langosta39

My 95 Legacy has an inconsistent fuel gauge, but the fuel light always comes on at the correct time (2.5 gallons left). andy

I checked out BITOG and there is some pretty interresting stuff to be read. I was hoping to find a recommended oil and filter type, but instead I found tons of information that could potentially be much more valuable. One of the more intriguing things I found is a table of oil brands/weights and what their actual viscosities are. He is currently working on an oil filter performance guide and I hope it includes filtering capability rather than just flow rates. I might just spring for a oil test kit in a few thousand miles, if it could save me $$ by extending my intervals that would be great. andy

I have to agree with the "buy new" guys. A 5-spd Legacy wagon should be easy to get for under 20K. Wait for the end of the month desperate salesmen, or for the end of '05 model year clearances and get the new car of your dreams for 19 even. If you want a forester I bet they go even cheaper. You will be very surprised to find out what you can get a new car for if you try. Its a big game with the salesguys, and they have the advantage of playing the game everyday, but if you come prepared with actual car values, patience, and self-control you will emerge victorious. Get all rebates, dealer hold-backs, etc etc. andy

From my experiences oil starts to "look dirty" and burn when it starts to break down. My test: 95 Legacy 2.2L, constant driving conditions First year of ownership, 3 oil changes: Castrol GTX, Napa Gold Filter (Wix), I would get 3000 miles on oil then it would start to darken; at 3500 the oil would start to slowly dissappear. Second year of ownership, 3 oil changes: Castrol Syntec blend, Napa Gold Filter, I would get 4000 miles on oil before color change and 4500 miles it would start to go away. Third year of ownership, on 1st oil change: Castrol syntec Full Syn, Napa Gold Filter. Only 2K on the oil so can't say yet, but I expect to see at least 5K before needing to change it. My observation is better oil (in my case defined as higher synthetic content) lasts longer before breaking down, and when your oil starts breaking down you should start to get deposits and reduced lubrication in your engine. I don't plan on change my oil brand (except maybe Mobil 1 in my soon to be 05 Outback) or my filter brand becasue I've never had a problem, but I would assume any good API certified oil SHOULD be ok if it is changed before or just after it starts to turn brown/burn off. As for filters buy the ones that truckers, farmers, and other high mileage fleets use and you can't go wrong. And Wal-Mart does not qualify here. But I do hate Wal-Mart so I could be biased : ) andy