FSRBIKER

My 97 has 195,000 on it and is my DD, I would trust it to go anywhere. My only problem was a head gasket as 170,000, I replaced the engine but if I paid attention to the signs of the HG problem I could have just installed new gaskets as the engine ran like a top. I need the normal maintenace things now like springs/struts, diffs/trans oil changes but it's better than a car payment. BTW I have the GY Triple Treads as well and they are a good tire for the Suby, they don't handle as well as my Toyo's on dry roads but blow them away in the ice/rain/winter.

Has he had any head gasket issues?

KTS can you post a few more pics of your mileage on the trip computer, like maybe your next few tanks of gas and tell us the type of driving you have been doing.

Thanks, I'll see if it throws a code again first then buy the OEM part. My brother is a Lexus mechanic and has a real good meter, he even had to enter part of my Vin to get the right readings for my car. It's pretty cool to play with and analyze the things going on while your car is running.

Nipper shouldn't that front O2 sensor be fluctuating when I give it gas?

So my brother plugs in his meter to read any codes I might have stored, I had a constant CEL before I replaced my cats. Now post new cats in the past week I have had a CEL go on for a day than off for a day. He cleared the codes, I had a misfire on all cylinders and a bank one cat effiency code. The thing is my Suby hasn't run this good since I bought it now that I replaced the cats, mileage jumped to 23(from about 18-19)...but my front O2 sensor first read .74V when he plugged the meter in but dropped to .07V and is steady no matter if the car is revved. I am going to see if the CEL comes back on and read the code again but he said I should replace the front O2 sensor anyway. I think I read to always use the OEM part for the front O2 sensor, is this correct?

$1800 is approx. 4 months of car payments/insurance so if you do the repairs and you drive it another 6 months-year it's worth the expense.

Nipper we all know this stuff can't work because for $30 why wouldn't all manufacturers install them from the factory. Now that being said how is this possible, here are his links to the 08 Impreza's computer mpg readout: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19438&cat=500&ppuser=22682 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19437&cat=500&ppuser=22682

Do you have a part number, what year Outback do you have?

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html Scroll down looks like it's $49 for a kit I think I will go this route as well.

I cleaned my lenses as well and they are much better but I am looking into getting these as well: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300206106283&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:MOTORS:1123 They might not be legal in all states but they could be easily sweapped out for standard bulbs for inspection.

Anyone have results from trying these?

Shipping a set of springs from Australia will be a little bit expensive, there must be a supplier in the US/Canada.

Anyone have a link to a supplier of King coils or maybe for Scorpion coils? I am looking for some stiffer(maybe lift) coils for my 97 OBW as I do a decent amount of towing/carrying crap. FYI: Rallitek doesn't offer them for my year as I contacted them about springs already.

Sounds like you want firmer springs, King makes them as I am trying to find a supplier right now for ones for my 97 OBW. They say their stock springs are 20% stiffer and then they have two sets of lowering and one set of lift springs available. Anyone know a supplier for King springs?

No luck Rallitek does not make springs to fit a 97 OBW. Anyone have a link for Scorpion springs?

I did yesterday, I am hoping they have something for me/us. I'll post their reply when I hear from them.

Anyone know if a spring like these are available for a 97 Legacy Outback? http://www.rallitek.com/raorespforle.html If not where is the best place to get new stock springs from?

I scanned through that, I totally understand my 97 reflectors are not the same as a HID designed one...but my lighting is poor compared to any new car I have driven. I might give these a shot to improve that, I have used Silverstars, etc on another older vehicle with not much change even considering their costs. I'll probably be the guinea pig and report back.

Are you sure, if new cars come with HID lights why can't this be retrofitted? Seems easy enough to swap out if I needed to for inspection though, if they are illegal. I sanded and buffed my lenses already, the light output is much better now but no where near as good as my wife's 2002 Sequoia. My passenger side lens has a weird pattern to the light now though, I am wondering if something seperated inside(maybe the reflector)? I buffed it a little more this weekend, so i'll see if it was that.

Anyone try these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280193486249&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:VRI

I'm in the same boat with my 97 Outback. I have no major problems though, I am currently replacing my cats(had them off another car) and mid pipe so the exhaust will all be fresh. Little things like trim and a new foglight are next but after that I think I am going to sell her in about 6 months. I like having no car payment but i am looking for a 2005-6 Outback XT, my brothers friend is a wholesaler so I'll get a good deal when I pull the trigger. You can try and look for someone on this board that will work on your car for alot less than a Subaru dealer, plus this person is probably more knowledgeable than a dealer. Tally up your expected expenses vs what your new car payment will be and see when the break even point is.

They were showing a European price of $31,000 for the Outback Wagon with the diesel, plus it was getting 50mpg combined city/highway. If that comes here for that price I will be first in line. For an extra $.50/gallon and double the mileage it's well worth it...plus any diesel I would get I would buy a biodiesel conversion for anyway.

I have the Haynes book as well, that's where I remember reading about taking the glove box out first....which I did once. No need it's under the carpet.

I am trying to remember correctly but isn't the ECM under the passenger side carpet under a screwed on access door. I might be thinking of another car but I am pretty sure this is where mine is in my 97 Outback and there was no need to remove the glove box.