Out again scouting for another subaru along with the one I have my 2004 with 36k on it, the last one I had test drove overheated, lucky me! That one was the 1998 and is still in that guys garage so I said forget for now and keep searching. I came upon a real doozey! A 1996 subaru legacy outback with 292k on it, I was so shocked at the mileage I had to look at it again! So I did notice oil leaking on the underneath it was pretty wet I am almost postive it was the rear seperator plate because it was wet in back of the oil pan, so at this point it is alot of miles so hit up on anything else, oil leaks, transfer clutch binding, brakes, tires, headgaskets. I have to call monday about it and go test drive it, it does have some rust and needs a drivers side foglight I noticed it was broke but for a second car bang around could be fun!

Probably telling you what you know....but the '96 w/the Automatic has 155HP vs. the 165HP of the '97+ EJ25s, and the 2.5 required Premium. Also, if it is an auto that's a lot of miles on the original 4EAT..I'd plan on a replacement/rebuild b4 too long.

 

Good luck.

If the '96 happens to be a manual trans, then she'd have the 2.2L which is very solid. But yes at 300k miles lots of things are going to be tired on the vehicle. If it's a second car to have fun with it should be great!