thingol

My dad just purchased a 99 30AE special wagon, 5-speed, and it is really nice. All of the non-GTs, non-Outbacks were the 2.2l, so no 2.5 problems, although this is apparently (from what I have heard on this board) an interference engine, so stay on top of timing belt changes (I change every 60k). As for the sun roof, what SuBrat84 said holds true for the 30AE sunroofs as well, it must be all the way down to slide back, and all the way foward to go up. In addition, my dad's will run the motor even when it is all one way or another, so don't hold the switches too long if it is not moving, as you could burn out the motor. All in all, if the rest of the car was good, I would take the 1K off for the sunroof, and then fix it, as I highly doubt it will be a 1K fix, if you have a good, honest mechanic.

The fourth mechanic you talked to was the only correct one. Changing all four tires at the same time (to the same size/type/etc) will not result in any center diff damage at all (what do you think happens when your tires wear....they change size). Center diff damage is caused by differences in speed between the front and rear wheels caused by having larger or smaller wheels/tires on the front or back. However, this means you need to purchase 5 tires (and perhaps 1 wheel) when you change sizes, as your spare will no longer be usable at all (as it would be a different size, and would lead to center diff damage). As noted above, you may need to "persuade" your fenderwells to let the tires in though.

Those trails look really cool, I will have to check them out some time (I am in SWVA). In addition, a meet there is a great idea, I would certianly be in if I was available (and by Sept I would hopefully have the lift done on my 98 Wagon ). Luckily we have a good deal of national forest trails around here that are legal and very challenging.