Jackrabbit

I've traveled a lot with the Air Force, and I'd have to say Portland is the Subaru capital. There's something about those "earthmuffins" and Soob's. Alaska would be a close second. Per capita, I'd have to go with central South Dakota.

I had that happen with my old Loyale. Had to limp it home 180 miles. It took all day. It was the radiator. The originals tend to clog after a while. Don't drive or even run it or you'll crack the head if you haven't already. It's a relatively simple four bolt 2 hour project if I remember right. Good luck.

Now I finally have something to point to and say, "See Honey. Those guys are much worse than Tom and I." Now you know what happens when you close state mental institutions.

Thanks for all the good info. I did have one incident last winter that would make a good Subaru commercial. There is a hill with a light at the top near the Freeway on-ramp. On this one morning, it had rained hard (hey it's Washington) and then it got clear and cold causing a thick sheet of glare ice. When we got to the hill every make and model of 4X4 truck and SUV was there spinning-out and unable to get started again once the light had turned green. Eventually there was an opening and we slalomed through all of them without a hitch. They all gave me a look like "#$@% Subaru".

I drove an 85 Loyale for years and at one time plowed snow over the hood uphill with no chains. It would go anywhere. Does anyone know what the fail point of these newer Sub's are? I drive a 98 Outback now and am a little un-trusting of the "all wheel drive" capability in such places as sand and deep snow. Does it just feel different or is it that much weaker than the old dual range 4-wheel drives?

The biggest thing I have seen that can kill Sub's is overheating from clogged radiators. I have known a few guys that have had to take there rides out back and shoot them because they didn't watch the warning signs. The second (speaking of experience with the EA82, not sure about newer engines)is if the wrong timing belt goes out first, you can throw a rod, although I have never heard of this happening. The primary belt is suppose to be made to go out first to disable the engine. I blew two myself in my younger, poorer days without injury to the engine. I personally have an '85and1/2 Loyale out back that just needed new seals all around at 300,000+ miles. I didn't have the time to do the work and replaced it with a 98 Outback. It has sat for 3+ years, but has started right up each time I've messed with it.