brus brother

I bought a 2005 OB 2.5i LTD Automatic at the end of July ($26,8000). I find the steering stiffer than my 2000 GT Legacy and I think I prefer the lower to the ground cornering in the GT. There is another issue in that a cold (overnight) start of the engine sounds horrible for the frist 25 seconds and then smooths out. SOA states this is normal and has to do with low emissions. Do other manufacturers have a similar noise... I think not. I read where there is an issue of lack of real protection offered by the side air bags. Apparently while they provide adequate head protection, your body will be a hurtin'. Style over function... I love the look of the car. BTW, just spent a week in San Francisco.... great hills.

http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=RG001&UserAction=beginRepairGuide 85-96 Subaru repair manuals FREE through Autozone. It might not be as thorough as you are looking for but for free... If the link doesn't work or for other makes, models and years go to autozone.com and click on left link for repair information.

I just saw this posted on the New Generation website. Check out autozone.com and click on repair info link on left side. Repair manuals go up to model year 2000.

OK The head mechanic told me today that the noise is normal on the naturally air aspirated low emissions models (apparently this started in the 04 models so equipped). His description is that it sounds like a motorboat. I wonder what other car manufacturers have done to achieve low emissions without noisying up their car!

I just spoke to the local dealer who reports getting regular stream of complaints regarding the 05 model cold start noise. The explanation from the front desk is that it has to do with the zero emissions. For the first 20-25 seconds after a cold start the car sounds like it's running without oil, then it smooths out. If you tap the gas once after it starts, the nojise goes away immediately. Any other new owners experiencing this. I haven't spoken with the head mechanic yet so I don't know if it is just the Outback Ltd or other models as well.

I just bought an 05 Ltd Outback tan with light tan leather interior. The question is how to maintain the appearance and life of tan leather and how best to keep the tan floor mats from turning a consistent mud brown. I suddenly realized that these car colors would have been a better choice had I lived in a west coast beach community instead of the northeast snow and slush belt.

Can you locate where it should drain out under the car (compare to the passenger side)? If you find the drain hole, thread the snake from the bottom up to where you perceived the blockage? I assume there was never any body damage to the car that could have kinked or broke the drain line. I guess the next step if you can't clear the blockage from the bottom or the top is to open the "kick panel" and find the damn leak. If the skylight drains out the same opening as the drains from under the windshield, there would have to be a T connection. Perhaps this connection has come undone. P.S.You might try using the thin copper ground wire that is paired with multi strand 12 gauge house wires as a reamer.

Are you sure it's not the drain right below the windshield? There is a drain hole at the corner on both sides of the windshield right under the hood that gets clogged with leaf debris and then allows water to leak into air intake. Clear away debris and pass a straightened wire coat hanger down this tube and see if this isn't the culprit.

I've been offered a 93 Legacy AT that has been in storage for over a year. I've been told there is some rust but don't know much else about it or any details on preparation for storage. Are there any known issues with the car and what should I anticipate to get it going after its storage?

Just tried brake grease for the first time today. Boy is that a miracle fix for what I thought was everything from bad rotors to demonic posssession. Squeal no more.

OK. thanks for the bushing tiip... Now I recently discovered that the squealing on my brakes did not occur when braking while in reverse. I did this many times and the squealing seems to have disappeared??? Beats me.

Did tou try addiing some ps (dextron?) fluid. While my reservoir seemed to have fluid, I was able to add enough fluid to eliminate symptoms. Is the ps belt tight and clean of grease and oil?

What bushing are you referring to?

In addition to checking the condensate drain from the a/c, there is a drain hole under the hood at the corner near the windshield. If plugged with leaf or dirt debris, the water overflows down into the fresh air intake. The hole is barely big enough to thread a metal coat hanger into it.

Thanks for the input. I just picked up the 05 OB LTD solid color champagne gold... she's a dandy! I will admit the steering feels a little stiffer though. The good news is that the GT becomes my car (early retirement for the 90 Loyale with 153,000 miles - see the marketplace for afterlife if interested) and the missus gets the new OB. See yas on the road.

I saw that post. I currently own a Legacy 2000GT wagon and was wondering if I could compare that to the 05 Outback LTD. You can only get the Limited Slip Differential (as on the 2000GT) when you go to the 05 Legacy GT Turbo (I hate the hood scoop) so is the updated suspension etc. of the 05 Outback LTD at least comparable to the 00GT which had the 45/55 split?

Any preference in handling etc. 05 Legacy GT wagon vs 05 Outback LTD?

OK, so make it hard on me. I thought I could get a can of "Squeal No More" and pour it on the left front fender and ... tada! I'll follow your check list. Back to the original question, why doesn't it squeal when braking in reverse?

nope, the pads have about 3/4 meat left

90 Loyale. I get a brake squeal out of the front left wheel when braking but not when braking while in reverse. What gives?

With the purchase of an '05 added to my '00, I'll be leaving the Older Gen Site. Thanks much for all the info and lessons on self-reliance. Anyone interested in the "still tickin'" 90 Loyale wagon, please check the Subaru Marketplace or email me directly. Moosens... give me a call. I know you have dibs.

"Sweat" deal!

Anyone out there in the marketplace with a sense of fair retail value for a 2005 Outback 2.5i LTD with auto transmission. I live in CT. but can travel for a deal. Thanks

Not trying to hijack this post but I am currently trying to find out why my 2000 Legacy GT pings (has from day 1) if I use the recommended 89 octane. Any thoughts?? My post is 89 octane "ping" but I will check back here for your collective wisdom.

Is the engine on the 2000 Legacy GT a 2.5? There is a current post which indicates running 91 octane. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18461 I took the car to the local Sub dealer today for "free" oil change today and in response to the ping question, they suggested a tune up first and then they would consider sending gas samples to SOA?? I would have to leave the car foir about 5 hrs.?? The car has 64K miles on the original plugs but they look OK. Anyway, as I stated originally, this condition was present when the car was brandy new. Is there a way of resetting the timing on the computer?