93-97 subaru legacy L

[nighthawk2006]

Hey Everyone. I have thought a lot lately about potentially downgrading my car (significantly). Currently have a 06 wrx which is great, but oh my goodness does it requires a lot of attention. I talked to a subaru mechanic about older models and he steered me away from models like the old GL's and Loyales simply because their parts are getting harder to find. He did say that the Subaru Legacy L's are really fine cars. Anyone have any experience with these? Obviously i am aware that buying a older high mileage car has it's risks but i am really just looking for something that doesnt have to be pretty, it just has to be really reliable. Any input or experience with this would be greatly appreciated. Also this would be a colorado commuter car so it's going to get beat on a bit if i buy it.

[montana tom]

Great choice ! 96-90 2.2 non interference motor. Not the most powerful ,but in my opinion the best motor subi ever made! I have a 94 , 5 mt... its my ranch rig , hauls everything from straw and grain to deer and elk. Just runs and runs. I have 2 spare motors for it but the original, 300,000 + just keeps going and going like the energizer bunny ! She doesn't look very pretty anymore and sends most of her time parked in the field but she is a cherished part of our subaru fleet.  

[1 Lucky Texan]

from everything I have ever read - 2.2 engine is the one you want. (yeah - I have an 06 WRX - just spent $2k having the trans rebuilt)

 

guys? - were some available with the dual range transmission? maybe out of Canada? that could be cool.

Edited December 14, 2016 by 1 Lucky Texan

[nighthawk2006]

Great choice ! 96-90 2.2 non interference motor. Not the most powerful ,but in my opinion the best motor subi ever made! I have a 94 , 5 mt... its my ranch rig , hauls everything from straw and grain to deer and elk. Just runs and runs. I have 2 spare motors for it but the original, 300,000 + just keeps going and going like the energizer bunny ! She doesn't look very pretty anymore and sends most of her time parked in the field but she is a cherished part of our subaru fleet.  

Damn still on the original motor? Thats Great! What do you mean by non interference motor?

[nighthawk2006]

from everything I have ever read - 2.2 engine is the one you want. (yeah - I have an 06 WRX - just spent $2k having the trans rebuilt)

 

guys? - were some available with the dual range transmission? maybe out of Canada? that could be cool.

ahhhh man I'm sorry i feel your pain! I have had my wax since late February and have already put over 3k worth of work into it. Such a fun car but god dammit is it worth it? And when you say dual range what is that?

[montana tom]

Timing belt breaks at any rpm and there is zero damage to the motor ! starting in 1996 all 2.5 subi motors are interference . Break a belt... bend the valves ! 2.2 motors became interference sometime in the 97 up years, not sure when exactly.    Not heard of a dual range for these

Edited December 14, 2016 by montana tom

[1 Lucky Texan]

ahhhh man I'm sorry i feel your pain! I have had my wax since late February and have already put over 3k worth of work into it. Such a fun car but god dammit is it worth it? And when you say dual range what is that?

I've only read mentions of them - I guess you get a 'granny gear' for more grunt?

 

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/110-gen-2-2000-2004/290538-jdm-dual-range-transmission-into-00-outback.html

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/68929-actual-ej-dual-range-transmissions/

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/153425-dual-range-jdm-transmission/

Edited December 14, 2016 by 1 Lucky Texan

[wtdash]

Just to reiterate - stay away from the 2.5 engine on the '96+ legacy...unless you can confirm 100% that it NEVER overheated AND the Head Gaskets (HG) were done.

 

Being in CO, if you ever drive in those 'hills' 'round there 'bouts, you may be underwhelmed w/the 2.2's performance. A manual/5-speed will help w/that a bit, but there's no easy/cheap way to get your 'boost' back. :-)

 

GL,

TD

 

Tangent> I had a 55hp '80 Ford Fiesta I drove around CO, ski bumming in the mid-80's.  I'd like to say I learned Patience from that....but not so much. :-)

[AdventureSubaru]

Yep. Great cars. I drive a 98 right now with a 96 motor. 97 and 98s are fine cars too. Just make sure the timing belts get changed when needed.

 

Australia and south America had the option of dual range 4x4 transmission. They are rare here but can be found to give your car better off road ability.

 

Another good option is to swap suspension from 97-99 outback or 98-08 forester into the legacy for better ground clearance and bigger tires for trails and snow.

[nighthawk2006]

Yep. Great cars. I drive a 98 right now with a 96 motor. 97 and 98s are fine cars too. Just make sure the timing belts get changed when needed.

 

Australia and south America had the option of dual range 4x4 transmission. They are rare here but can be found to give your car better off road ability.

 

Another good option is to swap suspension from 97-99 outback or 98-08 forester into the legacy for better ground clearance and bigger tires for trails and snow.

Hell yeah that's totally what I had in mind. Do you have to add trail arm brackets too or just the struts?

[nighthawk2006]

Just to reiterate - stay away from the 2.5 engine on the '96+ legacy...unless you can confirm 100% that it NEVER overheated AND the Head Gaskets (HG) were done.

