lhrocker Posted January 3, 2007 Share Posted January 3, 2007 I'm replacing my 95 Legacy wagon and found the following - which would you get? 95 Legacy L, 115000 miles, all service records - $3200 97 Legacy L, 63000 miles, all service records - $5500 Both cars are very clean. I like the 95 cause I know the car, non-interference engine, I know can get another 100K out of it and it's cheaper. 97 is amazing at that mileage, but timing will be needed shortly??? Also, if I just want a good commuter for work (500 miles/week), will any Legacy w/under 150K that is mechanically sound do? I'd prefer to spend less now and get a nice late model or maybe new weekend/family car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 3, 2007 Share Posted January 3, 2007 type in headgasket in the search function of the new generation forum, all of those entries are the same 2.5 liter motor in that 1997 legacy you're looking at. i'd avoid that motor and if a $1,000+ repair any time after buying it would annoy you, then you should as well. if you wanted one, buy one cheap with a blown motor and install a new motor in it, don't pay full price for one....unless you don't care about the finance side of things, it's as much a game as anything to me. or....of the two you posted, get the 1995 as it has the EJ22 2.2 liter motor, no HG issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhrocker Posted January 3, 2007 Author Share Posted January 3, 2007 I'm well aware of the head gasket issues on the 2.5's, but at 63k original miles, is that something to take into consideration. Personally, I will probably stay with the 95's 2.2, but it's always good to get other opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 3, 2007 Share Posted January 3, 2007 like i said, if yo'ure really interested i'd do a seach of "headgasket" in the new generation forums rather than turn this into a 10 page debate about the 2.5 headgaskets..which always happens. there's no need to reiterate information that is posted weekly. 63,000 miles doesn't mean anything, they go at 20k, 30k, 40k...this isn't an age or mileage issue at all, it's a defect, that's why subaru offered a newer designed headgasket for it and extended warranties and coolant additives (later 00-03 model EJ25's). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 3, 2007 Share Posted January 3, 2007 i'll be nice and give you a for instance - i'm looking at two 1997 Legacy GT sedans right now with blown headgaskets. both have 8x,xxx miles on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhrocker Posted January 3, 2007 Author Share Posted January 3, 2007 That's cool - maybe I'll just have my 95 towed to a repair shop and get a guesstimate on fixing it. If for under $1k I can get another 50K miles out of it, I'm still out on top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ever Victorious Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Pardon me if I'm wrong, but don't '97 L's and Brightons still have the EJ22? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 I had a 1998 legacy L with the 2.2L. I would get the one with the lower mileage, timing belt is due just because its almost 10 years, and the seals will start leaking soon, but at that mileage, i would take it. Service the tranny too. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderhound Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 A 97 Legacy L absolutely is a 2.2. As for timing belts...as per your calculations it would be due soon in the 95 too, unless it was done at 60 with the new 105K belts but I doubt it. But the 95 is non-interference so. Plus a nine year old car with only 63k seems fishy...things can go wrong from under use too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 500 miles a week is 25,000 miles a year. 4 years from now which car would you rather be driving and repairing, 95 w/ 215k miles or 97 w/ 163k miles? regardless of which one you buy, you are going to have to do the timing belt eventually, the trick is to sell the car before the second timing belt. i'd buy the 97. by my fromula, the 95: 32 plus 115 = 147 the 97: 55 plus 63 = 118 the difference in my mind is about 3000$ or 30k miles. the 97 is a bargain. be sure to check it out completely. carfax!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 sweet deal, then get the 97 if it has the 2.2. i thought only Legacy Lsi had the 2.2. is the Legacy L something different, or only the Legacy Outbacks had the 2.5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 sweet deal, then get the 97 if it has the 2.2. i thought only Legacy Lsi had the 2.2. is the Legacy L something different, or only the Legacy Outbacks had the 2.5? 97 - 99 the legacy, brighton, L , others? had the 2.2 interferrence (different than 95-96 2.2, some design changes) 97 - 99 outback, gt, sus, (i think i'm missing one) 2.5 interferrence 00 - up 2.5 only (the 2.2 was only in the impreza and then only for a little while, i think?) i haven't heard enough feed back on the 97 - 99 2.2 to know how it compares to the 95 - 96. other than the interferrence issue. beside the outback was/is the hot ticket item. every body wants that. i think the 2.2 leg with new outback struts and wheels may be better, no HG issue. but i'm dying to know what the 2.5 engine would be like in a 2.2 car with the 2.2 trannsmission. more horse power, higher gearing....... of course the gear ratios may not match the power curve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhrocker Posted January 4, 2007 Author Share Posted January 4, 2007 Well, the 97 is definitely a Legacy and not an outback. I'm going to look at the 95 today and the 97 next week. Then I'll make my choice. I am looking for a car to get me to work and back primarily. If I could get 2 to 3 years out of it, that would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Well, the 97 is definitely a Legacy and not an outback. I'm going to look at the 95 today and the 97 next week. Then I'll make my choice. I am looking for a car to get me to work and back primarily. If I could get 2 to 3 years out of it, that would be great. the 95 is probably due for the t-belt at 120K and then good for another 100k. the 97 is probably due at 105k, unless you have paper work to show it's been done. either one is going to cost 600$ pluss , maybe as much as 1000$(?) depending on pulleys and such. i doubt you could go 2 - 3 years in the 95 without doing the work, but maybe 1 - 1.5 years. the belt on there is either a 60k belt or a 100 k belt, but the first change interval was 60k. so you should have either 5k or 45k left. on this one you can risk a longer interval, no damage if it fails. the 97 has 42k left. change interval, 105k; and you don't want to risk more, it's not worth it. all of this depends on when the belt was last changed. check the paper work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniberp Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Pardon me if I'm wrong, but don't '97 L's and Brightons still have the EJ22? Yes, but I think the 97 2.2 is interference due to different heads, cams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhrocker Posted January 4, 2007 Author Share Posted January 4, 2007 Just finished the test drive on the 95 Legacy. It drives very well and is really clean. Outside shines, but the engine compartment is spotless, which is kinda scary. 115K miles with TB chages at 60K. Is $3250 a good price? Also found out that the 97 Legacy with 63K is also a 2.2 with a $5500 asking price. Both are firm, but will cut me a deal if I get both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhrocker Posted January 4, 2007 Author Share Posted January 4, 2007 John - I know I'll have to do work eventually - just don't want to spend the cash to lay out more cash a few weeks later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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