I'm looking for my first Subaru, which will be a AWD wagon with
manual tranny. Am looking for advice as far as which years are
preferable or to be avoided, as well as any problem areas or optional
features to avoid. I'm looking in the under $5000 (maybe even under
$2000) range, mostly just reliable winter transportation, maybe some
family trips.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
David
Buying my first Suby
Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators
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paul.travers@vodafone.co.
Buying my first Suby
Hi David
I own a 93 EJ20T (Japanese imported) wagon. Ive noticed that most of these
wagons have built in roofracks, which are prone to corrosion (like mine)
where the rack is bolted to the roof, check it hasnt spread into the roof
itself. Guess it depends on your local climate though. Cant think of
anything else off the top of my head...
Good Luck
Paul
Auckland NZ
I own a 93 EJ20T (Japanese imported) wagon. Ive noticed that most of these
wagons have built in roofracks, which are prone to corrosion (like mine)
where the rack is bolted to the roof, check it hasnt spread into the roof
itself. Guess it depends on your local climate though. Cant think of
anything else off the top of my head...
Good Luck
Paul
Auckland NZ
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Robert Illan
Buying my first Suby
I own a 93 Legacy L Sedan 5 spd 130Kmi, good fuel economy 32mpg, bad
axles CV joint boots ( all Subs have bad axles, same as my 76 DL
wagon Automatic lasted 24 years), the door windows have no frame so
keeping the rubber seals from cracking tearing is important. I'm
buying a Baja later this month (my first 4WD Sub) and so the Legacy
will retire to only going to work, $25K Ouch!! I first bought Subs
because they were inexpensive, few options, easy to repair. Well, 26
years later they are still easy to repair.
For $5K stay away from turbos, non-turbos should be trouble free for
the first 100K, then CV/axle problems, then valve job at 160-170Kmi,
timing belts are easy I replace it myself for $40. I have been
tempted to buy a used Legacy 2 or 3 years old 40kmi for $13-$14K but
my wife insisted to get a new Sub at twice the money.
Robert Illan
Huntsville, Al
axles CV joint boots ( all Subs have bad axles, same as my 76 DL
wagon Automatic lasted 24 years), the door windows have no frame so
keeping the rubber seals from cracking tearing is important. I'm
buying a Baja later this month (my first 4WD Sub) and so the Legacy
will retire to only going to work, $25K Ouch!! I first bought Subs
because they were inexpensive, few options, easy to repair. Well, 26
years later they are still easy to repair.
For $5K stay away from turbos, non-turbos should be trouble free for
the first 100K, then CV/axle problems, then valve job at 160-170Kmi,
timing belts are easy I replace it myself for $40. I have been
tempted to buy a used Legacy 2 or 3 years old 40kmi for $13-$14K but
my wife insisted to get a new Sub at twice the money.
Robert Illan
Huntsville, Al
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Marc
Buying my first Suby
Not quite sure, but-
Stateside, Turbos are going for between $3 and $5k and have been quite reliable (and the focus of this group), unfortunately they never sold a manual turbo estate- only automatics... check Dave's legacy page for info on what to look for- there's an article scanned from EVO (quite good uk car mag) that you could check out... Where are you at, anyhow? There ar far more in the East and Rockies, it seems, than in, say, Florida.
mbc
Stateside, Turbos are going for between $3 and $5k and have been quite reliable (and the focus of this group), unfortunately they never sold a manual turbo estate- only automatics... check Dave's legacy page for info on what to look for- there's an article scanned from EVO (quite good uk car mag) that you could check out... Where are you at, anyhow? There ar far more in the East and Rockies, it seems, than in, say, Florida.
mbc