The Dude

Yep, looks like the 2000 Impreza had either the 2.5L Turbo or the 2.2L.

The 2000 Impreza should have the 2.5 L Phase II engine which has hydralic lifters-no shims. The current 2.5L engine with two position cam timing does have shims-two steps forward, one step back.

I would like to see how the CVT holds up. This is a very expensive component to replace. Even dealer repair is not an option, the CVT is sealed and "repair" consists of replacement with a new/ rebuilt unit from the factory. Unlike those who bought the 2.5L Phase I engine, I don't want to end up as an unknowing and thoroughly screwed over beta tester. Having said that, yes, I was impressed with the Subaru CVT. If the CVT holds up, I'd be glad to have one in my next Forester. The major downside to the CVT is that you lose nearly ALL of the legendary Subaru towing capability.

How did the shop assess the damage to your engine? Did they remove the heads and physically inspect them?

I've used a Fumoto drain valve on my Forsters for eleven years with zero problems. You install the Fumoto valve one time, then you can forget about under tighteneing or striping the drain plug, and keeping a suppply of "crush" washers on hand. The Fumoto is a high quality brass/stainless steel "ball" type valve. This is the same type of valve that ocean sailors trust their lives on. It is very unlikely to fail or drip. Highly recommended for street use. THe Fumoto may not be a good choice for off-road use. Then again, I see automotive off-roading as a potentially very expensive hobby. I use a mountain bike for off-roading, much cheaper and good exercise.

NO, this most certainly does NOT give us closure. I want to know the final outcome. I want to know if the supplier ultimately made good on their warranty. I want to know how much, if anything, all this additional engine swapping left Subydriver out of pocket. I want to know if, after six months of rebuilt after rebuilt, Subydriver finally has an acceptable engine in his car. When you order an expensive item, such as a rebuilt engine, it is extremely helpful to know both the best and worst possible outcomes.

I have an 06 Forester. I am fairly certain that 05 was the first year for the i-active valve. Basically, it's two position valve timing. Motor oil under pressure is used to shift the cam from its' "normal" timimg position to an "advanced' timing position. So, the system has been used in the US going on five years. I read this board every day, I can not recall one adverse post on i-active timing. It does not appear to be a problem.

So, what happened with engine #3? Don't leave us hanging. This saga deserves an ending. Thanks.

I was extremely disappointed to see an "idiot" light instead of an honest-to-god engine temperature gauge in my GF's '09 Impreza. Any all aluminum engine absolutely requires a temperature gauge. Let's face it, the 2.5L doesn't exactly have an unblemished record when it comes head gasket failure and overheating. With a temp gauge, you might be able to limp back home. The permanent damage has probably already occurred by the time the light goes on. Sure, I can install an after market temperature gauge in her car, but I shouldn't have to. This is another example of Subrau cheapening up and dumbing down their cars. It's a piety.

The rattling noise appears to be coming from engine compartment in front of the front passenger side. It doesn't rattle on bumps. If you slow the car down and then re-accelerate just right you can hear the rattling.

Here's my guess. There's probably a noticable difference between MY 08 and MY 09. Car manufacturers are struggling just to survive. Price competition is extremely keen, most manufacturers are cutting costs and corners where ever they can. A couple of people have posted about how cheap the plastic interiors look in the '10 Subarus. The door retainers in the '09 are made of PLASTIC. How long are they going to hold up? Things strike me as being somewhat cheesier on the '09 Impreza when compared to my '06 Forester. Hopefully the drivetrain is still the same.

Unfortunately, My GF has found her Impreza to be a big disappointment. The car is making a harmonicly induced rattling noise that the dealership can't seem to hear. The tires were just rebalanced for the second time (3000 miles). The base sound system was so substandard that the head and speakers had to be replaced. The local Subaru dealership doesn't make appointments. You have to just show up and hope for the best. Too many cars on one day, and I guess you just have to leave the car the dealership for an extra day or so. So far, not so good.

You have only 60 days to file a merchant grievance with a credit card provider. Don't expect any time extentions. Plus, in the purchase agreement the buyer has waived his right to a refund. The rebuilder is required to replace a defective rebuilt engine, that is all. I had a horrible experience with a rebuilt engine a few years ago. Fortunately, I bought in state, and I bought the the rebuilt engine through the installer. I ended sueing the installer over the defective rebuilt engine. It would have been very difficult, if not impossible, for me to have sued an out of state rebuilder. Also, in SC if anyone other than the rebuilder installs the engine the warranty is automatically voided. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. Think long and hard before opting for a rebuilt engine 2. Buy from an instate rebuilder and installer so that you have easy access to small claims court. 3. Buy the rebuilt engine through the installer. That way the installer is legally responsible for the whole deal.

+1 Yes, an aftermarket amp would also explain the color change in the speaker wires. Some amps are fused. If you got lucky, maybe you just blew a fuse. BTW, buy or borrow a digital volt meter, it will make troubleshooting much easier.

