northguy

Good to see you back. I was starting to wonder if you had fallen off the face of the earth.

Welcome to the board. We've got a few other people here from down under, also. G'day, mate.

That is a good opening bid. But my wife's 96 Legacy is still as pristine as the day she bought it except it has 181,000 miles on it and the rotors, water pump, and alternator have been changed. Other than that, all OEM.

If your e-mails are going unanswered and the mode of communication has broken down, then I think you are justified in seeking resolution to the problem in an open venue such as this that may be able to intervene. I see nothing vindictive or mean-spirited in your approach here, so I believe, again, you are justified in this endeavor. I look forward to the other party's side of the story (as at least that may open the lines of communication). If you get no response, alert the FCC as this appears to be fraud committed in the "airwaves of cyberspace," then, and that will be the last means of restitution.

I concur. An early 90's Legacy with a 2.2 is the way to go. Look for one where the owner has PROOF of a recent timing belt change (it'll save you right off the bat). Those motors will run well into the 200k range with a minimum of problems.

Please posat a pic when you get them. And thanks for doing the footwork.

There's a similar thread to this on the New Generation forum that might give you a few different considerations. It was started by Sisu.

About six months ago, I contacted some upper-management person at the national headquarters asking if there was a possibility of issuing some nationwide discount for our members. He, of course, passed the buck and I got a call from the local dude who offered me and the other locals like 10% off at the neighborhood store, but couldn't do anything for the membership as a whole. If you have a personal in (or a professional one) we might be able to get somewhere.

I'm sure he'd prefer a cashier's check, and send it insured mail.

Largest concern is with head gasket failure. They don't seem to be as bulletproof as the 2.2

I'd probably use a small prybar, one with a 90 degree bend in it. Maybe a wonderbar.

I've got the same piece in front of me. Apparently someone removed it before I bought the car and broke 2 of the three little plugs that push into holes in the car. There are two on the upper end (where the side trim stripe is) and one about 2 inches up fromthe bottom. It would apprear that if you gingerly pry up at the preescribed points, it should come off easily enough. Again, I'm looking at one that has already been broken.

You can always "abandon" it in my driveway.

You also might hit up the local used book stores. I have found several repair manuals for cheap at mine. Chiltons. Haynes,and Clymer - there's a fsm there also, but I just haven't plopped down the ash for it (yet).

My wife's car is a 96 Legacy, 2.2, very-well maintained, in excellent shape with only a few minor scratches. It has 175k on the clock and is only worth $4900 tops (according to KBB). Keep looking.

Keep looking. My friend just moved here and we found him a 97 Legacy with a 2.2liter engine, 71,000 miles, timing belt was changed at 60k, new seals, new brake pads, clean inside and out, very clean motor compartment,... $5350.00. You can do just as well.

Kurt, I have a current thread dealing with the exact question about size that you want to know. I'm not an epert, but Pug 504 and 505 are the models I've seen most often cited. As to lifts, http://www.ozified.com PK Davis is a true professional and a very great guy to deal with.

Man, my head is spinning faster than the socket on the und of your impact wrench trying to keep up with the mechanical manipulations involved in all of the deal you're talking about. That just attests to the mechanical ability you have, Miles, being able to keep track of all of that. Good luck with the Frankenstin creations you do so well.

If you have access to Costco where you live, they have Michelins for about 75 a tire, or B.F. Goodrich for around 51 each. Both would do fine for the snow you'd see in CA.

Welcome to the best Subaru site on the net. I'm sure you'll find a wealth of information about suba's here.

I've been led to believe there are other mods one needs to do with a 4 over the 3. Thus, I opted for the 3. I am also concerned about bogging down the 1.8 liter engine too much. But it's starting to look like the 195 /70/R14's might be the max I can put on. Other opinions appreciated.

I was hoping to go a bit beefier than 175's - more like the 195 - 205 range. But I don't want to modify the fenders and wells. I suck at body work, and I don't want to invite rust in any earlier than I have to. Thanks for the input so far, but I'm wondering if the Brat's wheel wells are any different than the hatches or other vehicles cited with 14" wheels.

So, I'm going to put a 3"lift on my 83 Brat and already have 14"pugs for the wheels. My question is what is the largest size tires I can run without having to do and body fabrication (cutting of the wheel wells or fender trimming)?

3M makes a weatherstripping sealer and adhesive that works well for this application.

I'll retract my message