tzrider Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 I currently own a '97 Outback 2.5 with 218k on it and am looking at a '99 Legacy 30th Anniv. Edition 2.2L 5spd with 160k on it. The owner has had many things replaced and has records but has never had to have the head gasket replaced or had any issues with the AWD system. I point out these things specifically because on my Outback, those repairs cost me more than $2500 and I'd like to avoid that if I could. I know little about this model year or the 2.2 so I'm searching for a bit of info from ya'll. Any insight you could provide would be helpful to me. Also, the owner has never had the clutch replaced or any tranny service since she bought the car with 115k on it. Anything I could expect in this department? Thanks to your help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 EJ22's don't have the headgasket problems the EJ25 has, that's why it hasn't been replaced. EJ22's have fewer issues than EJ25's - no headgasket problem and fewer internal block failures. i've seen more EJ25's with cracked blocks, rod knock and other internal engine failure than EJ22's. include the fact that EJ25's are far newer, or disregard any pre-1996 EJ22's and i've seen WAY more EJ25 failures. EJ22 is a great engine but has 20 less horses. and yes the clutch could be due for some maintenance. test drive it and see how it does. the pilot bearing, throw out bearing and throw out bearing clips are old and one or more would be weak by now. who knows, maybe they were replaced prior to the 115k mark? those are all replaced with a clutch job. other than that the transmissions are mostly problem free, be sure to change the fluids, keep matching tires and that's about it. shouldn't a Legacy 30th Ann Edition have the 2.5 in it? i wonder if the motor has been swapped, i thought only the very base model wagon Legacy's got the 2.2 after 1997? you location says international so if that number you quoted means kilometers your 2.5 doesn't have all that many miles on it really. you're only reducing your mileage by 60k, which isn't all that much. you'll have to do a maintenance comparison really to see if it's worth it - brakes, transmission, engine, suspension, axles, ball joints, radiator condition/flush.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosDiosDeVerde86 Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 EJ22's don't have the headgasket problems the EJ25 has, that's why it hasn't been replaced. EJ22's have fewer issues than EJ25's - no headgasket problem and fewer internal block failures. i've seen more EJ25's with cracked blocks, rod knock and other internal engine failure than EJ22's. include the fact that EJ25's are far newer, or disregard any pre-1996 EJ22's and i've seen WAY more EJ25 failures. EJ22 is a great engine but has 20 less horses. and yes the clutch could be due for some maintenance. test drive it and see how it does. the pilot bearing, throw out bearing and throw out bearing clips are old and one or more would be weak by now. who knows, maybe they were replaced prior to the 115k mark? those are all replaced with a clutch job. other than that the transmissions are mostly problem free, be sure to change the fluids, keep matching tires and that's about it. shouldn't a Legacy 30th Ann Edition have the 2.5 in it? i wonder if the motor has been swapped, i thought only the very base model wagon Legacy's got the 2.2 after 1997? you location says international so if that number you quoted means kilometers your 2.5 doesn't have all that many miles on it really. you're only reducing your mileage by 60k, which isn't all that much. you'll have to do a maintenance comparison really to see if it's worth it - brakes, transmission, engine, suspension, axles, ball joints, radiator condition/flush.... No, actually. the 30th Ann. Ed. is only options and a badge on the side. It's just a Legacy with some perks. The GT had the 2.5 and the GT Limited what put out in 99 as the GT version of the 30th Ann. Ed. (that's how I understand it at least. no-one quote me on it though.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzrider Posted October 19, 2007 Author Share Posted October 19, 2007 you location says international so if that number you quoted means kilometers your 2.5 doesn't have all that many miles on it really. you're only reducing your mileage by 60k, which isn't all that much. you'll have to do a maintenance comparison really to see if it's worth it - brakes, transmission, engine, suspension, axles, ball joints, radiator condition/flush.... I live in Vermont...just didn't update my profile. You make a good point regarding the 60k mi. difference. My biggest concern with my Outback is the auto tranny. It's never shifted all that smoothly but I've never had a problem with it in 70k mi. I change the fluid regularly but wonder if I'm running it on borrowed time. The engine runs like a champ and is super clean. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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