[Jagtec1]

Anyone know anything about these? My parents are getting ready to dump their "beater", and I may pick it up to drive daily. 1993 or1994 Legacy sedan (I'm not certain which year). Nothing wrong with it, only around 80K on the clock. Timing belt was done within the past 2 years.

Anyone have any good info on reliability?

Thanks

[OHC6-Man]

Check Edmunds.com for customer reviews. Those usually help me.

Even though I'm new in the car owning world, I've seen enough cars and reviews to know that after 75k miles, I'd immediatly change the fuel pump, belts, hoses, and fluids when getting a used car (though I'm sure since your parents have more knowledge of the car, you probably don't need to do this, it is more of a safety precaution when buying used).

[Hooter]

I was the Quality Manager at my old company that supplied the HVAC system on these cars and I spent a lot of time at the factory(Lafayette, IN) where these were built. I recall these being pretty good cars and the people on the shop floor actually caring about quality. We had several of them for wind tunnel testing and I don't recall any problems. I'd say go for it. I don't recall them getting great mileage though.

[dreamingmuscle]

Subaru's have always had a good reputation. I say go for it.

[LPete]

They're great cars. Tend to have some oil leaks (cam covers, cam and crank seals mostly). The only real odd thing we ran into on these is the front crank seal blowing out repeatedly. The oil pump is mounted on the front of the crank, and has a plate on the back side held on with philips-head screws. When the screws come loose oil pressure leaks around the plate and pushes against the seal, blowing it out. Knowledgeable techs take the pump off and loctite the screws when doing a timing belt.

We personally owned one -- sold it to a friend who's still driving it with over 250K miles.

I should add that they're very popular in Colorado. We worked on many of them. Very easy to work on, for the most part.

[455Grandville]

Subies have a very good rep; their pancake engines are long lived; they were originally designed to be used in small aircraft.

[Jagtec1]

Cool. I can get it CHEEEAP. I'm also a Master technician by trade, so working on it will be no problem. I just don't want to have to "work on it" often!

Thanks!

[Cliff R]

I bought one years ago, a 1987 GL Wagon, for $75. The transmission governor was sticking and waterpump was out of it. I installed timing belts, fixed the trans and we drove it for years, both my teenagers learned to drive with it, then I drove it some more. Sold it and far as I know it's still running. Dead solid reliable car, and I loved the 4WD deal.

It was very lacking on power, but OK, otherwise no complaints.....Cliff

[stevep]

If and when they come in to my shop, they have a LOT of miles on them and still run fine. The only thing I see here in Boston are rust issues underneath.