Stelcom66

I had the company Jeep oil changed at a chain in eastern Conn., of course I removed that laptop (nice that they had Wi-Fi in the waiting area) and my Mp3 player. I do my Forester and my son's Legacy myself. Even as low as the Legacy is, the filter is easy to get to.

Not sure of common issues, but most every review I've read about Turbo Outbacks are very favorable regarding driving the car. The word 'fun' is seen often. I did see a couple of posts on Edmund's site about turbo component trouble. I know many wish the Turbo Outback was still available, as well as a manual transmission.

In Feb. 2011 we paid $2.200 for my son's '95 Legacy S, automatic AWD. At the time it had I think around 149k miles. If everything works (my son's AC did not, got it repaired 2 years ago) and it's in very good shape it's in the ballpark I guess, maybe a little high. A plus for that year is the 2.2 engine.

I found out that the switch is integrated within the latch.

Good question - I just checked. It does not, it does when I open other doors.

Does anyone know where the hatch light switch is on a 2002 Forester? The only thing(s) I could find that might be it are two small plastic parts on each side, feels like held into position by springs. When my hatch opens, the light doesn't turn on, but does with the switch on the light itself.

"It is a 95 Legacy LS, Auto, sunroof, power all, 2.2 motor." My son has the same car, of course with the standard suspension. I really like driving that car. The engine leaks some oil, but runs fine at probably around 179k miles. Interesting when you see a $40k Audi or Acura spinning it's front wheels in snow trying to go up the hill to the local mall. My son's $2,200 Legacy (cost in 2011) would pass them.

Like my 12 year old Forester and my son's 19 year old Legacy! My Forester is a whole different vehicle than the 2015, but I really enjoy driving it. I know someone that is very pleased with their 2014 Forester. You'll certainly get better fuel economy than I. Not that mine is that bad - the new Foresters are exceptional for their size and being AWD. Glad to see the manual transmission is still available in the Forester, unlike the new Outback. Given the fuel economy advantage of the CVT, I would consider that even though I've prefered the manual.

I had an '02 Outback that had a slight headgasket leak at around 90k miles and was eligible for a free headgasket treatment at the Subaru dealership. A few years after having that done I'd occasionally smell anti freeze, and add some maybe every 2 or 3 months. It never overheated, traded it in with about 142k 3 years ago for an '02 Forester.The Forester may also have a headgasket leak, but very minor - much less severe than the Outback. As mentioned - seems like driving with original headgaskets seeping a bit (early 2000 engines) is fine as long as you keep an eye on it. I had a 1986 GL 4WD wagon, I think with a 1.8L and manual 4WD. That engine did leak oil. Wanted to go back to a manual transmission like the '86 was which is why I got the Forester.

The other day my son called me (he has a '95 Legacy) that his girlfriend's '02 Outback's parking lights were on. The switch was on. I remember picking up my '92 Legacy years ago from a GM dealership - they told me the parking lights were stuck on and they'd have to work on it. Told them where the switch was. I only knew about the switch after my mother's (also a '92 Legacy) were stuck on after she cleaned the inside of the car, likely accidentally hitting the switch.

"I thought by selecting 'Follow this topic' I'd get an email when posts are made to this topic, but have not so far. I'll check some other settings." My bad - was checking an alternate email address, the forum did send a notification.

Thanks - was talking about it yesterday with some others. As you said. it's not worth trying to remove the pan, the flush machine is the way to go. A guy just did a transmission fluid change himself in his garage and flushed it - forgot what he used. Please do let us know when the video is posted. I thought by selecting 'Follow this topic' I'd get an email when posts are made to this topic, but have not so far. I'll check some other settings.

"but please change to a better brand of filter if you're going over 3000 miles per oil change" - Thanks for the advice - been getting the FRAM only because I'm used to it, a habit I guess. Just changed the oil in my son's '95 Legacy, I already had a FRAM on hand. His 2.2L with 177k is running fine, want to keep it that way.

