Subaru Gurus, Tell Me the News...
Full Name:
Sycamore Slough
Forums:
So a local dude has a 1997 Legacy Outback, Wagon, AWD, Manual transmission. 184,000 miles with a new/rebuilt engine 40,000 miles ago.
Some folks here have listed out what needs to be done on these motors, and I copied that to a folder somewhere (???)
I'm thinking:
- Timing belt every 60,000 (unless you get the 100,000 belt)
- Water pump when you do the belt
- Change rear main seal at xx, xxx interval
So I saw the paperwork for the overhaul on the motor, everything looks kosher. Took it for a spin, runs great.
Please tell me what fatal errors to look out for before I waste my hard-earned cash.
We agreed upon $1250 and I gave him a couple hundred down-payment.
Thanks in advance.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Lonely Questioner
I just got rid of my fabled
I just got rid of my fabled 1998 Impreza Outback Wagon that was AWD, automatic, 200,000 miles with original engine. I only got rid of it because I could afford to buy something a bit nicer. The engine and transmission were flawless the entire time I had it.
I owned it from 2006-2017. I changed the battery once, and the brakes once. I changed the timing belt & the water pump right before I sold the car a few months ago.
Seems like a good deal if it drives well. It probably has an oil leak, but most of them do from then. It probably is missing a hubcap, but that happens.
Good luck!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
>>>>$1250 and I gave him a
>>>>$1250 and I gave him a couple hundred down-payment.
That's not too bad if it is clean and in a good condition. If the engine was rebuilt 40,000 ago, its probably when the head gaskets went. That's the one big flaw in the late 90s early 00s Outbacks. I had the head gaskets on my 97 Outback go at 150,000. It now has 241,000 miles on it and had to change the fuel pump last year, but other than that, no major mechanical problems. The body is beat to shit and I would be lucky to get $700 for it, which is what beat up old Outbacks with over 200k miles tend to go for around here. I intend to keep driving it until it drives no more.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
^
^
It is clean inside & out, impressively so. Cloth seats, no sun-roof, but a frame-mounted tow hitch & receiver w/ 1 7/8" ball. The cassette deck even works !!
Something funky with the front axle and c/v joints, which the fellow told of right away, some clunky sounds on sharp turns. I couldn't get the noise on my test drive.
The only thing bugging me: the ABS light is on. That could mean an expensive ABS module to replace. ))) ABS Module Dread (((
Looking at the body and undercarriage, these folks did not take it off-road much if at all. Exhaust system looks tight & clean, not rusted out.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
>>>ome clunky sounds on sharp
>>>ome clunky sounds on sharp turns
Oh, had that too. Its been a few years and think it was the C/V joint. Anyway, cost around $250 to fix and my mechanic said he had a big pile of whatever that broken part was out behind the shop. I guess its a pretty common problem.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: JP (J Bomb)
Subaru Gurus, Tell Me the
Subaru Gurus, Tell Me the News...<<<
You'll feel like the husband of a lesbian driving this thing but it will get you there Stu.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lord Kalvert
Buy it now- the 97/98
Buy it now- the 97/98 outbacks are winners.
I picked up a 98 with 195 K on it- ran great for 6 months before I sold it for a newer car.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
Timing belt every 60,000
Timing belt every 60,000 (unless you get the 100,000 belt)<<
Might need TWO timing belts. Our Subi did.
Shit mileage; worse in 4WD. And got fussy, starting-wise, when it was damp out.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
98 Subaru Outback caretaker
98 Subaru Outback caretaker here.
Been through the head gasket. Did timing belt and water pump with head overhaul. Right front wheel bearing replacement. Both beyond my abilities. Radiator cracked last winter. Also a shop job.
Self replaced starter, alternator and fuel pump.
Still going strong.
Seems like a lot of repairs but still better than a new car payment.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
If they did the head gasket
If they did the head gasket 40K ago it will prob. be something else that kills it. Do it.
Of course, custy that I am, would prob. give a mechanic a hundy to check it out pre-purchase and give me an estimate of needed repairs.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
Anytime the purchase price
Anytime the purchase price for a car is cheaper than a years worth of insurance you stand a good chance of getting your money's worth.
Just make sure the meniscuses and cartilage are not too torn. check for signs the ole East coast gangrene setting in on exhaust and suspension networks.
Is it going to pass inspection?
I miss our 98 forester. It's still on the road...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: good at drinking water
I have a 1994 legacy wagon.
I have a 1994 legacy wagon.
burns/leaks a little oil.
ugly
but i love it
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: W. Claude Dukenfield
^^burns/leaks a little oil.
