rweddy

You made the right move. I guarantee those other cars after you purchase them will find issues they have also. You will generally spend $500-$1000 on issues you find after you buy.

So do you have the black box under the dash? Back gate should lock/unlock w/rest doors.

It will do nothing for a bad HC. You need to tear out the dash and replace it. Sorry.

It does not take much to overpower the VC or a Limit Slip Diff. It is just fluid. I am sure if you had it on a steep angle you are not geared for such a climb so you might have smoked the clutch a bit, but this has nothing to do with the fact that only one wheel will spin on a AWD vehicle without a Locking Center Diff.

Great!!! Anyone have the part number for the seat elements?

This is correct. What you are seeing is the VC is being overwhelmed. There is not way to lock it 50/50. That is why AWD wo diff lock in no use off road, or in really deep snow. All power will only goto one wheel. Get your Subaru high centered in snow some time and check this out. Only one wheel will spin. And it will always be one of the front wheels. I think last Subaru with center diff lock was the late 80’s RX.

You are wrong!! Just kidding. But you are. Sorry but with AWD only one wheel will spin, you do not have a lockable center diff in your Subaru so it is least path of resistance. IE one wheel will spin on the entire car, front or rear.

Honda Calls in Real-Time awd Best every is the 94-97 Toyota Land Cruiser- AWD with Center locking diff, Hi and Low range and selectable Electronic Locking Front and Rear Diffs (Solid Axles) Much easier to drive than my cj7 w/ detriots front rear.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/four-wheel-drive.htm Check that link out. Bascially 4 wheel drive is a part time only system, the wheels must turn at the same rate. In AWD there is a center diff that can allows wheels to turn at different speeds. Low range is a gear reduction unit that lowers the gearing in the vehicle, you can have this on both AWD and four wheel drive.

Yep I agree, you do not go with what is on the tire, you go with what is on the car. Check you door jams and run the factory tire pressure, or very close to what is there.

They said that since the subaru has a boxer flat 4 engine coolant and oil tend to stay in the heads rather than drain back like in a v or inline engine. They said this is cheap insurance for HG life.

Why do you think subaru wants to be a high level expensive car? I do not think they are trying to do anything more than grow their market niche. They tired to compete with Honda/Toyota in early 90s and failed miserably. Remember the justy, front wheel drive legacy, etc. Subaru has a great niche now and are rolling with it successfully. They went back to their roots, and all vehicles are AWD so they do not have a little non-awd entry level vehicle and they should not. They are never going to be main stream like honda or toyota but they are not trying to be this either.

In Colorado we have a napa car talk show that has mechanics talking about car issues. Kind of like car talk but more technical, not so much fun. Anyway they talked about Subaru motors today. They said because of the boxer style motor, they recommend changing the antifreeze every 12 months and that abuse is the number one cause of HG failure. A caller had 97 OBW with 170,000 miles and was scared to take it on a road trip because a friend of a friend told her that her HG would blow without warning. The talk show host (shop owner) said they have several customers with 250,000 to 300,000 miles on their 96-99 2.5 on the original HG. And antifreeze maintance was the key. Just some food for thought.

Subaru re-styled the clutch because of chatter. The parts department should have the new one available. Check TSB for you year.

I agree!! 96-99 best looking. 96 5 spd is the holy grail of OBW!! They just need the hood scoop!! Which I am working on getting for my 96! I am so glad they brought it back on the 05 models. BTW There is a 96 5 spd OWB in CO for sale 133k asking 4970.00 but beat you could talk them down. As far as clutch, did you put in the updated clutch? My buddy had same issue, but put in clutch fix and has been fine since.

30k+ for the top of the line models. 05 MSRP Impreza 18K Forester 21K Legacy 20K Outback 23K These prices are right in line with most new import vehicles. My friend just spent 27k on a Honda Accord. And unless you do not know how to buy, you do not have to pay MSRP.

What no HG issues on a 2.5!! This cannot be, they all blow at 90k!!! Glad to hear this!! I have had many subarus over 200k and plan to take my 96 to that also!!

Swap out the fluid with Redline 75W90NS, should fix the issue.

You will never find vehicle specific parts like that at the general parts stores, get it from the dealership. I would also change out plugs and wires. I think timing belt is good to 120k, but talk to a shop first. Since you live in Colorado, there are a ton of great independent Subaru shops. I would recommend you stay away from dealerships. They do not trouble shoot issues at all, just throw parts at it. Welcome to the list!!

Improve build quality?? :-\ The only issue that Subaru has had over the last few years that is major is headgasket and I would say that it is a bit over rated here on the forum. Compare Subaru to any other AWD vehicle on the market and they are hands down the most reliable out there by far. I would say that is has gone up since the mid 90's. (90-94 best imo) I have had a few issues with my 96, nothing major. My father's 02 has not had a single glitch. And the build quality is even better in the 05s.

I would have to disagree that Subaru is losing its "core" consumer. Here in Colorado you must have keyless entry to find your outback in parking lots. The Lance Armstrong ads are awesome, and the partnership with IMBA is great for Subaru. They are still sponsoring ski teams and sales are up. I work in a marketing/training department and since sales are up, the marketing is working great.

At least we can agree on the 96 obw 2.2 What do you think of the 04s? I almost broke my never buy new car rule!!

I guess it is a matter of choice. BTW both share the same pwr steering, and tires make a big difference. I do like the fact it rides higher. Do not have to worry about hitting curbs with doors or while pulling in. I also MTN bike, hike, and snowboard and the extra ground clearance and gearing is very import on fire roads. My legacy was way too low and not geared for any mountain climbing on or off highway. Both have the 2.2 but my OBW has way more usable power and the 2.5 has even more. And the body cladding is great protection. I am not bashing regular legacies; just think outback’s are better looking.

So when you switch to Defroster button the AC compressor does not kick on?

I would also hold out for the outback, after owning both I can tell you I like the outback way more than the regular legacy. They look better; ride better, feels better than the regular legacy imo. And even if you do get a 2.5 just build into the cost the fact that you might need to do a head gasket. It is hard to find a 96 5spd these days, were 97-99 2.5 5spds are easier to find.