silverfox

The new generation Subaru's have SOLID lifters??? You mean they have to be adjusted?? WOW...didn't know THAT. Fox

I presume you have the carfax info by now? If not and you still want it, let me know. Fox

jonfit04....I sent you a private message containing the carfax run on the SN you asked for. Carfax won't allow a link to be sent so I copied the whole page and sent it. It won't LOOK like a regular carfax page but ALL the info is there...mileage, location etc. If you have any questions just ask. Fox

Sorry, nipper...you lost me on that last post....?? Fox

You're right, nipper. On both counts. But the engines were near bullet proof and the FWD/4WD systems were outstanding. I would love to have my old hatch back. Underpowered 1.8 and all. Fox

The odometer is digital and seems to be registering the miles correctly....although I didn't check it against the mile posts on the highway....should have. I have to say, though, that the mileage checks out with Carfax. The car has been driven by others that didn't notice it so I THINK the problem just started. Fox

Yup...it's stories like these that detered me from buying that cherry, Florida, OBW Limited with 80K. That deal could still be made but I'm hesitant to fork over the dough for the car and then tear it down and do the HG's as well as the pump etc as a maintenance precaution. That's expensive maintenance. The other problem is that, in doing all this, one can never be certain that the mechanic did everything right and problems might pop up all over again down the road. I really hate to have to tear a good running Subaru engine apart that has been well maintained and has only 80K on it but it seems the right thing to do as a safegaurd against the possibility of frying the engine. The whole reason I wanted a Subaru again is that they are dynamite in the snow and have always had a bullet proof engine. Seems that is no longer the case. I think the bore out to 2.5 was simply too much for that boxer engine. Like the Ford 3.8. The Ford 3.0 is a long running engine but the old 3.8 has been discontinued because of VERY similar issues that the Subaru 2.5 now has. Incidentally, Mikldom...that dealer that sold you that car may very well not have known of any problems with the engine. It may have never acted up on the lot and he really believed it was a great car. Hard to say, though. Anyway, I'm still afraid to buy a new generation Subaru and the older ones jus don't have enough power for me. I found that cherry Limited and now am shying away from it. I think you are doing the right thing and it should last a long, long time. I just don't like the idea of buying that cherry Limited and then tearing apart a perfectly good running engine. But...if I didn't tear it apart I would shudder everytime I turned the key wondering if this is the day the HG's go. The unfortunate moral of the story is...I guess the Suby's just ain't what they used to be. Unless you redo them. Fox

Well...I found a cherry 2000 OB Limited that I like and I got the price down by thousands. I was afraid to buy it after all the negatives about the 2.5. BUT...if all it takes to remedy this problem is new head gaskets...well...why not just replace them when I buy the car? That is...if they haven't already been replaced. I was under the impression that the 2.5 had issues OTHER than the head gaskets as well. This car was serviced at a Subaru dealer every 3000 miles so I should look to see if maybe they have been replaced. I've built a lot of performance stuff over the years but have never had a boxer apart and I'm gettin' too old to try it now. But I do have friends that are ace mechanics. This Limited is like brand new but I'm hesitant to buy it because of all the negatives here about that EJ25. Fox

I test drove a cherry 2000 Outback Limited today and can you believe that the speedometer was pegged on the UNDERside and when I moved the car forward the speedo operated backwards! It would go from 120 (or whatever the highest mph reading is) travel backwards counterclockwise past 100, past 90 and stop at 80mph. When you stopped the needle would drop to the underside of the peg. Ever hear of THAT one??????? Fox

Hi silverracer...if you have a 2004 Outback I would almost guarantee it's a 2.5. I'm looking for a 2.2. Right now I'm looking at a '96 Legacy Outback with a bad engine. I THINK I could drop a CCR 2.2 in there....couldn't I? Would everything work the same with the 2.2 replacement?? I could end up with just what I want if this would work. Fox

Well...I'm really getting bummed out. I have changed my selection to the Legacy Wagons. I like the ride better and the room...guess I'm gettin' old after all. BUT...I have found hundreds of rigs I really like and every #@&% one of them is a 2.5L! I even went back from '92 up to '97 and just can't find a cherry 2.2L wagon. I just LOVE the Limited's but, of course, they are all 2.5's. Most of the OB's are too. I guess they just don't make a Suby for me anymore. I would love to have my '80's GL Hatch back again. I'd like to find a Limited with a shot engine...I'd drop in a 2.2 CCR engine and be happy. Or a cherry hatch and do the same. BummedOut Fox

THANK YOU!!! Fox

WOW! Is it ever hard to find a nice '98 to '01 Impreza L Wagon or OBS to buy. ESPECIALLY if you want a black one! Or even Silver. Fox

Sounds like you don't have any problems going with the 2.5 engine, grossgary. All the info I have been gathering here sort of steers me away from those and to the 2.2. Frankly, I like some of the newer body styles better than the older 2.2 models but was afraid to look at them because of piston slap & other issues explained here. What's up with the 2.5 newer stuff.....a bad choice?? Fox

Thank you, again grossgary....you, generaldisorder and a few others have been very kind and informative answering my queries. I appreciate you very much. Yes, you are probably right. Why mess around with a problem when a good vehicle that fits your desires can be found with some patience? This Legacy in question does look in very good shape other than the tranny, it's a southern car and it would be easy to get to for me. However, it would have to be fixed by unkown persons before driving it back to Wisconsin and it really isn't the model that I would like or the color combo I would like. May as well keep looking. I'm in no hurry. Thanks again for your kind help. Fox