Thanks for all the info - about 1/3 of the capacity seems about what was drained. A neighbor also mentioned there's the torque converter, and as mentioned other areas where the fluid will still be. I think when I brought my company vehicle to a lube shop for an oil change it was connected to a flush machine, I don't recall seeing it on a lift. Nice that Subarus are so easy to change the oil, no lift needed even with his Legacy which is low compared to my Forester. My neighbor gave me a hose to fill the transmission fluid, I just ended up using a small funnel on the dipstick tube with a long funnel on top of that. In his garage there's 3 dune buggies - with Subaru 2.5 engines.

I changed the oil and automatic transmission fluid in my son's '95 Legacy S today. The owner's manual called for 8.3 quarts of Dextron fluid. I drained and added maybe about half that amount - so it didn't completely drain. Seemed like the dipstick reading read normal with only about 3 quarts, but added another anyway. It's been a long time since I drove it - I don't recall what the rpms should be at 65 mph. I know it needs to be at a certain temperature for the torque converter to lock up. I think that occurred, after a while at 65 the tach read about 2700 rpm. Seems to be in the ballpark. My '02 Outback automatic was 2600 rpm, my '02 Forester manual is 2750. The '95 Legacy is running well at 177+K. Does 2700 rpm at 65 mph sound about right?

Good choice. The CVT does a good job in the company vehicle that I have, a 2WD Jeep Patriot that averages 28+ mpg this time of year. I look forward to driving my 2002 5MT Forester. Somewhat crude by today's standards, it's practical and enjoyable to drive.

Good to hear about a Forester with 275,000 miles on it. My 2002 only has 116,000. It's an S model with the 5 speed. I love driving it, I don't very often since I have a company vehicle. I do hope to keep it a long time. It's a great winter vehicle. Of course good in snow, the heater and heated seats are great. To me it rides well, has a decent amount of room. Although it just fit, I was able to put a 24" snowblower in the box inside. I bought it in 2011 and still look forward to driving it. I'm in my late 50s and see no reason to trade it in for anything else, for me it does everything well. Fuel economy averages in the low 20s. Sure there's many vehicles that will do better, but there's other sacrifices along with better miles per gallon. Oil changes are easy, the filter very accessible. I've had many Subarus, been using PH3593 filters for years. My sons have a Legacys, one a 2007, the other a '95 with 177k, I'd get that 2000 for sale.

I'd love to find a '90-'94 Legacy AWD wagon with the manual transmission. Years ago I had a '92 sedan. Every once in a while I look on Craiglist, as expected they're a rare find. I wonder what transmissions you have in yours? I assume automatic, as they're typically geared higher than the manuals. I had a '98 Outback 5MT, ran about 3200 rpms at 65mph. I always wondered why it was geared accordingly. The 2.5 engine seemed to have plenty of power to be with a higher (lower rpm) overall top gear ratio.

Just want to say it's encouraging to hear you have a '95 Subaru Legacy with 255k miles. My son bought a '95 Legacy S 2 years ago, with about 176k miles and it runs great. There's been some maintenance lately, several items due to rust such as the fuel tank filler neck and radiator which is to be expected, well worth the money. I'll make note of information in this thread about gear oil for my manual transmission Forester. Good to hear there's no more grinding, and again good information shared on this site.

Wood with about an inch of foam on the top.

Although it's kind of crude, this arm rest I made a few years ago definitely improves driving comfort, especially with the manual transmission.

Thanks for the outside shots, what a paint job, especially the green! That's got to be nice to drive on a spring day.

Haven't heard about inadequate heaters in Outbacks, but if you look at subauforester.org and Edmunds.com reviews I saw several posts about the 2014 Forester not having enough heat. I wonder why that happened - my 2002 Forester's heat is great and likely other years as well.

I knew it - too bad.. Thought there wouldn't be a manual offered since that was the case with the upcoming Legacy. I do like the new Outback though. Not that I'm in the market for a new Subaru, I like my 2002 Forester 5MT very much. Scooner: "I don't think you can even buy a new pickup now days with a manual, that's the fun of driving i think." ....I think the only full size new 4WD pickup truck with a manual transmission is the Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.9L Cummins diesel. upnothguy - Nice '95 Legacy S. My son has a '95 S Sedan. I'll guess it's got about 178k miles. Great 2.2L engine

That was so very cool! Felt like I was riding along. Any photos of the van? I assume the engine is rear mounted. What year is it? I'd like to look up the specs.