Outback or not to Outback 2.5?

[eppoh]

My son's pristine 97 Lego wagon was totaled last week. Down here in Texas finding nice 2.2 legos are like hens teeth. This one was really nice and I had done all the good stuff to it like OB struts, etc.. v

 

It took me 6 months to find this car when I bought it last year.

 

Now we must consider buying a newer OB wagon with 2.5

 

I have heard the SOHC engines were least problematic, and I also heard that with new SUBY head gaskets they should be good to go.

 

Any advice on year models? I can get a decent 00- to 02 for around 5000 here.

[idosubaru]

Well that stinks. Glad it did it's job and protected him. The 2.2's are getting older and less desirable due to age and options.

 

The SOHC are less problematic, but they're still prone to failure. I think they have less visibility because they're more likely to be repaired than dumped cheap.

 

Key to me is they don't leave you stranded because they won't overheat without warning, they leak externally, not internally. They'll only overheat if you run them out of coolant. That's a huge plus in my book.

 

At $5,000 I wouldn't put yourself out of range for an H6, they're excellent motors. That's what I did to avoid the EJ25 and I'm glad I did.

 

That being said it's not that hard to find one with the headgaskets replaced, I currently have one for sale as such. I guess your area might be a tough subaru market though.

[eppoh]

The local body shop guy came by and said he could fix it for 2500, more if we want the rear quarter panel replaced.

 

All the doors, hood and hatch still work straight. Just the hood has a small v dent in the front where he ran over a sign, after the caddy hit him.

 

I think it may have bent an axle or rim too on the right side,.

 

We'll see what the insurance company offers and wants to sell it back with salvage title.

 

I did find a 99 that looks really nice in LA with low miles, but she is really proud of it.

[SuBrat84]

After owning a '97 and a '98 2.5 I plan on avoiding the '96-'00 like the PLAGUE. Honestly.. I would get a 97 RS Impreza Coupe ONLY if I could afford to drop an STi drivetrain in it. From now on any "new gen" subies I get will be a 2.2 or a '02+.. My brother had an '02 2.5RS and it was a GREAT, problem free car. He traded it in for a truck.. that jerk!

[idosubaru]

99's have the delayed forward engagement issue just to be sure to look for that when test driving.

 

good luck figuring it out.

 

if you can buy it back and fix is a great plan if it sounds solid which it sounds like it still is?

 

good luck.

[eppoh]

Never heard of that. What is the " delayed forward engagement issue"?

[Fairtax4me]

There was a big thread about that on here a few months back... Just search for delayed and I'm sure it'll pop up.

 

As for motors. 96 Outback with 5 speed has the last of the bullet proof EJ22s in it. If you want an automagic, a 2.2 swap is pretty easy if you can find a car with a dead 2.5. Pick the car up cheap, swap in the 2.2 for a few hundred bucks and away you go!

[eppoh]

There was a big thread about that on here a few months back... Just search for delayed and I'm sure it'll pop up.

 

As for motors. 96 Outback with 5 speed has the last of the bullet proof EJ22s in it. If you want an automagic, a 2.2 swap is pretty easy if you can find a car with a dead 2.5. Pick the car up cheap, swap in the 2.2 for a few hundred bucks and away you go!

 

WE have considered that, but even O/B's with blown 2.5's aer not that common down here.

 

BTW, anyone know if the 99 Lego L with 2.2 is the phase 2 motor with the 2 piece head like the 99 Impreza?