RedRum

Thanks for all the help guys. I thought the deal was too good to be true and it appears it is. The Aero version (WRX) is sold out in New England. I have been calling dealerships all over the place trying to get one. A dealer here in mass has found one for me in NY that is what I want...5-speed, 2.0 Turbo, almost base model, and silver. It is $20K but in order to get it here they are charging $500 delivery fee. I guess $20500 is still a pretty good deal for a WRW wagon brand new but it is starting to hit my limit on payments. I think I am going to grab it but it is hard going from no payment to a big one.

I have been driving my 97 Legacy GT since 2000 when I bought it with 70K miles. I am up to 180K miles and I am about to spend a ton of $$ on it. I think I might instead buy a new car. My legacy needs tires, timing belt, has had a leaky rear main seal for 2 years, and now it seems like the head gasket is going. I have always liked the idea and specs of the WRX and recently realized the saab 9-2X is the same car (almost) as the impreza. Because of GM incentives the saab version is significantly cheaper right now. Does anyone have any comments or advice on the quality of the WRX/saab, the differences, how well they last, what to look out for, and all that stuff. I put a deposit on one today because they are getting hard to find but I have until the middle of next week to change my mind. How long does the turbo usually last in one of those? Do the 2.0 engines last well? Do I really need to use the premium gas? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

I have a 97 Legacy GT and my sunroof for a while would open but not close. It might be similar to your 92. I would take the mechanism off and crank it closed with an allen wrench. Then it stoped working all together. I eventually replaced the whole sunroof mechanism with one I got from a junkyard. I took the headliner out by removing the handles above the doors, the lights, the rear view mirrow, and the visors. Once all that was out the headliner came out pretty easy. Then there was like 12-16 studs welded to the roof of the car on the inside and the sunroof assy was attached to those studs. I dropped the whole unit out and put a new one in. My problem ended up being with the switch itself. When I opened up the control mechanism there was corrosion around the back side of the switch. I got a new switch assembly for $20 from another junkyard. It worked for a year or so but still leaked and eventually ruined the second switch as well. Now I sealed it with silicone and leave it closed.

My 97 GT is at 180K and I last did the timing belt at 90K. I can't remember what I spent last time but maybe people can help...first, how much have people paid for this in a similar car? I am trying to decide if I should have it done or do it myself. Also, what do people recommend changing while I am doing the belt? Lastly, how difficult a job is it? I have done simple stuff like brake pads and rotors and stuff like that but have yet to attack the engine compartment. Should I try to learn or leave it to a professional? Thanks

Ever consider the Saab 9-2X Aero? It is basically a WRX wagon with a couple small differences. Right now you can get one for $6000 less than a WRX using the GM incentives and "everyone buys using the employee discount price" promotion they have. You can get a nice one for under $20K until July 5. I am considering but can't pull the trigger.

I had a very similar post a week ago. My girlfriend has 2001 legacy with the exact same symtoms...vibration in the brake pedal and steering wheel while braking. I replaced the rotors and pads myselft in the front less than a year ago and now I have that problem. I checked the rotors in the front and they look fine to me. I have heard it could be the rear rotors but that doesn't make sense to me. I also have heard that it could be a sticking caliper so I am now trying penetrating oil.

My girlfriend has a 2001 Legacy L (I like my 97 GT much better). anyway, I have two odd problems with the 01. First the brakes...when I brake while going anything above 10MPH the steering wheel shakes back and forth and you can feel the vibration in the pedal as well. It started suddenly and I have no idea why. I changed the front brakes (rotors and pads) mysleft like 15K miles ago and all was fine until a couple days ago. I took the drivers side rotor off and looked at the pads and rotors and all seemed normal. Anyone know what this might be? The other problem...it is an automatic transmission. 2 weeks ago my girlfriend was driving it and was leaving her parents house. She backed out of the driveway in reverse and it would not shift out of reverse. Her dad works with cars and he had it for a week and it would not shift. He determined it was the sensor saying the brake was not depressed even though it was and found that if you open the small spot next the shifter and jam a pen or screwdriver down there you can then shift as normal. He did that for a couple days and was then showing my GF how to do it when it started shifting ok agian without the pen. It was on the ride home from her parents house that she noticed the brake problem. Her dad says he didn't go near the brakes and should not have caused any problems. Anyone have any info?