I am not familiar with used car prices in your area. However, this car comes close to the ideal buying situation. One owner, and the original owner is selling the car. Older couple, if the car was well maintained it should not be beaten to death. It is possible that the seller has the maintenance records. 2003 means that the engine should be clear of the head gasket issues found in the earlier models. You may wish to have the car checked out by a mechanic, but at least the situation suggests that you're not "buying someone else's problem". As in, "the transmission is starting to act up, time to unload the car on someone else". Once again, the primary reason many buy a Subaru is AWD. In my case, I bought a Subaru primarily due to it's exceptional towing capacity. Snow is not a major issue in South Carolina. If you acquire a Subaru acquaint yourself with the car before you drive it. AWD has some strict requirements as to towing the vehicle and tires. A higher mileage car sold by the original owner at a lower price might even be a better fit for you. High mileage vehicles with unknown histories tend to make me apprehensive. Of course, that just might be me.

Hi Laura. I took a look at the Forester ad on EBay. Right off, I question what I see. "FoRRester", someone who owned a Forester would most likely know how to spell the name. Be very cautious of after market warranties. What you need above all is dependable transportation. Personally, I think high mileage used cars are best for people who can do the majority of their own repair work. It's a terrible thing when a woman buys a used car that turns into a money pit. Like Grossgary, I can replace a ball joint for $35, because I have the tools and experience to do the job myself. It's different when you're paying $85-95 p/h for shop time. Take your time selecting in a used car. It may, or may not, be a Subaru.

I put a new pair of Alpine speakers in my GF's '09 Impreza. If you have ever seen the base Subaru speakers you know that they are a joke. If SOME of the '09 base head units are made by Clarion, then SOME are not. Maybe the head unit in her car is not a Clarion. I have spent quite a bit for a good sound system in my house. But I'm not all that picky about car audio. I would rather be water boarded than take a six hour trip in her Impreza with the base audio set up. The head unit is being replaced this weekend. If I smoked, I would use it for an ashtray. In my garage. Towards the back.

I owned a 99 Forester and I KNOW for a fact that the 99 has the SOHC engine. The Forester got the SOHC engine in 1999, the other Subaru models got the SOHC engine in 2000. So, it's very easy to make this error. I got 200,000 almost problem free miles out of my 1999 Forester, then I sold it. The SOHC engine does not have the internal head gasket problems in the way that the DOHC most certainly did. 1999-2002 SOHC had eternal head gasket leak problems to a very limited extent, You might have a mechanic check for evidence of an external head gasket leak. I now drive a '06 Forester. I loved the body styling of the '99. The '06 does not look anywhere as nice. It's usually worth the money to have experinced Subaru mechanic take a look at a used car. The timing belt should have been done at 105,000 miles. MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS DONE. I would also want proof that the pulleys and tensioner were changed at that time.

... Or just buy a Fumoto oil drain valve. Buy it once and be done with it.

This an observation, not a complaint. I'm on my second Forester, and my GF just bought an 09 Impreza. So, I like Subarus. The base speakers on Subarus have always been absolute junk, but the base radios were "OK". Based on my GF's 09 Impreza, I would say that the base radios are absolute junk as well. It's no big thing, I'd much rather have a car with a really cheap sound system than a car with a really cheap engine or transmission. A few hundred bucks, and couple of hours of labor, and the problem is solved for the life of the car. Just be aware that if you buy a Suby with the base sound system, chances are that you'll be replacing it sooner than later, much sooner. It really hurts your ears.

It's been two weeks. Do you have the new motor? I hope that the third time is the charm .

Thanks for your help, Evothis. I actually stumbled upon the solution. The door handle does not come out before removing the door. You remove the door with the door handle still in place. You can then remove the door handle from the backside of the panel.

One last appeal for help. I'm trying to replace the OEM speakers in the front doors. It's all pretty straight forward except for the door handle. There's no bezel around the door handle as there was in previous year Subarus. There's a very large plastic panel in place of the bezel. Frankly, I'm stumped. Thanks, if anyone can help.

If you're a "made" member of an organized crime family you might be in position to issue a demand and have a reasonable expectation of compliance. Most of us are not that lucky. Things get really dicey when the supplier and customer are not in the same state. The easy, and cheap, option of small claims court may not be available or practical. An interstate lawsuit might cost as much, or even more, than the seller could expect in recovery. In many cases, as a practical matter, once you send your money out of state you're pretty much at the mercy of the seller. In a transaction such as this the buyer is depending almost solely on the established reputation of the seller for providing a quality product and fair dealing.

How can such a great car have such bad speakers? My GF has only had her 2009 Impresza Wagon for two weeks, and she's already pleading with me to please, please replace the speakers. I've already bought some Alpine speakers for her, but how do I remove the door panel? Thanks for your help.