Originally Posted by kaisen
I know a lot about these cars. I've bought, repaired, and sold a half dozen last year. I utilize an independent Subaru specialist who is highly regarded.
They are great cars, but have their share of things to watch out for. The '95-99 DOHC motors, EJ22D (Impreza, some Legacy) or EJ25D (most Legacy, all Outbacks), WILL have head gasket failures at some point in their life, usually around 100K but can vary significantly. And some have the issue more than once. It's hard to fix 'right'. Google it and you'll see it is endemic. The 'fix' is to fit the latest MLS Multi-Layered-Steel gaskets that are completely covered in Viton on the sealing surfaces. The Subaru gaskets are junk, even the last few evolutions that claim to fix the problem. Either Cometic or Fel Pro for head gaskets. You need new head bolts and you need to resurface the heads, and the machinist has to know what he's doing. Of course, you've already got the motor out, so you do the rear main seal, valve cover gaskets, intake gasket, thermostat, oil separator plate, timing belt (must also replace both rollers, hydraulic tensioner (use only Subaru), water pump, and cam seals), etc. Figure that the job costs at least $1500 at a good independent ($800 in parts, $100 resurface, $600 labor), and that's if it never really overheated and damaged more.
Halfway through the '99 model year, Subaru came out with the SOHC version that mostly elimated the fear of head gaskets. (Watch for piston slap though...more of an annoyance)Then the 2000 models were a redesign. So a 2001 is a 'better' car than a 1997 in that respect (new bodystyle, new motor design).
Other issues are much smaller. They always rust, even in FL. They have A/C issues. They eat CV joints and wheel bearings. The rear control arm bushings (two arms) degrade. Etc. Nothing too big. The motor is the biggie.
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