cbs125 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I've got a 2000 Impreza OWS with 209, 841 miles on it. Bought it 3yrs ago for $3500 with 130k added tires struts and an O2 sensor. So the time has come for the "normal" 100k Timing belt, pulleys & water pump change. Also in November I changed the plugs and on the drivers side there was oil in with the plug. I assume that will be a valve cover gasket. It will need tires for fall/winter. Might need a catalytic converter. So the question is do i sink the $1500 into it or use it towards a lower mileage legacy outback "upgrade". How log do these 2.2 L cars go? When do the costs suggest a look towards a new (used) one? Thanks, Corey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) well, the choice is entirely up to you but... my 1990 Legacy LS wagon has 211,690+ - just did a complete reseal & timing job on her this past weekend with a little help from friends and plan on driving her to at least 350K the other half also has a 1990 Legacy that has about 265K on it and still going strong... both are the non-interference EJ22's. Rust will be the killer of these two cars as we live in Wisconsin personally, i would put whatever money you have to into the one you have - it is a known quantity. Buying another used car you have no idea of how it was treated and you could end up spending a lot more getting it up to snuff. just my 2/10 of a cent worth. Edited June 7, 2011 by heartless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzam Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 You've driven 80K in 3 years with minimal costs other than normal maintenance. You should consider how quickly you will run up the mileage in the next 2-3 years and figure what mileage and condition you hope it will be in. There are never any guarantees as the mileage goes higher, but there are only a few engines I'd want to do it in, and the Subie 2.2 is one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbs125 Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 I hear ya on the rust. I have to normal rear wheel well rust on both driver and passenger sides. It seems to be under control with a yearly grind/prime and paint routine. it been my daily driver for a year in Michigan with monthly trips back to PA. Then it sat for a year with minimal miles because I lived above work. Now i have a 14 mile commute oneway to work. So that's the mileage I'm looking at. Also I get the "Known" as opposed to the unknown of a new car. This one was babied before me and I'd say I've taken good care of it. guess it may be time to pony up for parts and a few cases of beer for my buddy to give me a hand. Corey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzam Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 As you get closer to retiring the car, start shopping for another one in good condition. Easier to find one while you still have transportation than to buy something you need in a hurry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Blu has almost 300K on him. Nothing you have listed does not go under normal maint, though i would suspect an O2 sensor and not the cat. For 1500.00 where can you get a replacement car that you know that will not require another 1500.00 in repairs. Invest the money. When you hit 500K we will disguss putting her down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General chaos Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 my legacy 2.2 has near 289,00 on it. i just put a water pump and timing belt on it in the last year. if the transmission wouldnt have gotten damged as to others fault. it would probably go alot longer like it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 When you hit 500K we will disguss putting her down ^^^ What he said! Nip, i know you are on LI - how is the "rust" situation out there?? really gonna try my best to get to 350-400K before the rust mosnter gets mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Twosleft rear wheel well and one dead center on the roof at the windsheild. Cars since 95 dont really rot here as long as they see a car wash twice a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I hear of these 2.2s going for 350k+ miles on a regular basis with only regular maintenance. As a matter of fact there is a recent thread about one here: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=122086 That said, not all of them make it that far for various reasons. Generally due to abuse, neglect, and poor maintenance habits. Go for the work. Search around here for some tips on how to save some $$ on the parts you need. (online vendors/dealers, discounts, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280+k 90 Legacy Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Keep going!!! My 90 Legacy with the 2.2 is currently at 284k. I love this car. I haven't had many problems with it at all. Oil change every 3k, cv joints and tires. Currently working on fixing some new problems but I'm hoping to get a few more years out of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaraK Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Everyone likes these 2.2's, my last vehicle went 226,xxx (and it wasn't (supposedly) as good these) If I were you, I'd listen to "Heartless" this person knows what they're talking about....At least you know what you're dealing with, rather than someone elses problem.... For what it's worth.