Phase I EJ25 - Outback question

[deadend9009]

Hey there i just sold the vw to get a subbie. I was wondering what has been everyone's experience with a 98-99 Legacy Outback. I know its a ej25 which is phase I and isn't the most reliable engine.

 

If you have one, what is your experience with it? I like the ground clearance and looks over the regular brighton and L model, but cannot afford a GT, which has the same engine.

 

Help?

[idosubaru]

I was wondering what has been everyone's experience with a 98-99 Legacy Outback.

 

what kind of "experience" are you looking for? 4WD, how it differs from other cars, how it differs from other subarus, function, performance, reliability, easy to work on? can't tell you what to like in terms of looks, interior and function. that's fairly individualistic.

 

they are easy to work on.

 

EJ25's have head gasket issues, piston slap and loose more block bearings than any other subaru ever made. if you're fine with it then just keep that in mind as your shopping. that might mean not leveraging every cent towards one nor paying top dollar for one.

 

if you're test driving look for signs of overheating and read up about "torque bind" in this forum. other than that - good cars and you should enjoy them.

[deadend9009]

i was wondering what kind of experience you guys have had with an EJ25 phase I

 

Has someone had to replace their engine twice so far or have people been going through head gaskets like mad...stuff like that.

 

Just wanna gauge if buying one would be a wise choice. I want the outback for ground clearance especially. If the engine is crap then i'll scrap the idea and buy a brighton or an L.

 

Thanks for any help!

[GeneralDisorder]

If the engine is crap then i'll scrap the idea and buy a brighton or an L.

 

Yes. Just get an L with the phase II EJ22, and install the Outback struts and springs. The difference in power is only 18 HP. 142 for the 22, and 160 for the 25. You won't notice it all that much.

 

The phase I EJ25 is a headache of an engine. You can't even be sure it's good with a test drive. There's a guy at my work that has one that overheats regularly about once a month due to coolant level. So you may drive it and it's fine - only to find out a month later you got taken.

 

GD

[idosubaru]

i was wondering what kind of experience you guys have had with an EJ22 phase I

first the EJ25 - then the EJ22 or is that a typo?

[deadend9009]

first the EJ25 - then the EJ22 or is that a typo?

 

sorry yes a typo. I want to know about the Phase I EJ25

[idosubaru]

EJ25's are going on 10+ years old now too. engines are not like wine, they don't get better with age. an EJ22 vehicle will be much kinder to you (everything else being equal) than an EJ25.

 

it's rare that people need "second" engines, but it does happen. there are instances on this board that you will find with a search. spend some time searching and reading. there are only a very small percentage of users of this board that are here to help and advise. like you, most coming seeking advice, not reading other threads.

 

many, particularly ones with blown engines or seeking advice, come when they have issues and to ask questions and that's it. so it will be sparse getting any feedback from a large majority of the members here.

 

if i had to have an EJ25 vehicle i'd buy one with a blown motor and install a CCR engine before paying average rates for a "good" one. actually i just bought a Legacy and yanked the perfectly good running EJ25 (with new headgaskets) out of it to install a better motor!