Subaru_dude

I most definitely would NOT be buying this vehicle as a daily driver. Some of you seem to think I'm replacing the OBW with it. That's just not true. It would be a short road trip, camping vehicle STRICTLY. The EA82 wagon would become the DD. And I'm most definitely not going to pay $5000 for it. I'm going to offer the OBW in trade and throw $500 on top of that and THAT'S IT. That's a total of 3,300 being that I paid $2,800 for the OBW when it had 185,000 miles on it. If he doesn't take it then no real losses, I love my Outback. If he does then I'll just have to make sure the touring wagon is ready for many MANY miles.

Yeah I'm aware. I have an '89 Touring wagon that would probably become my daily. That's why I made reference to it. At one point I had a 1987 DL with manual steering and I prefer it over power steering. I just like the feel, I've always been somewhat Spartan when it comes to my tastes in vehicles. I could easily get by without even having A/C. I learned to drive on a '78 3 on the tree straight 6 Chevrolet with power NOTHING. I loved that truck. I'm also a laid back driver anyway MOST OF THE TIME. Sometimes I do get a wild hair though... The Outback sees speeds in excess of 100 at least every couple months. I like to think of myself as a very simple person. I don't mind sacrificing a little to have less to worry about. I also recently bought a hatch in very good condition that needs a little work to get it running. If I get tired of the Brat, I'll just switch to the hatch!

Well I'm going to offer NO MORE than $500 on top of the Outback. I originally wanted a multi-purpose vehicle when I bought the Outback. I wanted something that was comfortable yet could handle many different types of conditions. It's also a plus that I can sleep in it if need be and have quite a few times. It's been the best car I've had so far and the only one that doesn't leak any fluids at all. Having owned a few Soobs, it's nice to NOT smell burning differential grease at stop lights. I also just got a hold of a d/r EJ tranny from Numbchux that I'm planning on dropping EA82 d/r low into and that's another reason I don't want to get rid of the OB. I'd just have to get rid of that tranny too. I just performed a tune-up using NGK V-power plugs and Subaru plug wires. My mileage went up about 1-2 mpgs. The timing belt was done at 177,000 from what I can see on the tag under the hood. I do not know if the idlers and tensioner were done then though. Hoses look good too. I may say that this would just be a weekender or a show car but truth be known I'd probably drive it to work quite often. It seems to me that an EA81 would be just as reliable as any EJ22 as long as mantainance is kept up. And yes the Outback is racking up the miles and I can feel the difference in just 30,000 miles. That's what's nicer about the EA82, you don't feel as bad about driving it into the ground. Or at least I don't. I'm just torn lol. I'm honestly too emotionally drawn into this situation to make an informed decision. Just the thought of how clean and pristine of a Brat it is makes me decide right then that I want it. I need you guys to think practially for me!!! You're doing good so far... but even if you do bad and I end up with the Brat I'll forgive you. Sigh....

Well that wasn't really my question. My question was whether or not I should make the trade.

1985 Brat. T-tops, 4spd d/r, dark blue in excellent shape. 145,000 miles and nearly NO rust. Just a couple spots I could find and it wasn't serious at all. New tires too. He's asking a whopping $5000 and he says FIRM. I offered my 1996 Outback with 217,000 miles and he said with a little cash on top of that he would think about it. My practical side says I should keep the more "reliable" and comfortable ride but good lordy this is one absolutely beautiful Brat. No jump seats though. If he decided it was a fair trade, would I regret giving up my 5spd EJ22 Outback for a pristine Brat? It took me a while to find the EJ22 Outback and I've had no complaints about it whatsoever (besides it COULD use some higher gearing). I would be forced to revert to my EA82 Touring Wagon as a daily. This Brat would be strictly for show or the occasional short road trip. I drive 140 miles daily and enjoy the comfort and nice cold a/c of the Outback. What do you guys think I should do?

Alright, who here in the Great Southeast would be up for a camping/4x4ing/bbq meet? I know of a pretty good 4x4 trail in Cherokee National Forest. I have weekends off so any weekend would be good for me personally.

