95 2.2 . The plain jane legacies actually ride and handle a bit better than the Outbacks. As long as you don't need the ground clearance and the extra power outlet in the back you'll be O.K. I also think the 99 Outbacks look a bit dorky, but then again, it's a Subaru...

I've gotten so used to the high clutch engagement on my 95 Legacy L wagon that I don't think about it anymore (until I drive my WRX). Four years ago the chuckleheads at my local Subaru dealership told me that my clutch was about to fail and that it required replacing. They actually told me to just trade it in for $1,000 against the 02 WRX. @*# bandits... Four years of lead foot driving later and many many miles, the clutch is just fine. I've toned done the stoplight starts just to be careful but sometimes I forget. I'd take a really good look at your fuses. The quickest way for me was to simply buy new fuses and do the replace and test method. You can't really tell if a fuse is blown by just looking at it. By the way, you're lucky your switch lights still work. Most people with 95's have probably have already replaced theirs.

If it's a 2.5 liter check out the HEAD GASKET. There are plenty of threads about that in this forum. There was recall/warranty stuff that was required to "treat" the head gasket. If not, lookout for coolant and oil loss. Once the engine is hot, look out for that sickly sweet smell of antifreeze around the exhaust or engine. Good Luck.

Hurricane: Are you making a lot of really short city trips? If you make a lot of short trips that don't allow the engine to really warm up (15 minute runs to the train station) your mileage will be awful. I don't quite understand the science behind it but it's a well established issue that gets written up from time to time in the press. Usually when gas prices start to skyrocket. It's worse if you have an automatic with AWD. Remember that a few older Legacies are not AWD (up to 95?).

My 2 cents: Based on anecdotes and other car advice sources, my opinion is that you shouldn't add any of that funky "fix an engine in a bottle" stuff (oil, radiator leaks, etc.) unless you're at wits end and ready to junk it. Nipper's advice about checking oil at every fillup is the way to go. My father drilled it in to me so I do it now out of habit (only way I'd get the keys to the car...). Nipper: PCV valve? I'll definitely check it out. My smokeless/leakless oil consumption couldn't have anything to do with my leadfoot driving...

x

Word of caution for new Subie owners... My first drive on black ice streets was a suprise. The Subie drove so well that I had no idea there was ice. Only when I heard the anti-lock engage when I stopped did I realize what was up. I always do a brake test when I start off because you won't get the slippage/no-go clues that you would from ordinary FWD/RWD cars. You can go faster than you can stop in a Subie. Of course, that's what some of us "Swedish flick" (rally turn) drivers like : ) Bridgestone Blizzaks + 95 L Wagon 5sp MT AWD + Frozen lake in the North Country = Awesome Fun. You will truly appreciate the ice capability of Blizzaks this way. The only thing I miss is a limited slip rear diff when I go on closed roads in search of XC ski trails. Yes, the low ground clearance also keeps me in check but it's fun using your Subie as a "snow plow" on the fluffy stuff. Full-time snow tires make a huge difference even on Subies. If you live in real snow country I think they're worth the added expense and hassle. My salt shy WRX is garaged for the winter as it All-Season hi-performance Dunlops don't handle the ice well (big footprint = low ground pressure & low traction). Why do I garage it in the winter? Look at the rust spots on my other Subie...

I forgot to mention to check your air pressure regularly. On older cars with older tires/rims, they probably will lose a bit of air, especially in the winter. Even if they're new, the temperature drop from summer to fall to winter will cause your tires to be underinflated.

On a 95, I would not bother with it. You probably will not recoup the cost of replacing the door. There's also no telling how well a junkyard door will work (until after you've gone through the aggravation of replacing it$$$).

My 95 Subie Wagon (2.2L Manual AWD) is driven fast and hard and often with a lot of gear on top and in the back. Based on the past 3 years of records (yes, I’m a car geek) it averages 24 MPG on mostly city driving. The average is 23MPG in winter and 25MPG in summer. I can get 27-29 on road trips and 18-20 when I’m AWD in the snow and idling a lot to stay warm. My best tips for mileage are keeping the weight down by taking junk off the roof and out of the back of the car. I also let my tank run down to empty before refilling rather than constantly topping it off (except in the winter). Also regap or replace your plugs/wires if it’s been while. Make sure your O2 sensor is working in the winter (CEL light when its really cold). Finally, don’t drive like a knucklehead like I do (my other Subie is a WRX).

Part 2 (buggy message board truncated my post) Mike’s PC Auto 847-259-7670 The owner seems to specialize in hopping up performance cars. They’re located within walking distance of a local Subie dealer so parts access isn’t an issue. $1,055 for both gaskets and they worked with me to keep the costs down. 2 years later the car runs great. They also gave me a cheap quote to fix my leaky diff seals (sound familiar?). Evanston Subaru charged me over $700 and they still kept leaking. I’ll definitely use them in the future.

Part 2 (buggy message board truncated my post) Mike’s PC Auto <FONT face=Arial>