[1996 Outback and Rust]

A lot of the Subarus of that vintage in this region are starting to show some minor cancer, but they certainly stand up to the elements better than the cars made only a few years beforehand. 1st-gen Legacys are disappearing in waves, and you hardly ever see a Loyale around here anymore.

 

Make no mistake, automakers made some great strides in corrosion resistance during the 1990s. Still, NaCl is the devil.

[what $100 buys you]

I've just gotta get out of the Midwest. *Any* pre-1990 car is scarce here, and Subarus are rarer than most. Damn road salt.

 

It was a revelation spending time in the Pacific Northwest and seeing all the cars that I'd forgotten existed.

[97 Outback LTD now has an EJ22 from 95 Legacy]

while on the topic of older but possibly superior moters i noticed that teh subaru canada rally teram's car is using an engine listed as a 1994ccm 4 cylinder boxer engine which i assume = 2.0 literrs so it would be an EJ20, but are they not using the newer 2.5 or even teh 2.2 fomr the early 90's due to weight or is there another reason?

 

The '02-05 WRX used a 2.0 turbo motor to comply with rally regulations. For '06, the US-spec car went to a 2.5, but the rally cars still use a 2.0.

[Rats eating wiring, Rats like SUBARUs]

I can attest to the rodent appeal of Subaru wiring. My friend kept a severely oxidized '85 GL 4x4 around as a farm beater. One time, after it had been parked next to a field for a couple of months, we came back to it only to discover that mice had utterly devastated the car's electrical system. Other vehicles have been parked in the same location, but the field mice seemed interested only in the Subie.

 

Must be some ingredient in the insulation, I guess.

[Engine break-in question]

I just got my new baby ('06 Impreza 2.5i), and I'd like to keep it for a long, long time. In addition to the required break-in period (nothing over 4000 rpm for the first thousand miles), I've heard from some people that it's a good idea to change the oil and filter after the break-in period is done. The book makes no mention of this, so I don't know who to believe.

 

Additionally, I want to switch to synthetic oil as soon as possible, but I've heard warnings to use the dino stuff for the first 5000 or so miles. Your opinions on this?

 

Finally, the manufacturer states the oil should be changed every 7500 miles. From other 2.5 n/a owners, what oil change interval do you use?

 

Thanks in advance, from someone new to the Subaru world.

[Any Subaru clubs in Ohio]

After years with VWs (including a Vanagon I wish I didn't sell), I jumped ship to the Subaru community with a new Impreza 2.5i.

 

Just wondering if anyone knows of any good Subaru clubs in Central Ohio (Columbus area).

 

Thanks,

 

Dan