Organized_Confusion

Thanks to all for your assistance here. About all the details I can give on the 98 are this. It has had the HG replaced. I believe the timing belt and water pump have also been replaced. There was a differential issue on this one, which according to the local junkyard is an issue with 98 year model Outbacks. There is a service updated rear diff for the 99 year which also fits on the 98. This one needs brake pads and maybe rotors too. Everything seems fine while driving it. The heater works as it should. All accessories are working except for the rear wiper, but I think that is a rust issue. My brother-in-law's brother has had this since 2001 and said all the routine maintenance has been done. There are close to 225,000 miles on it. He said he'll let it go as it is for $500. I can get the rear diff and axles from a salvage yard for $250. I am not exactly too rich where I can drop a few grand on something newer so this seems like a good deal to me as he would let me make payments to him rather than all at once.

The rear diff has already been removed from the 98, from what the owner tells me. So I will need to find suitable parts to restore the AWD on this vehicle. The 96 has a blown head gasket and missing parts as it has been a parts car for that owner's 97 Legacy Outback. The 98 needs the rear diff parts and a brake job where the 96 needs a HG and framework done. Thank you all for your help with this.

I am not 100% clear on the 98 as it isn't mine yet. From what I am told the rear diff/axles aren't on the vehicle anymore as they have failed in the past and the current owner has the fuse in there to run it as a FWD since the AWD parts aren't there anymore. So I am trying to find the lowest cost way to restore the AWD on the 98, and the fact that one of my neighbors has a 96 that he will let go at "boneyard" prices would be a very cost-effective way. So if the gear ratios are different between the two then which vehicles would offer the right parts for the 98?

This is my first post on this board. I am looking for some details on a 98 Legacy Outback that I may buy from someone. It has a 2.5 AT in it but needs a rear differential and axles. It is being run with the fuse in the FWD wire under the hood right now and works just fine that way. Someone a few houses away has a 96 Legacy Outback that I think is a 2.2 MT that he may sell for parts. My question is will the rear diff and axles from the 96 match up to the 98 without any further modifications? I want to make sure I can easily and cost-effectively restore the AWD on the 98 before I buy it. Thank you all for any advice you can give.

Well i went ahead and got the Subaru. I love it too. I get the same gas mileage, don't have to shift all the time, got PW,PL, have more power and acceleration, have all the wheels working instead of just 2, new set of tires (winter ones), about 32,000 less miles than the Chevy, 4 doors instead of two, more storage ability, high value, etc....I could go on and on about what I like now compared to before the sale. I am very pleased with it so far...... So what's the deal with the timing belt? How often should I change it...etc...? Thanks for the heads up on that.

I was actually looking at a 2000 Outback Sport (Impreza line I believe). It's the smaller one with a small hood scoop on it. It has 45,000 miles on it now with a 2.2L, auto. Going price is 11,800, but I will have to add about 3000 to the loan since these cheap domestic vehicles (trading in an 02 Cavalier for 3000, I owe 6000 on it) can't hold their value for more than....well they can't...period. I assume that even if I took out a 5 or 6 year loan on this I would be better off in the long run than with this American POS.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=32388 Okay, I started the thread above cause I am looking into buying a Subaru for the first time. Today I have been reading up on the types of problems people have been having on some of the models. I read where the Forester 2.5L had internal head gasket problems, but only in 98 and 99. Then I read that the 00-02 were having external head gasket issues. Since the one I am looking at is an 03, should I expect the same type of issues as the previous years? I also read about how the 2.2L in the 90s was a very realiable engine. Is that the same one they used in the Outback Sport? And is it really that good? I could go on and on with questions since I am new to Subaru, but I don't have that much time, nor do I want to take away all of yours. Any advice, knowledge, experiences with these problems, etc... would be a great help. Thank you in advance.

Well, it looks like my handle change has taken effect. I apologize to all those who were offended with the old handle. Hopefully this one sits well with everyone.

Response to Ranger83: 1) Yeah, $15000 is a bit much for me right now. My friend just spent $16,000 on a used Forester and he makes less money than I do. Needless to say, after insurance and car payment are made, he don't have anything left to do anything. That ain't no fun. 2) I wasn't sure how the handle would sit here. I just picked that one since I use it in other places as well...just the simplest way for me I guess. I think I should change it though. How do I do that...I looked around and couldn't find a way to?

Just wondering what the importance of the two previous owners is. So with the extra money aside per month I might be just as well off spending that on the payment itself and get one with fewer miles on it to avoid the actual repair. I'll tell ya one thing though. It is hard to find one that is new and low miles for under $13,000.

Hello, I am new to the whole Subaru thing. This is my first post. I don't own one yet, but am interested in a 2003 Forester 2.5X. Here is the situation..... I test drove the vehicle yesterday and here are things I noticed. 2003 Forester 2.5X Auto with 95,000 miles mostly highway. The engine ran very quiet while idling and had no problem responding to flooring it. Steering seemed very responsive and accurate. Vehicle did not drift while letting go of steering wheel. Braking was very smooth without pulling to one side...and this was on a fresh snow covered road. Shifting was good. No creaks, rattles, booms, knocks, etc...Seems to be very solidly built. Interior heater is hot. All the bells and whistles seem to work fine as well. This vehicle comes from an actual Subaru dealership, so things are in great condition. For me to afford this I would have to take out a 5-year loan and I drive about 20,000-25,000 miles per year. So my question is: By the time I have it paid off there will be about 225,000 miles on it and it will be about 7 years old. What are the chances that I will avoid expensive repair costs on this. I have never owned anything other than a Pontiac or Chevy before, so this is new to me. Any information, owner testimonials, warnings, hazards, comments, suggestions, etc...would be very helpful in my decision process. Thank you all very much. PS---I am not very educated when it comes to automobiles. I know some basics but that's about it.