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbs125 Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Im going to put the money into the car. and hope for an even 300k. Now to find a good shop in greater Philadelphia area to handle things. My buddy thinks we might get in over our heads with the timing belt. Oh it wansn't the Cat just heat shields. Thanks, Corey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) Im going to put the money into the car. and hope for an even 300k. Now to find a good shop in greater Philadelphia area to handle things. My buddy thinks we might get in over our heads with the timing belt. Oh it wansn't the Cat just heat shields. Thanks, Corey you have driven 80k miles and you paid $3500. that's less than $.05 per mile. if you bought the car new for $20,000 you would have to drive it 400k miles. how many new cars sold today will do that. but, it sounds like you put most of these miles on the car the first year. and that this year your total will be less, maybe less than the national average. a commute of 14 miles per day isn't very much. so there is a chance the car will start to ''age'' in spite of the miles. and rust is real car killer. i would fix the car and start a car fund, $100 a month? (don't use the car fund for repairs.) then when you do need to replace your car, you'll have some seed money. i also like the advice to start looking now. if you find a good car for a good price jump on it. but you never know what you will be getting. Edited June 7, 2011 by johnceggleston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 if your buddy is even a little bit mechanically inclined, you & he can handle the timing job - there is a very good writeup here at the USMB - and Miles Fox has some GREAT videos on the 'tube that practically hold your hand to do this job. It is NOT hard You just need all the correct parts: belt, pulleys, waterpump, t-stat & seals, and a couple gallons of 50/50 premixed antifreeze and you can do the job in just a couple of hours. Seriously - if a "girl" can do it - so can you & your buddy (gonna take me up on the challenge?? ) Parts will cost you in the neighborhood of $120-150, depending on where you order from, and shipping costs to your location. A little more if you do an oil change & basic tune-up at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricearu Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 So the question is do i use it towards a lower mileage LEGACY OUTBACK "upgrade" NO WAY would I trade my 2.2 for a 2.5. The rock solid reliability is with the 2.2l. I can't remember the last time I personally saw a 2.2 with a blown headgasket. I would put timing belt, idlers, tensioner, water pump and seals/gaskets on the front of that engine (and valve covers) and drive it a lot longer. and anyone who owns a subaru and pays $1500 for a timing belt, wp and reseal needs to find another mechanic. I like the buddies and beer idea instead. just that one buddy has to wait till the job is done before HE gets beer! the cat is the only thing that will cost you a pretty penny but you could go on ebay and buy a direct fit aftermarket (magnaflow and carsound are decent and well priced) and put it on yourself. The last cat i priced for someone direct fit was $184 with free shipping bottom line. keep it. I could always fly up and take it off your hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 If it's not rusty and runs/drives well. Keep it!!! My legacy has 234k miles, drives great!! I've swapped in an ej22 with many more miles on it than the car, and the whole thing just goes and goes and goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cohophysh Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Phhhhhhhhhhtttttttt....335k and I haven't done a thing to my 90 legacy in the last 80k. I have no idea what was done before I owned it (got it free, it was sitting in a coworkers yard for 3 years without being started). So put the money into it...it will last another 200k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 do the timing belts and get another 100,000 iles or more out of it. The car is more resilient than what people will tell you. I see ej22's go 200,000 miles on their original timing belts. At this point do the water pump. you can spend the same money on another car that will still need the work anyway. keep what you have, and it will keep going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbs125 Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 thanks for the confidence in the car. the $1500 mechanic was way out of line I knew that. For the Issue of times sake I found a deal that will do the timing belt, WP, pulleys hydrolic tensioner and valve gaskets for $850. I asked him 3 times if this was his quote. I have a 830 mile trip this weekend to Northern, MI ( oh and 830 for the return) so peace of mind and speed was key. Normal rust (2) inch and a 1/2 hole on the rear wheel wheels that I have been keeping up with. I think the Cat is just Heat shields rattling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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