New to USMB from Utah

[plaidfro]

Hello all,

 

I am hoping to rely on all of your expertise to help guide me into my first Subaru purchase.

 

I will be getting a job where I will have to commute about 60-70 each day and my 94' Jeep Wrangler with 35" tires is not going to be happy making that run. I know that a Subaru is going to fit the bill nicely... question is which one? and where to look for a deal?

 

Aside from the gas saving commute that a Subaru would bring... I really need the car to get me into the backcountry roads here in Utah. One that can carry all my gear when I am out backpacking or canyoneering. Higher Clearance and 4WD or AWD is going to be a must. I don't want to buy a new vehicle but would love to find a sweet Subaru that fits this bill. I don't know which models are garbage and which models are golden. I am open to your expertise.

[GirlWithALegacy]

question is which one? and where to look for a deal?

 

backcountry roads here in Utah. One that can carry all my gear when I am out backpacking or canyoneering. Higher Clearance and 4WD or AWD is going to be a must. I don't want to buy a new vehicle

 

I don't know which models are garbage and which models are golden. I am open to your expertise.

 

I'm biased, as I have a 93 Loyale, so of course that's what I recommend. Craigslist is usually your best bet, and I don't know if you have access to it yet, but the for sale section here has cars too. (obviously)

 

Well Subaru is the right choice for back country roads and carrying gear for sure! Obviously Wagons have lots of space, heck, fold down the rear seat and you've got a built in bed Can't blame you for not wanting anything new... Old gen ftw!

 

And frankly... How dare you suggest that any Subaru is garbage! Use the search function, trust me you'll figure out what engines, years, etc to avoid. lol. And I cannot stress that ENOUGH! 'Search' is your best friend! Use the Search button! It will help you save time waiting for a reply and will keep you exempt from animosity and angry venting from the experts who already answered the same question you posted, in 3 other posts.. this week! :-p

 

So best wishes to ya! Welcome to the Board! See ya around!

[92_rugby_subie]

An outback is a great rig for what your asking. Even the Forester actually if you want a more "jeep" like rig.

 

They have great ground clearance.

 

Only trouble that Ive heard of is the headgaskets for the EJ25D, but once they are replaced with the MLS gaskets, Ive heard they dont need replacement again.

 

The EJ25D is in the 96 and newer outbacks/foresters I believe but there are some outbacks that are EJ22s, but they seem to be kinda rare, but if you can find one, they are great.

 

Loyales are great too, I had a 1992, but in comparison, the EA82 thats in the Loyales is pretty gutless compared to the EJ22 or EJ25.

 

Welcome to the board!

[92_rugby_subie]

and GWAL... The for sale section is open even to visitors

 

He just cant Private Message yet, that comes after 10 posts.

[fignuts]

Welcome! Do you have a price range?? With a Subaru you can spend as little as $500 for an early to late 80's subaru that'll run and drive and have 4wd if you search. But you can spend up to $30k for a used STi with AWD. So..... What are you looking to spend??

[outback_97]

Welcome to the USMB from SLC.

 

The ksl.com classifieds are a good place to find a used Subaru, there's tons of them on there. Pricing tends to be high as they're always in demand here, but that's just the way the local market is. Take a drive up one of the Cottonwood canyons and it seems like every other car is a Subie. As someone else said you can spend hundreds or tens of thousands, just depends on what you want.

 

I've been considering selling my '97 since I just got an '08 this spring, but so far I just can't let go of the old one. I have taken it all over Utah, and while it isn't going to get everywhere your Jeep can, these cars can do a lot. They definitely are good camping cars, and the highway drive to your destination will be more enjoyable and cost less in fuel. The down side is that a lot of the trails here are rocky and have ledges, so the approach and departure angle of Subarus, along with the lack of a true low range, are often the weak points and limiting factors. On snow, and on dirt roads they excel, but they're not really rock crawlers. Someone will post a picture of a heavily modded Subie at Rubicon or something to prove me wrong, but I'm talking about stock or mildly modified cars. Mine has a slight lift from King Springs and AT tires, otherwise stock.

 

Are you planning on selling the Jeep, or keeping it? Either way, welcome to the board. IMO you'll not find a more helpful, friendly group of car enthusiasts online than here.

Edited April 28, 2011 by outback_97

[plaidfro]

Thank you for the replies. I will certainly use the search button and learn what I can.

 

I do think that the Foresters and Outbacks will probably be the most likely Subaru purchase. My mom drove a '99 Forester for awhile then got an '05 outback. I have thought that both of those were excellent vehicles. I really loved the high clearance, and would definitely look into raising the stock height 2" or 3" to be better suited for some minor offroad travel to accessing canyon trailheads. I drive a Jeep so I don't mind the boxy tall look of the Forester. What are the major pros/cons between those two models? Although no Subaru's are garbage apparantly are there any specifics that I should look out for with those models or years or packages? I will try searching as much as I can about those models and see what tweaks and upgrades are common.

 

Thanks for the info about the headgaskets... its the little tidbits like that which make joining a forum well worth it.

 

As for price I would be willing to pick up a good Subaru up to $10,000... but I would prefer to pick something in good condition at half that price. I don't think I would be able to manage an older 70's - 80's Subaru right now. Not enough time to give it the attention that it would need.

 

I will check ksl.com and see what I can find... I wouldnt be against picking one up out of Arizona or Nevada as well.

 

Any more info you can throw at me to help me refine my vehicle search would be appreciated

[Meeky Moose]

theres alot of different ways you can go.

 

if you want to go utilitarian, go more places than a jeep for under $800 you get

4" lift, 4-speed, dual range 4wd and a bulletproof drivetrain. got about 25mpg on freeway.

 

or for the $1000-2000 range you get

4" lift, 5-speed, go anywhere you want, reliable, and 25+mpg. and a 60ft time of 1.2seconds (yes i have the pink from the track still)

or for the $2000-$4000 range you get

pros- very versatile and reliable.

cons- 2.5 engines sucked imo, the 1996 only year had 2.2 engine (bulletproof) if you find one with a 2.5 blown up a 2.2 swap is bolt in (no mods needed) this one cost me $1000 blown up, $400 for the swap, great 28mpg awd car.

 

and of course prolly the best drivetrain i can think of

the 90-94 legacy wagons, 2.2l, 5-speed awd, were prolly the best combo in any scooby made (imo) they run 250k+ get 30+mpg(if taken care of) low maintenance, and still awd.

 

of course you can spend up to $30k on a scooby, just depends on what you want.. the ones i listed are your basic lower cost vehicles that are budget conscious and i think would fit the bill of course..

note= lift kits are extra