^^burns/leaks a little oil.
I get a kick out of the faux hippies polluting the environment. The last thing I need is an Exxon Valdez oil slick in my driveway. If you have a leak get it fixed or condemn the car.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
The oil leaks are good for
The oil leaks are good for the environment. It's like giving back what was stolen from her. And as the oil companies sell more oil their methods of extraction evolve into Earth loving techniques.(See Phraquing) Also, if you are constantly adding oil, the engine will last longer and you wont need as many cars in life. Imagine an engine wih fresh oil always! Double win.
Older VWs and Subarus to the rescue, "We're comming to save you Pacha Mama!"
But really, In the big picture, cars are nothing compared to lawns.....
"According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a new gas powered lawn mower produces volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides emissions air pollution in one hour of operation equal to11 new cars each being driven for one hour."
It is unreasonable to expect a parasite to be courteous towards the host.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Richard Cranium
My dad had a Suburu Forester.
My dad had a Suburu Forester.....the biggest piece of shit I ever drove.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
Thanks for all the advice,
Thanks for all the advice, tips & tricks Zoners. You folks are the best.
Been looking for a similar AWD vehicle for a while. Not emergency or imperative. Just feel wasteful driving the gigantic Chevy 2500 HD everywhere when not hauling Firewood. The mileage is really poor, and I want to preserve it for its natural functions -- carrying loads of Firewood and pulling trailers.
I think that this Legacy Wagon will work fine as a Dawg-Hauler and off-road // Snow vehicle. All my pals with Outbacks, Foresters, and so forth have been happy.
My question now is "what about the brakes" ???"
Discs on all four wheels, and the ABS light is on...
Most likely beyond my current skills to patch it all up. But I can learn. You guys please tell me about Subaru Disc brakes and how to repair in the back yard.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: W. Claude Dukenfield
The ABS light is a common
The ABS light is a common problem with those particular models. I had a 98 Forester and replaced nearly every part related to the ABS system and 3 months later the light was back on. I tricked out the light for inspection, Google will help with that.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
http://www.ultimatesubaru.org
http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/66140-abs-light-stays-on98-for...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
You could try disconnecting
You could try disconnecting the battery to reset the codes. Or take it to Napa or your local parts place and they can read the codes.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
On a GM vehicle, pulling one
On a GM vehicle, pulling one fuse out of the panel made the ABS light go off and also made it brake like a '74 Pontiac Station Wagon.
I was OK with that for a while. Don't know what the issue is with this 'Legacy Outback Wagon'... But the brakes work fine.
In jerseyland DMV inspection these days, they mainly check emissions.
My truck was disqualified from inspection a couple months back, as it is heavier ( GVW) and older than their parameters.
It passed last time, running clean, but never needs inspection again here in Jerseyland.
So basically it is Exempt.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
What StringTwang mentioned
What StringTwang mentioned above functions for my 1996 Toyota Tacoma. It has a 'Check Engine Light' from a weak Oxygen sensor, a Code 420.
Removing a battery terminal for a few minutes makes it go away for about 30 miles, enough to go through the state inspection facility.
Dropping by AutoZone for the free OBD II scan + Clear Codes will do pretty much the same.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Old Fart Message Board
Subarus used to be really
Subarus used to be really terrible cars. They're getting a little bit better. They over charge the fuck out of everything they sell now.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Old Fart Message Board
I still see some of those old
I still see some of those old tacomas on the road. I've spoke with multiple people that had many different problems with the Tacomas from that time period. I just got rid of a 2010 four cylinders Tacoma. Terrible truck. The suspension was a joke in that thing and the steering/visibility were abysmal. The valves needed to be replaced at 80k. Toyota is charging 40k for the new TRD Tacomas. Lol. Complete rip off. Nothing specials about toyotas vehicles at all. Their engines are ok. Crazy how much they are pimping the car game right now.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
Sorry you had unpleasant
Sorry you had unpleasant experiences with your Tacoma, Mr. Timpane. My first-gen 1996 model had the famous leaf-spring problem, but I replaced those.
Hey, let's do lunch in New Hope / Lambertville next week as I will be most of the way there fussing with DMV at Bakers Basin.
The Morrocan place is really good.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Old Fart Message Board
Just give me a call, Stu.
Just give me a call, Stu.
The suspensions they put on the Tacomas are barely suitable for a go cart, even on the new models.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 19.5 Degrees
https://www.usatoday.com
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2019/02/08/takata-airbag-recall-hits-subaru-tesla-bmw-volkswagen-mercedes/2811743002/