When to retire 95 Legacy?

[axgutt]

I've had a few '95 Legacies with the EJ22 over the years. One made it to 386,000 (MT), another died of a freak headgasket problem a little after 200k, and my current one (AT) is at 387,500 or so. The transmission was replaced with a used one about 200,000 miles ago. The clutch pack started having problems a couple of years ago, so I've been running it in FWD for a while. The shifting has been getting wonky over the last year or so - i.e. sometimes won't come out of first gear, and the speedometer doesn't move, then suddenly will shift just fine.

 

The problem is that I've been telling my wife for years that these engines never die, can go for 500,000 miles . . . I think it will be time to move on when the transmission finally goes. She says we should just put another one in. Given the age/mileage of salvage yard transmissions at this point, plus the cost and overall age of the vehicle, I think it will be time to retire the car. 

 

As much as I'd love to keep it going forever, I feel like it's reached the age where it's time to enact a DNR for anything major. What do y'all think?

[idosubaru]

rust? that might convince me to move on.

 

could go either way depending on the rest of the condition of the vehicle and how available you are and how much you enjoy - the work. i'm putting a trans in my 285,000 mile OB original engine, and wondering if that was really the best decision based on rust and age. i think i'm mostly repairing it because i destroyed the trans so i hate junking a car due to my mistake!

Edited November 20, 2017 by idosubaru

[Subasaurus]

3 reasons why i would ever retire one of my Subarus

 

1. Rust.

2. Some idiot hits my Subaru and demolishes the vehicle past the point of repair (not insurance totaling it) 2 different things.

3. Can't find a replacement engine or transmission in a 6month search locally.

 

 

i currently have a 1993 impreza with 380,000miles waiting for a new transmission (doing too many burnouts did it) although i can find a transmission really easy at a junkyard right now for around $300, i'd rather spend it on a parts car as i do not have one for it yet around me for around the same price as i need a new interior and transmission for it, that would be an exception for me.

[lmdew]

Take your 95 2.2 and drop it in a 98-99 Outback that needs a motor.  It will be like a new car and last another 10 years.

[ThosL]

I made the mistake of retiring a Subaru because it was a little unattractive, big mistake.  I later got an 84 Jag., worst car I ever owned.  I went back to Subarus.

[heartless]

Rust is the biggest reason for retiring a Subaru... up here in Wisconsin, it is the #1 killer of otherwise good running cars.

 

I know the cost of stuffing another tranny in is a consideration, but lets weigh the pros & cons...

 

You know this car, know it's quirks, know the maintenance history on it... yes, putting another tranny in does cost, but...

would it "cost" more or less than buying a different car that you have no knowledge of.. no maintenance history on, no idea how it was driven before you, no idea of how it was treated... you could find yourself with a money pit (catching up on missed/neglected maintenance/repairs)

 

Or, as suggested by lmdew, find a 98-99 Outback with a blown motor and drop your 2.2 in it... but again, you have no idea of history, and could just as easily have tranny problems or other issues there as well...

 

If the structure of the car is still in good condition, imho, it would be worth putting another tranny in it...

On the other hand... if the structure is compromised due to rust or other damage, then perhaps it is time to move on.