iluvmopeds

I drive that 113k '96 everyday. Banging transmission? A bang is a sound, isn't it? It doesn't make a sound. That's why no one on the board knows anything about "banging" because it isn't happening. The upshift is a little harsh - so what? So, when you re-sell the one you bought from the rip-off dealer, you can still come back and buy mine for over $1000 less. At least I told you the truth about my car. Jason

Is it possible this injector is stuck open?

I love my Brat, but it just isn't safe to sit in anymore. This morning on my way to work it developed a bad shake at about 60 in the left rear. I had already "added some metal" to keep the rear diff from falling out, and I thought it was just a bad tire. When I got home from work I looked underneath the poor wretched thing and the piece of rust the the rear suspension pivot bolts to has broken. I feel like I must put this old dog down... HELP! I must have another. This engine is magic - 188,900 miles and a recent compression test netted 163-169psi in all four! I don't care one thing about rust, or looks, I need another body that is in reasonable condition. I have trusted these crazy-rump roast cars all over the country! Two weeks ago I drove this very Brat to Lincoln NE (350 miles, one way) to pick-up a 450 lb motorcycle! (never mind that a shock came through the bed on the way home, that's beside the point) I drove an '87 GL wagon rust bucket from here to Seattle and back, got caught in a snow storm on the way, hit by a sixteen year old, AND STILL made it home without a hiccup (ok, I lost a CV boot in Montana but so what: boots? we don't need no stinking...) and for my final testament to Fuji Heavy Industries, I had a great time with my '96 Impreza OBW, and still got top dollar for it with 193k on the clock! Somebody somewhere has to have a Brat with a mechanical problem, or a case of the rusties that aren't too bad, or even a rollover - I would cut the top right off this thing if I could keep a Brat in the driveway. My 400EX fits into it so well I can't be without it! Help!

Hello: I've had a ton of Broos, and just got my first Brat. It was sitting in a guys yard - he said it hadn't moved in five years. After seeing the tires were sunk-in about 6 inches I believed him. Anyway, $100 and a new battery later, I was driving it home. 65mph on the interstate. Ran great. When I got home, I was almost sick: the rear differential mount was hanging down at a REALLY unusual angle! The drivers side frame rail was gone. I don't mean just rusty, I mean GONE. Air. Non-exsistant. The car runs so good (only 187k!) and the side view isn't THAT rusty - anyone have any advice? I would hate to shoot it in the head.

How about a 1999 Yamaha YZF 1000 R1 motorcycle, dissasembled on it's side in the back of a '87 GL 4x4 Wagon - from Seattle to Cedar Rapids. That was 5000 miles (round trip) in less than a week. The guy I bought the bike from told me I was nuts. I told him he was the nut - for driving a Ford. After I got home I had to pull my buddies C-10 Chevy home after it broke down. It was only a mile, but the truck out wieghs the Soob two and a half times. That car was the greatest rusty piece of crap I ever owned. My '96 Impreza 2.2 pulled a 2000 pound, 16ft. Bobcat trailer (empty). The car would still go 70mph in 5th gear, and performed well, but I would have liked some more brakes! Both cars were 5 speeds, and the '87 was a dual-range.

Did you ever find out what was really wrong with the engine?

Hello: Looking for a '96-'99 Legacy Outback for parts. Dead or alive. Primarily I need a front end to fix a crash damaged car. Will travel if the price is right. Thanks in advance!

Hi: Take my story for what it's worth: I bought a '96 OB Impreza about a year ago with 173k on it. I paid $750. The owner told me the 2.2l engine was bad. After diagnosing low compression and removing one head, I found that one of the valve guides had come loose, holding one valve open. Doing the work myself it cost me about $100 to fix. Soon after that the 5 speed started clashing gears on during shifts. Then the differential went out. I replaced the tranny and clutch (used trans and new clutch) doing the work myself again, that repair cost me $350. I sold the car a month ago. I really liked the car, but was surprised by the failures. I now have 2 '96 Legacy Outbacks, and need a front to fix some crash damage. Anybody have anything?!