caribookid

Thanks guys. I've decided not to risk buying this model.

I'm looking at an 01 legacy wagon with 233k, but am concerned about the number of posts I've seen about head gasket failure on legacy motors. Is the 2001 engine prone to this problem as well? TIA

Yeah time to replace it.

I just gave the passenger side axle another wiggle at the transmission end, and I can feel a bit of up down movement in addition to the rotational slack. Both axles are new. I was quoted $1400 + tax for a new clutch and the labor to replace the clutch and tranny, I supply the used tranny. So about $2000 total with a tranny with unknown history, or up to $3000 if I have my tranny rebuilt depending on the parts it needs. Just saw a 1993 loyale in very nice shape with 175,000k for $2250. Tempting.

No it sounds more like what you are describing.

Yeah, this is the first loyale I've ever had clutch or tranny problems with. It only has 175,000km. Thought I would get years out of it before anything major. The clutch definitely was out of adjustment but after adjustment it still slips. I can release the clutch in gear with the parking brake on and it takes a second or two for the engine to slow down enough to run poorly then I can take off the brake and it will drive away without stalling. Clutch is shot, but I'd still drive it with confidence for a while if the tranny wasn't going too. The tranny makes a loud clack-clack very similar to cv joints when under acceleration, less noticable in 4wd. Has no relationship to turning. Just had the axles replaced and figure this noise was hidden in the cv noise. A non subaru shop diagnosed it as final drive of the tranny. I can feel some play if I reach down and wiggle the axle where it comes out of the transaxle. I would really love to find it was something other than the tranny so I could afford to fix it. I love these cars and the body/interior on this one is still in great shape except for one fender that was replaced early in it's life and the drain holes in the replacement were plugged causing it to rust. I posted in another thread that I saw this link suggesting the exhaust flex joint could contribute to a similar noise. It' listed under "trouble spots". http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1990-to-1994-subaru-loyale-2.htm

I've got a 1992 loyale 4wd wagon. How much labor should I expect to be charged to change the tranny and clutch? TIA

My 92 loyale is doing the same thing after having front axles replaced. I think the noise was there the whole time just disguised by the cv noise. Kal tire couldn't even get the first set of axles into my car, had to order a different brand. Noise has nothing to do with turning and is only when accelerating. Had it diagnosed at a local shop as "transmission noise, final drive". Told me my clutch needed replacing as well, and I already knew I had a lot of loose exhaust components. My clutch is out of adjustment, that's all. So maybe they don't know enough about the tranny for a proper diagnosis either. Tonight I happened across a remark about tranny noise under acceleration in these cars likely being caused by the exhaust flex joint on this page http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1990-to-1994-subaru-loyale-2.htm and I'm wondering if any of you that know the car better can figure out if that is likely the problem. My gearshift vibrates a bit on the highway so I might have a bad tranny mount making things move more than usual. The clacking noise under acceleration is loud enough to be embarassing.