I have a 99 Legacy Outback that I picked up on eBay in August. (I'm a dental supply salesman) It's got 119K. I have a buzzing noise eminating from the shifter that is extremely annoying especially at highway speeds. The buzzing get faster at faster speeds and it gets louder when I take left hand corners. I can feel a slight vibration on the shifter. I pulled off the shifter cover and drove around trying to find the source of the noise to no avail. It starts making the noise after the car warms up. Is this common with this car (auto tranny)? Is there a fix? Thanks in advance!!

Also...does anyone know a good independent in the Fairfield, CT area???

It seams strange. I would have a look at the mounts for the transmission and the engine. You may have a failed mount, which is causing the problem. I'm in Colorado, so I can't help you with a good CT Mechanic.

I have a 99 Legacy Outback that I picked up on eBay in August. (I'm a dental supply salesman)

You are a brave man/woman to buy a car on ebay, especially one prone to blow a HG.

 

Re: your question, all I can tell is that the problem you describe is not common with this car.

 

Good luck

It was a crapshoot but the price was right ($4500) and I did get to inspect it B4 paying. The car's definately "used" but if I can get a couple of years out of it, it'll be worth it. I wanted all- wheel drive for the New England winters.I had to replace the exhaust manifolds. Besides that buzzing noise I'm getting a squealing coming from the right rear wheel after driving on the highway for a time. Initially I thought it might be a wheel bearing but the more I think about it, it might be the rotor heating up?

You are a brave man/woman to buy a car on ebay, especially one prone to blow a HG.

 

Re: your question, all I can tell is that the problem you describe is not common with this car.

 

Good luck

Hey Tooth Man! Any chance your company is out of Rocky Hill?? Anyway, I just picked up a 99 Outback from a guy in East Granby, CT. He specializes in Subaru, that all he sells and repairs. The owner is named Mike, he has treated me real fair so far...in fact, once I met him I was pleased to buy a car off of him and I am fairly certain I am going to get the follow through he promised.

 

Anyway, I have noticed the same "buzzing sound" you are speaking of, its almost a mild grinding. Mike at EGM, says its a common gripe, but nothing to worry about. Let me know if you find out anything further.

 

Also, what is your engine RPM at when you are doing 70 MPH? I am up at around 3500 and just wondering if that is normal for this engine. I believe I have the 2.2.

 

I am in the Springfield, MA area but, I am a computer consultant and really get around Western New England and beyond so if you ever want to compare Subies, I would be happy to meet up somewhere.

 

-Rich

Rattling exhaust heat sheild, maybe? Sometimes they sound like your tranny is dying.

Hey PwdrHound....thanks for the reply and yes, the co.'s out of Rocky Hill but my branch is in NJ. My car actually came from Canton. There's a guy up there that gets the high mileage trades from Canton Subaru and auctions them on eBay. Canton/East Granby is fanatical about Subarus.That buzzing noise can be down right annoying at times but for what I paid for the car I can deal with it. The thing that concerns me more is the right rear wheel squeel after driving on the highway for 10 or 15 minutes. I gotta find an independent mechanic in my area. The local "stealer" is lousy on service. I lived in Spfld for 10 years...16 Acres baby!!

Hey Tooth Man! Any chance your company is out of Rocky Hill?? Anyway, I just picked up a 99 Outback from a guy in East Granby, CT. He specializes in Subaru, that all he sells and repairs. The owner is named Mike, he has treated me real fair so far...in fact, once I met him I was pleased to buy a car off of him and I am fairly certain I am going to get the follow through he promised.

 

Anyway, I have noticed the same "buzzing sound" you are speaking of, its almost a mild grinding. Mike at EGM, says its a common gripe, but nothing to worry about. Let me know if you find out anything further.

 

Also, what is your engine RPM at when you are doing 70 MPH? I am up at around 3500 and just wondering if that is normal for this engine. I believe I have the 2.2.

 

I am in the Springfield, MA area but, I am a computer consultant and really get around Western New England and beyond so if you ever want to compare Subies, I would be happy to meet up somewhere.

 

-Rich