DrZeus

I looked at the service receit for the timing belt pieces. All it appears they changed out were the belt, tensioner, and front engine seal. At least they got the tensioner replaced. What I'll probably do at first is just inspect anything I can and go from there. In about 20k miles I'll just go ahead and replace the whole kit. What about a rattling exhaust shield? It sometimes vibrates only at about 2500 rpm and only if accelerating quickly. If this is not a common issue I'll just have to get the car up and check it out when i have the chance. You also mentioned doing a front diff oil change. What I know about normal FWD cars is that this oil gets changed when the whole tranny fluid is changed. Does this car have a front diff encased seperatly from the trannsmition? Of not, then I'll probably just replace the transmission fluid at 100k when I do the timing belt - it was just replaced at 65k, otherwise I probably need to do this.

I've got a funny story for you on the AWD. A year after my parents bought this car, Connecticut sent a notice wanting to do vehicle emissions on it. This was in contrary to what friends with older subarus said; where the DMV was originally exempting AWD vehicles. At the time, the emissions department there only really knew how to do ODBI cars (it being 1998ish, the centers were not yet equiped for ODBII). Emisisons stations must have been like 30 years old in 1998 and of cource the ODBI test consisted of putting a car on rollers and running the car at 35mph, this was assuming the car was only 2WD (or 4WD with front wheels disengaged). The subaru being full-time AWD would not go properly on the ODBI single-roller, and hence my father would not let them run an emissions test. The DMV eventually tried to to cancel the registration, but not before my father allowed the station to run the test with the rear tires off the ground! Imagine the car running at 35 MPH with the rear on jack-stands! Now-a-days they do the check-engine light test, visual inspecion, and gas cap so this sort of thing doesnt exist anymore.

Hmm good call on the timing belt. I'll check the records to see if the dealer replaced the tensioner and other components last year when they did the timing belt. They replaced at least the belt at the 14 year mark but only at about 70k miles. I'll have to check the front diff lube. My father did mention something here so I'll ask him too. Thanks for the heads up and two cents on the AWD system. On the 3rd starter, my father first replaced the battery at about 4 years old, and said the original started still needed to be whacked with a hammer at 30k miles (Old trick). The replacement was a cheap-o Mitsubishi unit which didnt last much longer. The car currently has a bendix unit and working just fine. Otherwise I have no idea about why it originally failed. My father said this was the only thing that really ever failed on the car. By comparison a family friend had a similar subaru and didnt have to replace the starter until closer to like 200k miles. I guess the orignial had an issue and the mitsu unit was sub-par. The original/stock axles dont click or anything. A guy with a Subaru Forester at O'Reilys Auto Parts said the inner boots fail more frequently than the ones by the wheels; while he was cutting the front rotors for me. True? This car has an auto transmission. I hope with maintenence every 30k it wont blow up like the guy above at 130k.

Hey everyone! A hearty hello and self welcome to the board. This is my first time here! I recently aquired via a hand-down, a 1997 2.2l Impreza which was bought by my parents in 1997. I still have the original title showing 125 miles while the car only has 79,xxx on it currently. The car has always been garaged, never accidented, maticulously maintained, and everything documented. Last year, my father spend a good bit getting major service done including the timing belt, front engine seal, and probably a list of other things on the 100k service recommendation. Car has new front brakes with resurfaced original rotors, matching tires, and everything in like-new condition. The only aftermarket thing on it, is a circa 1997/98 Prestige alarm with key-fob power door lockers. My father replaced the battery twice in its life, and a starter motor twice; every 30k miles (hmm interesting...) Oil changes using Mobil dyno and filters every 3750 miles. The list of maintained items and documents makes this thing feel like a vintage classic survivor. My father always said this car was built on a wednesday. New tires last year so theyve got about 80% tread on them. Transmission fluid was replaced at 60k miles. My family was the original owner, where my mother never went much 5+ over the speed limit, nor do I ever think she reved the motor past ~4krpms. In my younger years I drove the car personally maybe just 3 times. My father was not as gental as my mother driving it, but I'm sure he never red-lined it either. This car has been in some snow storms for the last 15 years of it's life. My parents bought, drove, and registered the car in Connecticut, which means there are some signs of road salt here and there. Some oxidation under the hood, but excelent shape for it's age. I really hope to enjoy this car as a daily driver in Atlanta, GA now, where I hope all will stay well together for years to come. The car just passed emissions, and I'll be on my way to the tag office for plates later this afternoon. My question is, since this car appears to be quite a cream-puff with only 79,xxx miles on it; what can I expect in terms of issues or problems? A quick search reveiled Subaru head gasket issues on some 2.2l and 2.5l motors but I'm not sure if 1997s also had this issue. Also, anything else which might make me more aware? Wheel bearings? The rear brakes are original, and the fronts lasted 78,000 miles. I'm a hands-on person who loves to fix things. My other vehicles are my wife's 2008 Honda Civic, a 2009 Nissan 370z, and a 2008 Vespa 150cc scooter. This Impreza seems to make a great utility/daily driven vehicle compaired to the rest of the stable. All my vehicles including this Impreza will be garaged. How reliable will this car be?