I know we (esp. me) do a lot of Subaru 2.5 bashing here on the list because of the head gasket issues but just wanted to pass this info along from a similar Toyota on-line discussion board.

 

 

"Re: TOY: Problem with my '97 T100...

 

Sorry about the HG problem.

 

I have had failures in the 22-RE (140,000 miles) and a 1FZ-FE (90,000

miles).

 

I firmly believe if you have Toyota with a cast iron block and an

aluminum head, you will have a HG failure, just a matter of when."

 

I am not excusing Subaru for the issue, just letting everyone know that the 2.5 is not alone in the world of head gasket issues. And that being said I am sure that fixing a them on a 2.5 Subaru is cheaper than on a Toyota!!

 

Bring back the 2.2 !!!!

As the Subaru has two heads and Toyota 4 cylinders have one, I doubt the Toyota costs more.

 

I'm glad this board reported on it, as I changed mine at 140,000 miles before they went bad. The car has otherwise absorbed less more for non-scheduled maintenance than any other vehicle I've ever owned to that mileage except a Ford Econoline van - and the difference with that is less than $100. The Subaru runs perfectly and promises to go many, many more miles. The only other problems were a RF wheel bearing and leaking camshaft seals.

 

There are just a number of "glass half empty" folks here. I'm amazed that more people don't just have them changed and be done with it, or dump it, instead of driving the car until it blows.

As the Subaru has two heads and Toyota 4 cylinders have one, I doubt the Toyota costs more./

 

I see you have never owned a Toyota before!

 

Timing chain on a Toyota 4 cylinder $2200 dollars parts and labor.

The engine that had the issue from my post was a 3.0 6 cylinder, $3500 parts and labor for head gaskets. Alternator for a my old 4 runner was $732.00.

 

Yes Toyota parts are considerably more expensive than Subaru's.