dixeyk

It was the sound of a cylinder about to go. I've heard that one before. It also had a pretty significant oil leak. Still looking.

I'll have more details after I see it. Supposedy it idles fine (according to owner). I'll report back with more details

I've been looking for a beater Legacy that I can use as snow car and perhaps rehab into a DD (call it my midlife crisis project car). so, along comes a 93 auto wagon for $800. It has: The particulars are dents and scratches, 202K, small hole in dash (dog) and testy starter. Now, the outside I'm not particularly concerned with the dents and scratches nor the hole in the dash as I can fix that with a trip to the pull apart (or a sticker). The starter I know I can do myself. The main concern is the bearing sound. My max budget is $1000 - $1200 so I realize that will involve some fixing usually and I have a DD so it doesn't need to be ready to go right away. I'm going to go see it later today and check for oil leaks, take a drive and look for stuff. I'm just trying to get some input about what possible things to look (and listen) for. Given my experience with my old EA82 wagon I'm thinking some likely culprits for the "sound" are wheel bearing, CV joint (or both) and water pump. Any thoughts?

I decided to look for a 1st Gen Legacy instead.

Thanks...great advice. I'll just keep looking. Something will pop up. Luckily I have a car so it's not an emergency. I did post a WTB in the forums here as well...I figure it can't hurt. Might as well cover all bases. You're right about needing to move. Last week I came across a guy going to Afghanistan to work as contractor and he wanted $850 for a pretty nice 5 speed Gen 1 (cosmetically a bit beat up but low miles and worked fine). I waited and the next guy in line grabbed it. Oh well...live and learn I suppose.

Okay then...went and saw the Loyale. Aside from an oil leak that was way worse than described and an interior that clearly shows up better in photos than in person there was a weird (and I repeat WEIRD) sound of water rushing whenever I would accelerate or brake. Also, it's been a few years since I've been in an E82 but I found that I did not like the Loyale that much. maybe it's my imagination but I thought my GL was a lot nicer. Maybe it's two years driving a Honda Fit and I've gotten used to really nice ergonomics and a pretty high level of fit and finish but the Loyale is not for me. It's going too be a Legacy. Today however was not that day. I had 2 sold out from under me as I was on the way to see them. I am especially bummed about the turbo wagon but you can't win them all. I am going to see another one next week (the owner is on vacation until next week so at leads it won't get sold before I see it). 1st Gen Legacy or bust!!!

A good friend of mine was really into his EA81 and I have seen the look. In truth I'd jump at an EA81 if I found one...that said I see far fewer of them available. On a slightly different note...what is with the way filks price their Subies these days? Some folks seem to think their cars are made of platinum (even when they are falling apart P.O.S. cars).

The problem is I have limited space (and time) to work on them. I enjoy it but I don't have a situation where I can do that (not to mention extreme noobishness once the engine gets involved...I can install stereo no problem but resealing n engine would be like trying to build a moon rocket for me). I'm trying to find a beater and not a project car. I'd love to be able to say I can take on a project car but I know that I'd be lying. Back when I was a grad student it was much doable...not so much now. That said, I have found several 1st Gen Legacy's for pretty cheap...but they would end up sitting in my driveway collecting weeds.

I've been out of Subaru ownership for a few years so I need some advice. I'm looking at a nice, clean, rust free Loyale with 2 issues. It has a small head gasket leak and a broken hood release cable. Body wise and interior I'd give it a 9/10 and it looks to have been very well taken care of. It's a 5 speed 4D AND has 195k on it. As I recall on my old GL I had a head gasket leak that I kept at bay buy adding oi every 2 weeks (for about 2 years). Their mechanic is saying a grand to fix the head gasket problem. I think can get the car for around $900 (they're asking $1100). Is it worth it.?I am also considering just looking for a beater Legacy but I have a thing for these old wagons. I think the fact that it is in such nice shape is making it even worse. The car would spend it's time going into the mountains and snow duty (I often have to haul video and camera gear into remote areas so an older wagin has some real advantages over a newer car...most thieves don't give an old EA82 wagon second look).

For the record the Loyale is in really REALLY nice shape. Still holding out for a Legacy bit that Loyale is not without it's charm.

Just something I've noticed...on this board most folks are telling me to get the Legacy ( and truthfully if I can get one in my budget I will) and yet if you read reviews about the Loyale people just LOVE their Loyale. I was that way with my GL. I loved that car. I had a WRX years ago and in all honesty I liked my crappy old GL beater way more in some ways. I'm not even sure I can tell you why but there is something very appealing about those homely, slow EA82 cars. Maybe it's the way they just seem to persist despite being so hopelessly outdated but they have an undeniable appeal.

