billrigsby Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 (edited) My old 99 2.2 Impreza (260K), while it still runs good, the transmission (5 Spd) is soon to be in need of a rebuild. It is getting costly to keep up with some rust issues, So I have been looking at some "newer" used Subies. (Impreza or Legacy) Having not really kept up with the new models I am seeking advise on some of the following. I really do not want to go older than 2010 or over $15K, but there are a couple of 2009 listed, wondering about 2.0 vs 2.5, Auto vs 5 vs 6 Spd (prefer manual), Turbo (the 2010 Legacy is). Any inherent problems with Model / Years I am looking at? I am not in a rush, but really need some quality guidance from you all experts. 2010 Subaru Legacy AWD 2.5GT Limited Sedan 6 Spd$16,788 RetailValue$14,988 Internet PriceMileage 108,7692009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i AutoNo-haggle price $11,998Mileage 72K2014 Subaru Impreza 2.0i AutoNo-haggle price $15,998Mileage 37K2014 Subaru Impreza 2.0i AutoNo-haggle price $15,998Mileage 42K2014 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium 5 SpdNo-haggle price $15,998Mileage 63K2009 Subaru Impreza Outback 5 SpdNo-Haggle Price $10,998Mileage 118K These are all in the Denver / Colorado Springs area, and I know I would not get much for a trade-in on the 99 so it will be kept around for BAD snow days, wish some of these were 2 doors, but that's a thing of the past! Thanks, Bill Edited September 25, 2017 by billrigsby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 turbo is tempting in mountain country but, IMHO, most of them are too risky. wonder if it and the 2009 got their timing belt systems serviced properly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 (edited) If you want ultimate reliability, find a 2010 Forester or Impreza automatic. These have the EJ25 but the updated 770 head gaskets from the factory. They also have the 4EAT (bulletproof). Steer clear of early FB's (oil consumption) and all the CVT's (valve body/programming/torque converters/belt whine). Or you can send me your trans for a rebuild. Those are dead simple and I can easily make it like new again. Typically they only need about $150 in parts, and bench tear down / reassembly is $800. Shipping would be about $300 typically. Find someone to R&R it - about 5 hours labor. Should be less than $2k with a clutch/flywheel resurface/fluid. GD Edited September 25, 2017 by GeneralDisorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 ^^^ didn't know that about the 770 gaskets. good info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrigsby Posted September 25, 2017 Author Share Posted September 25, 2017 Steer clear of early FB's (oil consumption) and all the CVT's (valve body/programming/torque converters/belt whine). GD Thanks, Good info I was wondering about the CVTs, but FB's ??? Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 FB is the engine code for the newer engines. Previously it was EJ. Foresters got the FB engine in 11' in the US Outback in 12 And not sure about when the imprezas got them as they have a smaller engine. Early gen FB engines had high oil consumption issues. Unless addressed by the dealer under warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrigsby Posted September 26, 2017 Author Share Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) What about the legacies, any idea when they got the FB? And what are your opinions on the 5 and 6 speeds for this era? I'm also guessing current models are still using the FBS and, at what point did the oil consumption not become an issue? Edited September 26, 2017 by billrigsby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Yep, keep your 99 and get the trans rebuilt by GD or drop in a low mileage used one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) Here are the affected vehicles for the extended warranty Covered Vehicles https://www.girardgibbs.com/subaru-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit/ The “Settlement Class Vehicles” are: Automatic / CVT Transmission: 2011-14 Forester (below VIN *529004) 2012-13 Impreza 4-Door (below VIN *033336) 2012-13 Impreza 5-Door Wagon(below VIN *886714) 2013 Crosstrek (below VIN *856139) 2013 Legacy (below VIN *048086) 2013 Outback (below VIN *321435) Manual Transmission: 2011-15 Forester (below VIN *543650 ) 2012-15 Impreza (below VIN *270253) 2013-15 Crosstrek (below VIN *270284) 2013-14 Legacy (all) 2013-14 Outback (all) Edited September 26, 2017 by Mike104 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Here is a long article about "oil consumption" and a list of worse offenders: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/06/excessive-oil-consumption/index.htm As explained better elsewhere by GD the oil consumption was a design trade off to improve gas mileage. Less ring friction for better mileage, less efficient oil scraping, leads to consuming oil between oil changes. The fix for Subaru was to put in a new short block that got up to 3 MPG LESS. A quart of oil between oil changes is a cheaper option than reduced fuel economy IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 As long as you are wise enough to check the oil. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrigsby Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 Thought I would revive this year and a half old topic. Any updates on the oil consumption issue, how are the 2016, 2017 and 2018 models? Really need to get a newer vehicle and get rid of three or four. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 I have a 2017 Forester with the FB2.5 engine. I change the oil about every 8,000km. The oil level on the dipstick stays at the 'Full' mark all the time (measured when cold). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrigsby Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 hour ago, forester2002s said: I have a 2017 Forester with the FB2.5 engine. I change the oil about every 8,000km. The oil level on the dipstick stays at the 'Full' mark all the time (measured when cold). I had to re read that 8k, missed the km, my work goes 5k miles, I still like 3k miles Old School, thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 I also have a 2002 Forester with the EJ2.5 engine; in that car I change the oil (dyno) at about 3,000-5,000km. I've had that car since new with very few problems (I changed the headgaskets at 226,000km using 11044AA642 MLS gaskets). The car is now burning a little oil between changes. However in the 2017 Forester, I use full-synthetic oil. That's why I go about 8,000km between changes (recommended is 10,000km). And as I said above, it consumes virtually no oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Oil consumption was solved. But they are a suffering from broken valve springs. Apparently that is creeping into newer models than the early FB's also. Officially I think it's 12/13 models but on good authority I hear it is affecting newer models that this also. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1197sts Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 The FB25 is not immune from headgasket issues, a few months ago I swapped out one in a 2013 Outback (first year of the FB in the OB). They were getting quotes of 4k to 6k to do headgaskets. If you can find a low mile used engine at a good price it is a good alternative. The FB's also have the leaky cam towers that are pretty expensive to reseal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 Yes we are seeing more and more FB's with oil and coolant mixing. More junk...... GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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