outbackusjunkus Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 I'm looking at getting another 97 Outback with a bad 2.5, this one has an automatic trans though...and 200,000 miles on the car. Because of the miles and questionable maintenance record (motor blew when timing belt broke), I wonder if I should even buy. Short story long, what kind of lifespan do these transmissions have? Also, I did a search and found one where Nipper said 97.5 on were better, so wondering if there is any way to tell if this has the better trans other than the build date? Thanks for any help with this potential "resurrection"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Generally, the 4EAT auto in the EJ cars is considered a very good transmission as far as automatics go. They do fail, but I've heard about many of them going for well over 200k as long as they get the fluid changed regularly. If the fluid is all nasty, I'd stay away from it, but if it looks like the tranny has been taken care of, I'd go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Pin Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 What can you pick up the car for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outbackusjunkus Posted March 28, 2007 Author Share Posted March 28, 2007 What can you pick up the car for? I noticed it hadn't moved in almost a year so left my number, guy wants to sell but I want to look closer before making an offer. Am going back this weekend...no rust and decent tires... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Pin Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I wouldn't go more than $500. When they sit that long, brakes and other things need to be completely done over. What's wrong with the motor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Pin Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 There is a 96 outback on Craig's list in Elk River, Mn that might be a good candidate for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commuter Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Over 330k miles on my tranny. I had to change the clutch pack a couple years ago (torque bind, the one weak spot), but other than that, just fluid changes. Commuter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outbackusjunkus Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 Thanks for the help! Commuter...did you do the clutch pack yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commuter Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Thanks for the help! Commuter...did you do the clutch pack yourself? Nope. I'm beyond tackling anything like that myself. Not sure that I ever would have. Don't have the tools, etc. Commuter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Nope. I'm beyond tackling anything like that myself. Not sure that I ever would have. Don't have the tools, etc. Commuter How much did the clutch pack cost just for the parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commuter Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 It was about $1400 total Cdn at the dealer, $600 labour (eg 6 hrs), $800 parts. I didn't skimp. All the (suspect) parts were changed. When I inquired about just parts from one online dealer, they were telling me that there were different parts... depending on some clearances that have to be measured... not sure about this. First I'd heard of it. You could probably find a next-to-new one on a junk yard vehicle, as these tend to go towards the end of the life of the vehicle. It's just the tail piece on the transmission, but what is truly involved in changing one out, I don't really know. Commuter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 It was about $1400 total Cdn at the dealer, $600 labour (eg 6 hrs), $800 parts. I didn't skimp. All the (suspect) parts were changed. When I inquired about just parts from one online dealer, they were telling me that there were different parts... depending on some clearances that have to be measured... not sure about this. First I'd heard of it. Commuter No commuter this is true. My car went threough the same thing. They had to measure the parts and order the matching clutches. There are two ways to fix things , one is a repair, one is a quality repair. I know people who have fixed it themselves with dealers parts, and others that have gone to tranny shops and had problems. I left mine to the professionals, especially if there is a transition year involved, where things were changes mid stream, but we don't about it. Mine cost me 850.00 total nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outbackusjunkus Posted April 3, 2007 Author Share Posted April 3, 2007 Well the trans fluid looked great, so rolled the dice/bought for 700. Another 2.2 transplant planned for next week, another 2.5 for the motor pile... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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