I was looking at a 2000 impreza sport (or was it an outback sport) the other day and I asked the owner if it had the 2.2 or 2.5, they just gave me a blank stare. I checked out a few things under the hood but since I've only owned old 80's subies I don't really know how to tell the difference between the 2.2 and the 2.5. When your just looking at the motor how do you know what it is? The car seems in good shape but if its the 2.5 I will definately walk away, I don't want to deal with those problems.

There will be an Engine ID in about the same place the Engine ID is on an EA71/EA81/EA82. If it say EJ22 it's a 2.2 If it says EJ25 it's a 2.5 But I thing Subaru stopped selling the EJ22 in the US in 98 or 99.

I dont think any out back sports before the new style impreza came with the 2.5 liter. You could also look on the block for the ej22, its hard to see but it is on the block below the alternator, between the alternator and the power sterring pump. Its hard to see, and there could be some grese covering it so you may not be able to see it.

The difference between the two is that the 2.2 doesn't suck.

Unless it's a 2.5RS, the car has the 2.2