I have no idea why it was painted. He said it has a timing "chain" and I'm assuming those will go a while before needing changed. Next time I go look at it I'll ask him why it's been painted. He said it hasn't been in any wrecks though...

I found a 1980 Toyota Tercel coupe with 150,000 miles and a new paint job. It doesn't appear to have any rust on the undercarriage or body and the interior is in good shape. It's a 4spd stick and supposedly everything's mechanically sound. I've been looking for a 40mpg car for work and back (700 miles a week) because the Outback at it's very VERY best gets 30. From what I've read on the net people get 40-50 (seems a little high) pretty regularly out of this model Tercel. Anybody have any experience with this model Toyota? How were the carbs, problem areas, easy to service? From what I understand it has the 20R pretty much based on the 22R and from what I hear the 22R is an EXCELLENT engine. Thank GOODNESS it's not a transversely mounted 4-cylinder. That's one of the most appealing things about it to me. So you think it's worth anywhere near $1000? That's what he's asking but it seems a bit steep for such an old car but then again at that price it would pay itself off in less than a year.

Really suprised at how well it turned out. Was hesitant about the paint job at first, but now that it's finished it actually looks really cool. I bet you can see that thing from MILES away. Sweet job on the paint job

I saw that add and thought... "Wait, The Dude doesn't live down here. And why would he sell it?"

EA81:grin: EJ22:grin: EA82:) EA82T:-\ DOHC EJ25:( It seems to me that people expect the early EJ25s to be dead reliable. That's just not true. Stick with EJ22s and EA81s and you'll be ALOT happier. I hate to hear you're loosing faith in Subaru, but it's to be expected when you're dealing with one of their worst engines. Somebody needs to conduct an investigation and find out what's going on with CCR. I thought they used to have an excellent reputation. Sounds like laziness to me but that's just from what I've read sitting here in my chair.

Jeez... it might be worth it to just go to the junkyard and buy one that's already broken in and just reseal it.

Is this a 4wd? I had an '89 fwd sedan 5spd 2wd that would regularly get in the high 30's. Got 41 once heading back from Nashville with a strong tail-wind just about the whole way. I would think you would get better mileage. Might need tune-up or air filter, possibly o2 sensor. Got a check engine light on?

Jefferson county tags. Actually stopped and talked to her. Said she's been into Subarus for a while but didn't specify how she got the convertible. Had some rust in front of the rear wheel well but that's all that was visible. Had the top down, said she was working on getting a new top off the internet. Can't help but wonder if she's aware of this site, should have asked... It seemed to be in fairly decent shape. Said she was going to do a full restoration on it sooner or later. Had access to a welder and knew how to work with sheet metal pretty well. For those of you who don't know, there was a dealership in California that did convertible conversions on some of EA81 coupes. I don't know how many they produced exactly but I do know they are rare even in Subaru territory.

I gotta get one too. Do they make one that says 200K+ ???

I have a set of Goodyear Assurances and they have about 25,000 miles on them. They're really awesome in the snow suprisingly but I haven't noticed any increase in gas mileage like they advertise. As a matter of fact I lost 2 mpg average. They're quiet at first but now they're VERY noisy. I don't think I'll buy another set.

Good gracious. I bought new ones for my Outback too but the ones that came off were in great shape, just need resurfaced. If you want an extra set let me know. It'll be a while before you need rotors though with a new set... what kinds are they? And what kinds of pads are you using?

If it's an EA82 you won't have to do anything with the gas tank. I swapped donor parts from a 4wd onto a 2wd and there were no problems with the tank. I don't know about EA81s though...

from 1996 to 2001 it was located in Idaho. The undercarriage is amazingly clean. The interior was in perfect shape when I got it, but I've worn the seat a bit and there's some stains in there that didn't used to be... I drive over 700 miles a week so yeah, that's bound to happen.

Well, that gear reduction set still only gives you a 1.4:1 reduction whereas using the low gearset out of an EA82 5spd d/r will give you a 1.59:1 low range so that's the route I'll be taking. Here's a link on how to do it... http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=97653

1996 5spd 2.2, currently has 212,000 miles. Soon to have the coveted EJ d/r box behind the also coveted EJ22 that's already in it.