So when I graduate here in the spring I am thinking of upgrading from the 84. I have driven the 84 for 7 years and it has been a great car for the $800 I paid for it. Its really starting to show its age with the rust all the way through in a few places, and it doesn't have the pep it used to. The beast has 277K though so its been a trooper. I am trying to decide what I should get to replace it...

Heres my ideas

90-94 legacy wagon

95-99 legacy wagon

9?-200? Impreza Outback sport or 2.5rs (the sport wagon one)

2002-? WRX wagon (I like wagons)

 

What year did they fix the 2.5 motor with the head gasket problems and the clutch shudder? I would like to get something in the 2000s but don't know about the cost and the reliability of the newer motors. My brother has a 94 legacy that runs like a champ so thats an option. I'd really like to get a WRX but don't know how much more a used one would cost and I think insurance would be more. I'm kinda a cheap-skate but I'm willing to buy a newer vehicle if I know I will get years of reliable service out of it. So, what do you guys think? Even though I'm not purchasing for several months I thought I should at least start looking at what some of these vehicles cost.

i like 2.2 L....I have 185,000 on my 96 legacy and it still runs great...me personally i tend to shy away from the 2.5 because i have had some bad luck when it comes to timing belts.....96 2.2 is non interference...when (and correct me if im wrong) all 2.5 Liters are interference......just my opinion