 

Being in CO, if you ever drive in those 'hills' 'round there 'bouts, you may be underwhelmed w/the 2.2's performance. A manual/5-speed will help w/that a bit, but there's no easy/cheap way to get your 'boost' back. :-)

 

GL,

TD

 

Tangent> I had a 55hp '80 Ford Fiesta I drove around CO, ski bumming in the mid-80's. I'd like to say I learned Patience from that....but not so much. :-)

Ok that's good to know. Does the 2.2 have head gasket issues? I'm looking at one with higher miles but I just want to get a idea for how it drives

[nighthawk2006]

Just to reiterate - stay away from the 2.5 engine on the '96+ legacy...unless you can confirm 100% that it NEVER overheated AND the Head Gaskets (HG) were done.

 

Being in CO, if you ever drive in those 'hills' 'round there 'bouts, you may be underwhelmed w/the 2.2's performance. A manual/5-speed will help w/that a bit, but there's no easy/cheap way to get your 'boost' back. :-)

 

GL,

TD

 

Tangent> I had a 55hp '80 Ford Fiesta I drove around CO, ski bumming in the mid-80's. I'd like to say I learned Patience from that....but not so much. :-)

Ok that's good to know. Does the 2.2 have head gasket issues? I'm looking at one with higher miles but I just want to get a idea For how it drives

[montana tom]

No the 2.2 is good on head gaskets unless you get it hot.  head bolts are reusable as well. Easy easy motor to work on . wouldn't hurt to put new seals and head gaskets on one anyway. 

[heartless]

the non-interference 2.2 is basically bullet-proof. they very rarely have headgasket issues, or any major issues for that matter. not saying it never happens, but it is quite rare.

 

I have a 95 Legacy L (up for sale) that I put 98 Forester struts & springs on - nothing else - works great! the additional height is nice. and if you can get your hands on a set, the Forester 15" wheels & tires will fit, too, for just a little more.

[sparkyboy]

Some say that the 96 is the best of the early ej22s because it has obd2 diagnostics and the only year of the non interference motors with the adjustable valvetrain. I have 3 early ej22s, a 92 legacy, 96 legacy, and a 95 ej22 in an 86 GL body. If you like the 80s bodies and can find one with an ej22 swap get it! Those bodies are a lot lighter so the ej22 makes that thing smash! Plus you can get the dual range transmission that you want.

I love all my Subarus, my 96 has 315,000 miles, doesn't make noise or burn a drop of oil!

[nighthawk2006]

So i went and test drove one earlier and it was great! Only issue is that i heard an interesting noise coming from the engine. It was just a little clicky. It didnt quite song like rod knock. One of my friends said thats just how the engine sounds. I made sure to rev it high but no noticeable knocking. Any thoughts?

[1997reduxe]

I just bought my fifth one, my old gf had a 95 with about 85K when i met her thats where i learned about them.

Since then I bought 4 more. Just a few weeks ago i got the best one other than hers. Its a 95 (thats the year, actually about halfway through 96, they changed over to interference engine, so watch for that.) so im glad its non-interference.

It was well maintained so it makes all the difference. Also try to get one from south somewhere im sure the snow and salt in CO is a killer like it was in pa for me earlier.

Other main culprit is timing belt get a good kit seals etc and get it and all hardware pulleys etc water pump at same time. not worth doing it if you dont replace it all.

[wtdash]

So i went and test drove one earlier and it was great! Only issue is that i heard an interesting noise coming from the engine. It was just a little clicky. It didnt quite song like rod knock. One of my friends said thats just how the engine sounds. I made sure to rev it high but no noticeable knocking. Any thoughts?

 

 A little 'clicky' could be lots of things....and not necessarily '...just how the engine sounds...'. 

 

What year? Miles?  - "higher miles" depends on whom you ask.  Maintenance history? 

 

HLA on  valves could be a possibility. Injectors can make some noise. Is it RPM dependent?

Edited December 15, 2016 by wtdash

[1997reduxe]

i had them where they ran with those clicks for years but i seem to remember something about piston slap and/or lifters being cleaned? i never found the money or time to check it out though. the thing is i have found with these cars (again i had 5), is in the old days you could find them and just buy them for 2-3000 and if they ran good when you test drove it it would most likely for at least a few years. but now they are getting quite a bit older and you have to look at it from the point of years of rot of some of the parts etc, so its not just regular maintenance its bringing the whole car up to par. but in my case i just got one that people did awesome maintenance maybe even garaged so that is nice.

one thing to remember is to check the coolant hoses mostly i used to just change the big ones but look for them all there is one thats a little small like L shape on the front of the engine you can hardly see it, maybe small heater hoses too change them all unless theyve been done. things like that.

[lmdew]

Lots of deals on 97-99 Outbacks with the 2.5 DOHC engine in them.  < $500.  Drop a good used 2.2 in with new T-Belt, Seals... and for under a $1000.  You will have a very nice car that will last for years.

[Tally]

i have a 1996 subaru legacy l 2.2L , i had issues with it binding in the rear when turning a cornar, i replaced the rear axcles and rear differential now its in FWD only, how can i get it back in AWD?

[montana tom]

 Its called torque bind and Its in the output from your trans. Duty C solenoid, and clutches.  Rebuild or get a used tail section .   Not that hard to install with trans still in car. Search for posts.