That's funny, I have always liked Subaru seats. I find the seats in my Fit uncomfortable because they sit up too straight. I will say however that Impreza seats are way more comfortable than the sets in a GL or Loyale. If I get that Loyale that will be my first bit of tinkering.

I suppose I should mention that if I pickup a Loyale it wouldn't be as my DD car. I live all of 3 miles from work and I pretty much walk, bike or take the bus. When I drive it'll be the Fit as my wife and I work at the same place and she has never been able to be comfortable in any of the Subarus we have owned (she says can't get the seat to sit up straight enough). What I am looking for is a winter beater. Now, that said I am still interested in finding a Legacy. If a good one pops up I'll be all over it. I'll keep looking.

Definitely doable...I also put impress seats in an 86 GL. Have a good drill and extra bits handy.

I'm fine with a first gen legacy...I'm willing to pick up a Loyale so clearly my fashion sense is deeply flawed. I came really close to a $700 Legacy with 150k on it. It was a bit ugly on the outside but solid. the seller's daughter decided she wanted to learn stick so they took it off the market. I'll keep my eye out for a decent Legacy. It's a bit simpler living in the NW but they don't just sprout out of the ground. The Loyale however is not a bad option for a short term inclement weather car. That said we've had really mild winters as of late but every once and a while things get ugly and with parents and in-laws both getting up therein years and needing assistance more and more I'm thinking of it as a sort of winter insurance policy.

...and yes I did check the classifieds here for a Legacy just in case.

The Legacy sold...couldn't get down there in time. I'm going to go see the Loyale tomorrow. I got some pictures of the Loyale and I have to say it is in REALLY nice shape. I'll see what they are willing to take. Having had a GL I know what to expect in a Loyale and if I can get it cheap enough it can just be a cheap snow car. The hood release cable broke on it today and the seller is looking to get it fixed. I may see if I can get a deal if I take it as is...as long as it looks as good in person as the photos do. Then keep my eyes open for a decent Legacy down the road. I think part of the problem is that my $1K or less budget is really too little for a decent Legacy. I really like the second gen bodies a bit more and I need to be offering more to get one in useable shape. The Loyale will be fine as a snow car. If I take care of it I can probably sell it in a few years and make a little money back. I sold the GL after 3 years for $600 and it only cost me $750. $50 bucks a year seems downright cheap for all the use I got out of it. I'll check back with an update.

I suppose to be fair I should post this in the NEWER Subaru forum as well but I'm a bit biased. I want to pick up a decent used wagon. I had a beat up old brown GL with Hi/Lo and loved it but the need for a more reliable car (it needed a new clutch, and engine reseal) and lack of rear shoulder belts for my son's car seat lead to me selling it and getting a shiny Honda Fit. The Fit is a decent car but I can't say I've bonded with it. I really miss my old P.O.S. GL. I managed to round up about $1000 and have found a nice Legacy wagon (auto) with 170K and a pristine Loyale with 198K (5 speed). I am leaning toward the Loyale partly because I am reasonably familiar with how it works as going to the pull apart was a regular activity to keep the GL running. The Loyale is also in amazing shape. I realize the Legacy has a better engine, is faster, more comfy (maybe) and has AWD as opposed to push button AWD. The Loyale is familiar, slow, ugly and probably easier to work on (if you can find parts). Any suggestions?

I am looking to pick up a 4WD wagon to have around for winter driving. Both my in-laws and my mother (almost 90) live in areas that get a bit more snow than me so I need to get out to them from time to time to bring food, medicine and take them out. My little Honda Fit (as fun as it is) always got left home and I took my aging Subie GL. Unfortunately my wagon went down and at the time I couldn't afford to fix it so I sold it. Fast forward to today and I am looking to get another Subie and I am more interested in something like a Legacy (newer, safer, faster etc.). I also think it would be a nifty road trip car. I know AWD isn't as robust as 4WD on the old GL but to be honest AWD is probably more than I'll ever need. I have always been a manual trasmission sort of fellow but I found a 93 Legacy with around 150K with a new transmission and in very nice condition for a good price but it's an automatic. It seems that Legacy's are more common with auto than not and the ones I've found with 5 speed by and large have been trashed. I will say that recently I did drive a friends mid 90's Legacy with AWD and I was surprised at how nice it was. I hate to admit it but I found myself kinda liking the auto. It was super nice in Seattle grid lock. Anyone have any opinions about an auto (as in is it a problem or have reliability issues...or just plain suck)? I'd appreciate any advice you might have.